It is a strange question. But one that many people think about when they venture out with their camera. eventually: the photographer has taken 36 pictures, and maybe five or six warrant further work. I remember talking to two photographers when I was selling cameras at my stall in Nottingham’s Victoria Market (the market is now closed). One asked me if I still took photographs, and of course, the answer was ‘Yes!’
I was surprised when I asked them about their work and discovered they didn’t have many pictures to show. I inquired if they transferred images to their phones for sharing with those who asked for examples of their work. To my astonishment, they replied that using the camera was just as important as seeing the images. I suspect this sentiment resonates with many photographers. After all, renowned photographers often have hundreds of undeveloped rolls of film. For instance, Garry Winogrand left behind an archive of approximately 6,500 unprocessed films!
Over the years of buying and selling cameras, I often asked the same question. It was usually the case that people had spent hundreds of pounds on cameras and lenses but didn’t use them very much. You’d be surprised how many people bought cameras and, a year or so later, sold them back to me. I always offered a 65% buy-back deal on any cameras purchased, which was far better than what any other dealer offered at the time. If you think otherwise, I encourage you to send your cameras to a few dealers and see what offers you receive.
So the question is, what do you photograph? And it is of great importance because it provides the drive and encouragement for any photographer to continue along the expensive path of analogue photography. In my view, the answer is simple: photograph anything and focus on technique. Any photographer who consistently considers the importance of exposure, focus, and composition will eventually become a fantastic artistic creator; their camera will become an extension of their inner creative being.
I am sure that people give up on their analogue photography because they do not achieve the results they expected. They believe that film unlocks some automatic, hidden creativity. This is why there are dozens of courses offering insights and tutorials on using editing software. The promise of creating wonderful and expressive images serves as the lure for these courses. My view is that, as a purist analogue photographer, you should stick to the original methods: camera technique, film selection, exposure, developing, and printing. However, the scanner remains an essential tool for anyone who does not have a darkroom or wishes to share the results of their efforts.
So, the answer to the question is to photograph anything. When taking the picture, focus on technique and become entirely centred in every aspect of camera work. Look into the viewfinder, scan your eye around it, move the camera around the subject, and seek good compositions. Get in close and work carefully to frame the image squarely to reduce the need for adjustments during printing or cropping. We do not want to waste a single square millimetre of the precious 35mm negative area.
The following series of pictures is based on this premise. I’m not interested in creating an artistic composition. In this series of images, I record aspects of the smallholding, inviting the viewer to reflect on the people who live and work there. The weekend was bright, and I wanted to work with a yellow filter. The film is Ilford PanF Plus developed in ID11 3 + 1 for 16 minutes.
The camera used is a Nikon FM, and the lens is an early Nikkor 50mm H with a Nikon yellow filter. While I used the camera’s built-in meter, I did not take the meter reading from the scene. In this instance, I made the meter reading of the surrounding grass. This is an excellent way to achieve sound shutter and aperture selections without the excessive influence of bright and shadow areas. Click on any picture to enter the gallery and see the photographs in a larger format.
Three aspects of the buildings on the smallholding:
Three portrait images showcasing aspects of the smallholding. I am very pleased with the interior shot of the Union Jack. This was taken handheld at 1/4 second at F/2.0! Note the yellow filter has rendered the large gravel stones a very light shade of grey. Look carefully at the way the yellow filter enhances the sky. On a bright day such as this, the sky would be rendered almost white without the filter.
Images in landscape
Readers of the 35mm Work Book will recognise some of the buildings and other aspects of the smallholding. However, they will not have seen these specific photographs using the yellow filter. Although a yellow filter darkens blues, it reproduces green, yellow, orange and red in lighter shades. This gives more differentiation between the different colours of foliage, while flesh tones have a more natural look.
Overview
• The text explores the question of what to photograph, focusing on the importance of technique in analogue photography.
Photographer Experiences
• Many photographers take numerous photos, but only a few are worth further work.
• Conversations reveal some photographers prioritise the act of taking photos over reviewing them.
• Many well-known photographers have undeveloped film archives.
Camera Usage
• Many camera buyers don’t use their expensive equipment often.
• A significant number of people sell their cameras back after a year.
• Offering a better buy-back deal can attract customers.
What to Photograph
• Photographers are encouraged to photograph anything.
• Focus on technique: exposure, focus, and composition are crucial for artistic development.
Challenges in Photography
• Some abandon analogue photography due to unmet expectations.
• Many are tempted by editing courses that promise improved results.
• Purists could focus on traditional methods: camera technique, film selection, and developing.
Practical Advice
• When photographing, concentrate on technique and composition.
• Frame images carefully to avoid unnecessary adjustments during printing.
Series of Images
• The text describes a series of photographs taken on a smallholding.
• Utilised a Nikon FM camera and Nikkor 50mm lens with a yellow filter.
• Highlights how the yellow filter affects the appearance of colours in photographs.
Image Characteristics
• Showcases various aspects of the smallholding.
• The yellow filter enhances certain colours while darkening others, producing natural flesh tones.
I hope you will recognise the benefit of concentrating on technique. The suggestion here is to keep each photo task simple. Use one camera and one lens. Experiment with a method, such as how a specific coloured filter affects an entire composition. Finally, the photographer can appreciate how vital it is to take both portrait and landscape images of each subject. Every photo assignment should be seen as a goal in learning. When the day comes that you are on a mission, I am sure these experiments in the photographic art will ensure you return with incredible imagery.
The Heart of the Mind 