Steel City Snapper photography
35mm, medium format and large format film photography (with the odd bit of digital every now and then…)
Today’s photo shows the view up the Hope Valley from a hillside not far from Bolehill Quarry above Grindleford.
Hope Valley descends
Taking water from rivers
Peakshole, Noe, Derwent
Fujica GW690 & Fujifilm Superia 100 (expired 2008).
Taken on 29 March 2021
A came across this place while wandering in the Peak District last week. I’ve passed close by before and never realised it was there but, now that I do, I think I’ll pay it further visits. While I’m pretty happy with how this photo turned out, I think that – with the right conditions – there might be much better images to be had. The autumn should be very nice here, I think.
Tumbledown structure
Hidden in the old oak woods
A nice place to find
Fujica GW690 & Fujifilm Superia 100 (expired 2008).
Taken on 29 March 2021
With the easing of the lockdown in England it has meant the ability to travel a little further afield for photography has returned, so I’ve taken a couple of trips out into the Peak District – the closest bit, nothing too crazy! On both occasions I set out quite early and the car-park I’ve used has been almost empty, but has been busy when I’ve returned a few hours later. There are lots of places to venture from the car-park though, so it’s easy to keep plenty of distance from other people.
It’s nice to go somewhere different to make photos again and I’ve a big list of destinations for when the rules ease further from next week. It’s quite easy to get caught up in the act of taking pictures now the opportunity is back, so on today’s hike I made sure to take time to take things in through my senses without a viewfinder acting as a window to everything.
Countryside hiking
Feeling fresh air on my skin
It is wonderful
Fujica GW690 & Fujifilm Superia 100 (expired 2008).
Taken on 29 March 2021
A couple of photos made on Woodhouse Washlands, both showing a fenced off conservation area. I once became trapped as night fell at this location when a herd of cows blocked my escape!
Out on the washlands
And what is that shape I see
A distant pylon
Olympus OM-2N, Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 + orange filter & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.
Taken on 25 March 2021
Two photos of the same scene today. The first was made while I ummed-and-ahhed about whether to use a wider lens, only for the train to appear, so that clearly needed to be photographed while the opportunity was there. The second picture was made a minute later with the 50mm switched for the 28mm. I like both shots a lot, but the one with the train pips it, I think.
Distant viaduct
Brick-built arches framed by a
Willow in the field
Olympus OM-2N, Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 | G-Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 + orange filter & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.
Taken on 25 March 2021
Today’s post contains another of those photos that I am drawn to, but which other people probably think is rubbish.
So, if have to try and say what I like about it, it’ll probably be down to several factors: The contrast that the orange filter has given to the scene, particulalrly the clouds. The lead-in line of the fence, plus the tree framing the edge of the shot. The gate. The distant viaduct and pylon. And finally the car, which adds a hint of mystery.
If I have a complaint, it’s that I wish the top of the pylon hadn’t intersected with the bridge. I’m sure I framed it otherwise, but maybe I wobbled upon pressing the shutter.
Anyway, I like it.
Everyday scene
But something is attractive
And catches my eye
Olympus OM-2N, G-Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.
Taken on 25 March 2021
There are two lines of pylons not too far from where I live. Both originate at a sub-station at Canklow and follow the same path for a few miles before branching apart at Swallownest. The eastern lines head past Rother Valley Country Park and then pace the Trans Pennine Trail south towards Chesterfield. The western lines head up towards Drakehouse and Owlthorpe, then across the golf course at Birley before heading out over the Moss Valley to terminate at Norton near the water tower.
Today’s photos show this second set of lines as they cross the Rother valley through the mist.
From out of the mist
Cables of steel cross the land
Headed for Norton
Olympus OM-2N, E.Zuiko Auto-T 135mm f/2.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.
Taken on 3 March 2021
A short section of the Trans Pennine trail close to the western entranct to Rother Valley Country Park. At the end, it cuts to the left on the park entrance path, crosses a bridge over an active railway line, before dropping back to run alongside the tracks to the north for half-a-mile or so. This area was covered in a lot more foliage until the last year, when some tree felling and trimming has taken place. Just off to the left of the scene where the trail curves around the path is a pile of thin logs that remain from the work.
Curving path heads on
Up north and to points beyond
And then east and west
Olympus OM-2N, E.Zuiko Auto-T 135mm f/2.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@800asa). Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.
Taken on 1 March 2021
Another bridge photo today. I seem to have a small collection of images of bridges across the River Rother, more specifically: footbridges.
You can see the next couple of bridges downstream here and here.
Crossing a footbridge
The water flows slowly past
Beneath and onwards
Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.
Taken on 12 February 2021
The flooded field in the two images presented here today is where a footpath runs. It leads down from the Trans Pennine Trail towards Eckington and passes close to a copse of trees that I’ve photographed on a number of occasions (see here and here for instance). On the day I made these photos it was unpassable however. It probably wasn’t too deep, but likely deep enough to overflow my walking boots with frigid liquid, and I doubt the ice was thick enough to support me upon its surface. I knew I should have started that diet!
A thin crust of ice
The footpath submerged below
Waiting for the sun
Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.
Taken on 12 February 2021
Steel City Snapper photography 