Month: March 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Through sunlit trees

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Today’s picture is another photograph making use of glorious low sunlight. I like the way that the building – Chesterfield Town Hall – is obscured behind the trees. It gives it a bit of an air of mystery, I think.

In other news, it seems that both #FP4Party and Expired Film Day have crept around again, so I best get myself sorted for those – although, in the case of the former, I already have, and scanned some Holga-shot FP4+ negatives today.

For the latter, I have three rolls of expired film defrosting – one relatively fresh roll of Ektachrome 100 that’s dated 2008, a roll of Kodacolor Gold 200 from 1989, and oldest of all, some TriFCA from 1975 (which I’m not even sure the local lab will process – I shall ask them before I shoot it!). Shooting days are this weekend (13-15 March).

Through the trees

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Sunshine on the Sun Inn

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Spring is pretty much upon us and soon that lovely low winter sunshine will have retreated for another year, its effect only available to the early-birds and night-owl’s amongst us as we get further into summer. So here’s a photo of springtime early-morning sunshine bathing an appropriately named pub.

Sun Inn

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Lines of shadow

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A few weeks ago I bought another new (to me) camera – I really need to try and stop doing this! Anyway’ the camera in question is a Minolta SRT 101b SLR and came with a Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 lens attached. The light seals looked a little shabby, so I replaced them, but the camera is otherwise in excellent condition. The camera uses the old mercury cells, so I’ve fitted it with a Wein cell to allow the meter to function correctly.

On a diagonal

It’s very much in the traditional 1970s SLR mold – silver body with black leatherette. It’s considerably heavier and bulkier than my Olympius OM-1, which is a similar camera in terms of features.

I popped in a roll of Delta 400 to test the camera and went for a walk around the flea market in Chesterfield when I had a day off recently. The camera handled the lighting with aplomb, giving good metering whether under the shadows of the stalls, or when in bright sunlight and, now that I’ve confirmed it’s working ok (everything seems fine, although the mirror occasionally sticks up after the shutter fires – although it drops back on the film advance action), I’ll take it out again when I get chance.

Both of today’s photos were taking in the same covered arcade on teh edge of the town centre.

Lines of contrast

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Tinsley Park Cemetery

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A couple of weeks ago I paid a short visit to Tinsley Park Cemetery and shot a roll of HP5+ through the Holga. It’s the first time I’ve visited the cemetery in 13 years – the last time was in 2007 when I took some photos with the Canon S2Is bridge camera I used at the time (and which I still have in a cupboard just behind where I sit typing this).

The cemetery is flanked by industrial units near its entrance and then backs onto Tinsley Park Woods and the land that was once part of the short-lived Sheffield Airport.

One of its most noteable features is the double gothic chapel, whose twin spires cast a distinctive shape in the air when seen from the nearby Woodburn Road. The two photos below show the chapels as you approach from the entrance and then the view as you descend back down the hill from the cemetery graves.

Approaching Tinsley Park Cemetery

Departing Tinsley Park Cemetery

While there are roads around either side of the chapel structure, the arched route through the centre is the most interesting path to take.

Threshold

The cemetery also has an intersesting lodge to your left as you approach the chapels.

The house by the cemetery

The cemetery was opened back in 1882 and is still in use for new burials today. As with most cemeteries of this age, there are large numbers of impressive Victorian gravestones and other features such as statuettes. Some of these, stood over the graves of Children, are moving to behold.

Fallen

Gravestones

In memory

There were large numbers of birds in the trees within the cemetery grounds. I’m assuming them to be ravens, but I’m not a bird expert and they could as easily be rooks or some other member of the crow family.

Four ravens

Another four ravens

Holga 120N & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 23 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

0 to 60 in?

fishyfisharcade3 Comments

It’s said that men, when the reach middle age, can compensate for their lack of youth by splashing out on a fancy set of wheels. Well how about this hot little coupe? 🙂

It does have a slightly disapproving look about it though, with it’s eye-like lights and pursed mouth, so maybe don’t be too heavy on the accelerator…

FILM - Nice little motor

Pentax Espio 140M & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 11 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Liverpool Street pigeons

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On the whole, I’ve been more than pleased with the results from this roll of HP5+ pushed to 1600asa. I was expecting a lot more grain and contrast than is apparent, and the images all look great. Definitely something I will repeat when the situation requires it.

This was the final shot on the roll – although I shot a few photos with the Pentax Espio that I also had with me. After that I resorted to some digital shots when back in the dimmer light of the Tube station.

FILM - Liverpool Street pigeons

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@1600).

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Tower 42 reflected

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Tower 42 – one more commonly known as the Natwest Tower – was once the tallest building in the UK (until One Canada Square opened in Canary Wharf in 1990). Now it is dwarfed by a cluster of more recent towers, as can be seen by the fact that it is fully reflected by the glass facade of one of its new neighbours in this photograph.

FILM - Tower 42 in the mirror

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@1600).

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Passers by

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Continuing the street-photography theme from the past few days (most of the shots from this roll fall into the category), here’s another.

My original intent had been to photograph a man in an interesting coat wearing a fedora who I saw approaching, but he turned down the street in the right of the frame. Then I spotted the guy who ended up in the picture – he stood out by being sharply dressed in business atire where most other people were wrapped up against the rain. He was carrying a small case and walking with brisk determination – probably due to the weather.

I pre-focused on the post you can see in the shot and waited for him to get close. Unfortunately I’ve missed focus by a small amount, but I’m still happy with the shot, which I think works because of the stark contrast of his black suit agaibst the lighter background.

FILM - Jacket and tie

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@1600).

Taken on 19 February 2020