19 years on Flickr

It-is-what-it-is, a moment in time.

My photographic diary.

I've gone back to camera film. I've liked trying some of the independent small films that have popped up (thank goodness) and I revisit some of the classics when available.

I enjoy waiting for the film to come back.

6 films I like to shoot with:

Colour . . . .

1. Kodak Ektar 100 { flic.kr/s/aHBqjATkeV }

2. Kodak UltraMax 400 { flic.kr/s/aHBqjAT1a9 }

3. Kodak Gold 200 { flic.kr/s/aHBqjAaiop }

4. Kodak Portra 800 (when the price is right) { flic.kr/s/aHBqjB2Bxt }

B&W . . . .

5. Ilford XP2 Super 400 { flic.kr/s/aHBqjB8FXu }

6. AgfaPhoto APX 100 flic.kr/s/aHBqjBo98P

For me film is a happy place.

I have an album with all the past and present photos I've taken on film.

flic.kr/s/aHBqjA1X3e

A digital camera is always close by, I love using the Nikon Coolpix P6000, P7000 and Canon DSLR's EOS 7D, 5D Mk2

and 450D. I use my 5D Mk2 with Minolta Vintage Lenses.

I scan all my film on a Epson V100 scanner, this way I have control over the final image. After all I took the photo and I remember what the scene was at the time. Even when I'm scanning film I took 30 plus years ago I can remember the situation. Lots of my older film has come back to life after realising the print made at the time was totally wrong. I rejected lots of photos because I trusted the image I was seeing on the print.

I really enjoy the process of scanning here is my Scanning Preferences: 35mm negatives. 3200dpi at 100%, Medium Sharpen (I find the Epson software does a good job), Crop to whole image (I think it important to remove any black or white edges before using auto levels) finally auto levels, Hit 'Scan' one scan takes 3 minutes (a strip of 6 images takes 17 minutes) time for a cup of tea.

Resize image in PhotoShop, crop image to 15.25 x 10.25 inch this takes in the whole of the 35mm image and change to output at 300dpi. Most of the time I go back into the levels and take back (increase) the shadow. Then I check and adjust the colour saturation if needs be. Sometimes Unsharp Masking is needed and depends on the kind of photo (this needs careful adjustment).

Final JPEG is saved at highest level (12) and this gives you a 16mb file. < 15.25 x 10.25 inch = 4575 x 3075 px > Equal to around a 12 megapixel digital camera file. Note I always save my scans @ 300dpi for a print or publication.

This is a good example of this process, you can see that extra sharpening catching the highlights. _Click_Image_

Below: 1972 Taken by my dad in Trafalgar Square, London.

2004 Taken by former Fleet Street News photographer Mike Maloney in Piccadilly Circus, London.

My own design of a Marshalling 'Coat of Arms'. Telling my Pictorial Family Story.

_Click Image_For the Story_

One of the earliest photos of me taking photos.

The story of these photos (my Dad and Me)

_Click Image_For the Story_

In my minds eye _ 1/2 TONE Negative Film. Maybe one day I will have my own ISO 800 film stock.

Just for fun I decided to design my own brand of film (well box) inspired by my early days in the printing trade.

_Click Image_For the Story_

This is a list of books that have helped me with my photography and drawing:

My drawings: flic.kr/s/aHskmR51zS

The Backpacker's Photography Handbook by Charles Campbell.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

Exposure by Chris Weston.

Simple Art of Black & White Photography by Lee Frost.

The Genius of Photography - How photography has changed our lives by Gerry Badger (BBC Books) also on DVD

Mindfulness & the Art of Drawing by Wendy Ann Greenhalgh.

Sketch! The non-artist's guide to inspiration, technique, and drawing daily life by France Bellevilk-Van Stone.

To inspire me I have a few National Geographic Books. PHOTOGRAPHS Then & Now, The Life of a Photograph by Sam Abeli and one just called: The PHOTOGRAPHS. Also Photography Field Guide, Secrets to making great pictures. This is an old book mainly talking about film camaras but techniques don't change. It has some great stories at the back about National Geographic photographers. Used copies on Amazon £3/4, bargain.

NG Photographs

"It is the photogapher, not just his camera, that catches the moment". Gilbert M. Grosvenor President & Chairman, National Geographic Society.

Not forgetting The English Artist John Constable for his landscapes and wonderful perfect clouds.

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Links:

Minolta Rokkor Lenses: History/Reviews youtu.be/H2rKhXN0dws?si=h1ZypamQ6RNCTSk2

Links to Minolta Dynax 700si

earthsunfilm.com/vmlp-30-the-minolta-maxxum-700si-the-one...