THE ONLY RECORD OF TIME

When I was 11 years old I won a photography challenge set by my headmaster on one of our monthly photographic days out. I took an image of a newly constructed shopping centre where I live in High Wycombe. 

I lay on the floor and shot upward towards a glass dome with my trusty Olympus Trip 35.

I won the competition and it was published in the local paper and that was it hooked!

Over the years it seems that I have never been without a camera ever, I have used Olympus Trip 35, Zenit E, Minolta XGM, Pentax MX, finally all the 5D Canon variants finishing my career with the 5D MK2

After the Canon became too heavy I used the original Fujifllm XPro1 and the trinity of great lenses but oh my lord was that a risky venture in the early days. I too like others had the original X100 and most variants but skipping the S.

I was my family’s photographer for everything from holidays and days out etc, new niece and nephews recording everything.

I became a wedding and portrait photographer and was really getting into my craft and sadly ill  health forced me to change and now i shoot everything family and friends with timeless shots of my granddaughter and our sons.

Why do I take photos? Really because time moves and the only record of everything is our memories and our photographs. Recently I took a photograph that was timeless an poignant.

Last year my father in law was dying from cancer and in July I took a shot as he was sitting in his chair telling me he had been lucky and had had a good life. The shot was with a Ricoh GRiii in BW and shows him sitting there in thought with his wedding photo in view also. This photo means everything to me and everyone that sees it.

I did an official portrait of my late father on his 80th Birthday this image I speak to each morning when I have a cup of tea.

This is the power of images - to transport us back to a time and place with memories so strong that it’s quite beautiful.

What photographers inspired me? I loved the Times photography as my father worked there and some of the black and whites from the 70’s in the magazine were outstanding- none of these photographers were “famous” but their work was fabulous. One photograph of Cassius Clay as he was known then, in the ring after a fight really inspired my BW photography.

Music photography from the punk era was something I loved too. 

As my health declined I exclusively used the X100 and have shot some unique photos with it.

I have attached that photo of my late father In law, just look at it and you should see what I mean.

Best regards 

Mark Dell

As an addition to Mark’s post on ‘The Only Record of Time,’ this was received 1st August 2020, which underlines the precious nature of a still photograph:

Hi Neale 

I am listening to your Friday Photowalk [edition] and thought I would email you

My Aunt died last week and in organising her funeral and in turn clearing out her bungalow, I found an old image of her with my late father, her brother.

I took the [right hand] photo of them at my father's 80th birthday celebration. He passed away at 83. His sister lived until 93.

The pair of images will be on the rear of the order of service.

The power of photography different times by different photographers, timeless captures for prosperity.

All the best,

Mark