This has always been very true as you never know what you might capture. Of course, nowadays this isn’t so much of an issue as everyone has a camera with them, built into their smartphone.
I had a look back through a box of old photographs I have from my teenage years (and possibly early 20’s) where I was shooting film.
I didn’t have a clue about the rudiments of photography but was always keen to snap away like some mad paparazzi.
One particular trip to London I felt like just that!
I had visited London to see the Michael Jackson HIStory tour at Wembley Stadium and the day after the concert we went for a walk around London.
For some reason we ended up in Hamley’s Toy Store and whilst there a commotion broke out around us.
Unbeknown to me Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie Presley and their entourage entered the store and came over to the toys we were browsing.
I remember Michael saying “Excuse me” as he leant over for some toys but I had forgotten that I had my camera and took some snaps.
This was way before the Internet and privacy issues with major celebs (and let’s face it, he was a major celebrity, not just a “celeb”).
Anyway, I found this photograph in my collection and decided to share it.
I also wanted to try and enhance the image as this was shot on a point and shoot film camera (probably a Canon Ixus APS camera).
This is my final edit:
This is the original (scanned using Google Photos).
As you can see I was a distance from Michael when I took the shot and his entourage were doing their best to keep the fans at bay.
In this edit I have:
- Cropped the image
- Darkened the black
- Adjusted the shadows
- Decreased the highlights and whites
- Saturated the colours a little to make the red on his jacket pop
This is another reason why I love analogue photography. I remember this event but I didn’t remember the photographs (I have more).
If these had been on a hard drive I would have probably lost, forgotten or possibly deleted them.
I could have lost these photos when moving house but they are in the box where I store all my favourite photographs and am pleased to have been able to find this shot.
If I didn’t have my camera and swift reactions I would not have the evidence of this little part of history (no pun intended).
It really does pay to keep a camera with you at all times, you never know what or who you just might shoot!
Keith Tomlinson Photography 