Photographic background
James first became interested in photography during the early eighties when he was given his first camera as a birthday present.
(a Russian built Zenit TTL)
The Zenit was a fully manual camera and In those days fully manual meant fully manual there were no fully auto modes or automatic focusing.
During those early years James was very much self taught gaining knowledge by reading the manual that came with the camera, and various photographic magazines & books.......
Oh yes!!
and
From the late eighties through to 2000 he never picked up a camera.
However Christmas 2000 the passion was re- kindled when he was given a new camera. He decided to start studying photography so he enrolled in evening classes and attended once a week at Peterborough Regional College for the next three years where he obtained his City & Guilds qualifications.
In the final two years of study he gained enough distinctions in various modules to automatically qualify him to become a Licentiateship member of the Royal Photographic Society.
Some years later for a short period of time he became a part-time lecturer at the same college but unfortunately due to other commitments he had to give up teaching which he sadly regrets.
Generally James uses 35mm SLR cameras; both film and digital, (predominately Digital), although occasionally he can’t resist taking out his Bronica medium format (film) camera and using a few rolls of velvia.
James feels both styles; digital & film have their strong points, and they equally have a rightful place in the fascinating world of photography.
Inspiring Photographers:
The great Ansel Adams, Edward Weston & Dorothea Lange.
Favourite Photograph of that era: Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange
Modern day Photographers:
Adam Burton, Colin Prior and Charlie Waite.