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Friday, 24 February 2012

NOTICE BOARD

PHOTOGRAPHER SIR SIMON MARSDEN DIES


Renowned photographer Sir Simon Marsden, who specialised in gritty black and white images of subjects including mystical landscapes, Gothic graveyards and old ruins, has died aged 63.

Simon first developed an interest in photography when his father, a keen landscape photographer, gave him a Leica for his 21st birthday.

'I instantly became hooked on photography. What intrigued me most was the magic of time and light and the enigma of "reality" that these elements conjured up.'

Gray Levett, co-founder of Nikon camera dealer Grays of Westminster, paid tribute to the photographer, who he described as a good friend. The pair first met in 1992 when Simon called into his store, which is based in Pimlico, London.

Gray was a big fan of the photographer's work. Gray told AP: 'He was completely unique as a photographer... I like his pictures of stone circles and ruined castles and some of his photographs of landscapes and buildings are hauntingly beautiful. Simon created his own world and had a lot of followers. He had an eye, but was also a gifted writer.'

Gray's comments were echoed by Andrew Skirrow, whose company designed and built the photographer's website. 'I believe he was one of the most collected photographers on the planet,' said Andrew.

'Photography was, for Simon, beyond just taking pictures. He was very into the art and communication aspects. He also felt passionately about how the rapid march of technology was not helping people to communicate face-to-face with each other.'

Simon shunned digital cameras and was a devotee of the Nikkormat FTn and FT2 cameras added, Gray. 'I believe he was the largest user of infrared film in the world.'

Speaking about his interest in 'supernatural', Simon wrote: 'From the very beginning of recorded time all the great civilisations of our world have believed in ghosts and the supernatural in some form or other. 'These are ancient mysteries and to dismiss them is to deny ourselves that arcane knowledge of the past that has ultimately fashioned our lives.'

To view Simon's work visit: www.simonmarsden.co.uk

From an article in Amateur Photographer magazine, 24 February 2012. This is an edited version.

Footnote: I first became aware of his photography when studying at Hull College in 1995. I came across one of his books: "The Haunted Realm: ghosts, witches and other strange tales (1986). In my own personal opinion his photographic prints are exceptional, a very talented photographer and darkroom printer. You only have to visit his website to view his portfolio to realise that he was very gifted individual. 'I was sad to hear of his passing, I admired his photography'.

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To my Photo Blog,

All my monochrome photography is darkroom produced. This portfolio consists of photographs from several of my projects, assignments, personal and course related work. Some of these monochrome photographic prints are then selectively toned.

Take a look at the slide show, or the popular posts. Click onto some of the many excellent blogs that I have listed in my blog roll. I welcome constructive feedback (post a comment).

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Also please click onto my links. Join my blog and my Google + followers. If you would like to know more about any particular photograph or project then please send me an email. My email address is at the foot of this page.

Also from time to time I will post videos that are of interest to me, mainly from my military background.

Yours sincerely

Trevor David Betts BA (Hons)

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

All the photographs featured on this blog spot were taken on Canon analog 35mm SLR cameras which included: Canon A1, Canon AE1 (non-programme) and Canon T90. The Canon A1 was rendered useless after prolonged exposure to salt spray residue, and the AE1 suffered a malfunction, and one of my T90s just packed up on me during a photographic shoot.

Most of my camera equipment was initially purchased brand new, then as the years have past I have purchased second-hand equipment. But the vast majority of equipment I currently possess is well over twenty years old.

Canon FD lenses used were: 28, and 35mm wide angle, 50mm standard, 35-105mm short telephoto zoom and a 70-210mm large telephoto zoom lenses. Also used was a loaned Mamiya 645 with 50 and 80mm lenses. My favourite combination is a T90 fitted with the 35-105mm lens with an Hoya orange filter. I use Hoya orange, red, neutral density, and skylight filters. Hoya and Canon lens hoods. A Canon remote cable. I have used a great Metz 45 CT-4 flashgun for many years. I used this for the bounced and fill-in flash for some of the documentary and portraiture work.

Studio flash used was Courtenay brolly flash (just two heads fitted with soft boxes) at Hull Community Artworks studio (sadly this excellent local arts facility closed in 2001). Billingham and Tamrac camera bags (the Billingham is a old model that I have had for years - wonderful bags). The Tamrac one is a medium sized back pack type bag. Slik Black Diamond 88, and 500 DX Pro tripods. A Cullmann touring set (which consists of a light tripod, ball and swivel head, all-purpose clamp, suction cap, and a ground spike). I presently have three Canon T90 and one A1 SLR cameras.

Film used was mainly 35mm (with some 120mm). Ilford Delta monochrome negative print film, 100 asa (a few rolls of 400 asa as well). Ilford HP5 and FP4 (400 and 125 asa respectively). Fuji Neopan 400 asa. Various Fuji colour film. Photographic chemicals: Ilford ID-11 and Microphen film developers. Agfa Rodinal fine grain film developer, and Ilford Hypam fixer.

Photographic paper: Ilford Multigrade IV VC paper, Fibre based VC paper including warm and cool tone. Kentmere Velvet Stipple and Art Document papers. Kodak selenium toner. Barclay and Fotospeed sepia toners, and Colorvir blue toner. Durst M60 and Meopta 5 enlargers fitted with 50 and 80mm Schneider lenses. Kenro negative sheets and Jessops negative folders.

Most of my photography involves the use of the camera being securely mounted onto the tripod, with the shutter set to the 10 second delay. I bracket my exposures (relying on the excellent Canon in-camera meter). My aperture settings are usually between F5.6 and F22. In the vast majority of cases the very first exposure I take is usually the correctly exposed one.

Finished photographic prints (spotted if needed). At the 10 x 8 inch size are then scanned on an Epsom 1660 photo perfection scanner using Adope Photoshop CS2 at the 5.5 x 3.5 inch image or canvas size, 150 dpi and at the 750 x 550 pixels size, and saved as for the web. The only thing that is manipulated is the brightness balance and contrast levels.

DON'T FORGET

"It is the soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair protest.

It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

From: "Fighting for Queen and Country,
by Nigel 'Spud' Ely. Blake Publishing London, 2007.
"