I guess if you read my first blog post you’ll probably have some questions…Who is? What is? Etc. Etc. So I thought my second post should answer the questions and maybe open up a few more for the future… I’m Ol. I take photos and I like to document stuff.

I started that.bronica.guy in 2021 as a bit of a side-project. Back then it was actually called “fuji.times” (yes I have a Fuji camera, and yes that’s why it was called that. Fairly obvious if you’re into cameras, complete mystery if you’re not.). I have a couple of different cameras that I like to use. I love them all. The difference in photo from each is what’s so wonderful about photography. This post is really dedicated to the “big-girl” though really. My Bronica S2a. I’m relatively new to medium format film, in fact, I’m a complete newb…but I am absolutely hooked on it! I’ve had a couple of scans back and I can’t stop shooting with it!

My two spaniels luckily sat long enough for a quick shot.

I have a few friends who have asked “what is the big deal?” and “aren’t you annoyed paying for scans and then some come back imperfect?” I try to explain it so; for every day you wake up, not all of them will be perfect, but you keep going to bed each evening and keep waking up each morning in pursuit of those great days. Thats film photography to me. I try to love every shot, and if I don’t I make sure I learn something from it to make the next one better. Yeah it can be costly, and yeah it can be time-consuming, but you just need to keep the cost / reward ratio on the right side and you’re happy. There are many times in my life I wish I’d been able to apply my own photography analogy to real-life…but I wake up each morning and try to learn from the day before.

I was trying to think if I have a picture of the Bronica. Yes that awkward question of a photo of the photo-maker. It’s not a super model, weighs about the same as 10 Nokia 3210’s and hasn’t (currently) got a sling / neck strap. All the same I am hooked and, until I can afford to splash out the thousands needed for a Hasselblad, she’s stuck with me. I love the thick, heavy clunk on the winder and the peeling leather on the case, my carry-on luggage will forever be overweight because of this beast of a machine. To answer a few more of the questions…I have just enrolled on a photography degree with the Open College of Arts, and I intend to move into the world of expeditions and documentation. I live in the North West countryside and am looking to move closer to a city in the coming year. I don’t know where but I have a short list! I’m a trained furniture maker, I’ve cheffed in Michelin starred kitchens, and I’ve worked in marketing, my dream is to organise, manage & document expeditions. I love an adventure, I love exploration, I love a challenge. I’m rarely cold and I love being in and near water.

Three things on my bucket list: Trek to the poles. Finish my degree. Everest & K2 Basecamps.