Retro photography magazine ("The Photo")

[Marcel]

My dad used to love his photography. When he died 10 years ago, I got his old MTL-5B and a few lenses. I never took up photography until 2002, going digital, so have never used the camera.

However, upon chatting to my Nana today, she was about to throw out a pile of my dads old magazines. They were in her recycling bag along with a couple of Womans Weeklies...

I was more than happy to 'rescue' them from their impending doom, for a bit of retro reading. I had an issue from when my dad died, believing it to be the only one he had, so I binned it last year...I now have Issue 35 missing...hehe

Having a quick flick through, although the equipment side is now irrelevant (unless you're shooting with retro kit of course), alot of the actual technique is quite relevant, and there are some good old-skool lessons to be learnt I think

 

[MattEg]

And there's probably less adverts in them.

 

[Marcel]

Very good point. I just had a skiffle through Issue 29, and there isn't ONE advert in it.

The things I'm interested in, is that they have lots of articles on technique etc, and theories behind things like Infrared / Ultraviolet light. Makes for a good understanding I suppose. (If not, then I'm gonna get the "Ubergeek" tag at any parties I go to )

 

[cjnicolai]

Funny thing is that several of my cameras (that I use professionally) would have been considered retro when those mags were printed. They are absolutely rock solid and are never outdated.

Even in this digital day and age, most photographic technique is absolutely relevant, and is becoming a lost art due to digital convenience. I'm certainly not anti-digital, but the knowledge is rapidly giving way to experimentation.

The mags you've inherited are an absolute wealth of information. Enjoy!

- CJ

 

[Marcel]

Thanks CJ. Each issue has an "Understanding" section, ranging from things to...how Infrared works, to the one I glanced at last night, which was how the human eye works, and another on how we 'see' colour (From a 'sight/eye/brain' point of view, which I havent really seen explained before).

Interesting stuff

You're right, alot of the technique is very relevant. Things like how to photograph certain situations, what to look out for when posing a model. Tips on photographing childrens sports days, and how to 'see' better pictures. A refreshing change from the generic stuff we see in AP/PP every month.

 

[minimeeze]

Can't beat learning photography the 'good old fashioned way'. I've learned loads since doing my 100% film based college course. It certainly makes you think twice about composing a shot