Tag: compact

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Derwent Dam revisited

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Three more photos of Derwent Dam not, as the post title might misleadingly suggest, taken on a separate visit to the location, but taken on the same day as the Yashica Mat 124G shots I posted a couple of weeks ago (which you can see here). These shots were taken with my Olympus XA3. Indeed, it was fortuitous that I had this little compact camera with me as the Yashica quickly exhibited signs of a fault and let me down and without th little XA3, I would have been unable to make any more photos.

The people in the first picture were flying a drone (despite signs clearly stating that this was not permitted), but I think it was out of sight beyond the dam wall when I took the picture.

Derwent Dam 35mm edition #3

The final two pictures are similar compositions to those I made with the Yashica Mat, although the wider angle of the XA3’s lens (and also the 35mm aspect ratio) meant I was able to get more of the scene in each shot.

Derwent Dam 35mm edition #1
Derwent Dam 35mm edition #2

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 9 January 2024

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Cold storage

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The large, rectangular building that sits in the distance in this picture has caught my eye on more than one occasion when visiting Cleethorpes. It stands a way to the northwest and is actually in Grimsby. There’s a footpath that runs atop the sea defences which will take you to the structure. or at least I assume it will as I’ve never walked that far before. It’s one of those places that is actually a lot further away than it looks.

It’s a cold storage facility apparently, and also holds a seafood wholesaler. Both logical uses given Grimsby’s status as a fishing port – indeed it was one the home port of the largest fishing fleet in the world back in the mid 20th century before the industry fell into decline.

Cold storage

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 28 December 2023

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Bright or dull, which is best?

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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.

Sunny helter-skelter

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.

Cloudy helter-skelter

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 28 December 2023

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Another Shambles

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Another look at The Shambles, that is.

Three more shots of York’s most famous street, this time taken with the convenience of the compact little Olympus XA3. The Yashica Mat 124G can produce great pictures, but there’s something freeing about using a small point-and-shoot camera, and the XA3 has been my constant companion for the past few months, just sat in my coat pocket waiting for a picture to present itself while I’m out..

The Shambles #1
The Shambles #2
The Shambles #3

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 20 December 2023

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Gert and Henry’s

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This building, standing in the middle of the Shambles market in York, dates back to the 14th century in the oldest part of its structure. It was originally two separate buildings which, over the centuries, have become interconnected and now form a single property.

The building has been in commercial use since 1830 and has been host to a chemist’s shop, a hatters, a cafe, and is now home to Gert and Henry’s restaurant.

Gert & Henrys

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 20 December 2023

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Nailing night-time

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I took this photograph, of the Christmas-themed play area behind Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping mall, without much confidence that it would turn out. The light was dark, I only had 400asa film in the camera, and the XA3 only really gives me control of the zone-focus . Everything else is handled by the camera’s small electronic brain.

So colour me impressed by how well this turned out. I have no idea what aperture was selected, but it was good enough to get the important elements in acceptable focus. Likewise the shutter speed – there’s a little motion blur on the figure at left of frame, but it was fast enough to prevent camera shake. The exposure has given me plenty of detail in the shadows, but avoided blowing the highlights. and the sky (which was a muddy, light polluted scud of clouds) also has great definition.

It’s always great when a little camera like this delivers the goods.

Around Christmas time

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 20 December 2023

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Sun on the tracks

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I was a little curious as to how the XA3 would handle this scene when I saw it. I’ve shot into the sun before, but this scene had both the sun and the bright reflection on the railway tracks to contend with.

The result was much more flare! However, despite the flare, it’s not too obtrusive I don’t think, and perhaps gives a sense of brightness that you would probably expect when witnessing something like this first hand.

Sun on the tracks

Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 9 January 2024

35mm · Film photography · Photography

By the lake on a frosty morning

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Rother Valley Country Park lies within walking distance of my home. It can be quite photogenic but familiarity has bred, if not contempt, then a certain boredom towards it’s possibilities. Like most man made lakes and reservoirs (the lake used to be an open cast coal mine) there’s a certain artificial feel to the place. I guess that over time this will lessen and the place will feel more an more part of a natural landscape (although it’s now been over forty years since the park first opened).

Curly tree

Despite my lack of inspiration, it’s still a great place to go if the conditions are good, especially mist or ice, as it gives it a distinct atmosphere and look that isn’t present at other times.

The two shots published here were taken on a frosty morning in late November last year just as the sun was rising, and I stood stepping between feet to keep warm while I waited for the sun to rise and start to cast light on the scenery. It was worth my time though, I think.

The second shot has been cropped. The top of the frame featured the lines of the cable-powered waterski circuit that occupies this end of the lake.

Out on the lake

Canon Sure Shot Z135 & Kodak Gold. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted using Negative Lab Pro.

Taken 25 November 2023.