London Calling: A Summer of Sound in Finsbury Park and Hyde Park

NOTICE: This isnt a party political broadcast blog, just a comment on my activity.

Summer in London isn't just about picnics in the park or dodging the inevitable rain showers; it's about the electrifying atmosphere of open-air gigs. And this year, with a line-up spanning generations and genres, I've been truly spoiled for choice, bouncing between the vibrant energy of Finsbury Park and the iconic expanse of Hyde Park.

At the current time I'm in a rich vein of form, my daughter is turning 18 in September and my lad is 22 so there's some common ground of a show in the same musical taste and attending such open their gigs with your kids is magical, before they think is sad to go with their dad!

I love capturing t-shirt designs and comments in the summer, I got these street candids from willing participants, at Finsbury Park.

First up on my summer music pilgrimage was Finsbury Park on July 5th, for a truly unmissable triple bill: Fontaines D.C., who were supported by the excepitional Kneecap, and Amyl and The Sniffers. What a day! Finsbury Park, with its impressive 45,000 capacity, was buzzing from the moment the gates opened. The air crackled with anticipation as people streamed in, clad in everything from vintage band tees to the latest streetwear.

Kneecap brought their signature raw energy and biting lyrics, setting the tone with their politically charged hip-hop. The crowd was absolutely captivated, a sea of bobbing heads and raised fists.

I noticed in the crowd, the patrons were aged between 15-75 years of age, its what music (and lyrics) should be about, bringing people together, not pulling them apart.

Then came Amyl and The Sniffers, and if you've never witnessed Amy Taylor's stage presence, you're truly missing out. Their ferocious punk rock was infectious, turning the already lively crowd into a joyous. I’m sad that I didnt take any photos, but I was enjoying the tunes too much!

And then, Fontaines D.C. took to the stage. I am lucky to have my daughter introduce me to their music very early on in their careers. I’m astounded how good they are, for a band so young. Their melancholic yet powerful post-punk sound filled the vast park, the Irish brogue of Grian Chatten’s vocals carrying across the field. Tracks from their new album blended seamlessly with older favourites, creating an almost spiritual experience. It was a masterclass in modern rock, proving exactly why they're one of the most exciting bands around right now. The energy was palpable, a perfect fusion of intensity and unity.

Just a few days later, the grandeur of Hyde Park beckoned for a very different, but equally compelling, musical journey. On July 11th, I found myself immersed in a legendary lineup: Neil Young, Van Morrison, and Yusuf / Cat Stevens as part of the BST Hyde Park series. Hyde Park, with its immense 65,000 capacity, offers a unique open-air experience, where generations come together to witness musical titans.

Unfortunately, I was only able to capture two T-shirt candids, as the Clientele was slightly different to Finsbury Park.

I can’t beleive this was the first time I have seen Neil Young live, but to have that moment with my kids, was truly special.

There's something truly special about seeing artists of this calibre in such an iconic setting. Yusuf / Cat Stevens, with his timeless folk anthems, brought a sense of peace and reflection, his gentle melodies floating through the summer air. Hearing classics like "Wild World" and "Father and Son" sung by thousands was genuinely moving.

Van Morrison followed, delivering his signature blend of R&B, jazz, and soul. His voice, still as distinctive and powerful as ever, filled the park. It was a soulful, improvisational performance that showcased his undeniable musical genius.

And then, the legend himself, Neil Young, took to the stage. The Godfather of Grunge, with his trusty guitar, delivered a set that spanned his incredible career. From searing guitar solos to poignant acoustic moments, he commanded the immense space effortlessly. The raw honesty and passion in his performance were a stark reminder of his enduring influence. To be in that crowd, under the London sky, witnessing these living legends, felt like a true privilege.

Two vastly different musical experiences, both equally unforgettable. Finsbury Park offered a raw, energetic dive into the cutting edge of contemporary rock, while Hyde Park provided a nostalgic, yet still electrifying, journey through the songbooks of true musical icons. Both venues, with their well-organised facilities (cashless payments are a lifesaver!), ample food and drink options, and clear security measures, ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience despite the massive crowds.

Whether you're headbanging in the mosh pit or swaying gently to a classic ballad, there's nothing quite like the communal joy of an open-air gig in London. As the summer continues, I'll be keeping a close eye on those concert listings – who knows what other incredible musical adventures await!

Back to the Grind: Embracing the Commute with Street Photography

After months (or perhaps years) of the freedom of working from home, the siren call of the office is once again beckoning and on most if not all of us.

Photography isn’t my full time job, it’s my sanity check, to inject a form of creativity into my brain, after spending the working week crunching and counting numbers.

It was back in 2011, when I purchased the iPhone 4, that I discovered the genre of iphoneography over on Flickr, which cultivated into street photography, as an activity to break up the banality of the daily commute into London.  This has piqued my curiosity ever since and blossomed into what is now a fully involved side hustle of managing this website and Etsy store, selling my wares.

As we enter 2025, Labour are seated in Westminster with their pledge to grow the economy, we are all (re)starting the weekly pilgrimage back to the office.  Alas, this means a return to the daily grind of the commute. But what if, instead of dreading that train journey or bus ride, we could embrace it as an opportunity for creativity and self-discovery.

Enter: street photography.

The daily commute, often seen as a monotonous and time-consuming chore, can be transformed into a unique and rewarding experience. Armed with a camera, a curious mind, and a keen eye for the unexpected, the journey to the office becomes a daily expedition.

Here's how to turn your commute into a street photography adventure:

• Embrace the Unexpected: The beauty of street photography lies in its spontaneity. Be prepared for anything – a fleeting glance, a quirky outfit, a vibrant mural, an unexpected interaction.

• Find Your Angle: Experiment with different perspectives. Shoot from the hip, capture reflections in windows, or try a high vantage point.

• Tell a Story: Look for patterns and narratives in the everyday. What do the faces of your fellow commuters reveal? What stories do the objects they carry tell?

• Respect Your Subjects: Always be mindful and respectful of others. Avoid intrusive photography and prioritize the safety and comfort of those around you.

• Edit and Share: After your journey, take some time to review your photos. Select your favorites, edit them to enhance their impact, and share them with the world.

Benefits Beyond the Frame:

Street photography on the commute offers more than just stunning images. It provides:

• A Creative Outlet: A welcome distraction from the pressures of work and a way to express your unique perspective.

• Increased Mindfulness: Paying attention to the details of your surroundings can help you become more present and appreciate the world around you.

• A Sense of Adventure: The daily commute becomes an exciting journey, filled with the anticipation of discovering the unexpected.

• Improved Observation Skills: Street photography sharpens your awareness of your surroundings, making you a more observant and engaged individual.

So, the next time you find yourself facing the dreaded commute, grab your camera and embrace the adventure. Transform the journey from a mundane obligation into a creative pursuit. You might be surprised at the beauty and inspiration you discover along the way.

Disclaimer: Please be mindful of your surroundings and ensure your photography does not disrupt or inconvenience others. Always prioritize safety and respect the privacy of individuals.

Note: This blog post focuses on commuting in London, where public transport is widely used. However, the principles of street photography on the commute can be applied to any mode of transportation in any city.

I hope this blog post inspires you to embrace the commute and discover the creative potential within your daily journey. Happy shooting!

Until next time, keep shooting.

2023 - A year of reflection, personal, work, photography, books.

Well, 2023 is nearing its end and it’s a year that’s finished as it’s begun, with family being the case in point.

My dear mum passed away on 8th December 2023, after being admitted into Hospital in December 2022 with an infection and whilst this was being treated, she received the full diagnosed her dementia. Since her admission into a care home in January 2023, this last year has provided me with a reminder of being present. Bless you Mum xx.

I tend to take these moments of quiet, to have a period of self-reflection, to see how things have gone against my set goals, sometimes these are formal and structured, sometimes these are ad hoc.  Goal setting (both professional and personal) is imperative for you to function at a greater depth.

The main areas of personal informal focus this year, was to remain grounded and present, with a focus on my mental health, that will ultimately lead to happiness and fulfilment for me and that of my kids.  Seeing my mums health deteriorate in the course of this last year, has been demonstrable on keeping front and centre for remembering the good memories and laughs I have shared with my mum.

I also set myself some additional goals, 1) exceed 100 sales on the Etsy store, 2) reach 1,000 subs on Instagram, 3) Maintain my focus and standing at work, and achieve by 52 book 2023 reading challenge.

These were all achieved, I have done this through a simple and what I think effective plan. 

Etsy Store, I’m loathed to admit defeat, but due to my profile as a Street Photographer, I am more reliant on Etsy and their store platform to sell my wares, than my website.

I reached 111 sales for 2023, with a total of 30 orders in 2023.  My most popular items were:

Coupled with my excellent professional printing partner, I was able to fulfil orders to 8 different countries this year, namely: UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Australia, Spain, USA, Luxembourg, Switzerland.  I am also holding a 5 star feedback. 

On Instagram, I have two accounts a film account and a digital account.  My main activity is on the film account, with a sufficient archive to post 35mm, 120 and 4x5 images.  Q4 of 2023 has seen a little more activity on the digital account, largely due to the film prices spiralling out of control.  I enjoy shooting both formats.  I am just clutching to the 1k followers on the film account, but the focus for 2024 will be to build the 325 followers in the digital account.

At work, I have built a reputation of coaching and helping some of the younger members of the team, giving back, through an informal process of mentoring and coaching.  I remember vividly when I started, as I naive and inexperienced 20 something, that I didn’t know what the tolerance was to act, behave and perform.  I coach people now, by saying your actions are based on reason and logic, not knowledge and experience, that follows.   I love this role and I do it for the enjoyment I get from seeing the younger folk rise.  Everyone should have and / or be a mentor. 

I also finished the year as top performer (for the third consecutive year) in performance, which is a token gesture based on the position of my mum.

Secondly, I’m not much of a ‘sit in front of the TV’ type of person.  With the exception of watching (informative) YouTube videos, I am much more relaxed reading a decent book.  I generally exceed my yearly challenge of 52 books and I take enormous joy from reading a wide genre of novels.

I have read 61 books this year.

­In no particular order or ranking, these are the standout reads for me for 2023.

Best Memoir:

I don’t take Requests – DJ Fat Tony

Harrowing, honest and funny, this is the candid and outrageous memoir of a life of extremes. It's a story of getting it all and losing it all. Addiction, recovery, and starting again. Drawing a vivid portrait of Britain's street culture from the 1980s to the noughties, DJ Fat Tony describes his childhood on a London estate where he honed his petty criminality, was abused by an older man and became best friends with Boy George. He spent his teenage years parading the Kings Road in his latest (mostly stolen) clobber, worked as a receptionist at a brothel, hung out with Leigh Bowery and Andy Warhol, and created his drag persona, before becoming DJ to the stars (including Prince and Madonna) and spiralling into a life-threatening drug addiction.

This is a story of loss and redemption and living to tell all the tales in glorious, funny and often heart-breaking detail, from one of social media's best-loved meme-thieves and the world-renowned DJ.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, "father of the atomic bomb," the brilliant, charismatic physicist who led the effort to capture the awesome fire of the sun for his country in time of war. Immediately after Hiroshima, he became the most famous scientist of his generation-one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, the embodiment of modern man confronting the consequences of scientific progress.

Political:

How Westminster Works…..and why it doesn’t - Ian Dunt

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER British politics is broken.  Anyone sitting down to watch the news will get the sense that something has gone terribly wrong. We have prime ministers who detonate the economy, secretaries of state who are intellectually incapable of doing the job and MPs who seem temperamentally unsuited to the role. Expertise is denigrated. Lies are rewarded. And deep-seated, long-lasting national problems go permanently unresolved. Most of us have a sense that the system doesn't work, but we struggle to articulate exactly why. Our political and financial system is cloaked in secrecy, archaic terminology, ancient custom and impenetrable technical jargon.Lifting the lid on British politics, How Westminster Works . . . and Why It Doesn't exposes every aspect of the system in a way that can be understood and challenged, from the heights of Downing Street to the depths of the nation's newsrooms, from the hallways of the civil service to the green benches of the Commons.Based on interviews with some of the leading voices in politics, from former occupants of No.10 to key figures in Whitehall, Westminster and Fleet Street, Ian Dunt provides exactly what people in power have always tried to a full description of the mechanisms of British government. And a vision of how we can fix it. 

Johnson at 10 – Athony Seldon

Mindboggling to see what a complete and unmitigated disaster, the Johnson ‘administration’ was.

True Crime:

Shallow Graves: My life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases – Ray Fysh

Shortlisted for the True Crime Awards 2023 Best New True Crime Author The murder of Sarah Payne, Adam the Thames Torso, the London bombings, the Night Stalker and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko... The solving of all these cases can be linked to one Ray Fysh, a beer-swigging Charlton Athletic fan from Woolwich, a natural raconteur and also one of the finest forensic detectives the country has ever seen.Ray began work for the Met Police in the 1970s when forensic investigation was seen as little more than a geeky side show, only in existence to confirm or eliminate evidence. But by the mid 90s Ray and his team had made huge progress in their field, contributing to the UK becoming a world-leading innovator in forensic techniques, with Ray himself being named as Special Adviser to the Forensic Science Service. As the SA, Ray worked alongside Senior Investigating Officers from day one of a case, directing his team to identify forensic opportunities and harvest case-cracking clues.As Ray looks back over his career at the cases he worked on, the reader is given unparalleled insight into the highs and lows of an astonishing career, the historic classist snobbery of the Met and the stunning realities of crime and forensics

Unlawful Killings: Life, Love and Murder: Trials at the Old Bailey – Wendy Joseph

Every day in the UK lives are suddenly, brutally, wickedly taken away. Victims are shot or stabbed. Less often they are strangled or suffocated or beaten to death. Rarely they are poisoned, pushed off high buildings, drowned or set alight. Then there are the many who are killed by dangerous drivers, or corporate gross negligence. There are a lot of ways you can kill someone. I know because I've seen most of them at close quarters.'

Non Fiction:

README.txt – Chelsea Manning

An intimate, revealing memoir from one of the most important activists of our time.

While working as an intelligence analyst in Iraq for the United States Army in 2010, Chelsea Manning disclosed more than seven hundred thousand classified military and diplomatic records that she had smuggled out of the country on the memory card of her digital camera. In 2011 she was charged with twenty-two counts related to the unauthorized possession and distribution of classified military records, and in 2013 she was sentenced to thirty-five years in military prison.

The day after her conviction, Manning declared her gender identity as a woman and began to transition, seeking hormones through the federal court system. In 2017, President Barack Obama commuted her sentence and she was released from prison.

In README .txt, Manning recounts how her pleas for increased institutional transparency and government accountability took place alongside a fight to defend her rights as a trans woman. Manning details the challenges of her childhood and adolescence as a naive, computer-savvy kid, what drew her to the military, and the fierce pride she has about the work she does. This powerful, observant memoir will stand as one of the definitive testaments of our digital, information-driven age.

 Photography:

Portrait of Britain Volume 5 – Hoxton Mini Press

The worst of the pandemic might be behind us, but the crises just keep coming. War is in Europe. Inflation and temperatures are on the rise. This, the fifth volume in the British Journal of Photography and Hoxton Mini Press’ collaborative series, brings together 200 portraits from all over our island that show Britain at a time of resilience and reimagining. It creates both a thoughtful reappraisal of our recent past, and reveals the individuals both loudly and quietly changing the future. It is published in support of 1854 Media’s annual award, Portrait of Britain, which sees the finest portraits taken in the nation in recent years tour the country via JCDecaux digital billboards. The book features an introduction that sets the portraits within their cultural context and the full shortlist of 200 photographs alongside quotes

Fiction:

Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens' anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can't imagine leaving behind.

Pig Iron – Benjamin Myers

Pig Iron is the story of John-John, a young man wrestling with the legacy of brutality left by his bare-knuckle boxer father, King of the Gypsies, Mac Wisdom. His new job as an ice cream man should offer freedom, but instead pulls John-John into the dark recesses of a north-east town where his family name is mud.

As he attempts to trade prejudice, parole officers and local gangs for his ‘green cathedral’ - the rural landscape in which he seeks solace - Mac’s rise and bloody downfall threatens to engulf John-John’s present.

A far cry from the recent media stereotyping of travellers, Pig Iron is a sensitive portrayal of Britain’s most marginalised and misunderstood ethnic group. More than anything, it is about the redemptive power of nature and the landscape of post-industrial northern England.

Pig Iron is the story of a traveller who hasn’t travelled; a young man fighting for his surname and his very survival. 

Wellbeing:

This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health: A journey into the heartland of psychiatry – Nathan Filer

Presents a balanced summary of the controversy around the biological model of mental ill health, along with the impact this model has had on service design and culture, and society’s understanding of/relationship with its own and others mental health. Coming at a time when the profile of mental health is increasing, this exposure of the counter narrative to the disease model, from an author with his appeal is incredibly important.

History:

Napoleon, a life – Andrew Roberts

The definitive biography of the great soldier-statesman by the New York Times bestselling author of The Storm of War—winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and the Grand Prix of the Fondation Napoleon  

Austerlitz, Borodino, Waterloo: his battles are among the greatest in history, but Napoleon Bonaparte was far more than a military genius and astute leader of men. Like George Washington and his own hero Julius Caesar, he was one of the greatest soldier-statesmen of all times.

Andrew Roberts’s Napoleon is the first one-volume biography to take advantage of the recent publication of Napoleon’s thirty-three thousand letters, which radically transform our understanding of his character and motivation. At last we see him as he was: protean multitasker, decisive, surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his errant wife Josephine. Like Churchill, he understood the strategic importance of telling his own story, and his memoirs, dictated from exile on St. Helena, became the single bestselling book of the nineteenth century.

The Fatal Shore – Robert Hughes

 The history of the birth of Australia which came out of the suffering and brutality of England's infamous convict transportation system. With 16 pages of illustrations and 3 maps.

One of the greatest non-fiction books I've ever read . . . Hughes brings us an entire world. --Los Angeles Times

Sport:

Tackled – Ben Tornley

Ben Thornley: The Class of '92 Star Who Never Got to Graduate is the autobiography of a Manchester United player who had the world at his feet, only for a tackle to shatter his knee - and his dreams. Ben tells his story with insights from the likes of Alex Ferguson, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. It's the Class of '92 as you've never heard it before.

Tome:

The Armour of Light  – Ken Follett

The grand master of gripping fiction is back. International No.1 bestseller Ken Follett returns to Kingsbridge with an epic tale of revolution and a cast of unforgettable characters.

Short Story:

Water – John Boyne

You just cant ignore Boyne’s writing.  When its good, its very good.

Little Gem:

Foster – Claire Keegan

A small girl is sent to live with foster parents on a farm in rural Ireland, without knowing when she will return home. In the strangers' house, she finds a warmth and affection she has not known before and slowly begins to blossom in their care. And then a secret is revealed and suddenly, she realizes how fragile her idyll is.

Foreign / Translation:

The Notebook Trilogy - Agota Kristof

Claus and Lucas remarkable storytelling. 

Biggest Disappointment:

The Year of the Locust – Terry Hayes

That plot twist?!

Well thats me done for 2023, Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024.

Half term

Well that was a much needed half term break, which got a bit lively on Friday with Storm Eunice hitting the British Isles.

The year thus far at work has been breakneck, so having the past week off, has been a much needed downing of work tools (laptop and mobile) and a lifting of play tools (cameras).

No grand plans, as these are due in April with (fingers very crossed), a European city break with the kids.

But the kids and I popped up to London for a day trip, the kids love the big smoke. They are also avid exhibition / culture vultures, which is lovely.

We went to see the America in Crisis exhibition, at the Saatchi Gallery. £5 general admission, is very reasonably priced for 3 exhibition rooms, with images ranging from the 1960’s civil rights movement, to the storming of Capitol Hill in 2021 and much in between. I can't recommend it enough.

The effects of Eunice resulted in another exhibition being cancelled at the 11th hour, which was a little disapponting. Our walk around our usual haunts (Soho, Wardour Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials), was hindered by the high winds and cold, but we were about to have a limited meander, which resulted in a couple of keepers.

Next up was the highlight of the day, the kids first gig at Brixton Academy, seeing The Kooks. This was one for my daughter, shes obsessed with them ATM. Its something very sacred and special sharing a mutual like for music, I had a great time sharing this experience with them. I will definately be arrangng more soirees into live music this year, as an antidote to the pandemic. We also have the Red Hot Chili Peppers in London in June 2022, who are hopefully being supported by Thundercat.

Also camera wise, the past week saw me give the medium and large format cameras a workout.

I know it's clichéd that film slows you down and it's more about the entire process, rather than firing off images, but it really is.

Finally, I had a couple of queries from two of my followers on Instagram, one asking for some tips to get into film and the other querying my process on pushing fomapan 400 to 1600.

The former was quite revealing, I dug out an email I had sent to someone else a couple of years ago. I was genuinely shocked how prices of cameras, film and assorted paraphernalia have increased, we are a sacred group film photographers.

The latter was a lovely exchange with a pro photographer, when we shared our workflows, whilst wildly different, the output had the same goal / objective.

THats me for another month, until next time, keep snapping.

Demo season is upon us.

Popped into town this past weekend for a photowalk and decompress from a hectic start to the year. It was also an opprtune time to get into the mood for a chill February 2022 half term with the kids.

Stumbled across two small demo’s, one being an anti vaccination and freedom demo at the Peace Monument at Hove Beach, and the second rather low-key Boycott Puma (sports brand) outside Sports Direct in Brighton, as part of an Israeli Apartheid demo.

Firstly, apologies to the lady at the peace monument in Hove, who corrected me, when I said it was an anti vaxxers demo. It was more than that as a diverse section of society were voicing their views. NHS staff, Granny's, Mums.

These are the first 8 photos.

The last 2 photos were a 'Boycott Puma' demo outside Sports Direct, which was part of an Israeli Apartheid demo.

Both were sedate in nature, but a voice nonetheless. Its also great that demo season is upon is, as Brighton has a active population across all generations, eager to voice their peaceful and democratic right to demonstatrate.

Until next time, keep snapping.

#killthebill #therighttopeacefuldemo #brighton #streetphotography.

Patience

I'm impatient. There I've said it.

Its taken me until I'm in my mid to late 40’s that I've finally 'learned' to chill. Whilst I'm pondering this month's blog post, I have a live example of this.

I have a generally hectic day job, in fact manic. So as I've mentioned previously, street photography and film photography is my chill, to zen proportions.

It generally unwinds the stress of Monday to Friday, using the creative side of my brain, rather than counting numbers and managing risk in the financial services.

I had to send the Leica M4P in for a service. I can totally understand that some folk will file this under ‘first world problems’. But the camera has never been right since I got it.

The issue was a uniformed light leak down the right hand side of the negative, which varied, depending on the shutter speed. I ignored this for 6 months, cropping the issue out of the camera, but finally decided that this was madness.

After taking in some research for 3 weeks, I elected to use Camserve. Based on the positive feedback / reviews on a Leica forum. My experience with Steve at Camserve, was world class service, no doubt about it. Initially on the phone, he mentioned that it could be one of two problems, the first he could fix, which he hoped was the second shutter requiring adjusting, by dismantling the camera, and giving it a thorough CLA (clean, lubricate and adjust), the second, he couldn’t fix and would be very expensive and would need to be sent to ‘a specialist’. I cant remember what the second issue was, as I stopped listening after he said ‘very expensive’.

When I dropped the camera off, I asked if he could take a photo of the camera, with its guts hanging out, not to authenticate that any work was completed, but just to see my baby dismantled, I know, I’m weird like that……..

Thankfully the issue was the former easy fix, not the ‘very expensive’ option.

It took three weeks all in all to resolve and a charge of £144. Exceptional value, full CLA, shutter reset, rangefinder reset. I also received a call each week, with an update. This compared to some stories online of other repairers taking between 3 - 12 months!!.

What was a concern, was that when I collected the camera, I was told it had been opened up by a novice (read seller), who had attempted to clear fungus of the inside of the viewfinder. When they reassembled the camera, they didn’t have a high attention to detail, with a lot of loose screws within the body of the mechanism.

I had noticed this prior to the CLA, the nut on the top of the film winder, kept coming loose.

This has now changed my mind about buying expensive film cameras from Japan, as the import tax and service costs, take out the initial benefit of buying from this market place.

I had put my first expensive of buying my Pentax 67, down to bad luck, but alas, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

I took the camera out on Saturday with a roll of kodak colour plus 200 loaded. I found that my muscle memory had gone, which was expected really. I did find the camera to be a completely different user experience, the winder mechanism was nice and tight, but also I found that I didn’t miss any exposures.

Here’s a couple of images:

It’s nice to have the old lady back in hand, as I was using the digital camera quite a bit, but I missed the slower process of setting up each shot.

Well thats me for another month, until next time, keep snapping.

Housekeeping, its a good thing.

I’m sat here putting the finishing touches to the website update, with a little more time on my hands, whilst we are in this post Xmas / New Year lockdown.

Since my reacquiantance into film, I have added sections relating to Street 35mm & 120, and People 35mm & 120.

Whilst this makes the website a little more lumpy in navigation, I have noticed my shooting style differs greatly between the 3 genres.

Whilst I still carry my digital camera on my walks, I using it more for video, as this is something that I want to develop in 2021, short videos for instagram reels and stories.

Here’s a selection of film and digital images I have taken in 2021:

I mentioned in a previous blog post that the film community is alive and fully supportive, I had a lovely exchange with someone on Instagram, who read my recent blogpost on film photography and wanted to scratch their film itch.

I sent over an email, with some links to camera reviews, resources and blog posts that I have found invaluable. Film is alive and well.

until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Film Photography aka #Slowphotography

As we head into lockdown 2.0, this is inevitably going to polarise the population about the illogical stance of the government in dealing with the shit storm that is COVID19.

Since the back end of the summer and leading up to the present time,  I have been busy getting out and about building up a backlog of images to keyword, log and edit.

That coupled with the sheer madness that is the American presidential election results, or at least how someone hasn’t conceded,  has provided the heightened need for a little respite.  

The one common theme I have noticed during this period, is the sense of folk ‘getting on with it’.

Leading up to lockdown 2.0, there has been the introduction of the 3 tier system in the UK, with the North, initially being hit very hard.  Only time will tell if this will be managed well or simply a nightmare.

What I see within the content of instagram, is folk appreciating their predicament, what they have and being close to their loved ones.

Last week, I decided to have a look at some of my old film negatives, I shot film between 2016-2019, as a medium to improve my photography.  People have different positive and negatives regarding film, my take away has been that it slowed me down, provided me with a medium to be more considered, but also I enjoy the start to finish process.  I.e. from taking the photo, developing the film, scanning and digitally editing in Lightroom.

I took the below images of two Socialist Worker Party Volunteers. The black and white image was taken on my Yashica Mat 124g TLR medium format camera, with Ilford HP5 @ ei 200. The colour was taken on my Sony A7iii with 50mm F1.8. Both images offering something different, not better.

I use an Epson V600 flat bed scanner with Silverfast software.  Whilst this is good at scanning medium format film negatives, using this for 35mm is somewhat mixed.  Especially where using different colour film emulsions.

The current trend for scanning film negatives, is using a DSLR camera with the Negative Lab Pro Lightroom plug in.  Whilst I have been getting some decent scans through this method, I concluded that this was more out of eyeballed guess work than a consistent workflow.

So, now that I am fully re-engaged with film photography, I going to spend the winter months reviewing the archive and also covering the events in Brighton.

Until next time, keep snapping.

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