Best Before1978's photostream  

Hi there! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Name, age, region, that sort of thing.

My name’s Duncan, I’m 32 and living in Bristol, UK

How long have you been shooting film, and how did you get started?

I first started when I was 7 or 8, messing around with a hand-me-down Kodak Instamatic 126 camera and hated having to wait 2 weeks for the pics to come back from the mailorder lab!

I moved on to various point-and-shoots until I got hold of an Olympus OM-10 SLR at 15 and used that exclusively for a couple of years, developing and printing black & white at school.
My interest in photography waned until about 4 years ago when I bought an Olympus digital SLR, but I soon got interested in shooting film again when I re-discovered the OM-10 in a box in the attic.


Have there been any key people, experiences or things that have inspired you to pursue photography either as a hobby or a career?

I was always interested in cameras, when I was 15 a group of friends all got SLR’s so that’s when I became inspired to try it out more seriously too.

Since joining Flickr, I’ve been in touch with lots of people and got involved in projects and film swaps which has encouraged me.


Where do you shoot mostly, and how often?

I like to get out into the countryside whenever I can, I get inspired by big wild open landscapes. On average I get to do that maybe once a month.
When I can’t find the time to do that however I like to just shoot whatever I find of interest in my local area, even if that means just getting out for 20mins on a lunch break.

I always take a camera to gigs and festivals, and like getting up the front to capture the bands. Through this I’ve built a relationship with several bands and labels, and have become involved in taking promo shots for them.

I’m now getting more interested in portraits and people shots as well.

How would you best describe your style of photography?

Vintage and organic. I really love using equipment from the 50s/60s/70s along with long-expired or obscure film emulsions. I like to try and emulate the look of the past but using modern subjects.

What equipment do you use, and why?

Lots of 35mm and medium format cameras from the 1920s to 1980s.
I’ve settled on a Bronica ETRSi for my main camera as I like the fact it can take interchangeable lenses and film backs, gives me 15 on 120 and I can use it like an oversize SLR, but with much better quality than from 35mm.

I use a Yashica 635 TLR from the late 50s for a lot of portrait shots or when I want to use the 6x6 format, using vintage b&w film in this just feels ‘right’ and it’s a fun camera to use.

Kodak Folding Autographic Brownie / Pocket Kodak No 1. ancient 6x9 folding cameras from the late 1920s. Difficult to use, prone to light leaks from the leaking bellows, and really slow lenses, but load a roll of colour negative film and get an instant pastel postcard look from the uncoated lens.

Pentax K1000 is my standard 35mm SLR for use at gigs, family pictures, and for 35mm slides.

Holga / various old box cameras for that plastic camera look that works sometimes, and for the unpredictability

Finally aKodak Retinette IB 35mm compact from 1959, lovely camera, fits nicely into a pocket, load with Tri-X and ready for anything



Do you have a preferred film or format? Why does it appeal to you more than the alternatives?

I probably prefer medium format overall, better image resolution for scanning and a range of formats.
My usual Black & White film is Kodak Tri-X which will take anything you throw at it.
I do love the old ADOX CHS films though, especially in the Yashica. If I could travel back in time I would buy up a dozen bricks of Panatomic-X and stick it in the freezer…

Colour wise, it’s Portra 400NC for portraits, Provia 100F for landscapes.
I’m mourning the loss of Kodachrome that I didn’t shoot enough of.

Other than that, any odd and ancient expired rolls of the bay for experimenting.

Do you impose any sort of restrictions on your spending, and if so, how do you set and maintain these restrictions?

I try and kerb it, have an inbuilt cost restrictor! I spend most on film.


Now for the inevitable question of digital or film, and why?

Film, I can’t argue that it’s ‘higher’ quality than digital, it’s certainly not quicker, easier or more convenient. But I enjoy the challenge, it slows me down and makes me think more about the shot, and it just looks completely unique in a way that digital doesn’t.


What would you like to do photographically in the future?

I would like to learn how to use flash properly, I’m completely mystified by how to use guide numbers and calculating fill-in flash at the moment.


Have you been seeking commercial success in photography, and if so, how successful have you been to date?

No commercial success, although I have done some paid photoshoots for bands and at weddings and have had some of that work published in magazines.


Are you part of any photography related groups or clubs, either online or in real life?

Just Flickr at the moment, toying with the idea of joining a real club in Bristol at some point.

Do you have any other creative hobbies?

I also create music under the name Lord Gammonshire - whimsical prog/psych/pop


What advice would you give to someone less experienced than yourself?

Get involved on the various groups on Flickr, don’t be afraid to ask questions or contact people for advice, take a camera everywhere!

Finally, where can we see your work?

Just Flickr at the moment, and in last months “Classic Rock presents Prog” magazine (Crippled Black Phoenix feature)


Thanks!