35mm Work Book

The 35mm Work Book is now available on Kindle. It has taken around fourteen months to complete and is a genuine labour of love. Although firmly focused on those new to analogue photography, there is much to discover about 35mm photography within the pages.

I was involved in professional photography and processing for several years, and the book reveals the methods and techniques used by photographers of that period. Many will be surprised at how straightforward professional photographers kept their work and techniques. They were not concerned with pushing boundaries or using anything other than established methods.

Professionals relied on simple and basic methods. They showed little interest in the latest equipment and rarely abandoned their time-tested techniques. This is the central theme of the book.

For Example:

Many professionals preferred buying second-hand equipment and keeping their cameras and lenses for many years. I remember a photographer who carried his camera and lenses in an old pilot’s flight case; the lenses were wrapped in yellow dusters and dropped into the case without much care. His RB 67 Mamiya was battered almost beyond repair. The lenses did not fare much better. He used a Nikon FM as his light meter, and his work was superb.

The main point is that the technique and understanding of the photographic process are crucial for capturing great images. There is no mystery to creating superb pictures. One must have the confidence to use a simple technique and repeat the process until it becomes automatic. 

Stop wasting film! For anyone tired of wasting film and not capturing good pictures with their photography, the contents of this book will put an end to the waste. 

The book is distinctive in that the camera reviews also serve as tutorials. It includes chapters on exposure, composition, purchasing cameras, and camera maintenance, to name just a few.

I have been asked about the title. I would have liked to use the title 35mm Camera Work; however, this was too similar to Alfred Stieglitz’s book Camera Work.

The Kindle Edition is on a free promotion between the 17th and 20th of August. If you download it, please leave a review.

Overview
The 35mm Workbook, now available on Kindle, is a comprehensive guide designed for newcomers to analogue photography, highlighting the simplicity of 35mm techniques.

Book Focus
• Designed for beginners in analogue photography.
• Offers insights into professional methods from past decades.
• Highlights traditional techniques over modern complexities.

Professional Techniques
• Professionals used straightforward methods without relying on the latest gear.
• Many preferred second-hand equipment and maintained it for years.
• Confidence in technique is key to capturing great images.

Key Themes
• Emphasis on understanding the photographic process.
• Encouragement to avoid wasting film by mastering techniques.
• Camera reviews also act as tutorials, covering:
• Exposure
• Composition
• Purchasing cameras
• Camera maintenance

Title Note
• The author initially considered the title “35mm Camera Work” but chose not to due to similarities with Alfred Stieglitz’s book.