Photography Introduction
I started photography with some intent a couple of years ago. I’d previously dabbled, but hadn’t done anything for a while, beyond holiday snapshots.
You could divide by photgraphy into a few main bits, on the film format, but that’s more about how convienient the cameras are to carry. See the below for more details. I’m mainly been into black and white photography, but have been dabbling a little in slide film as well. I do own a digital camera, and use it a bit, but haven’t for a while now. I also have a phone camera that sees use.
Photography style
I’ve not yet really hit upon a style that I would say is mine. Or even, in fact, an area of photgraphy I most enjoy. Ignoring the general snapshots (not too frequent) and holiday snaps (which I like on film), I enjoy both country and urban landscape. I’m not sure I get the fuss of “Street” photography. I’d like to try some portraiture, but have no idea how to start on that one. I don’t think I want to narrow it down too much, there’s a whole range to try and a world to explore, but with limited time picking what I want to do is easier from limited choices.
Formats / Cameras
In 135 (35mm) format I’ve tended to small and portable. These are the ones I’ve taken on holiday more, and am likely to carry around anytime (mostly I’ve got cameras that fit into a pocket). More snapshot, memories and spontaneous captures from these. Also the only format I’ve used slide film in, which I like for holiday photos.
Medium format is probably what I use most at the moment. I mainly use a 6x4.5 SLR, I also have a 6x9 camera. These are cameras I tend to take on walks, and make photos as I go. The 645 camera is the more portable and easier to use of the two so that’s been far more used of late and has a lovely size of negative.
Large format is a recent addition (it arrived not long ago). I’ve made two photographs with it, but am planning to do more. I like the slow and steady, thoughtful approach required by it. The turnaround time (at least potential) is also nice, with developing my own film I can go out, make photos and develop them within hours. I’m intending to try and do that, even if I don’t scan/edit/print as quickly to avoid the backlog that the other cameras seem to be accruing.
I’ve a few instant cameras as well, not that I’ve used them that much. I’ve an SX-70 that I need to work out how to use properly. Now it’s summer I should get some film as it might be able to see more use (British winter is not really light enough for ISO 160). A recent addition is an Instax Wide camera. Pretty fun, if a little plastic fantastic, and the images produced are nice. I’ve been taking this on walks since I’ve got it, and have some nice images. The immediacy of the physical print is something I’ve really enjoyed. I bought a Polaroid EE100 a while ago, but haven’t been able to afford (or justify the cost of) any peel apart film for it yet. I’ve also got a Polaroid Large Format back, so as New55 looks like it might be returning that may see use yet.
Photo books
So as you can see, I’ve what seems like the usual film photographers problem of too many cameras. I try to not get into that too much, but not sure I succeed, and have a plan to concentrate on image making rather than gear. To that end I’ve been trying to minimise the gear spend, and maximise both film and photo book expenditure. Hopefully sharing here will keep me honest on that, with the aim for no new gear, but lots of using of what I have to become properly familiar with it all.
Photo books are something that I enjoy looking through. Partly appreciation, partly inspiration. I try to pick them up when I can. I’ve a slowly increasing collection, with some new ones appearing every now and again as I recall my commitment to buy more and actually look for some. I’ll try and write reviews of the ones I have, and then keep up with the ones I acquire.
Printing
I have an aim to do more printing. Almost to the point of contemplating to commiting to never share a non-printed photo. That would probably mean taking a photo of, or scanning a print I’d made. Currently those would be digital prints, from scans of the film, but I’d like to go all analogue. Not least as I find film scanning a little tiresome, and like the traditional prints I’ve seen. Also as I work on computers, moving away from needing to use one outside work appeals. There’s some space issues that mean I’ve not got further than reading about printing at the moment. Once that’s not an issue I intend to jump into printing. Not sure how, but contact printing large format might be a good (and cheaper/easier) start. After that it’d be looking for enlargers, or Intrepid’s Enlarger to fit on a large format camera.
Summary
Bit of a large topic this one. As the item in my orginal list that I’ve been doing for the longest, perhaps no surprise there. I’m aiming to talk about photography more than gear. So things like processes and how photographs were made, as well as photo books, rather than camera reviews.