Alfie B-Smith is a thirty-something, Sheffield-based photographer and lifestyle content creator. Established in 2013.
This blog is a place for honest tech reviews, music reviews, Yorkshire restaurant features, grimy gig photography, and documenting my life in the North of England.
The Origin Story
Long-time readers might remember this URL as solely a craft beer blog. For years, I travelled the UK documenting the independent brewing revolution. While I still appreciate a well-poured stout, the creative focus of Alfie B-Smith has shifted along with my own interests.
I realised that while I loved the taste of the beer, I was more obsessed with the visuals of the scene, the label art, the shadowy taprooms, the chaos of a crowded bar. I traded my tasting notes for a shutter button, and the new Alfie B-Smith blog was born.
In an era of AI-generated images and polished Instagram feeds, I am chasing reality.
My photography style is Documentary First. Whether I’m in the pit at a hardcore show or walking the grey streets of Sheffield, I am looking for texture, grain, and imperfection. I believe a slightly blurry photo that captures emotion is infinitely better than a sharp photo that feels dead.
I shoot primarily on:
- 35mm Film: For the patience it teaches me.
- Digital Mirrorless: For the speed it gives me.
This hybrid approach allows me to slow down when the moment is quiet, and speed up when the mosh pit opens.
The Gear (And Why I Review It)
One of the core pillars of this site is Tech & Gear Reviews. But let’s be clear: I’m not a “Tech Spec” nerd. I don’t care about chart comparisons or pixel-peeping at 400% zoom.
I care about usability.
- Does this camera fit in a jacket pocket?
- Can I change the ISO in the dark at a gig?
- Will this lens survive a rainy walk in the Peak District?
If I write a review, it means I have actually used the gear in the field. My reviews of cameras like the Chinon Auto 3501, Edixa-Mat Reflex, and Olympus Trip MD3 are written for people who actually want to use them, not just collect them.
Quick Facts
For the sake of transparency, here is the person behind the lens:
- Location: Sheffield, UK.
- Drink of Choice: Lemon Ting.
- Soundtrack: Sunami, The Night Café, Fontaines DC
- Dream Camera: Ricoh GR III and Fujifilm X100VI (One day…).
- Current Obsession: Finding the perfect high-ISO black & white film stock.
Work With Me
If you have a camera you want field-tested, a zine you want to collaborate on, or a gig that needs documenting, let’s talk.
Email: **@*********th.com
