Capturing Moments: From Enthusiast to Ambassador for Analogue Wonderland

I am very happy to announce that I am now an official Ambassador to the UK’s best film development lab and film retailer - Analogue Wonderland.

Like most of us, I have had a very personal experience of developing my photography. From the initial need to make the magazine articles I was writing - driving me to first pick up a camera - to shooting legends of Hollywood, it has been a very private journey. Our inner dialogue with ourselves over art and composition, and what that means vs the technical exercises needing to be mastered in order to execute what we see can be very all consuming. The outer world sees our results when we choose to show them, but rarely does anyone ever see what it took for us to make what they see.

Photography is for everyone who wants to explore it. Often it isn’t actually for photographers at all, and it’s for an audience that loves seeing new things. Sometimes it’s for an audience of one, and we’re just happy to be making something meaningful,

For me, film photography has become what I most connect with. With access to classic lenses nearly 100 years old, and well looked after camera bodies that were handmade to last, there is a wealth of choice for even the smallest of budgets. We can all create with film. It may take more research into film stocks, buying and selling equipment as we try and discard shooting experiences not quite for us, but eventually we all get where we want to be if we persevere.

I am incredibly happy to be a part of the ambassador team at Analogue Wonderland. Their open enthusiasm for all things creative, their passion in the development lab and their engagement to encourage the wider community is exceptional. With ethical values and a sense of welcomeness, Analogue Wonderland is one of the key resources and drivers to greater adoption of film photography in the UK and the wider world through online presence.

To check out Analogue Wonderland, please use this link for all your darkroom lab and film buying needs: Analogue Wonderland

You’ll see more of the Ambassador team in the coming months, and if you want to follow any of them, here are their social media handles on Instagram:

@LiquidLightWhisperer

@amyfarrerphotography

@samdavisphotographer

@lightninginabottleuk

@seekdiscoverconnect

Last weekend Martin met up with Mounia Moula, who is appearing in the new James Bond movie for an epic shoot in Snowdonia!

I Hear Your Voice, Soaked With the Seduction of a Siren

This shoot took place at an abandoned mine with an inland lake. I built the platform beneath the water that Mounia is stood on. Using a lot of care, Profoto lights were placed into the lake itself to light the scene, and in particular make the smoke ‘pop’ when it fell from the lantern. I’m used to hanging off mountain faces, being submerged in water or in some kind of compromised position in order to get my shots, so it’s fantastic when my model is also happy to take a risk on making something unique. How did I get Mounia to the platform in the middle of the lake without her getting wet? That’s a secret :)

Martin Brown, The Barefoot Photographer quality checking the prints

Martin Brown, The Barefoot Photographer quality checking the main print

From shooting to image production was just a couple of days. I’ve always been honoured to shoot actors, movie directors and other celebrities who enjoy my fantastical view of the world. It’s amazing when I explain the vision I have of them and they go along with me; it take’s a lot of trust to create images like this after trekking up a mountain in the freezing cold!

Thank you to Mounia Moula for believing in the vision and making it come to life with me.

Are you next? Contact us and we’ll see what we can create together!

Martin Brown, The Barefoot Photographer