Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Askham and bromide drag

These two pictures were taken on the same mini-road trip as the ones I shot in Eaton (such as this). I’d finished the roll of Kentmere 100 and switched to Fomapan 400 at this point. I took three photos at the village of Askham, and then shot the rest on a later outing (yet to feature on the blog).

Sadly, after developing and scanning the pictures I was presented with disappointing results.

Firstly, the images all displayed fine white speckles of the sort I’ve encountered before with Fomapan films. They are probably unnoticeable when viewing the images here on the blog, but are scattered liberally across the entire results – far too many for me to remove with Photoshop (I would need the patience of a saint!).

Secondly. despite using the same semi-stand technique used previously (and successfully) on another roll of Fomapan 400, this roll showed very noticeable signs of bromide drag. I’ve been able to mitigate the worst of this with Photoshop, but it’s still faintly visible in both these pictures if you look carefully (it was much worse before editing). I’m not sure what caused it on this occasion when there was no sign of it at all the last time, but I may take some additional precautions the next time I semi-stand Fomapan (an additional inversion or two at 15 minute intervals, perhaps…).

Despite all this, I do still like the pictures, especially the way the clouds are rendered.

The road to Askham
St. Nicholas' Church, Askham

Fujica GW690 & Fomapan 400. Rodinal 1+100. 1 hour semi-stand development.

Taken on 2 August 2025

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Forbidden lane

Unlike yesterday’s photograph, this was a location that I’d never passed before. It’s not a lane that can be traveled as, although you can’t see it in my picture, it’s blocked off with a metal gate. Looking on Google Maps, it’s possible to see where the track leads (to a farm) and that there are two other entrances to the same track. For some reason I find “mystery” roads like this interesting, or rather I like to know where they might lead (it’s very often a farm though…).

Anyhoo, despite the lack of access, it was a scene I felt would make a good photo, what with the leading lines of the track and power wires.

Forbidden lane

Fujica GW690 & Kentmere 100 (@400) Rodinal 1 hour semi-stand development. 1+100 in 500ml of water, with a couple of extra ml of developer added.

Taken on 2 August 2025

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

House at the end of the road

While not the first time I’ve taken a photograph on this particular road, it’s the first time I’ve photographed this particular scene.

I like the rows of power and telephone lines that run down either side, they make me reminisce on the time when most roads had rows of telegraph lines beside them, even though they were likely mostly defunct when I witnessed them.

At the end

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

Taken on 5 July 2025

35mm · Film photography · Photography

No parking

Narrow lanes like this can be a frustrating place for photographers. You’ll be driving along them and suddenly see an amazing composition only to realise that there’s nowhere to pull over and make a picture. This road does have pull-ins in a few places, hence my ability to have taken this photo, but I’ve had situations in the past where there is nowhere to stop at all and the picture is effectively lost without a very long walk.

I had a similar situation today when I went out at lunchtime to try and shoot a few frames while the weather was good. I saw a scene that I really liked but there was nowhere to stop. There were a few passing places that I could have used, but had I done so my usual bad luck would have resulted in a farmer coming down the lane in a tractor or something and the resultant awkwardness as I had to remove the roadblock I’d created. And so I missed the picture.

No parking

Olympus Trip 35 & Ilford HP5+ . Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°

Taken on 24 December 2022.