Steel City Snapper photography
35mm, medium format and large format film photography (with the odd bit of digital every now and then…)
I seem to have captured a nice range of tonality in this picture. Considering it’s reversal film, I’ve managed to keep detail in both the bright clouds and also the shadows, resulting in a nicely exposed scene. I’m not sure that the colours are quite right though – those red poppies look a little vivid. Or is it just me?
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
On my previous visit to Cleethorpes last year, the new lifeboat station consisted of little more than a series of concrete pilings set into the beach and surrounded by a metal fence. You can just make it out in the first picture of this post from February 2024.
Now, although at the time of taking these shots there were still construction vehicles parked on the slipway, it seems to be almost complete and, given these pictures were taken over three months ago now, could well be fully operational (I said that in the voice of the emperor from Star Wars, as though describing the second Death Star…).
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
I was going to write more about photography stuff today but, just as I sat at the computer, one of the fence panels on the back garden blew over. It’s not really windy, but a stray hazelnut tree has sprouted behind the panel and has grown over the past few years. The wind on it’s leaves is pushing the branches against the fence and applying extra force.
I’ve fashioned a very makeshift repair (I’ll be surprised if it lasts the night) and also cut a few of the tree’s branches back which will hopefully help. I think I need to cut the tree back more though and also find a more permanent repair for the fence panel.
Anyway… Here’s a crazy golf hut that I photographed a few months back.
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
Apologies to my American readers, for whom this play on words will fall slightly flat. 🙂
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
My wife and I took a day-trip to the seaside at the end or March. We went to Cleethorpes because it’s the quickest seaside place to get to from where we live. The weather was great for the start of spring with plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures.
We walked the length of the promenade, ate fish and chips, and ice creams, and had a nice day of it.
I took the Yashica Mat 124G with me and a few rolls of film, but I only shot this single roll of Provia 100. I’ll share the rest of the pictures in the coming days.
Yashica Mat 124G & Fujichrome Provia 100. Lab developed and home scanned on an Epson V850.
Taken on 30 March 2025
I’ve posted pictures of this location on plenty of previous occasions. Today seemed apt for another as the local branch of Papa’s, which closed almost a year ago, seemingly for good (another branch in Sheffield closed not long afterwards) has announced that it’s re-opening this week.
The local branch is next to a shopping mall, rather than on a pier beside the North Sea, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Tomorrow they have a special offer of takeaway fish and chips for £1 all day. I’m going to be enjoying the fruits of an Indian restaurant tomorrow evening, so no fish and chips for me, but my wife and sons might be able to take advantage of the offer.
Ricoh GRIII
Taken on 10 May 2025
I quite often try and pick days with nice light for photography. Alas, living in the UK, dull weather is never to far away, particularly through late autumn to early spring when it can persist for days on end. There’s nothing that puts me of going out with my camera more than a flat grey sky. But should it?
The two pictures published here today were taken on the same day in Cleethorpes at the end of December last year. When I arrived the sky was bright and clear and strong contrasty light was present. However, as the day progressed, clouds began to gather until they pretty much filled the sky. By the time I set off for the drive home the light had diminished considerably and it was raining.
Yet, despite this and my normal preference for good light, it’s the second photograph made in the supposedly worse conditions that I like the best. It just has bags more atmosphere. I guess the different composition of both could be having some effect, but I don’t really think that’s the reason.
Maybe I should just embrace the grey.
Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°
Taken on 28 December 2023
The weather in the UK is, being generous, changeable. A day at the seaside, no matter what the forecast might promise, always bears a risk of it raining for the full duration of your visit. So what are you meant to do in these situations? Get wet?
Well we inventive Brits have a solution to everything, and so many seaside resorts around the country have you covered with a selection of shelters in which you can attempt to avoid the elements. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from simple bus-shelter-style to grandiose Victorian architectural gems. And if the weather is nice, maybe you can just take the weight of your feet and enjoy your fish and chips or an ice cream or something.
I really like this couple of photos. I don’t think there are any other shelters like this in Cleethorpes, but I know there are many dotted around the country’s resorts. maybe a long-term project is a possibility?
Fujica GW690 & Kodak Tri-X. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°
Taken on 28 December 2023
Steel City Snapper photography 