Tag: Yashica Mat 124 G

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Bridges that have lost their original purpose

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The two bridges shown here once spanned both railway and canal. They are both almost identical, functional, no-frills affairs. The railway lines have been lifted for almost forty years now and I’m unsure how long it has been since this stretch of the canal contained water. The bridges now span a path used by foot traffic (plus bicycles and – maybe – horses). The canal remains empty of water and canal-boats for the forseeable future – although many other stretches of the Chesterfield canal have been restored, so hopefully it may see use again in years to come.

Barges and bargees
Once floated by while nearby
Locomotives passed

Icicle bridge
Look north

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

A footpath beneath ice

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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

Flooded and frozen
Ice fence

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Farm track

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This track runs parallel to the Trans Pennine Way for a while and the section depicted is open for public access. The remainder of the track leads up to the farm itself and has no further right of way. I know this because I once walked all the way to the end without realising. And then had to walk all the way back again.

I really like how this picture turned out. It looked nice in the viewfinder with all the leading lines, and the end result doesn’t disappoint me. Probably my favourite shot of the year so far.

Country road power
Leading the eye down the way
To places unseen

Farm track

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

The remains of Killamarsh Central station

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Killamarsh is a village in North-East Derbyshire with a population of around 10,000 so it seems hard to believe that, at one point, the place had three seperate railway stations serving it. To the east was Upperthorpe & Killamarsh station, the the west was Killamarsh West station, and between them the appropriately named Killamarsh central.

Only one active railway line remains – the line that served Killamarsh West, although there are no longer any stops and the station on that line has been long removed and, if there are any remains, they are out of bounds to the public. I’m uncertain if anything remains of the eastern station.

As for Killamarsh Central, there ramain the northbound platform and the pedestrian footbridge, both of wich can be seen in the two photos shared today. The first looking south towards Renishaw and Chesterfield, the second north towards Beighton.

Killamarsh Central - south

The station originally opened in June 1892, remaining active for the next seventy-one years when it finally closed in the summer of 1963, although the line remained in use until 1983 when the track was lifted. The track bed now forms the route of the section of the Trans Pennine Way that runs between Beighton and Chesterfield.

Line for rail travel
Both for goods and passengers
Falls to memory

Killamarsh Central - north

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 12 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Signage on the trail

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The path beneath the bridge in the background of this photo leads to Rother Valley Country Park and the signs in the foreground identify the southern route along the Trans Pennine Trail. As the lockdown continues so I become ever more familiar with this area close to where I live. The next announcement about restrictions is scheduled for Monday when we may find out when some of them may start to be lifted. I’m not expecting a full return to freedom, or even an immediate losening of the rules, but it will be good to have more information at least.

Freedom to exercise
But no more than once a day
Like a gilded cage

Trans Pennine Trail signage

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 8 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Arches

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These arches form part of the same bridge I showed in yesterday’s post, just to the south of the metal span. The ground dips down significantly below the arches and I believe that people use it (and the surrounding trails) for mountain biking.

Beneath the arches
Tracks and trails of bicycles
Muddy evidence

Going south

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 1 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Stick structures

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Over the past few years, when walking in wooded areas, I’ve noticed a number of structures appear. They appear to be rudimentary shelters made from branches, although they probably do little to keep the elements out. I’ve seen them in a number of different places, but have never seen anyone building them which lends them a slightly spooky Blair Witch Project air.

The branches used to build them, in my local area at least, seem to be from woodland management – lots of trees have been trimmed in the last year or so. In a lot of cases these cuttings are left piled up like lumber, perhaps to be collected at a later date, or maybe to form an environment suited to small mammals and invertebrates. Some of the cuttings go on to create these structures though.

I’m sure there’s a perfectly mundane reason for them, but I also kinda like the idea of a miniature Stonehenge / Easter Island type mystery about them.

Who might sleep inside
A home made of drafty sticks
Little pig maybe?

Stick den

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 1 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day

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The clock depicted in today’s post used to hang on my office wall. There it would faithfully tell the time as I worked. I wear a wristwatch and have accurate clocks on my phoe and computer, but a big analogue clock on the wall is quick and easy to read. It was powered by batteries and had a steady tick which, while going unnoticed by myself, would sometimes be commented on by people on phonecalls (especially my old colleague Ken) who asked if I had a grandfather clock or something!

Even a stopped clock

One day late last year I stretched up my arms while yawning and managed to accidentally nudge the clock off the hook from which it hung on the wall, sending it plummeting to the floor where it shattered into many peices. While the mechanism still worked, the plastic case was pretty much knackered. Amazingly, the glass front of the clock didn’t break.

When I took the clock outside to throw it in the bin I had the sudden bright idea of keeping it, leaving it to the elements besides the bins, where it would weather and mature into a possible future photo opportunity. There was life in it yet!

Just before one, time stopped

So, today’s pictures mark a few attempts at doing so. The clock has attained some level of dirt and grime which take away the sleek sheen of plastic that it had before. I don’t think these are the best photos I might achieve – they were a bit of a spur of the moment thing – but the clock isn’t going anywhere just yet and, like a fine wine, it will continue to mature with the passing of time (pun intended). 🙂

Tick-tock clock no more
Moved to a higher purpose
To be photographed

As time runs out

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 1 February 2021

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Bridge ends

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A couple of photos today showing two ends of the same bridge. I’d like to say what these brick structures are officially called but Googling didn’t turn anything up other than “parapet” and that doesn’t feel right. The bridge in question is brick-built, but the edges of the deck are metal railings rather than a completely formed of bricks.

Whatever they might be called, I liked the way they looked in the light.

Names of things unknown
I know there must be a term
But it’s out of reach

Bridge end
Another bridge end

Yashica Mat 124G & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 21 January 2021