AP's Most Loyal Readers

Who is our longest-serving reader? That’s the question we asked recently, and here’s a selection of the responses we received...

Brendan Farrell, Birmingham

A foggy evening in November 1953 and the bright lights of a camera shop window in Birmingham drew my attention. There, next to a display of Kodak box cameras, was a copy of AP and a book, Boys Book of Photography by AP contributor at the time, J Allan Cash. Now, 66 years later, I’m still reading AP and have never missed an issue. Over the years AP has steered me through film and digital, and provided huge support in good times and bad, including bereavement. With recent articles about how photography has helped people fight illness and depression, maybe AP should be available on prescription through the NHS.

Alan Greenwood, West Yorkshire

I have had a continuous interest in photography since the late 1950s, when I was given my first camera – an Ensign Selfix 12-20 – and soon discovered AP as an informative and enjoyable read. I’m still actively taking pictures and frequently resurrecting old negs and trannies to support a local photographic archive. I still make prints and if they are worth the effort I often mount and frame them and inflict them on members of my family.

AP continues to be a first-class publication. To maintain a regular weekly specialised magazine to such a high standard is a credit to the Editor and all your contributors.

John Duder, West Midlands

I’m sure I’m not your longest-serving reader – I began devouring AP in 1968. My first letter to AP was published in 1969, on the subject of the big increase in the price of chemicals when Kodak replaced the Ektachrome E-2 process with E-4.