Medium Format · Photography

Behind the fence

I posted a little about my odd fascination with electrical transmission lines back in January, and there have been a number of images featuring pylons, power lines, electicity poles and suchlike throughout the time I’ve been posting this blog. Today features another addition to the set.

I went out for a drive last weekend with the aim of photographing some muddy (and flooded – we’ve had a lot of rain recently!) fields and had equipped myself with the Holga and a roll of slightly expired Kodak Tmax 400. While the sub-station in today’s photograph was on my planned route, I didn’t know it was there until I saw it. I spotted it from a nearby road and then realised that the road I had to turn on to went right past it, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity. The small pylons look like they’re approaching the fence to see what I’m up to (I’m not crazy, honest, I just have an odd imagination. :)).

I think the Holga makes a nice job of this sort of image, and it especially seems to like gloomy, atmospheric conditions – it’s simple, vingnetted lens adding a lot to the feel of the resulting pictures.

FILM - They're approaching the fence

Holga 120N and Kodak Tmax 400 (expired).

Taken on 9 November 2019

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Transmission lines

While this is just a quick grab shot, I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with electrical transmission lines, pylons, poles etc. I think it comes from the old “Play Safe” public information films that used to air in the UK in the 70s. Not only did I have a slightly morbid interest in the danger they posed to the unwary, I would also wonder about where the lines would take me if I were to follow their routes. Sometimes, if I could get my hands on an Ordnance Survey map, I’d trace the paths they took from the places I’d seen them to discover their points of origin and places of termination.

While I don’t go out of my way to photograph these things, they’re always a tempting subject when I see them.

While a slower film would’ve been good for this shot, I don’t think the gritty look of the Tmax P3200 does the shot any disservice.

FILM - Transmission lines

Nikon F70, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 D & Kodak Tmax P3200 with orange grad filter.

Taken on 15 January 2019