The first m43 decade

The Sunday newspaper had a 'Decade in Pictures' feature. It made me wonder what I might select as a photograph from each of the last ten years.

(And, yes, if you point out that this is actually the ninth year of the decade - because we start counting at 'one' - I will agree with you. But, popularly, we seem to have got in to the habit of celebrating the ends of decades, centuries and millennia one year early.)

Anyway, back to my theme. I got my first digital camera, a basic point-and-shoot, in 2003. I got a more sophisticated compact at the end of 2005. It taught me that I needed a more capable type of camera. I got my first DSLR a few months later, in 2006 (an inexpensive, discontinued Olympus E-300). Cameras were developing quickly at that time, and I could not resist the excellent E-510 when it was launched in 2007. But, still I found the DSLR a frustrating blend of old and new technology.

I thought m43 might be the way forward, and bought the Pen E-P1 in 2009, the first Olympus m43 camera.

Let's start the pictures now!

2010

Andy Mackay (of Roxy Music) - at Bestival

The Pen - and limited m43 lens range at that time - was not much use in conditions like this. So this was with the e510 and Zuiko 50-200mm.

2011

Neptune's Offering - a buoy washed up near Hengistbury Head

I got very few shots with the Pen that I was particularly pleased with. The lack of a viewfinder made it difficult to use in bright light. The slow kit lens, noisy sensor (and lack of alternatives) made it difficult to use in low light. This was one occasion I found myself with it inside its envelope.

2012

'J Class' regatta in the Solent.

By now my 50-200mm lens had fallen apart, and my E-510 was held together with sellotape. I was deciding on the replacement, probably a Nikon D700. Then Olympus released some decent small m43 primes lenses and announced the first OM-D. I decided to wait for its launch. Meanwhile, I bought a 40-150mm 4/3 lens to use with the E-510 for this regatta.

This was not the last occasion I used a DSLR, but it was the last occasion on which a DSLR was my preferred main camera.

2013

A posed portrait

I found myself photographing people far more. I sold the m43 gear still in saleable condition and replaced it with an OM-D E-M5 with a couple of primes (12mm and 45mm) and a long zoom (Pany 100-300mm).

As a former OM-1 / OM-4 user, I felt that I now had the tool I had always wanted, from when I first went digital.

2014

Godrevy Beach, Cornwall - Chatterley was the model - the dress is a retired French military parachute

I'll let this shot do all the talking.

2015

Nightlife

This was an example of what the technology can do. The lighting was a single, dim street light.

2016

Steampunk Airship Pirate (The Druidess of Midian)

I rather like the steampunk look. This too was shot in challenging conditions; bright, direct sunlight (no shade).

I'm hoping to develop this theme quite soon in 2020.

2017

Going to Mass

A holiday snap from a popular location in Prague. I got up early, to photograph the sights before breakfast. Then, with the family later in the day, I found it easier to keep my camera in its bag.

2018

The Prodigy - Victorious Festival (the late Keith Flint)

I didn't try to photograph The Prodigy the first time I saw them, but left the gig thinking they were a band I would really want to shoot. I got an opportunity in 2018; it was an ambition realised.

Sadly their charismatic from man, Keith Flint, died a few months later. It makes these images even more precious to me, as a memory and tribute to a great performer.

2019

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum

I hope to work with Airsle again very soon - watch this space.  Both she and I were keen to find our own interpretation of The Handmaid's Tale.

And, as the decade closes - Nolite te bastardes carborundorum

Thanks,  Dutch. Wonderful set.

Thank you for your thoughtful post, and for sharing your wonderful images.