Meet the RNLI Volunteers with the Lomo'Instant Square

UK Photographer Jimmy Cheng took the Lomo'Instant Square out to Chiswick to shoot the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). We talked to Luke Dillon & Glen Monroe about their roles in helping save lives at sea.

What do you do?

Glen Monroe (GM): I've been a lifeboatman for nearly 32 years. I joined as a volunteer in 1986 at Gt. Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station. My full time job was electronics engineer.

Luke Dillon (LD): I work full time in Wandsworth and volunteer for the RNLI as a Helmsman at Chiswick.

How long have you been doing what you do?

GM:The Thames lifeboat service was started in 2001 to go fully live in 2002. I was lucky enough to be here from the start.

LD:I joined the RNLI in 2011, so 6 years.

Why do you do what you do?

GM: I can't explain why I do it, it's in my blood I guess. A friend said to me. "it's not my job, it's my passion" I just can't imagine doing anything else. Away from the boat, I go home to my family in Norfolk where I live in the country with my wife, daughter, and granddaughter plus an array of animals. I also build classic American cars both for myself and others. I use my collection for weddings and days out whenever I get the chance.

LD: I have always been interested in the RNLI, since I was very young and used to go and visit the lifeboat station in Aldeburgh. I rowed on the river at school and have been fished out by the lifeboat on one occasion. I signed up to join as soon as I was old enough. I think it's a fantastic way to do something for the river community which I grew up as part of and to get some amazing training and experience.

What do you think of the Lomo’Instant Square?

GM: Was very impressed with the results of the Lomo’Instant Square, somewhat reminds me of my childhood. Instant film is a great way to test with real film as you get the instant results so can make adjustments straight away, without having to wait until the film has been processed. The colors are more lifelike, unlike the digital images we have all become used to. The lens used was very precise with super sharp clarity.

LD: Its a really interesting idea. I think the immediacy of having the physical photo in your hand makes it more valuable than simply snapping away with a digital camera. The images have a very different quality to what you now are bombarded with every day in the media and online. There is a nostalgic feel to the medium but it is also clear and captures something that you don’t get with a digital photograph.

Find out more about the fantastic work that the RNLI do via their website rnli.org

A huge thanks to Jimmy Cheng for testing this camera out, you can visit his website at www.jimmycheng.photography

2017-10-20 #people #soho #london #uk #thames #rnli #lomo-instant-square