Introducing Studio Notes

Hi, my name is David and thank you for visiting the new website. I’m starting Studio Notes as a place to share my thoughts and experiences in photography over the years. Studio Notes will be part blog, part portfolio site, and will probably turn into something else of its own making as time goes on.

I’ve spent the past 15 or so years practicing photography as a hobby when I can get some spare time with the occasional paid photo shoot when I was living in London. Before that I dabbled in making short films, writing, and got to do some jobs in the creative industries, although not in any creative position.

During my time in this hobby I've found the simpler the better is what I enjoy. An SLR with an optical viewfinder and a manual lens is my preferred tool. But film is expensive, so a mirrorless camera with a manual lens is the next best thing. At least for me this is true.

My experience is going out after work and shooting street and urban photography to relax. This is the reason for trying to find the simplest camera I can find and why I enjoy shooting film. You take a picture, wind the camera, and move on to the next shot. Although with my digital cameras, the way I set them up, I can say I’ve been able to get a very similar setup.

I think the relaxation/stress relief, whatever you want to call it, is why a lot of people pick up the hobby of photography. Having to pick out a subject or compose a frame a great way to break focus with whatever else you have been dealing with that day. In the summer evenings I would find an interesting part of the city and just walk around with the camera. Some of the photos from these sessions came out great, some are just throwaways, but I always went back home feeling better.

I usually prefer the look of film in black and white, although digital has gotten so close in recent times that I can’t justify the cost & time unless I’m shooting something very important to me. There are now a few digital cameras that produce black and white images I love the look of. I wouldn’t have said that in 2012 when I got back into photography after a break of a few years.

What do I plan to do with this site?

The main blog topics will be based around my experiences in photography so far and sharing any practical lessons from any photo shoots & projects I do. I'll also branch out into other topics that take my interest from time to time.

If the site gains traction I plan to feature other photographers on here as well as other mediums yet to be determined. That could be interviews, publications, or behind the scenes stuff.

So if you’re interested in any of these subjects feel free to check out the blog as it fills up with more content. I’m going to aim for one post a week on here and more smaller posts on a social media platform. Have a great day out there!