Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

A walk in the country

The black and white pictures I’ve been sharing over the past week were from a walk I took near Carlton-in-Lindrick, a village in Nottinghamshire not too far from where I live. It’s a place I’ve visited for a walk and some photography three times now. The first was in 2025 on a day where the ground was waterlogged and muddy, which made for a less than pleasant walk (especially when it began to rain), but still produced some nice pictures. On that occasion I’d planned on a longer walk that took in the countryside to the west and east of the village, but I only managed the western side due to the conditions.

The third visit took place in mid-June, and was when I took the shots I’ve posted this past week. That walk took me to the east of the village, out past Hodsock Priory, and was a nice hike spoiled only by the fact that my film was underexposed, spoiling many of the pictures as a result.

So here today are the results from my second visit (I know, I’m posting these out of order, a fact that niggles me somewhat). This was almost a mirror of my first hike, with me walking much (but not all) of the same route, only in reverse and, thankfully, in far more pleasant conditions, passing through a mix of farmland and woodland, before finishing at the church close to where I’d parked my car.

I only shot with my Yashica Mat 124G, and here are the pictures that I saw fit to upload (the full roll except for a slightly boring picture of some crops – imaging the first picture but without the interest of the footpath). I shot a roll of Ektar, a film that normally gives me pleasing colours straight out of the scan, but on this occasion I really had to faff around with it to get the colours looking correct (and I’m still doubtful that they are). Further tweaking may resolve things, but I haven’t had the time or inclination to do so. Yet, at least.

But, apart from the slight concerns about the colours, I do like most of the pictures I got.

A path through the crops
Springtime
Two trees
Tree on a farm track
Field tree
Edge of the field
A lot less muddy than last time
Horsey crossroads
Through the trees, a house
Copse, clump, or spinney?
St. John the Evangelist's church

Yashica Mat 124G & Kodak Portra 160 & Kodak Ektar. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.

Taken on 2 May 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Pylons and power lines

I’ve photographed these power lines which cross Woodhouse Washlands on several occasions. Despite their familiarity, there’s something photogenic about the structures and their position in the landscape. Coupled with changing light, weather, and seasons, and they provide a range of possibility for the camera to record.

Pylon legs
Transmission trio
Through-2
Through

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 16 May 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Hawthorn

Hawthorns are a very ubiquitous tree. They seem to thrive in varied situations, including land that is polluted, so they can often be found beside rubbish tips , on current and former industrial sites, and beside busy roads and railway lines. There are many Hawthorns on Woodhouse Washlands and when they flower in spring they look almost snow-covered due to the masses of white flowers they sport.

Because of the time they traditionally blossom, another name for the Hawthorn is, in fact, the May tree, although climate change is causing them to go into bloom earlier..

Hawthorn

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 16 May 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Still alive

Another subject I’ve photographed on a number of occasions is this willow tree situated on the Woodhouse Washlands flood plain. Most of my other shots feature the tree with it’s branches but, at some point, it has lost them. I’d assumed the tree was already dead even when it still had its limbs, but even in its new, curtailed form, there are signs of fresh growth near the base of the trunk.

Still standing

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 16 May 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Gainsborough Old Hall

Gainsborough Old Hall began as a 15th‑century manor built by Sir Thomas Burgh II before later passing to the Hickman family, who modernised. Over the following centuries it fragmented into workshops, tenements, civic spaces and even a theatre, before falling into decline. Restoration efforts in the mid‑20th century ultimately saved it, and it now survives as one of England’s best‑preserved medieval manor houses, owned by English Heritage.

I’ve been inside on a previous visit, back when I had a one year English Heritage membership, but this time I just took a few pictures of the exterior.

Again, these are Lomography Color Negative 800 images that I’ve converted to black and white.

Gainsborough Old Hall
Old House rooftop

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 150mm f/3.5 MC / Zenzanon 150mm f/3.5 MC & Lomography Color Negative 800. Lab developed, home scanned & converted with Negative Lab Pro. Converted to B&W in Lightroom.

Taken 30 November 2025.