Sheldon

February 19, 2026 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

The village of Sheldon stands a short distance from Magpie Mine. It’s a pretty and picturesque place, although these days slightly blighted by the number of cars parked on the streets, I think. But that’s progress, and the inhabitants have a need for transport.

Pictured below are the village pub, The Cock and Pullet, the village hall, a nativity scene including two tyre snowmen (it was just after Christmas when these pictures were taken), some cottages, and a wreath on the church gate.

Sheldon also has an interesting local story:

Sheldon has a curious tale in its history. In 1601 a duck was seen by a local resident to fly into a hollow tree and not to come out again. It gained the name from then on as the Duck Tree. Some three hundred years later when the tree was felled and sawn into planks, each plank contained the life-sized outline of a duck. The wood was reputedly used to make a mantelpiece for Greatbach Hall in Ashford.

Nikon F80, Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD on Kodak Tri-X. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 27 December 2025

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Village scenes

July 26, 2023 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

A couple of images taken within a stone’s throw of one another, both in the village of Whitwell in Derbyshire. Whitwell appears to be quite a nice place, but it’s somewhere I rarely pass through – mostly because you have to leave the main road deliberately to get there, and it’s otherwise easily bypassed. One day I think I’ll park the car and go for a proper wander around the place as I’m sure there are plenty of interesting things to photograph.

Fujica GW690 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+9 15mins 45secs @ 20°

Taken 27 May 2023.

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Up shady streets (without a wobble)

March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 fishyfisharcade3 Comments

The GW690 is something of a beast of a camera – it didn’t get the nickname of The Texas Leica because it’s compact, that’s for sure. As a result it canbe quite an awkward camera to use, despite its otherwise simple set of controls. I find it quite difficult to hold in portrait orientation and most of my missed shots, where there has been a degree of camera shake, have been when taking pictures this way. The camera has a second shutter release button on the front of the body to aid in taking portrait format photos, but I still tend to generate more of a wobble when using it even like this.

Thankfully the portrait oriented pictures I took on this day in Wentworth have all come out ok with the exception of one.

Fujica GW690 & Fomapan 400. Shot at 200asa and developed at box speed by lab (in Xtol).

Taken on 20 February 2022

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Cottages

March 9, 2022March 9, 2022 fishyfisharcade3 Comments

A couple more photos from Wentworth today and, let’s face it, there will be a few more day’s worth of Wentworth photos yet to come given that I shot three rolls of film there. All GW690 though, so not that many in total really.

The first one required crackerjack timing (c.f. Jack Burton) to avoid any of the frequently passing vehicles getting in the shot, but I’m not sure if I should maybe have cropped the right side a little. It was composed this way deliberately to avoid the clutter of parked cars and stuff further down the road to the left, but it feels a little unbalanced as a result..

I made a big pan of chicken and bacon soup earlier today to satiate my current need for a soft diet. The soup looked great when ready, and then I had to blitz it in the blender to get rid of any chunks. It looks nowhere near as nice now but, thankfully, it still tastes great. I had a huge bowl of it for my tea and feel pretty full now!

Fujica GW690 & Fomapan 400. Shot at 200asa and developed at box speed by lab (in Xtol).

Taken on 20 February 2022

35mm · Film photography · Photography

A country lane. But where does it go?

May 18, 2019 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

I see roads like this and I just want to see where they lead. Sadly, on this day, I didn’t have the time to follow my curiosity, but it’s on my radar now. 🙂

This photo was taken a few yards from the picture I posted here on the 15 May. The two houses in that shot are just off frame on the right.

Canon Sure Shot Z135 & Lomography Color Negative 400.

Taken on 12 May 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

I had to stop the car

May 15, 2019 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

I was driving home after a trip into the Peak District at the weekend and decided to take a road I’d never driven before. I was pretty certain I knew roughly where it would take me – the compass in my head is generally faily accurate – but travelling new routes can be a great way to find new and interesting photo opportunities, and this was such an occasion.

After driving a few miles the road dropped down into a village and, for a brief second, I saw two houses with well tended gardens bathed in some lovely light. I drove on for a minute making a mental note to come back another time to get the shot, but then thought of the gorgeous light I’d seen and wondered what my chances would be of it looking the same the next time I came by? So I stopped the car at the first opportunity, did a U-turn, and drove back to the place I’d seen.

I’ve ended up with quite a nice photo of two well kept houses. Not sure about the bin that’s stood outside one of them, but it might’ve looked strange if I’d wheeled it out of shot. 😉

I have to say that I’m very pleased with the way the Lomography Color Negative 400 has rendered the colours. I may have to invest in some more rolls of this. Apparently, according to this Emulsive.org article, it’s rumoured to be re-badged Kodacolor VR400.

Canon Sure Shot Z135 & Lomography Color Negative 400.

Taken on 12 May 2019