Ian Stafford

Ian Stafford, born 1959, lives in Penshaw with better half, Sue, and ‘kids’ - Bethany and Dylan. He is a senior manager in the NHS where he has worked for 32 years. Like so many members, Ian’s long term interest in photography has been re-invigorated by the advent of high performance digital SLRs. Unusually, he prefers fast prime, rather than zoom, lenses.

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

I’ve been interested in photography for about 30 years and was a member of Sunderland Camera Club in the 80’s. After a long absence, I bought a DSLR (Nikon of course!) two years ago and joined DPS. I don’t think I have found my main interest, as far as subject matters go, yet, but always enjoy ‘shooting’ people and ‘gig’ photography. Landscapes elude me so I’d like to be better at them and at using a flashgun!

THE  BIGGEST INFLUENCE

My better half, Sue, is one of the biggest fans of my photography and has always encouraged me,               

MY FIRST CAMERA

Zenit ‘B’ followed by Pentax ME Super then a Nikon FM2, which I’ve had now for nearly 28 years.

MY FAVOURITE CURRENT KIT

Nikon D3 with 35mm f2, 85mm f1.8 and 135mm f2. I prefer fast primes as they ‘feel’ right for me and are great for gig photography when the light levels are usually pretty desperate!

My perfect camera though would be the D3 sensor stuck on the back of my Nikon FM2, you can’t beat the old manual cameras!

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Carlos Clarke, Annie Leibovitz, Don McCullin, David Noton, Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson and Andy Rouse.

ME AND THE DPS

Joined June 2008 so still a relative ‘newbie’. As well as the Club nights, I enjoy the many other activities such as Folio Groups, Digital processing nights, Assignment days and just being with fellow members at events like Bikewise, Pickering Wartime Weekend, Goth Festivals and many others. I’ve had success in competitions also!

THE THINGS I ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DPS

1. Friendship    2. Good ‘craik’     3. Great photos

AN AMBITION

To shoot one of the really big artists like Dylan or Bowie. Oh, and at some stage I’d like to do my own printing (sorry John and Louise!}

THE PEARL (Advice to budding photographers)

Shoot, shoot and shoot and when you’re tired of shooting ……shoot some more – practice makes perfect!  But above all else -  enjoy it!