MY EXPERIENCE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

By Alaster Burman

My introduction to photography happened in 1945 when my Dad (himself a keen photographer) bought me a Kodak Box Brownie. The interest was maintained through my school years, and so it seemed only natural when I was called up to do my National Service and I chose the RAF. The trade I chose was photography.

Mind you it nearly didn't happen. My Mum thought I would have to fly, she preferred I did not, and at Cardington I was told "no way will you get this trade" unless I signed on for five years. And so it was my fifth choice out of five and guess what?...I got it and was posted to Wellesbourne Mountford near Stratford –upon-Avon to do my trade training.

I did have to fly, but not too often. I took pictures of parades, defective aeroplane parts. I fitted gun cameras to record aerial combat shots, cameras to shoot reconnaissance photos, and I managed to have a small 'private business' also.

I met some interesting people like David Bailey, and a lad who was an assistant to 'Barron', a society photographer of the day. Don McCullin also passed through a camp I was on.

For the next twenty-five years or so I would describe myself as a 'happy snapper'- taking photos of holidays, the children and so on. In 1995 I came to the SLPS when the late Walter Free was President and the club gathered at Thingwall Road. Walter was welcoming, encouraging and a gentleman in every sense. I began to take a keen interest in photography and enthusiastically entered the monthley comps. The cameras I used were a Leica M2, my late Dad’s, and a Penax K1000. I subsequently bought another K1000 and a Yashica Mat 2 1/4 sq. format at club auctions. I sold the Pentaxs and bought a Cannon Eos 5 six years ago.

Three years ago my wife came back from a shopping trip to Aldi, with a Vivitar digital - that was my introduction to this arm of photography, and for my birthday this January my three children bought me a Canon Powershot S2 IS which is providing a new challenge. Recently I had my first go at "Pics to Exe" - I got so far, but couldn't do the presentation; something to do with burning it on to a CD. Tony Myers and Martin Reece have been most helpful in this area.

“Why do you bother with all this Hi-Tech, Dad?” my children ask me with feigned weariness. Secretly I think they admire their 'Old Man' for having a go.

My thanks to every member for helping make Thursday evenings so enjoyable.

Please send any comments to Alaster