Tiring developments

April 5, 2020 fishyfisharcade4 Comments

Today’s post will be shorter than those from the last week or so, mostly because I’ve had a busy day and want to kick back and put my feet up for a bit. When I say busy, it’s not that I’ve been doing any heavy lifting or anything, but today was my first attempt at developing lack and white film at home, and it’s been kinda mentally tiring as I’ve tried to get everything right and not mess the whole thing up.

The good news is that I have some negatives that (from first glance) look ok. They’re currently hung in the shower drying (there’s an irony in that statement, surely…) so the proof will be when I come to scan them.

I’ll post the results and an account of my experience in a forthcoming post, but suffice to say that not everything went to plan…

Until next time, here’s someone admiring a nude in The Hepworth.

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+ (@800).

Taken on 14 March 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

People and shadows in a gallery

April 2, 2020April 5, 2020 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

It’s now been a week-and-a-half since the COVID-19 lock-down measures were put into place here in the UK. So far, things are ok – as a full-time home-based worker, I’m used to not leaving the house to commute to work, and social-distancing from my colleagues is the normal state of things anyway apart from when we have face-to-face meetings (which are all stopped now in any case). As a result, the lock-down measures are not inducing any sort of cabin-fever at this stage.

I must confess however, that I’m missing being able to go out where I want. I’m taking walks most days to get some exercise and fresh air, but even places that would be just a short drive away are starting to feel like slightly exotic destinations. The thoughts of driving out into the countryside (or even just into the city centre) are tantalizing given the “so near, yet so far” forced remoteness of even relatively mundane destinations. I’m estimating that the current lock-down will last through to the end of May at the earliest, so a good eight more weeks of this yet.

Still, things could be worse – returning home from my walk this lunchtime one of our neigbours, who has two young children, was out on his drive cleaning the paving. I said “Hi” (from a safe distance) and enquired as to how they were all doing. “I’m sick to death of watching Frozen” was one of his responses…

Another photo from The Hepworth today. I didn’t have high hopes when I took this picture as it was very dimly lit in this part of the gallery (to protect the prints and other artwork on display), so I had to shoot it wide open at f/1.7 at 1/30sec. I was expecting camera shake, but it’s nice and sharp, even if the shallow depth-of-field has rendered the man slightly out of focus.

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+ (@800).

Taken on 14 March 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Luggage

March 30, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

Taken back at the start of the month, it’s hard to think how quickly the scene portrayed here would change. It’s now very unlikely that you will see people trundling luggage through the streets given the large scale reduction in public and private transportation. only today, Easyjet, a UK-based budget airline, announced that it would be grounding its entire fleet until further notice.

While the curtailment of my own photography due to the pandemic continues, I did take several photographs in the house today. A few weeks before this whole situation unfolded I bought a small, cheap, but effective collapsible mini-studio. While it’s quite small, it will be useful for taking macro shots of items. Today, however, I used my Minolta SRT 101b and 50mm f/1.7. Getting as close as the camera would allow, I was able to take photographs of some fruit and vegetables. While I don’t think I’ll be troubling the works of Edward Weston any time soon, it’ll be interesting to see how they turn out nonetheless. Also, each photo I take gets me a little closer to the point where I can have my first bash at home development, which (although still making me slightly nervous) I’m eager to try now I have most of the necessary equipment.

Canon Sure Shot Supreme & Lomography Color Negative 400.

Taken on 1 March 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

No chips

March 26, 2020 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

Or fries, for my American pals. 🙂

I really will have to get some more Lomography Color Negative 400 when I get the chance. This was my only remaining roll, but I’ve found if produces wonderfully saturated colours, as with the red-painted frontage of the fish & chip shop in today’s photo.

As I type this, it’s day four of the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown. I have today and tomorrow off work and would under normal circumstances have taken the opportunity to go out and take some photos – probably shooting colour as we’ve had (in a cruel joke by mother nature) beautifully sunny weather all week – but alas we’re not able to do so at present. I didn’t even go out for a walk today as I have the rest of the week, intead deciding I’d spend some time tidying the garage which is full of loads of boxes that I’d placed in a storage unit when we moved house but which I then removed and brought home to save the monthly fees. It was difficult to get access to other things in the garage, so I’ve spent the day completely re-arranging it all to make better use of the space.

I also spent some time this morning looking at (and then ordering) the equipment I’ll need to start developing my own B&W film at home. I still have a few bits and pieces to acquire, but the changing bag and all the chems are on their way, and I’ve had someone kindly donate a developing tank which they will post to me when an opportunity arises to do so. I really don’t know that much about home developing, especially which of the wide range of chemicals would be best, but in the end opted for some Ilfotec DDX, Ilfostop, Ilford Rapid Fixer and some Ilfotol wetting agent. To be honest, I’m somewhat nervous at the thought of doing this, mostly because I’m concerned I’ll knacker a roll of otherwise nice photographs, but given how many other people manage to do this successfully, I think I’ll be ok if I pay attention to what I’m doing. I will, of course, let you know how I fared when the time comes.

Canon Sure Shot Supreme & Lomography Color Negative 400.

Taken on 1 March 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Sunshine on the Sun Inn

March 10, 2020 fishyfisharcade3 Comments

Spring is pretty much upon us and soon that lovely low winter sunshine will have retreated for another year, its effect only available to the early-birds and night-owl’s amongst us as we get further into summer. So here’s a photo of springtime early-morning sunshine bathing an appropriately named pub.

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Hungover bear

March 9, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

He looks hungover and is also literally so. 🙂

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Lines of shadow

March 8, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

A few weeks ago I bought another new (to me) camera – I really need to try and stop doing this! Anyway’ the camera in question is a Minolta SRT 101b SLR and came with a Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 lens attached. The light seals looked a little shabby, so I replaced them, but the camera is otherwise in excellent condition. The camera uses the old mercury cells, so I’ve fitted it with a Wein cell to allow the meter to function correctly.

It’s very much in the traditional 1970s SLR mold – silver body with black leatherette. It’s considerably heavier and bulkier than my Olympius OM-1, which is a similar camera in terms of features.

I popped in a roll of Delta 400 to test the camera and went for a walk around the flea market in Chesterfield when I had a day off recently. The camera handled the lighting with aplomb, giving good metering whether under the shadows of the stalls, or when in bright sunlight and, now that I’ve confirmed it’s working ok (everything seems fine, although the mirror occasionally sticks up after the shutter fires – although it drops back on the film advance action), I’ll take it out again when I get chance.

Both of today’s photos were taking in the same covered arcade on teh edge of the town centre.

Minolta SRT 101b, Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 & Ilford HP5+.

Taken on 27 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Liverpool Street pigeons

March 4, 2020 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

On the whole, I’ve been more than pleased with the results from this roll of HP5+ pushed to 1600asa. I was expecting a lot more grain and contrast than is apparent, and the images all look great. Definitely something I will repeat when the situation requires it.

This was the final shot on the roll – although I shot a few photos with the Pentax Espio that I also had with me. After that I resorted to some digital shots when back in the dimmer light of the Tube station.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@1600).

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Passers by

March 2, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

Continuing the street-photography theme from the past few days (most of the shots from this roll fall into the category), here’s another.

My original intent had been to photograph a man in an interesting coat wearing a fedora who I saw approaching, but he turned down the street in the right of the frame. Then I spotted the guy who ended up in the picture – he stood out by being sharply dressed in business atire where most other people were wrapped up against the rain. He was carrying a small case and walking with brisk determination – probably due to the weather.

I pre-focused on the post you can see in the shot and waited for him to get close. Unfortunately I’ve missed focus by a small amount, but I’m still happy with the shot, which I think works because of the stark contrast of his black suit agaibst the lighter background.

Olympus OM-1, F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 & Ilford HP5+ (@1600).

Taken on 19 February 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Composing an image

March 1, 2020 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

This was taken beside St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It had been raining and this section of floor was highly reflective with the sheen of water that lay upon its surface. I’m not sure exactly what this photographer was taking a picture of but I suspect it was most likely a reflection of some sort.