The start of it all!

The start of it all!

This is where my interest in photography all began. I was given this 126 camera by my mother when I was 11 years old. It has no flash and no way of setting aperture or even shutter speed. It didn't even have a battery - it was little more than a toy really in build.

My first photos were of course completely rubbish, but this sparked a dogged determination to learn how to make it better so I began to read up on the subject. The first book I found in the library - I liked it so much I went and brought my own copy and I still have it till this day! Then I got a 110 film camera - I still have that and the 126. Sadly the film for both these types of cameras are no longer manufactured. I also have a Polaroid camera which takes 600 film. Impossible are making these again in black and white but the jury is out on the quality on these, so I wait patiently.....

I think I must have got my first SLR when I was 15. It was a Praktica and only cost £50. Unfortunately it got broken and my next SLR was a Minolta Dynax 500si. Minolta eventually were brought out by Sony, but in the interim of waiting for Sony to develop a professional grade digital SLR I jumped ship and went over to Canon. It is funny to think that now I am shooting on digital!

What is the best camera?

Some times I am asked what is the best camera to get?

Well, there are two major considerations that will shape your choice - what is your budget and what do you aim to use the camera for?

Once you have your eye on a few models - you can google reviews on the internet to find out what other people's experiences are. Once you have made your choice, don't forget things like memory cards & batteries.

A couple of good sites to check out are Warehouse Express, 7 Day Shop and Ebuyer.

London wedding photographer

25 millionth visitor photography competition

The London Eye is running a 25 millionth visitor photography competition. To enter upload your favourite memories of your trip to the London Eye by 14th April 2007.

The winners have been announced here.

Camera for sale

Doing a bit of spring cleaning! Minolta film camera for sale - more info here on Preloved.

Sony announce new SLR

Four days into PMA, Sony announce two new Alpha prototypes, one of which will be on sale by the end of 2007. It certainly has got photogs talking - will it be full frame, how many megapixels, and can you actually plug the thing into your studio lights? And will it be the prosumer or their flagship pro model? Will it be anywhere near a Canon 5D or 1ds mark 2 or 1d mark 3? Can they claw back a slice of the digital SLR market from Canon and Nikon? Only time will tell...