During my chosen educational path, I chose photography. It was something I thought I was good at. My first camera was at around 14 or 15 when I bought a Minolta 35mm SLR. I took loads of images with this camera but it wasn’t until I started my BA in photography did I buy the camera I fell in love with. My photo retouching career was not even a consideration at this stage.
Mamiya C33 camera that took me everywhere
This camera was by no means light. It was a very heavy piece of kit. I carried with me my 35mm SLR too as I could not afford a light meter. I used its built-in meter and transposed settings over to the “brick” as I nicknamed it. Along with a tripod and various other bits of kit my camera rucksack regularly weighed in at 23 Kilos! Especially if I packed a drink and lunch and cycle padlock and lights!
It is almost absurd to think that I’d carry that much weight everywhere I went. I’d carry it on my back whilst cycling the hills of Hampshire, walking the cliffs of Cornwall or just milling about in Newcastle. I almost never took the bus always train and cycle.
Back to the camera. It took the most wonderful pictures, square, crisp, silky images, which lead me down the path of landscapes and anything outdoors, I hated the studio. The best time for shooting with this camera was just after the rain, the clean air, dramatic clouds and great lighting that followed led to some great shots.
One time whilst walking the cliffs in Cornwall the wind was so strong the waterfalls running off the cliff face were blown upwards never reaching the rocks below. Of course, taking pictures in these conditions meant me being out nearest the sea, looking back at the cliffs on a small spur or rock. Here the wind was very strong and the weight of my rucksack hanging from the centre of my tripod was not enough to keep it steady and take a crisp shot. Below are two that I could take without falling off my perch.
Cornish waterfall defying gravity
Its places that your camera takes you and the memories that come along with taking the pictures that should be preserved. The story behind the photo is as important as the photo itself. Photo restoration helps preserve the photos but it up to you to research and keep the stories behind those images safe, so they can be preserved and passed on to future generations.
You should then write down those photographic stories!
