"You should stop by one of these days, Akin. I’ve got a decent camera collection," Chris said. Naturally, I agreed.
Meeting Chris is one of the many perks of being part of a local community. This particular one, Cambridge Darkroom - Photography Social, is brilliant. If you’re in Cambridge, I highly recommend it. Nothing beats connecting with fellow photography lovers.
We started chatting about photography and how we each got into it. I had a clear starting point, but for Chris, it’s been a lifelong passion. Now that he’s retired, he keeps himself busy with pottery, perfecting his photography craft and participates often in local exhibitions. Some of the film cameras in the collection were even passed down from his father!
Divine that is, if you may add.
Chris did warn me about the downside of collecting too much. He showed me the mess hoarding can cause, with rolls of film in some cameras that haven’t been used in ages. His advice was clear: enjoy your hobby, but stay organised to avoid the chaos.
This visit reminded me why being part of a community is so valuable. You meet people, they inspire you, and then learn you will from each other's vast experience. Chris’s story, his collection, and his friendly warning about the pitfalls of hoarding were all invaluable lessons I took away from that afternoon.
So, if you’re in Cambridge(visit if you haven’t) and love photography, join groups like The CamCreatives and Cambridge Darkroom - Photography Social. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll learn.
Until next time, happy shooting!
