About

This is my blog where I take photos of stuff that interests me and put them on the web.  The majority of my pictures are taken using film, most of which is 35mm and black and white.  I like the documentary feel, the sense of structure over colour and the use of black – an often underestimated colour.  I seem to have a monochrome brain.  But there’s also colour film and some digital photography as well – that’s why it’s called Mostly Monochrome.

The majority of my equipment is second-hand.  You get a much better model for your money and you can take risks with a £100 film SLR that you can’t take with a £10,000 DSLR.  Like hanging it off the side of a tall building by the camera strap on a timer to see what you get, or taking it in the sea or just getting drunk with it.  Of course you can’t instantly copy, edit and upload to social media with GPS coordinates but, have some patience, the photos will turn up eventually.

This isn’t me.  He’s not even called Keith, but let’s use that name anyway.  He’s a gentleman who was kind enough to stand back while I took photos.  Here’s to Keiths everywhere.

 

Have a look at some of my tatty kit here and here.

Comments

94 responses to “About”

  1. Sheffield Patrol Group Avatar

    One of the purposes of photography is to provide evidence that the world is not as you imagine it to be.

    Colour photography is a confidence trick, which aims to elevate the banal to the level of the beautiful or the sublime. Photographs are not representations of reality. They are artificial constructs made of frames and light. To use colour in photography is to collude with the fraudulent misrepresentation of images as something other than they are. To confine oneself to black and white is to underscore the artifice, which serves to render the images more authentic, or more real.

    Like

  2. Shirley Burley Avatar
    Shirley Burley

    <3'n your blog. To share – my first camera was born the same year I was – a superb Minolta (film) and the first amateur auto focus. You have inspired me to revisit black n white – avoid distractions of colour for a little while and see the architecture of the photo's composition. Thanks!

    Like

  3. lisadorenfest Avatar

    🍻 To Keith’s everywhere

    Like

  4. gfchopstix Avatar

    Hi, your monochrome photos are incredible. I personally love colour shots, but your black and white are special.

    Like

  5. Equipping The Saints Avatar
    Equipping The Saints

    I used to have film type cameras in the 70s. They were Minolta SRT-101 and 102. I had an assortment of lenses, 28 mm, 50mm, 105mm, 300 mm. I now have a simple digital range finder camera. Oh, for the good old days. Please keep on making good photographs. Many blessings to you.

    Like

  6. Anita Avatar

    Amazing black and white pictures, and it’s great that you use film. Though I love color photographs too, I feel the monochromes retain one’s attention for a longer time, and to some extent, exercise one’s imagination. 🙂 I look forward to more of your work!

    Like

  7. trablog Avatar

    Awesome! Instant fan here! I would love to learn to use the film cameras! And the idea of using second hand film camera is worth trying!

    Like

  8. Rhian Jones Avatar

    Thank you for taking the time to ‘like’ some of my photos, much appreciated. Your work is wonderful and a pleasure to view. Lovely stuff. Happy blogging.

    Like

  9. Iamrcc Avatar

    I like the monochrome look. I still have one film camera left. I’m holding on to it just because. I traded in everything else including a medium format camera. It was all about being lazy. Got tired of having to go farther and farther away to get film and farther and farther away to get it developed. Didn’t want to use the Walgreens or Target stores.

    Like

  10. shutteringthrulife Avatar
    shutteringthrulife

    Just discovered your site. Nice work! I am starting to shoot more film. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

    Like

  11. inter alleyah Avatar

    Am sort of speechless with the framing and your eye for subject.
    Thank you so very much for being the experiment chaser & giving me my food for the soul.
    Cheers.

    Like

  12. David Hall Avatar

    Just returned to your ‘about’ page ‘Keith’, I was always under the impression that the chap in the photo was yourself 🙂

    Like

    1. mostlymonochrome Avatar

      No but the avatar is!

      Like

  13. pennypatteson Avatar

    I’ve popped by to take a look following your ‘like’ on my photo challenge post ‘Threshold(1)’ Really like what I’ve found and will be coming back for more!

    Like

  14. bodegalove Avatar
    bodegalove

    nice work! check out my blog sometime. If you like it follow and link.
    bodegalove.wordpress.com

    Like

  15. Northernbaygirl Avatar
    Northernbaygirl

    Great shot. I love monochrome photography, there’s something about black and white photos that tends to grip my attention more than a colour shot of the same scene would.

    Like

  16. Iamrcc Avatar

    Your approach is fascinating. Thank you for visiting and the like of my Weekly Photo Challenge post “Eerie”.

    Like

  17. Theresa Avatar

    Hi! I found your blog through my “suggestions” sidebar thing on my WordPress homepage 🙂 I love it, I shoot film from time to time myself (though I haven’t blogged about this – yet). Had a quick scroll through, liked what I saw! Going to have another look now.

    Like

  18. Marnie Erpestad Avatar

    Thanks for liking my posts. It always makes me happy to see the work of other people who also love film. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

    Like

  19. theamberofthemoment Avatar
    theamberofthemoment

    Thanks for the follow! Lovely work! (:

    Like

  20. Firasz Avatar

    I liked your whole idea! And you are doing very well!
    Cheers

    Like

  21. vatelechuza Avatar

    I love film too!! And I try doing more in the near futur. You inspirate me and gives the idea doing a part of my blog only with my film collection photographs!!! I’ll follow your blog certaily!! Muchas gracias!

    Like

  22. SoundEagle Avatar

    Happy New Year to you and all the best with your love and joy of photography!

    Like

  23. Samantha Little Photography Avatar

    really great film work! I love film so much. I wish I could use it allll the time! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂

    Like

  24. ahecticlife Avatar
    ahecticlife

    I nominated you for a super sweet blog award. You can see details here http://ahecticlife.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/super-sweet-blogging-award

    Like

  25. suburbaphobe Avatar

    Thank you for taking a look at my blog today. Your work is amazing and I love your philosophy about photography. I look forward to seeing more of your photos in the future!

    Like

  26. The Wanderlust Gene Avatar

    Dangling over the edge of a building to see what you’ll catch – that’s very Zen. Like it, and your monochrome world 🙂

    Like

  27. Merilee Mitchell Avatar

    You’re hilarious…! The fact that you do outrageous things with old cameras is brilliant. You get an A+ in my book.

    Like

  28. naomimgruer Avatar

    Thanks so much for checking out my lifestyle blog, Bmore Energy. I am inspired by your beautiful photographs!

    Like

  29. filmcamera999 Avatar

    sorry…having finger trouble today…spelling not as it shud be…!

    Like

  30. filmcamera999 Avatar

    just had another reda thru some of your posts that i missed last time around! so true about focus….every shot u take doesnt ahve to be pin sharp….in fact, some shots are better if out of focus!

    Like

  31. Shimmering Grains Avatar

    You have beautiful photos, I love your bw work!

    Like

  32. jessicakorteman Avatar

    Just wanted to stop by to say thanks so much for liking our latest post about bungy jumping in Japan. Much appreciated! Love B&W photography too! 🙂

    Like

    1. mostlymonochrome Avatar

      It looks scary but I’d love to take photos of it.

      Like

  33. The Retiring Sort Avatar

    Hi there! This is just to let you know that because I regularly enjoy your posts, I’ve nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. I hope you’ll consider this good news – but even if you aren’t interested in accepting, I hope you may see some increased traffic as a result! The acceptance rules are at: http://theretiringsort.com/2012/06/14/in-accordance-with-award-rules-the-nominees-are/
    All the best!

    Like

  34. throughenglisheyesmark Avatar

    Hi there,

    Thanks for stopping by http://reflectionsofchina.wordpress.com and leaving a like for one of my images, it is appreciated 🙂 If you have time, please drop by my other photo blog http://moreimagesfromme.wordpress.com, I do hope you enjoy what you see there!..You have a really nice site here, certainly worthy of a follow. Regards Mark

    Like

  35. weavinglight Avatar

    Hi. I know you’ve had this one before, but I’ve nominated you for the versatile blogger award. http://weavinglight.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/versatile-blogger-award/

    Like

  36. Paula Avatar

    Yes, the approach is entirely different with film cameras and the results are fewer but better pics 🙂 I like this page.

    Like

  37. Picture-Bandit Avatar

    I mentioned you and your blog as a candidate for the “Versatile Blogger Award”:
    http://picturebandit.wordpress.com/awards-auszeichnungen/

    Namaste
    P-B

    Like

  38. themofman Avatar

    MM, I just had to let you know that I’ve nominated you for a Universal Blog Award! See here . . .

    http://themofman.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/awards-awards-awards/

    Like

  39. MathiasLPhotos Avatar

    Hello,
    I really love all your pictures !!!
    I hope you will like the fact that I nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award.
    Cheers
    Mathias

    Like

  40. Fish & Bicycles Avatar

    Hey there!

    Thanks for stopping by and liking some of my posts today. Your work is wonderful, so it makes your liking mine that much more meaningful.

    Cheers!

    Like

  41. ManoliRizoFotografia Avatar

    I’m glad that is gone through my blog, for giving me the opportunity to meet his to which I have already subscribed, to continue to see their work, greetings

    Me alegro que halla pasado por mi blog, porque me ha dado la oportunidad de conocer el suyo al cual ya me he subscrito, para poder seguir viendo su trabajo, saludos

    Like

  42. themofman Avatar

    I’m hooked!

    Like

  43. cellardoorbelle Avatar

    Hello 🙂 I enjoy your site and have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! If you’d like to participate, you can find out more here: http://cellardoorbelle.wordpress.com/

    Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

    Like

  44. Hendra Taruna Avatar

    Wow…finally…this is the blog that I was looking for. I’m new in photography & I have interest in black & white, but sometimes I fail to get black & white from digital color picture. My picture just turn to be flattened (after I change the saturation & contrast) after I change the color version into B&W. Would you be so kind to some tips for me…:)

    Your pictures are just awesome

    Like

  45. kirstymackay Avatar
    kirstymackay

    Hi Mostlymonochrome, Thank you for the ‘likes’. Really nice to see someone else’s work that also loves film. Some great photos.
    Kirsty

    Like

  46. compellingphotography Avatar

    Hi Mostlymonochrome,

    I enjoy and take inspiration from your blog, so I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award.

    More info about the award and what to do next is here: http://compellingphotography.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/the-versatile-blogger-award/

    Like

  47. ShadowOfLightProject Avatar

    Very nice work. Nice to see someone using film.

    Like

  48. danielyapsl Avatar

    Heya! Thanks for dropping by my site! You’ve got a nice site going on. I’m taking time to look through the photographs and their amazing, keep it up! =)

    Cheers
    Daniel Yap

    Like

  49. kianys Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by my place and “liking” one of my posts earlier, that really ment a lot 🙂

    I looked around your place here a bit before commenting and I really enjoy what you’ve got going on here – hope to see you around some more 🙂

    Keep it up!

    🙂 K.

    Like

  50. belgradestreets Avatar
    belgradestreets

    Love the site…. nominated it for a “Versatile Bloggers Award” http://belgradestreets.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/the-versatile-blogger-award/

    Like

  51. yi-ching lin Avatar

    thank you so much for dropping by my photo/writing blog – i appreciate the “like.” i really enjoy your perspectives and captures. lovely photos. i especially enjoy today’s piano. cheers, y

    Like

  52. hellenjc Avatar

    Well if you ever feel the need for an old Olympus OM1 with a zoom and wide angle….. 🙂

    Like

  53. Posky Avatar

    I just wanted to let you know that I’ve consistently enjoyed the use of your eye. I’m drawn to your photos content, contrast and lack of color– Now seemed like a good time to tell you that.

    Like

    1. mostlymonochrome Avatar

      Thanks very much.

      Like

  54. charlie Avatar

    Glad that you liked my post and gave me the chance to come here and have a nose around your work. Beautiful!

    Like

  55. cfbookchick Avatar

    I am impressed with anyone who is willing to shoot with film these days, first because of the sacrifice it takes on the pocketbook and second, for the patience it takes to wait. Personally, I prefer film to digital, but my finances don’t!
    I love your work and I thank you for stopping over at my page so that I could find out about you!

    Like

  56. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

    By coincidence I used the title Mostly Monochrome for a recent post:

    http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/mostly-monochrome/

    I worked for decades with black and white film (often infrared), but now I’m enamored of color (often saturated).

    Like

  57. Alli Avatar
    Alli

    Thank you for the “like”. I’ve enjoyed browsing thru your photos. Love the lighthouse ones. We have many of those here on the Northwest Coast – you’d have a blast photographing them! Cape Disappointment, NorthHead,Tillamook.
    Cheers!

    Like

  58. ekhaugli Avatar
    ekhaugli

    Thanks for your “like” on a Kiss of Winter post. I really enjoyed your lighthouse photos. I’m fascinated by lighthouses. We have one here in the North Cape that I want to check out. It’s a days hike, but I think you can arrange to overnight there…. on my list of things to do next summer. Keep up the inspiring work. Your photos are beautiful.

    Like

  59. drs Avatar

    Thanks for the “Like”, awesome that you shoot on film, and great photos. Cheers!

    Like

  60. Richard Bailey Avatar

    You have some nice images here, keep it up and continue to have fun with it…

    Like

  61. Kolman Rosenberg Avatar

    Thanks for visiting and “liking” my blog “PhotographyUnposed”. I just subscribed to yours. I think we have a lot in common.

    Like

  62. Igo My Way Avatar

    I like your blog and nominate for the Versatile Blogger Award 🙂

    Like

  63. KickIt Avatar
    KickIt

    Thank you for your recent comment on my blog. I look forward to following your work; you take such beautiful, captivating photographs!

    Like

  64. kathiaf Avatar

    Loved the monochrome! You have a beautiful eye for photography.

    Like

  65. Marie Nagle Photography Avatar

    Thank you for your comment on my new blog! 😀 I totally agree with you that black and white is the best film to shoot with. I love shooting film and I have yet to switch over to digital. Love your photos! Keep up the good work.

    Like

  66. ebutterfieldphotography Avatar

    You have some really compelling photos here; I can see why you prefer monochrome–you have a lot of evocative images that color wouldn’t really add anything to (er, to which color wouldn’t really add anything). Lovely.

    Like

  67. thornberrie Avatar

    Nice work :o) I much prefer mono as I think it results in greater depth and conveys more mood to a scene.

    Like

  68. David Hall Avatar

    Nice post. Certainly has a documentary feel to it and could have been taken anytime. Well done.

    Like

    1. mostlymonochrome Avatar

      I thought you might like it!

      Like

  69. andreajournalist Avatar

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful work. I agree with you: B&W is easier than color, perhaps because I learned with my grandfather’s gear and it stuck.

    Like

  70. coroa magazine Avatar

    nice pictures!! 🙂

    Like

  71. mkamburi Avatar

    Hey, I’m actually quite amazed your the first guy i know who uses film and has such amazing pics. Keep up the great photos. Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my posts 😉

    Like

  72. jmpix Avatar

    Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my recent post “the spider’s web”. Really enjoyed looking at your photos and look forward to seeing more. I have a friend who is doing a year long black and white film project on a second hand camera too…you definately gain a different perspective 😉

    Like

  73. kogie506 Avatar

    Wow your pics are awsome! keep up the good work, I specially like those ones you took of the trees, I don’t know why but I find photos that have some sort of plant in them extremely interesting. 🙂

    Like

  74. letissierdesigns Avatar

    You are a photographer! For real! I just like to take pictures. Your blog is beautiful, moody and surreal, very interesting.
    Thanks for noticing my efforts!

    Like

  75. H.O Avatar

    Hi,
    I using second hand camera and 35mm film too.

    Like

  76. Adrian Lewis Avatar

    Thanks for liking my monochrome post – I have a great liking for monochrome, but not exclusively – colour always seems to creep back in there somehow! I voted in your poll but was unable to vote accurately >>> my photography at the moment is digital and scanned digital (from decades of film photography) in about equal measure. Your photos are very good, I’ve enjoyed them. FATman

    Like

    1. mostlymonochrome Avatar

      Thanks for your comment.

      Like

  77. calvininjax Avatar
    calvininjax

    It’s a nice to see someone still working with B&W film in this digital age. Keep up the good work.

    Like

  78. Meanderer Avatar

    You visited my site and ‘liked’ my Stonehenge ‘The Stones’ post which has drawn me to look at your work. I didn’t think I would like B&W work so much – believing myself to be a ‘colour’ person, but I really like your work and have subscribed to your blog. I will be back to have a better look around. Thanks!

    Like

  79. Cat Avatar

    Thank you for the Like 🙂 You have some wonderfully honest work here; almost documentary in quality, and a little quirky. Thank you for sharing it!

    Like

  80. Lester Avatar

    Thank you for leaving a, “Like” on my post. It gave me the chance to visit your site to find some amazing pictures. Keep up the great work!

    Like

  81. bookjunkie Avatar

    all your photos are so amazing!!

    Like

  82. design geek Avatar

    Wow! What gorgeous photography! xx

    Like

  83. jbhaferkamp Avatar

    I really like the stuff you shoot and I’m going to add you to my blogroll. If you have any objections, let me know. I also wanted to let you know about a site that is exclusively about film photography and cameras: http://www.feelingnegative.com. I found them not long ago and it’s a good site with regularly updated content and people that don’t take themselves too seriously.

    Like

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