SheFeatures: Mhairi Chambers
Name: Mhairi Chambers
Camera: OM System OM-1
Favourite type(s) of photography: Sports, wildlife, and street
Instagram: @chambersmhairi
Location: Edinburgh, UK
How did you get into photography?
I originally shot on film in the 1980s. Eight years ago, when I retired, I returned to photography more seriously, but this time digitally. I bought myself an Olympus OM-D E-M10, shooting almost any genre. I then moved on to the Olympus E-M5 Mark II and finally to the OM-1. Being a sports-minded person, I played hockey and basketball and am now a golfer. So, it was kind of inevitable that I started doing sports photography more seriously!
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
No.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
Probably when I started shooting film, taking photos of my then local patch in Edinburgh.
What do you love about photography?
The fact that you can enjoy it on your own or as part of a group or society. You get plenty of advice and tips from fellow enthusiasts if necessary.
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
That it's not as scary as it seems! Buying photography magazines has helped along the way, with good suggestions on how to tackle, for example, street photography if you are not that confident about approaching strangers.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife. I'm now hooked on shooting motorsport! It's an interesting circuit in that it's the only one in the UK where racing takes place both clockwise and anti-clockwise... but not on the same day of course! On a two-day event, one day will be clockwise, the other anti-clockwise, so you have to think about where to position yourself depending on which way round they are racing.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
I've been trying panning at Knockhill, which I enjoy, but I reckon it's taken me at least a year to get better at it. My hit rate of getting the whole car or bike in the shot is improving.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I do the bare minimum! My day job consisted of sitting in front of a PC all day, so I prefer not to spend hours editing. I use Olympus Workspace and Corel Paintshop Pro. Very occasionally, if required, I can access Photoshop, which my husband uses.
What's your favourite lens?
My Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 Pro lens. It's my go-to for most of my sports photography.
Do you have a favourite accessory?
My Sea Summit Airlite microfibre towel. It packs down small and is handy for wet days.
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
My current Vanguard Discover 41, it has room for my camera body, three lenses, and most importantly, a compartment at the top for food/snacks.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Ansel Adams, O. Winston Link and Robert Blomfield. I love their monochrome images. Winston Link's photos of small-town America in the 1950s and 60s with the railroads and classic cars are just great. Blomfield was largely unknown until fairly recently, but his monochrome images of Edinburgh and other cities are just street photography at its best.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Sam Ryan (@samryan_photography), Muriel Binnie (@murielsbinnie), and Vivian Maier (@vivianmaierarchive)
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
The Mark 2 version of my Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens.
Is there a photography genre you love but haven't tried yet?
No, I've tried a few genres now, but one thing I haven't really tried is portraits.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
In 2022, winning the Jim McDougal Trophy for best sports print in the Edinburgh Photographic Society's members’ exhibition.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
Predicting the weather more accurately than the BBC!
Your favourite baked goods are?
Scones, almost any flavour.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I worked at Edinburgh Napier University in the Finance department for almost 36 years. I was able to retire at 60 and got back into photography more seriously. Currently, I shoot for an under-17 local boys' football team and am now collaborating with Tynecastle Football Club on their social media side. This is all through speaking to local clubs and getting access to shoot at their grounds.
