Author: David

Sir Don McCullin doesn’t flinch. He never did. From the rice fields of Vietnam to the rubble of Belfast, his camera has witnessed the worst of human conflict — not to sensationalise, but to understand. For over sixty years, McCullin has shown the world what others choose not to see, creating one of the most honest and unrelenting bodies of work in modern photography. But behind the drama of his images is a man of precision — methodical, quiet, and deeply committed to the tools that helped him disappear into the moment. Among them: the Olympus OM system. From Finsbury Park…

Newquay in September occupies a rare and civilised middle ground. Not quite summer, not yet storm season. The light softens, the days slow down, and the town relaxes just enough to feel human again. You can still surf, still walk for miles, and still sit quietly watching things unfold without someone brushing past you carrying an inflatable shark. I spent five days there. Surfed when the sea allowed it, walked when it didn’t, and took five rolls of film along for the ride. The Olympus OM-1 came with me, partly out of habit, partly because it’s small enough to be…

You don’t need three cameras, eight lenses, and a suitcase of gear to start shooting film properly. You need one camera. One lens. Maybe one good habit. Here’s the no-nonsense way to build your first Olympus OM kit — without wasting your money or your time. 1. Start with the Right Camera: OM-1, OM-2 or OM-10 OM-1: Pure mechanical muscle. Needs no battery to fire (only for the meter). Rugged, reliable, beautiful. If you like fully controlling shutter speed, aperture, and focus — this is your machine. OM-2: Adds aperture-priority auto exposure — still gives you full manual control when…

Yoshihisa Maitani (1933–2009) was more than just a camera designer; he was a visionary who transformed the landscape of photography. His innovative designs, including the Olympus Pen series, the OM System, and the XA series, redefined what cameras could be—compact, accessible, and user-friendly. This article delves into Maitani’s life, his groundbreaking work at Olympus, and the enduring legacy he left behind. Early Life and Passion for Photography Born in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, Maitani’s fascination with cameras began early. At the age of 10, he built his first camera, and by 16, he held four patents. He pursued mechanical engineering at…

In this rare and reflective video, National Geographic photographer Sam Abell shares his philosophy of shooting — rooted in patience, restraint, and reverence for simplicity. Eschewing flash and favouring natural light, Abell’s approach is deeply connected to the emotional and architectural qualities of space.

Few photographers have shaped the 20th century’s visual language like Richard Avedon — and no documentary captures his complexity better than Darkness and Light. Originally aired as part of PBS’s American Masters series, this 90-minute film goes far beyond glossy magazine spreads and commercial fame.

Directed by Bailey himself and originally aired on the BBC, Four Beats to the Bar and No Cheating is less a documentary and more a visual memoir — an untamed, unpredictable reflection of one of Britain’s most influential photographers.

This landmark National Geographic documentary pulls back the curtain on the men and women behind some of the most recognisable images in the world. Rather than focus on a single figure, The Photographers introduces us to the diverse voices, visions, and challenges faced by a generation of National Geographic shooters working on assignment in the late 20th century.

Hosted by Anthony Armstrong-Jones (Lord Snowdon), Snowdon on Camera is a thoughtful, witty, and at times wry commentary on the medium through history, technology, and culture.

In the early 2000s, Olympus was riding high. Known for its groundbreaking film cameras and precision optics, the company had built a legacy on innovation — from the compact genius of the OM System to advances in medical imaging. But behind the scenes, a storm was brewing.