First Roll With: Nikonos III by Macgregor Seeley

Hey, my name’s Macgregor Seeley and I’m a filmmaker and student from Melbourne. For as long as I could remember, I’ve always loved the ocean. Its mix of elegance and power is unlike any other natural phenomenon and no matter how many times I see it, I’m still totally hypnotised by it. Having shot film for the past 4 years, some of my favourite photos are of beaches scattered across the Australian east coast. I feel the medium of 35mm film just gives these photos a raw character, which you wouldn’t be able to achieve with digital. 

The photos below are from the first roll (Fujifilm Superia 400) I shot through my Nikonos III, which my mate Tanner gifted me as it’s the same as his Nikonos that I had used previously. This was the first time I had taken it out and was straight up blown away with how much of a learning curve shooting within the water was.

Before receiving the Nikonos III, usually if I was in the water I’d be surfing or if I was taking photos at the beach I’d be standing on land, but mixing the two together, checking focus and looking down the viewfinder, all whilst treading water a couple hundred meters offshore was a bit of a sensory overload to begin with. Having said this, after half an hour or so of getting used to it all, I totally fell in love with it. For the first time, I could capture moments on film, which usually you’d have to be in the water with us to experience. 

I’ve still got a lot to learn about shooting with Nikonos bodies but with every trip down to Smiths or Leo we take, I feel my skills in both shooting with the Nikonos 3 and surfing growing, which just gives me heaps more motivations to get better and keep pushing for higher quality shots. 

I just wanted to take the opportunity to also give a shout out to #FightForTheBight. If you haven’t already heard, Norwegian oil company Equinor is planning to drill in the Great Australian Bight with virtually no method towards containing a potential oil leak. The results of which would be catastrophic to the ecosphere of the entire southern/ southeast coastline. A spill of this scale wouldn’t just affect the surfers, animals and locals who call these coastlines home, but every single Australian who desires to see this beautiful home of ours in its full glory. Please stay aware of these greedy corporations who don’t care for anything except their own financial gain. Do the right thing and #FightForTheBight. 

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"First Roll With" is a new series we started dedicated to those initial moments spent with your camera or lens. "First Roll With" is open to all levels of photographers, whether it's your first film camera or your 100th, we welcome you to share with us your own unique perspectives and experiences!