Ricoh GRIII
On a rainy evening
Tag: Nighttime
Nailing night-time
I took this photograph, of the Christmas-themed play area behind Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping mall, without much confidence that it would turn out. The light was dark, I only had 400asa film in the camera, and the XA3 only really gives me control of the zone-focus . Everything else is handled by the camera’s small electronic brain.
So colour me impressed by how well this turned out. I have no idea what aperture was selected, but it was good enough to get the important elements in acceptable focus. Likewise the shutter speed – there’s a little motion blur on the figure at left of frame, but it was fast enough to prevent camera shake. The exposure has given me plenty of detail in the shadows, but avoided blowing the highlights. and the sky (which was a muddy, light polluted scud of clouds) also has great definition.
It’s always great when a little camera like this delivers the goods.
Olympus XA3 & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°
Taken on 20 December 2023
Starbucks on a foggy evening
Continuing my nightime Cinestill 800T shots, here’s an image of a local Starbuck’s branch. The cafe was closing and the staff inside looked like they were performing whatever end of day admin tasks go on in such an establishment. One person is sat to the left of the entrance apparently looking at paperwork, while there’s the blur of another person doing jobs behind the counter.
It’s another photo where I felt somewhat awkward making it as there was a car parked close by with some people sat inside. They didn’t say anything or even show any sign of noticing me, but I had an internal sense of them wondering what on earth I was doing. Maybe I need to just get on with doing stuff and ignore what my internal psychology is wittering on about…
Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC & Cinestill 800T. Grain2Pixel conversion.
Taken on 11 December 2020
Tail lights
Today’s photo is another of those that I really like without really being able to say why – although I think it’s probably the swipe of the red tail-lights across the scene on a jaunty diagonal. The red contrasts nicely with the overall blue tint that the photo has.
Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC & Cinestill 800T. Grain2Pixel conversion.
Taken on 11 December 2020
Popping my Cinestill 800T cherry
I think there’s some sort of law that says you must make a photograph of a petrol station* at night when you shoot some Cinestill 800T. Anyway, here’s mine out of the way. I don’t think it’s the best example by a very long chalk, but I can cross it off the list**. Bonus points for the fog.
Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 50mm f/2.8 MC & Cinestill 800T. Grain2Pixel conversion.
Taken on 11 December 2020
*”gas station” for my friends across the pond.
**I don’t have a list.
Chubby’s
This takeaway restaurant has been a feature in Sheffield city centre for a few decades now, and it made for a nice subject for a nighttime shot. I like the glowing colours of the lights and the way they illuminate the street outside. I think it might have been improved had someone been sitting at the window seats, but I still like it empty nontheless – it adds a sense of mystery I suppose.
Yashica Mat 124 G & Kodak Ektar.
Taken on 25 April 2019
Steel City Snapper photography 