Reminiscing: My dad and his photography

When I think of photography and who influenced me to pick up a camera and who inspired me to capture life, the one person that stands out more than any other is my father. From my youngest years, dad had a camera in his hand, he had the latest and greatest camera each time he could afford a new one and he was always happy when he was taking photographs.

It was my early years that I remember the little flash of a bulb, and the smell it made as we were at parties (those little square flash bulbs that rotated), or out for the day, or just because he said the words “smile”.

I remember the first time I seen a Polaroid developing. As a child it was like magic, seeing it come out of the camera then removing a layer and seeing a blank square suddenly come alive with the image.

When I was 11 or 12, my father handed me a Zenith camera with a 50mm lens. I loved that camera. I remember the day we loaded film into it, and we planned each shot. I had tingles in my body, and experience I still get to the day taking photos with my family.

Dad didn’t take landscape photos, he didn’t do model shoots or go out to do street photography. He didn’t go out alone with his 35mm film cameras, 110 cameras, Polaroids, digi-cams or DSLRs. He wasn’t in any clubs or anything. He just loved capturing the family he loved. Loved taking images of us and our surroundings.

See the photos he took in this fantastic website. He took most of them!

He was lucky enough to work in a film developing company for a while, and I think he really enjoyed working there and doing something he loved. I always enjoyed the moments the rolls of film came back from development and we would open the envelope with excitement to see the images, usually in 6×4 or 7×5 prints. I remember popping into Boots the Chemist and having one hour processing for the first time ever with Dad, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. 

He was the first person I know who had a digital camera (of any kind), one of those little point and shoots, when they first came out, and he built up a large collection when he kept buying newer and newer models.

He embraced DSLR cameras too, with his favourite Nikon D40 and a large collection of lenses. He took that with him everywhere! It was one continuation of his love of taking photos., right up until he died in 2012.

Dad wasn’t a photographer, he was a man who loved to take photos and capture his world and his family around him. Looking back, I can understand why he loved his cameras and taking photos so much, he recorded memories for all of us to enjoy. 

If my photos are held in such high regard when I’m gone by those who matter, I’ll be happy.