How did it begin part 1?
This is me… You're wondering how did I start getting into photography? How did I learn all the skills to become a photography enthusiasts.
Let me answer those questions in this first blog.
Being it my first blog I will try and not waffle on to much because I have been told by my friends that I can tend to waffle (we will try and keep it to the point)
When I was a kid my mum always took photos of me and my brother. Now maybe I may not be the only one but did anyone else’s mum always be like “time a for a photo” when your standing next to a statue? I always liked being in photos, making memories and keeping them for life (especially baby photos).
As I got older and made it into my teens I started to take photos off my now obsolete and vintage iPod touch. Back then the camera was one of the best cameras on any mobile device (oh how times have changed). Whenever I went away with my family either be it for a day trip or a small holiday away in the United Kingdom, I always took my iPod touch with me. Back then I thought these photos were the best and they were top quality. Nope I was wrong they were just below average, but to me I liked them.
I found my iPod touch about 6 months ago and found some old photos but turned out I didn’t have may on there. I did find some very vintage applications on there that I use to play, even ones that I had ever since I got my iPod touch back in 2010.
Roll on a few years later in 2014, I went on a small trip with secondary school to go to London and do photography, There wasn’t many of us that went on this trip but it was an exciting trip, At the time I didn’t think much of photography or I didn’t think I would get as string into it as I am now. The group walked around the main places such as the London Eye, The Southbank, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. I remembered taking my iPod Touch with me. I know there wasn't many good photos (so I don’t have any to share)
Coming back from the little trip from London I started to realise that this was something I wanted to do more of. I knew that we had a camera at home (Lumix camera) I started to borrow that from the family and use it on small projects such as garden photography (yes you have to start somewhere). When I started to take pictures of my garden it was spring going into summer. The flowers were blooming, the trees are turning more green and it was looking beautiful.
Roll on a a year into the year 2016. This was a year that I won't forget for many reasons both on a personal and photography level. After completing my first year at college studying travel and tourism I moved onto the second year. Near the end of the year a huge turn happened in my family. The big C word came up which effected my dad. He was in a hospital in South Kensington called the Royal Marsden.
The second day after the surgery my mum and I made our way up to London kinda not knowing what was happening.
Now you’re thinking where does the photography level come into this?
I couldn’t see my dad due to his current state. Before I left the house with my mum I borrowed my dad’s camera to go around London and take pictures. After having a cheeky Nando’s with mum we went separate ways and made my way into central London.
Instead of taking the London Underground I walked towards Hyde Park/Green Park. You will always miss what’s above if you take the London Underground.
Top tip- If you are visiting London for the first time or have visited London before, everything the middle of the city is easy to walk to. I would say max walking time between popular sights is around 20 minutes.
The London Underground is definitely something worth utilising to get to popular sights but I have learnt that walking everywhere is what a photographer should do.
Below you will now find some of my favourite London photos that I took back in 2016. This is just the start of something that would explode into something I love on a daily basis.
My friend Elspeth taking a picture of me while on a small holiday with friends (which is one of the only photos of me with my camera)
Place- Sea-life Centre Brighton
Date-3rd August 2021
This was one of the first pictures I took off my iPod touch and this is when my passion for photography started. This was taken by a river in Surrey near Royal Air Force base Odiham.
Date-25 May 2013
Making my way to Buckingham Palace One of the first pictures I took on the Canon 1300D with a 70-300mm lens.
Date-26th November 2016
The statue located at Buckingham Palace. Having the shadows and the silhouette make this one of my favourite early photos I took
Date-26th November 2016
This photo would be the start of me taking many pictures of this iconic, most recognisable and oldest underground system in the world. The London Underground has a strong affection to me.
Date-26th November 2016
After walking down Bond Street/Oxford Circus I then made my way to Westminster to take pictures of the iconic clock tower Big Ben… No wait the Queen Elizebeth Tower. The bell inside is called Big Ben (Interesting fact for you). The close up shot of this picture I love and you can see the detail on the clock tower.
Date-26th November 2016
Not my clearest photo but this just shows my beginner level as being a photographer. It’s ok to have blurry shots to begin with. Practice makes it better. The light level was getting lower due to the time of the year, I remember that I wasn’t confident in doing low light photography.
Date-26th November 2016
As one of the most iconic landmarks located in London. The London Eye is one of most photographed structures I have taken pictures of (as you will see in upcoming blogs) This is actually the first proper picture I have taken of the London Eye with a DSLR camera.
Date-26th November 2016
Ending part 1 of the blog here as I didn’t want to bore you guys already. I will be splitting this into many parts over the next coming weeks. Due to commitment with work the blogs may be slower coming out but I will always be working on them when I can.
Feel free to contact me on the email, follow me on Instagram to keep updated on my photography, if you want to get in contact with me then feel free to send me a DM as well Thank you for reading the first part and being part of the Mr_agh_photography community. :)
