Cathedral in a perspex case

November 3, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

While wandering around Sheffield city centre last weekend I went into the cathedral to see if there were any photos to be had (and also, because there’s a cafe in there, to get a coffee).

Past experience of shooting film in the cathedral have proven that, given the use of tripods and flash are not normally permitted within the premises, that 400asa film is very limiting in terms of the photos that can be achieved. Even opening my 50mm f/1.8 lens to its widest aperture would still only allow shutter speeds of 1/30sec in the best cases and considerably slower in most others. As a result, while there are some great subjects within the building, without a faster film (or a digital camera on a higher ISO) most of them ar unachievable without significant risk of camera shake.

Today’s photo is one of a couple I made on the day, and even this one – from a relatively well illuminated area – was still shot at 1/30 wide open. It depicts a scale model of the cathedral itself and was located on ground level a little behind the brightly lit tower that can be see at the left side of the model.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 26 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Spurn lightship bow

November 2, 2019 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

A couple of days ago I posted a photo of the Spurn Lightship. Today’s image is a detail shot of that ship’s bow.

I really like the tones I’ve got in this picture, especially the milky quality of the water, but also the relief of the plates and rivets of the vessel’s hull too. Despite the film being pushed to 800asa the grain has remained relatively unobtrusive in the shot as well.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 25 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Wet seats at the racecourse

November 1, 2019 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

A week ago I visited Doncaster Racecourse with my dad. I’d bought him the trip for his birthday earlier in the year expecting that he’s go with one of his friends, but when that fell through, I decided to go with him myself. I’ll almost certainly be posting more photos from the day – my interest in horse races is negligible, but my interest in photographing such events is considerably higher and I shot about half a roll (despite the conditions) – but, for now, this post has just a single image.

I think it illustrates quite well the weather on the day of our visit – rain, rain and, yep!, more rain.

The stands are on three levels and I would expect them all to be at least partially polulated normally, but on the day in question only the uppermost tier had anyone present as all the rest were subject to the rain falling on the uncovered section (and blowing under the shelter onto the next level). As you can see, they were not busy. 🙂

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 25 October 2019

Film photography · Photography

Another giant ice cream

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 fishyfisharcade3 Comments

Ah, the giant ice cream cone, a signature piece of street furniture at seaside resorts around the country. While I don’t got out of my way to find these giant plastic dairy treats, I almost always seem to photograph them if the opportunity arises. Maybe a post with all my gathered giant ice creams will surface one day!

This one is in Hull, next to the marina.

You can glimpse other massive ice creams here, here, here and here. 🙂

Olympus OM-1, Zuiko AUTO-Zoom 75-150mm f/4 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Spurn lightship

October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

This is the Spurn Lightship, a floating lighthouse that served in a position off Spurn Point, a long coastal spit at the mouth of the Humber Estuary where it flows into the North Sea.

The vessel was built in 1927 and was in active service until it was decommissioned in 1975. It was restored and has served as a museum at it’s current location in Hull marina since 1987, although it is currently closed for conservation work and re-location elsewhere in the marina.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Three views of the Humber

October 29, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

A triplet of photos all depicting the Humber Estuary. The added grain that has appeared due to the push-processing of the Ilford HP5+is readily apparent here but gives the images some grit, which I like.

The first two photos are looking eastwards as the estuary flows towards the North Sea – the first with The Deep, Hull’s aquarium and sealife centre, jutting into the left of the frame; the second a longer telephoto shot from the same location, towards the ferry and freight terminals.

The final image is looking west, back up the estuary towards the Humber Bridge which can be seen lurking in the background.

Olympus OM-1, Zuiko AUTO-Zoom 75-150mm f/4.0 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

The caravan of gin

October 28, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

This caravan was parked next to the Minerva pub on the bank of the Humber Estuary at Hull and the words written upon it made me smile. For those not from the UK (or anywhere else that has a fanbase for The Housemartins), the words are a play on the lyrics of the song Caravan of Love. The Housemartins originated in Hull, so it seems particularly fitting somehow (although I’ve no idea if the band were gin drinkers or not).

Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

From one side of the street to the other

October 27, 2019October 28, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

A couple of photos for today’s blog post. One looking south(ish), the other north(ish) from opposite sides of the same street.

The first – the southerly-facing picture – is of Hull Minster. It’s a slightly odd image aspect ratio as, for some reason, the negative for this frame was missing a slice. I like the way there are several couples going about their business in the scene – in fact it almost looks like they might be following each other, walking in an anti-clockwise circle from one side of the street to the other. You can see the tables and chairs at the bottom of this frame in the second picture too, which indicates roughly where I stood to take this first photograph.

I didn’t go inside the minster on this occasion (although I have in the past). I find churches to be impressive buildings, always full of interest – both architecturally, and also because of their history and the artifacts within, especially those with original fittings, and Hull Minster doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Alas, I didn’t have time to pay a visit this time.

The second image is of the northerly view and was taken from a position to the right of the post in the picture above – there’s an open plaza in front of the minster, which is where I stood.

I took a couple of variants of this shot. The one I didn’t use had a number of things I liked – a woman in dark clothes framed between the two windows on the left of the image, and the people at centre right were crossing the road and no longer partially obscured by the bin. The one I’ve posted below has the guy in the middle doubled over though, and I didn’t want to lose that. I think he was looking at something in his lap (or maybe even praying with clasped hands), but in the next shot he’s upright again and it lost a little interest as a result.

There’s another, slightly different, viewpoint on this location in this post from a couple of years back.

Olympus OM-1, Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Do not climb on the toad

October 26, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

This mossaic-coated toad sits on the grass outside the Streetlife museum in Hull, where I had a wander around while waiting for the photo exhibitions to open. I smiled as I imagined just how many people must have clambered onto the giant amphibian before the powers-that-be decided to invest in a sign and (somewhat ineffectual) fence in an attempt to ward them off.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (pushed to 800asa).

Taken on 19 October 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Couple with a guitar on a cobbled street

October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

It’s always a joy to wander around an unfamiliar area with a camera, whether it be somewhere far-flung and exotic, or just a part of your own town or city that you’ve not explored before.

During my wander around Hull last weekend I found a number places that just brought a smile to my face. While probably not drawing a second glance from many local eyes, to me they were heavy with possibility – even in the somewhat flat, grey, overcast light in which I viewed them.

This is one such location – Bishop Lane. I never knew this existed before last Saturday (and why should I? Despite a couple of prior visits to the city, I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of exploration) but as soon as I saw it I was finding photographs in it’s wonderfully cobbled straightness and shot a few pictures. The first two were of an empty street, but then a couple appeared at the far end of the lane and began to walk in my direction. As they got closer I noticed that the man carried a guitar case and the woman a smaller intrument case – possibly a fiddle – and I knew I had to get them in a photograph of the location.

Before they got too close I checked my focus – the 28mm is fairly forgiving, but I pre-focussed on a spot where I thought the composition would work best as they passed, and then I waited. Looking at the photo it seems evident that one thing I didn’t check was the shutter speed as the couple have some noticable motion blur, so I’m guessing the camera was at 1/125sec (or perhaps even 1/60sec) when I pressed the shutter button. Despite this, I feel the photo works with the blur – it adds a subtle hint of motion in an otherwise motionless scene.