Tag: Holbeck

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Holgagraphy

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I like my Holga. Its lo-fi images have a definite charm, I feel.

This time though, the “fi” is as low as I’ve ever seen it. I really don’t know what has happened with this roll of Fomapan 400.

Grungy lychgate

The white speckles from the faulty batch of which this is a part are present and correct, and the scratches that the camera has started adding to the negs have made an appearance (although I’ve cloned the worst of them out), but as for that blothcy mottling? Well, I really don’t know.

It looks like the film is damaged, or has gotten wet, but it’s been stored in it’s sealed box and wrapper since I got it and kept in the fridge, so that seems unlikely.

Grungy tree

I suppose my development could also be to blame, although I’ve not encountered such issues before. The only thing that I can think of that might possibly have had an effect is that it was quite cold in the room when I developed the film, so it’s possible the chemicals cooled by a couple of degrees over the course of the hour’s semi-stand process, but I’m not sure if this would have been the outcome.

Despite all the problems though, if anything can carry off this distressed look, it’s the Holga, and it still manages to do so with aplomb.

Grungy path

Yashica Mat 124G and Ilford Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 24 January 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

An avenue

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The thing that originally attracted me about St. Winifred’s church was not the structure itself, or its grounds, or even its history – it was the avenue of trees than runs outside.

Such things tend to be photogenic.

The first time I visited there was a wedding due to take place and so a number of cars were parked along the road to the church, spoiling my intended composition. This time though, I had the place to myself.

I took three frames of the road and its trees, the first on Ilford Delta 400 before I explored the churchyard, the latter two on Ilford HP5+.

I think I will try to revisit the location again to capture it at different times of the year, and under different conditions (a touch of mist would be very welcome!)

Avenue
Further down the avenue
Curved avenue

Yashica Mat 124G and Ilford Delta 400 / Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 8mins (9mins for the HP5+) @ 20°.

Taken on 24 January 2026

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

St. Winifred’s church, Holbeck

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St. Winifred’s church in Holbeck, Nottinghamshire, a former private chapel build for the 6th Duke of Portland between 1913 – 1916.

Holbeck sits within an area of Nottinghamshire known as The Dukeries, because at one point there were four ducal seats, one of which – Welback Abbey – was home to the Dukes of Portland, who still maintain ownership of the estate along with the Dukes of Newcastle.

It’s a significant estate and much of it is private, although there are public rights of way allowing visitors to explore the area. I have more photos to come at a later date where I did just that.

Church path ascending
St. Winifred's church-2
St. Winifred's church
Church window
Grave rows and a willow tree
Church path descending

Yashica Mat 124G and Ilford Delta 400. Ilfotec DD-X 8mins @ 20°.

Taken on 24 January 2026

4x5 Large Format · Film photography · Photography

St. Winifred’s Church, Holbeck

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The third of the large-format church photographs I shot a week ago. This is probably the worst of the three for two reasons.

Firstly, it’s not in proper focus for some reason. It probably looks fine at lower resolutions but once you zoom in, it becomes a bit soft – especially around the doorway with the two watering cans.

Secondly. because I’m out of practice at large format photography, I spent so much time getting things in focus (Ha! Right!) that I forgot to pay attention to the verticals. If I were shooting a smaller format then there would be little I could do about this, but with the camera movements available on my Chamonix, these can be corrected quite easily. But I forgot, so this one looks a bit wonky.

I might try and make another large format outing this weekend if the weather is good. Let’s see if I’ve learnt any lessons…

Amusingly, when I arrived at the church there were a couple of men already there who turned out to be a vicar and an organist. When I said I was there to take photographs they asked if I was the wedding photographer! It turned out that a wedding was due to take place that afternoon. While a few more guests turned up while I was there, I left before the happy couple arrived. 🙂

St. Winifred's Church, Holbeck

Chamonix 045n-1, Scneider-Kreuznach Super-Angulon 5.6/90 & Ilford Delta 100. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°

Taken on 10 August 2024