35mm · Film photography · Photography

Pylon squared and lockdown blues

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I’d planned on a long walk this morning as the weather forecast was for a clear, frosty morning. As usual though, the weather forecast was bullsh*t, and the sky was grey cloud as far as the eye could see with not a hint of frost. There wasn’t even any mist or haze that might have made it worthwhile in photograpy terms. I felt dejected and the thought of a walk where I would make lacklustre, for the sake of it, photos didn’t really appeal so I took the idea off the table. I had a number of other things to do indoors anyway.

The walk will wait for another day, although – as I’m back at work on Monday – it will have to be at another weekend as it’s much too long a distance to make during a lunch-break or something. I think part of my not going out is also lockdown blues. Even though there is light at the end of the tunnel, that’s still several weeks away and the thought of wandering the same places over and over is becoming less attractive by the day. Just the chance of driving a few miles will allow me to get a bit of an inspirational re-charge and the freedom to do so can’t come soon enough.

Beside the footbridge

Two images today of the same electricity pylon. the first made just beside a railway footbridge, the second made a few minutes later from atop another railway footbridge.

I’m sick of lockdown
I have an urge to go roam
And it’s unfulfilled

River bend

Canon Sure Shot Supreme & Fujifilm C200.

Taken sometime early January 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Yorkshire Artspace Persistence Works and the Rutland Arms

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Back in December, not long before Christmas, was the last time I visited the city centre. Less than a fortnight later the nation was placed back into lockdown and it became off-limits. The day in question was bright with sunshine and I spent an hour or two wandering around with my Texas Leica and the Sure Shot Supreme. The Supreme has been my “coat-pocket camera” for the past few months, going with me most places whereupon I would make the occasional picture when something caught my eye. Mostly, in these cases, I don’t really keep track of where and when I made each photo unless there’s something notable enough to get captured on my timeline. In this case, due to the Pandemic, a walk around town fell into that category. The roll of film in the camera was finally finished towards the end of last month (the Supreme has some Colorplus in there now).

Yorkshire Artspace Persistence Works

The two images shown here are, respectively, the Yorkshire Artspace Persistence Works building, and the Rutland Arms pub. They sit opposite one another on the corner where Brown Street and Furnival Lane meet. I’ve never been inside either of them.

Hopefully I’ll get to see them (and the rest of the city centre) again before too long.

It’s easy to miss
The things you take for granted
When they’re out of reach

Rutland Arms

Canon Sure Shot Supreme & Fujifilm C200.

Taken on 20 December 2020

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

The same bridge thrice

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Don’t worry, I’m not going to compare three almost identical photos of the same bridge today. Instead, it’s the same bridge but photographed from the footpath that runs beneath. The sun kept peeking out from behind the clouds so I timed the shot for when the bridge supports were catching some extra light and I think it’s lent the picture a nice three-dimensionality.

Above the river
Girders of steel support
The ghost of rail tracks

Beneath the derlict bridge

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

The same bridge twice

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Two photos of the same derelict railway bridge spanning the River Rother. The first shot on HP5+ in somewhat dull conditions, the second on Delta 400 in brighter light on a day with sunshine and interpersed cloud. Before comparing the two photos I’d assumed I would prefer the one taken in brighter light, but I think the overcast day image clinches it which is a bit of a surprise as I normally dislike such conditions for photography (although by neccesity I have to embrace them living with the UK’s weather!).

Two shots of one bridge
Crossing the River Rother
Conditions may change

Crossing the Rother
Derlict bridge

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Fenceposts

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A couple of fenceposts today, photographed when I walked down the Trans Pennine Trail the other week. I’ve walked on it several times since, just not as far.

One more week to go until “recreation” is given as a reason to go out (as well as just for exercise), although we still need to remail local – rather confusingly the order is to stay at home, but you can go out one a day for recreation or exercise, or to meet one other person outdoors. Three weeks later, assuming that infections are continuing to fall, various other leaisure activities re-open such as tennis and golf. While I have no interest in either of those things, I will take it that it means I can venture slightly further afield for my photography again (my reasoning being that I presume few golfers will only play on courses within walking distance…). Then, at Easter (again, dependant on infection rates), domestic holidays are allowed (with restrictions). This should mean that I can travel further still, which will be nice. Given that I’m a solitary creature when out with my camera, I doubt I’ll come into contact with many other people anyway,

The first of the fenceposts below has a laminated clapping-hands picture afixed to it. I’m assuming that this is in relation to all the clapping activities people have partaken in to thank key workers over the past year, but I guess it could be for something else completely.

Clap hands

The second post has no signs attached, but a nice clump of moss on its top.

Moss-topped fence post

To hold up a fence
A post of some description
Really is a must

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

One of many bridges across the Rother

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Another bridge photo today. I seem to have a small collection of images of bridges across the River Rother, more specifically: footbridges.

You can see the next couple of bridges downstream here and here.

Crossing a footbridge
The water flows slowly past
Beneath and onwards

Over the river

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

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Crossing bridges and hurdles

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The photo today is the view north from the bridge depicted in yesterday’s blog post. No trains were forthcoming (although I didn’t hang about to be fair).

Today I crossed a hurdle in my Couch to 5K running plan. After suffering my calf injury on my first attempt (on week 1, day 3) I rested the sore leg for a couple of weeks before starting afresh. My progress so far has been steady with no further injuries, and no failed attempts at any of the runs – I am running at an embarrassingly slow pace though!

This week say me reach week 5 of the plan, one which I had felt some apprehension about. Week 5 (as is week 6) is a transition week where you move from shorter runs interspersed with brisk walking, to longer runs, culminating in a full 20-minute run on the third day. A few short weeks ago the thought of running for twenty minutes straight seemed impossible – even running for 90 seconds felt like an achievement – but, gradually, as the weeks passed and my fitness and stamina improved, I began to feel more confident about it. The second run of this week was two 8-minute runs broken by a 5-minute brisk walk, so not too much of a difference, and I managed that session without any real difficulty.

So, late this morning, after my breakfast had had time to digest, I did my warm-up, got dressed in my running gear, and headed out. After the 5-minute warm-up walk I began to run at my usual slow pace, a podcast my companion for the duration. Every so often – at five, ten. fifteen and, finally, eighteen minute intervals, the Laura’s voice on the C25K app let me know my progress, finally declaring that I had finished and that I should be proud of the achievement!

And I am. I’m not quite there yet – the final goal is to be able to run for a full 30-minutes non-stop – but it feels within reach now. Just a few more weeks to go.

My legs are aching
But now it’s in a good way
Feeling fulfillment

Empty tracks

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Another railway footbridge

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Bridges are probably creeping up on power lines as one of my most oft photographed subjects I think. This one crossing the tracks not far from Renishaw golf course.

In other news, I have some time off work next week, so I’m looking forward to that – even though my ability to do stuff is still largely curtailed – and plan on a few long walks from home where I’ll hopefully find opportunities to make photos.

I also received a box full of old slides in the post yesterday and plan on scanning some of those. There are a variety of subjects but a considerable number of them look to be European holiday photos from the early 70s. The colours on the Kodachrome slides look loveley, and there are some nice looking Fujifilm slides in there too.

Across twin rail lines
Iron bridge. Steel and rivets
Carries me over

Approaching the footbridge

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021