Put a ring (flash) on it
Last year my wife and I got married, when we could still get together with others. But I don’t wanna talk about the pandemic, I want to share a story from that day!
When we were planning our big day, we had to choose a theme, and
I convinced my fiancée to use photography as the theme for our wedding: in our invitations, in the decorations, in the guest souvenirs, it was everywhere! Even my cufflinks were a camera mode dial (Nikon’s PASM configuration, of course!).
But that’s not the main reason for this letter… As I love photography, I wanted to use my camera just once that day. Yes, It was my wedding day, I was the groom, I’d hired good photographers that I trusted, but I wanted to take a chance! So, after getting the priest’s permission, I talked to our photographers (who, by the way, were great) and cleared it with my wife-to-be. And what was the chosen moment? Photograph the bride entering the church! What could be more emotional?
So, on the day, while waiting for the bride in the church, I set everything up on the camera and waited for her to come in. I was shaking a lot, and the 1/160 sec shutter speed almost wasn’t enough, but I got three or four pictures of my fiancée, with her father as they walked down the aisle. That picture now hangs pride-of-place on our wall! Bruno Pereira
A woman’s place
I’m writing in response to the two letters that have been published regarding womenonly photography comps. As a woman, I wholly agree with Ian Douglas and was incensed by Ross Samson’s reply, which was at best an insult to Ian and at worst (dare I say it) sexist clap-trap!
To suggest that women need their own competitions is both patronizing and an insult to our ability as photographers. It suggests that we can’t compete with men. My test for whether these things are acceptable or not is to turn it around.
Would a ‘men only’ competition be deemed acceptable? Of course not! There would be an outcry of sexism. This double standard appears in other walks of life
too. There’s an International day of ‘Women and Girls in Science’. How would it be if someone suggested a ‘Men and Boys in Science’ day?
In this day and age, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation, especially not in the field of photography, where women have excelled for many years. Having myself studied science in a very male-dominated field and experienced no discrimination, I feel able to make this analogy.
So, let’s have a level playing field. May we all win or lose based on the merit of our entries and not gender. Lesley Taylor LRPS CPAGB
Thanks Lesley, it’s refreshing to hear from a female reader about what’s proved to be a rather thorny topic…
Apprentice inspiration
I have to say how much I enjoyed the Apprentice in the March 2021 issue (N-photo 121). Inspired by it, I had an enjoyable day shooting and creating – it’s a joy to find a way out of the monotony of finding inspiration within walking distance.
Photography has been a lifeline throughout the past year as I live alone, so I’m grateful to find some more projects within your pages. I’ve been trying to learn studio portraiture, and with only a short window when I had the chance of some
Thanks for sharing your shot, Carolyn. It makes our day to see readers inspired to try things that they’ve seen in the mag! Hopefully last issue’s selfies Apprentice will give you some food for thought for self-portraits...
Come and get ’em!
I am an avid reader of N-photo and have had a subscription since the early days in 2014. I have almost every copy and nearly all the CDS (when issued) from January 2014, but alas the lack of space now necessitates a clearout.
The collection is available to anyone who wants them to complete their collection, or to fill gaps. I’m based in North Yorkshire, so they will need to arrange collection; I’m not offering delivery or a carrier facility. If interested, contact me via email at: hughthewildfowler@ btinternet.com
Hugh Davis