This blog is of course about my favourite cameras and a bit of camera history, if you're interested, please continue reading!
When I started to photograph as a kid, we still had film cameras and got to develop prints at the local shops. I think that has really stuck with me because I absolutely love the whole film process, from photographing to rewinding back the film and getting it developed. Film is always going to be something I love doing, whether it's black and white, colour or even just an instant polaroid photo, say no more, you had me at film! haha /insert love heart emoji eyes
Cameras are so beautiful! The round lens and the square body is the perfect combo, can I get an hell yeah?!! haha You can capture so many wonderful memories and moments in time, it's so amazing how advanced camera technology has developed these days. But before I talk about that, I feel like it's only fitting that I start at the begining.... so let's take a step back in time....
Let's go back to pre-historic times hahaha just kidding (sort of) ...rewind to the 1820's, where it all started and there was very little to work with.
Two brilliant beings named, Niepce and Daguerre, (yes that is just their last names) were clever enough to work out how to expose photos and go onto developing the Daguerreotype process. From there, they narrowed down a several day exposure process into minutes! Wowweeee!! That would've been incredible to achieve, I tip my hat to 'em! (definitely worth a google for further info)
Now fast forward to a few years later, in 1839, with the help of Talbot, the birth of photography takes light! When people started to capture memories and make a carrier out of their artwork.
This probably would've been when they figured out how to get a good selfie and photograph special family portraits. (which would have been incredible!)
From then on, cameras started to advance and create quite a stir!
Flip into 1948' when the amazing polaroid cameras started to be invented by Edwin Land. His invention completely changed the photography industry. That was the moment anyone could pick up a camera and operate it to take photos of anything and everything! Polaroid cameras are so renowned these days, it is a brilliant invention and Particularly clever to create an instant shot camera.
Now throw yourself forward into 2021 and imagine what cameras are possible of creating these days... amazing right?!..
Old film cameras and Polaroid cameras will always be a favourite of mine so thankyou for taking that (very short) historical journey with me, it's been so refreshing to look back at those special moments of photography.
Now then, some of my personal favourite film cameras are: 5x4 cameras, HORSEMAN, SX-70, Medium format, twin lens camera and Yashica MAT 124g. All of These are old fashioned cameras that run on film and they are so stunning! Now days, they would be a rare find and particularly hard to develop the film, unless you have your own darkroom.
I think I've mentioned this in a previous blog but I've operated a 5x4 camera before which was super amazing. The only downside to them is that they are bulky and heavy af so it's difficult to take outdoors but it would be perfect for some cool portrait sessions if you had a good studio
Some amazing Polaroid cameras would have to be the classic polaroid land and polaroid 600 camera. I haven't been lucky enough to photograph with those babies but I do own the advanced version of that which is a polaroid 300. I love my polaroid camera and would love to grow a cool collection of them haha
Lastly, a camera that I've been wanting since it arrived on the market is a beautiful mirrorless camera. They've been around since 2004 but they didn't really get popular until years later and now it's a new craze! It's been said that Epson created the very first mirrorless camera which was the R-D1 and had a 6megapixel sensor. This year, the more popular brands like Canon and Nikon, have a whole range of mirrorless cameras that are truly amazing. The most positive thing that I'd get out of using a mirrorless camera would be that it's quite to operate. The amount of times whilst at a quiet event and that noise of the camera flipping the image creates a target on your back because it's so loud against the silent crowd. It would be perfect for situations like those or even in nature trying to photograph animals
To wrap up this blog up in a nice little bow, the picture below is of one of my Yashica cameras that I got whilst I was studying photography. Film is amazing, I know others don't think so, but it's absolutely bea-UTIFUL!
If you'd like to talk about film or any other cameras that you are interested in, I'd love to hear from you. drop me an email in the 'booking' tab.
Happy camera hunting!
Ebony
