Between now and our next Festival of Photography at the University of Greenwich on January 31st, we are showcasing some of the great speakers we have lined-up for this unmissable event.
The roll-call of inspiring speakers includes Miles Myerscough Harris, who has built a massive social media following thanks to his espousal of analogue photography, in particular expired film. Indeed, Miles does crazy stuff like shooting a soccer match with a 127-year-old camera!
Miles is a very engaging and inspiring speaker, so find out more about him below (and don’t forget to book your early bird tickets to the Festival of Photography, as the offer ends Sunday).
The joys of experimentation
‘I’ve honestly been into photography for as long as I can remember,’ Miles recalls. ‘Throughout my childhood I made hundreds of home movies, I would always take a camera everywhere with me. It’s just always somehow been in my blood, but I’m not sure where it came from as neither my dad nor my mum were particularly into photography (Miles’s dad is the celebrated music broadcaster, Bob Harris).’
Despite his current obsession with all things film, Miles also cut his teeth using digital gear. ‘I guess when I was really young (I was born in 1992) I would have been using film cameras as there wasn’t an alternative. I certainly remember shooting some film at Old Trafford for a Man Utd game against Liverpool that I went to with my dad, but when I started to take photography more seriously through school and sixth form, I was definitely using digital cameras. I do remember using the darkroom at school to make prints though.’
After sixth form, Miles went straight into working in the music industry, where he started out taking photos and filming videos on a Canon EOS 550D DSLR – the first camera he remembers buying and using regularly.
‘From there things just progressed, and I worked in music continually, shooting live sessions, some documentary stuff, promo shots, and everything in between until the pandemic hit. The music industry ground to a complete halt overnight, which gave me the time to dig back into film photography as a passion.’
Touch and feel
A lot of younger photographers remain fascinated by film, which has taken a lot of people in the camera industry by surprise. So what was it about film that Miles found so attractive?
‘Personally, I love the tactile nature of film photography. It feels like you’re pouring a little bit of your soul into every shot because you’re so physically involved – from taking the film out of the box, to opening the back of the camera, inserting the film and winding it on after every shot… it makes me feel so connected to the photos I’m taking.
I think the limitations of film also make me a better photographer. When I’m on the touchline at a game (Miles also shoots sports with film cameras – Ed.) I know that I need to be absolutely intentional about every time I fire the shutter, and I can’t waste any of the 36 shots I can take on a roll in case something important happens close to me, so I consider my frames much more carefully.’
Film photography is just… cool
‘Outside of my professional work, I also find that shooting on film helps you to better remember specific moments of your life. It’s so easy to go on holiday and take hundreds of photos on your smartphone, post ten of your favourites on Instagram and then never really look at them again.
But because you have to choose your moments so much more carefully with film, I find that you can remember those exact moments much better – particularly when you then get the scans back from your lab after a few days. I love that about film. Aside from all of that, film photos just look so cool; in such a clean, digital age, I think there is a real beauty in seeing the analogue grain of a film photo.’
Learn more about Miles’s intriguing career at the Festival of Photography, including how and why he shoots sports, gigs and other challenging genres with expired film – not to mention his tips for becoming a social media star!
Save on tickets to our unmissable Festival of Photography
Other must-hear speakers at our Festival of Photography include celebrity portrait shooter Harry Borden, lifestyle and music photographer Dean Chalkley, innovative portrait photographer Drew Gardner, hugely experienced all-rounder Denise Maxwell, fashion ace Amanda Akokhia and many more.
Early bird tickets for the Festival of Outdoor Photography are available now, but hurry, as they are selling fast – and the early bird offer closes on November 23rd! Full festival and ticket details here.
