Jim Bennett

Jim Bennett DPAGB

Jim Bennett DPAGB was born in Glasgow in 1931. He is married and has three children. Jim started working life as a locomotive engineer and moved on to marine engineering before working for Castrol Oils. It was with Castrol that he moved to the North East in 1969, designing garage workshops.

Jim is an exceptionally accomplished film worker and has a large collection of interesting and historical cameras. Using his engineering skills, he made his own 5x4 inch large format camera, complete with bellows, crafting all the wooden and metal parts himself. This beautiful and fully functional camera is much admired by fellow members and enthusiasts.

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

My main interests are landscapes, still life and portraits. I was also a part time wedding photographer for 23 years

THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE

Ansel Adams and his images taken with large format cameras

MY FIRST CAMERA

My father was a keen photographer and gave me a Kodak Hawkeye box camera when I was 6 years old.

MY FAVOURITE CURRENT KIT

I have many in my collection, too many to list, but I mainly use a wooden 5x4 format camera which I made myself. As I get older, I also use a Mamiya 6x7 roll film camera a lot!

MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Have to be Ansel Adams and Fred Picker

ME AND THE DPS

I joined in 1980 and was President 1998-99. I was awarded the PSA Gold Medal in 1994 for “Tulips” and in 1997 gained my Distinction from the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain.

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

Just being a member is full of enjoyment! And to see fellow photographers work, and talking to them about what is a great hobby that lasts for ever.

THE PEARL (Advice to budding photographers)

Listen to others but do your own thing

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