I already posted some digital photos of trees in the fog that I took on this day, and now here are the film versions (they aren’t all the same trees, I don’t think). The second one is my favourite.
I developed my first roll of film today in what feels like ages, although it probably hasn’t been that long. Definitely a few weeks though. It was a roll of Fomapan 400 from my bulk roll. Because I was a little generous with the bulk-loader (42 clicks worth, I think), and also due to shooting it with my tiny Olympus XA-3, I ended up with 41 full frames – a record for me. I haven’t scanned any yet, but the negatives look ok and I hopefully haven’t scratched them like I have in the past.
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-D on Tri-X Pan Kodak Tri-X Pan (likely expired sometime in the 1990s) @125asa Ilfotec DD-X. 1+4 8mins @ 20°.
There are multiple lodge houses (or, I guess, gate houses) on the Welbeck estate, all featuring an interesting architectural style. Shrouded in fog, they bring much atmosphere to scenes.
I had hoped to shoot the third of these images below from a different angle, with the ornate gates in frame but, as is usual for my luck, a delivery van pulled up and parked right in front of the gates.
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-D on Tri-X Pan Kodak Tri-X Pan (likely expired sometime in the 1990s) @125asa Ilfotec DD-X. 1+4 8mins @ 20°.
I’ve already shared a few pictures from this foggy day out taken with my digital camera. Now I’m getting around to sharing the ones I shot on film. More to come…
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-D on Tri-X Pan Kodak Tri-X Pan (likely expired sometime in the 1990s) @125asa Ilfotec DD-X. 1+4 8mins @ 20°.
I rarely photograph flowers. They’re a very popular subject, I know, but really not my thing, so this is quite a rarity for me. I think I took this picture more because I was trying to finish the roll of film, than because I was particularly drawn to the subject, but I do like the result.
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR on Fomapan 400 (@320asa). Semi-stand in Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour @ 20°.
Power lines cross a field, it’s crops just beginning to show, before passing a lone farmhouse. In the distance the buildings and chimney-stack of Steetley dolomite works are visible. This chimney can be seen from miles around in this part of the countryside.
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR on Fomapan 400 (@320asa). Semi-stand in Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour @ 20°.
The Welbeck estate is quite extensive, taking in famland, woodland, lakes, and various buildings – including the grand country house, Welbeck Abbey. One curiosity about the estate is it’s extensive network of underground tunnels and rooms, built by the reclusive William John Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland
The duke’s father, expecting an oak shortage, had planted hundreds of trees, which his son later used to build an extensive network of underground rooms and tunnels. These tunnels were reputed to span 15 miles, linking subterranean chambers with buildings above ground. They included a 1,000 yd passage between the house and the riding house, a rougher parallel tunnel for workmen, and a 1.25 mile tunnel from the coach house to the south lodge, said to be wide enough for two carriages. This longer tunnel had domed skylights visible from the surface and was lit by gaslight at night.
All the chambers were painted pink and included a great hall -160 feet by 63 feet – originally intended as a chapel but used as a picture gallery and occasionally as a ballroom. The ballroom reportedly featured a hydraulic lift for 20 guests and a ceiling painted as a giant sunset, though the duke never held dances there. Other underground rooms included a 250 foot library, an observatory with a large glass roof, and a vast billiards room. His prolific tunnelling is thought to have inspired Mr. Badger in The Wind in the Willows.
The first two pictures shown here are the south tunnel lodge and tunnel entrance. I didn’t take a head-on photograph of the entrance as there was a large white van parked there, which I though spoiled the scene a little. The final picture is a cottage across from the tunnel entrance. I’m unsure if this has a formal name (but it had some impressive looking hens in the garden).
Nikon F80 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR on Fomapan 400 (@320asa). Semi-stand in Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour @ 20°.
Steel City Snapper photography 