35mm · Film photography · Photography

Passers by

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

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Composing an image

This was taken beside St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It had been raining and this section of floor was highly reflective with the sheen of water that lay upon its surface. I’m not sure exactly what this photographer was taking a picture of but I suspect it was most likely a reflection of some sort.

FILM - Nice composition

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

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Pasta

Another random street shot from London. To try and increase hits to my blog I’ve included some sex. 🙂

I think it said “Sexy” something or other, perhaps “food”, or “deals” or something, but where’s the cheap fun in that, eh?

FILM - Pasta

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

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

At Farringdon Street

A trio of shots taken after getting off the tube at Farrindon Street last week.

FILM - Eastbound train

You know what they say about checking your frame to make sure (amongst other things) that people don’t have objects sticking out of their heads? Well guess who ignored that…

FILM - Waiting

The guy in the body-warmer in the middle distance looks like he’s staring right at me, but upon closer glance he’s actually looking off to his right.

FILM - Farringdon

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

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Jukebox

I shot a roll of HP5+ during a trip to London recently. I knew that my only opportunity for photography would be during the journey from the station to my meeting (and back again) and, as a chunk of this would be on the London Underground, I knew that I’d need a fairly high ASA film to cope with the low light if I took any photos there.

My options were to either use some Kodak Tmax P3200, Ilford Delta 3200, or to push a slower film. As HP5+ is my favourite film anyway, and knowing that it reacts well to push-processing (after all, the canister has 1600asa as one of the choices for processing), I decided to got with the Ilford classic.

I was slightly concerned about the metering on my OM-1 – while the camera has had a voltage conversion carried out so that it can meter correctly with 1.55v batteries, the only cells I have are alkaline, and those tend to lose voltage over their lifespan, throwing the metering gradually out of whack (unlike silver-oxide cells, which keep their voltage constant until they die all at once). Still, HP5+ is a very forgiving film, so I decided to take my chances.

As it turned out I needn’t have been concerned – all the shots (apart from one that was slightly bright and had some shake – probably as a result of a dodgy camera operator!) were nicely exposed and look great. I’ll be posting a selection in the coming days, but for now here’s a guy choosing songs on a jukebox at the station.

FILM - Hi-fidelity selections

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

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

(Un)intentional Camera Movement

Sometimes an accident works out for the best. Had I not inadvertently switched the camera to the No Flash / Bulb setting (instead of just No Flash), this would have been a standard street shot of a chap with a walking stick on a rainy pavement. As it is I’ve got a wonderfully impressionist version instead. While I don’t have my intended shot to compare, I suspect that this would be the one I’d prefer given a choice.

FILM - Movement

Pentax Espio 140M & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 15 February 2020