Take a ride with Brian Bell

"Whether it's a crispness of detail, or a dreamy blur I just think so much more of a mood can be conveyed and implied in monochrome"

Tell us about yourself.

I am a self employed photographer working throughout Kent on the South East Coast of England. I shoot commercial and event commissions as well to supplement sales of my portfolio of more artistic personal work.

When and how did the film journey begin for you?

I have had a keen love of photography from a young age but only took it up on a full time basis 6 years following redundancy from my day job. I now never travel anywhere (no matter how near or far) without at least one camera with me and this enables me to capture many images that would otherwise be missed. When space for gear is restricted my trusty little Panasonic Lumix with its outstanding 24mm Leica Vario-Elmar lens proves an excellent fail safe.

What type of film do you usually shoot and what made you choose it?

Film choices are normally Kodak TX or Portra for portfolio shots as well as the more everyday Ilford HP5+.

What camera makes you click?

I use a range of film cameras and do not believe that expense necessarily dictates quality. My "go to" machines are a 1980 Zenit EM 35 (Moscow Olympics Edition) with an Optomax 135mm fixed lens or for wonderful bokeh and atmospheric shots the Ihagee Exa500 with a Meyer-Gorlitz Trioplan setup.

Between black and white and colour film which would you choose?

Black and white. I shoot colour so much for commissioned work that I love the escape to the more atmospheric qualities of black and white images wherever possible. Whether it's a crispness of detail, or a dreamy blur I just think so much more of a mood can be conveyed and implied in monochrome.

You can find Brian Bell here:
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