Community Amigo Martin Shoots with the Sprocket Rocket

Name: Martin
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I used to write about music and boxing. As you need to be a bit of an all-rounder these days, I taught myself how to build websites and also produce podcasts. While working on a project to promote independent record shops and record labels, I decided to learn a bit more about photography. I’ve just started a new project , Play Repeat with a friend of mine. It’s ‘culture’ based, for lack of a better description. It’s very positive, and fun. We write and produce a weekly podcast and may start organising events ourselves.

Where did your love for film photography start?

I always had disposable film cameras growing up, but I threw myself back into film roughly three years ago, taking a weekend film photography and darkroom course. The Stone Roses played Glasgow that weekend, so we walked around Glasgow Green taking photos of the fans and the event coming together, and then developed them the following day. It was so relaxing in the darkroom, and I loved the slower process.

What are your favourite cameras and why?

I do still use a digital camera if something is time sensitive, but I prefer to load a roll of film (love grain) and go for a wander with a set amount of exposures available. The two film cameras I use most are a Canon AE-1 Program and a Diana F+.. The gear isn’t expensive, and the cameras I like best are very simple to operate. I really like the wide angle lens on the Sprocket Rocket as well, as I normally use a 50mm lens.

Tell us a bit about these photos.

Roughly 12 years ago I started what I now call my ‘Walking Tour of Glasgow’, which I would do when I was showing somebody Glasgow for the first time. The walk has grown arms and legs over time, as I still learn new places and things to see in the city. It starts at George Square in the city centre, heads east, then back through town, and into the west end. It a great way to take to get to know the city, and you see loads. The Sprocket Rocket went on the tour.

If you were to invent a new film camera, what would it do?

It would be definitely be easy to operate and have an accurate light meter, but if I could personalise the camera, it would have a huge viewfinder.

2016-03-31 #people #lifestyle #film #35mm #soho #glasgow #london #uk #scotland #lomoamigo #sprocket-rocket #community-amigo #play-repeat