New Canary Wharf show for old school photographer

Brighton based artist Toby Mason also known as Photobes, is exhibiting his beautiful images, created using old analogue techniques, cheap cameras and film, at First Edition restaurant.

He said: "Creatively you can do just as much with film and for me there is more reward. You are able to use your own creativity rather than excellent Photoshop skills. That's not to say there are not fantastic digital photographers but for me film is the discipline I enjoy.

"It is all about the anticipation. Today everyone wants everything instantly - they send emails rather than letters. Film is like listening to music on vinyl - I like the imperfections and it is a proper tangible medium.

I get genuinely better results from film but if I was struggling creatively by limiting myself then I might have to rethink."

Toby has picked up kit from Ebay for under £100 and uses Lomography cameras as well as an old SLR.

"Lomo cameras came back into fashion a couple of years ago," Toby said, "and you can look at them as being terribly hipster like fixed wheel bikes but on the other hand, it is getting people using film. For me it is not a fashion accessory, I just like the results, in particular the colours.

Toby may steer clear of digital processes when it comes to creating his images but social media and modern methods of communication have allowed him to push his work further.

He said: "Flikr has been great for finding inspiration. It has allowed me to search out people with similar interests, got me pushing my own boundaries. I have been able to discuss ideas and techniques with other photographers and I have been working with a guy in Japan who I met on the site.

"We have developed a technique we are calling EBS - which stands for exposing both sides. One of us will take a roll of film then reverse it and wind it back into the canister, post it to the other who will then take images over the top of the originals.

"We can get six good images from a 36 film and the best part is not knowing what you have until you develop the film. There are a series of images created in this way in the show. "

First Edition will be hosting Toby's work until the end of the month. This is the second time he has exhibited there and it is a space he believes works well with his work.

He said: "People in Canary Wharf have busy lives and don't necessarily have time to go into a gallery so showing in First Edition works. My images fit aesthetically with the restaurant. First Edition is the longest surviving independent restaurant on the estate, it's an urban retreat and my photographsare urban with a nostalgic feel to them."