Helen Boyd - An Interview

Carolanne Rose
Feb 3, 2016
2 min read

Although Instagram is a great platform to showcase photography, I have noticed that Twitter also has a huge analogue community. This is where I 'virtually' bumped into Helen. Her soft 'English Rose' photography lurred me in like a Siren calling out at sea.

Helen works in finance to support her photography habit and lives in the beautiful English Lake District.

Helen's Twitter: @helenboyd123

Helen's Webiste: www.helenboyd.co.uk

the I N T E R V I E W :

How long have you been interested in taking photos?

"My Dad is a Photographer so I’ve grown up around film cameras and prints. My childhood is extremely and lovingly documented. I’ve always had a camera of some description, but in 2008 I bought a Minolta Dynax 4 SLR, dozens of rolls of B&W film and just got started, even though the popularity of digital photography albiet quite expensive was well underway."

Why do you shoot on film?

"I love the depth and look of film and I enjoy the process of making a photograph. I think there is a great honesty in shooting film."

Do you shoot digitally? Which do you prefer?

"I do, I’m currently a hybrid. I have come from shooting full format Nikon cameras, with all the gear. So much I couldn’t carry it at times. Then I discovered a few years ago the Fuji X100s and I began to shoot Fuji jPegs which are film simulations and render beautiful colours. I also have the X-Pro , X-100t and the X-T1. I like these digital cameras as their controls are external. I really hate endless menus and also love to compose 1:1 which the X-series can do."

If you go out to take photos what is in your bag?

"My Hasselblad 500c/m, my Weston light meter and rolls of Kodak Portra 400 - Its true love."

What cameras do you have?

"I have a Hasselblad 500 c/m, a Leica M2, I love true mechanical cameras with manual controls."

What's your favourite camera/film?

"I sold all my Nikon gear and bought the Hasselblad/Leica combo - It was a better trade. I’m just getting back to film and I’m looking forward to the journey in 2016."

Have you ever been in the darkroom?

"I haven’t. The post work isn’t the bit I enjoy the most, but I have found locally someone who runs Darkroom workshops and I hope to go and experience that this summer. Photographers who do process their own film always seem very proud of fulfilling the whole process themselves. I’m looking forward to seeing that unfold."

What do you think is in the future for film?

"This month Fujifilm have announced worldwide price increases, which is worrying. But I think it will always be available in a smaller capacity."

www.helenboyd.co.uk

www.helensjournal@wordpress.com

twitter: HelenBoyd123

the P H O T O S :