My First Camera
My first camera was a Russian Lubitel, twin lens reflex, the type you looked through the top of the viewfinder and out via the top lens, then when you pressed the shutter, the image was taken through a second lens underneath. It was heavy and unwieldy … and I hated it!
I was 13 and it was 1977.
I did win a school photography competition on a French school exchange with it though.
My Influences
This is probably my favourite image of my Dad, Douglas Quinn, he was a keen amateur photographer, hated seeing my holiday photographs on mobile phones. In this photo he’s probably between 16 – 18, before he did his National Service.
After he passed away in January 2020, I decided to study for a BA in Photography, probably part in memory of him and what he loved to do, also as a way of developing an interest other than football and motorbikes while I’m working away from home during the week.
My Dad was a keen Canon user, I followed in his footsteps, I’m sure he’d approve of my Canon mirrorless camera.
This is my Mum, Sheila Quinn, she’s always been the backbone of the family, at 87 she’s still mentally strong but suffers with chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
The photo was scanned from my Dad’s collection of slides that I sorted after he passed. I’m not sure how old she is in this photo, but it’s probably the early 1960’s.
Mum was really pleased that I eventually followed in my Dad’s footsteps and took an interest in photography and started my degree.
