Share the wealth - Film Photography.

Of the many hobbies and leisure activities that I have had over the years, the two that have stood out as having an awesome community, where knowledge, encouragement and help has been in abundance is the motorbike community and film photography community.

I had my fun getting my full bike license at 42 years old (yes a midlife crisis) and rode for 11 months, but after a very lucky escape from a potentially nasty accident, I decided to retire my leathers and continue on a more sedate basis.

The film industry shares many similar approaches to the biking community. When using my film cameras whilst out on photo walks, I have had complete strangers ask me what I’m using? (Normally when I have the Pentax 67 around my neck), or isn’t that cute (when I have the TLR).

It’s the complete opposite when you generally get digital camera snobbery (read all the gear no idea).

The same goes for asking film related questions on Twitter or Instagram, followers or even complete strangers, are happy to share the wealth. I love it. It's what makes the community thrive.

What I have enjoyed about film and the benefits of it, is having one eye of the traditionalist approaches, call it the scientific and one eye on the creative / pioneers that contest the perceived expected norm.

This series aims to share guides and tricks that I have found on my quest to simplify and establish a consistent workflow using and shooting with film.

I don’t aim to plagiarise or steal the authors findings, rather share and credit them.

First up is the groundbreaking blog post by Johnny Patience entitled ‘The Zone System is Dead’.

This is quite simply essential reading deconstructing the longstanding authoritative Zone System by Ansel Adams.

I think this is relevant for film photography in general, but all the more pertaining to street photography. Read in conjunction with Johnny’s other essential blogpost ‘Metering for film’ it demystifies the process of exposing and developing for film, based on the latitude and density of the negative.

I have been shooting at half box speed (iso 400 film at iso 200 in camera), for a couple of years and favour the look and density of the negative. This weekend, I tried developing the same roll at 1 stop over (iso 400 film at 800).

See a couple of examples of the film shot at half boxspeed (iso 400 film speed shot at iso 200 in camera), which is then overdeveloped by one stop at iso 800 development times:

My initial thoughts are you have to pull the whites and highlights to the left in Lightroom, to tweak the highlights, but the density of the negative and the blacks is lovely. I also find there is less tinkering in general.

Hopefully this will help share the knowledge, but definitely head over to Johnny’s blog and read the above two posts!!

until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Film Photography aka #Slowphotography

As we head into lockdown 2.0, this is inevitably going to polarise the population about the illogical stance of the government in dealing with the shit storm that is COVID19.

Since the back end of the summer and leading up to the present time,  I have been busy getting out and about building up a backlog of images to keyword, log and edit.

That coupled with the sheer madness that is the American presidential election results, or at least how someone hasn’t conceded,  has provided the heightened need for a little respite.  

The one common theme I have noticed during this period, is the sense of folk ‘getting on with it’.

Leading up to lockdown 2.0, there has been the introduction of the 3 tier system in the UK, with the North, initially being hit very hard.  Only time will tell if this will be managed well or simply a nightmare.

What I see within the content of instagram, is folk appreciating their predicament, what they have and being close to their loved ones.

Last week, I decided to have a look at some of my old film negatives, I shot film between 2016-2019, as a medium to improve my photography.  People have different positive and negatives regarding film, my take away has been that it slowed me down, provided me with a medium to be more considered, but also I enjoy the start to finish process.  I.e. from taking the photo, developing the film, scanning and digitally editing in Lightroom.

I took the below images of two Socialist Worker Party Volunteers. The black and white image was taken on my Yashica Mat 124g TLR medium format camera, with Ilford HP5 @ ei 200. The colour was taken on my Sony A7iii with 50mm F1.8. Both images offering something different, not better.

I use an Epson V600 flat bed scanner with Silverfast software.  Whilst this is good at scanning medium format film negatives, using this for 35mm is somewhat mixed.  Especially where using different colour film emulsions.

The current trend for scanning film negatives, is using a DSLR camera with the Negative Lab Pro Lightroom plug in.  Whilst I have been getting some decent scans through this method, I concluded that this was more out of eyeballed guess work than a consistent workflow.

So, now that I am fully re-engaged with film photography, I going to spend the winter months reviewing the archive and also covering the events in Brighton.

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Nifty Fifty.......? .......... go on then.

I’m frantically getting out and about before lockdown 2.0 or the weather puts a stop to it, the idea is to build a catalogue of photos to edit over the winter.

Yesterday was pretty pleasant in Brighton.  Folk out and about enjoying the last rays of summer / autumn sun.

I actually bumped into a photographer yesterday, we were both CHIMPING, gave an acknowledged nod to each other.  Having a chat for a couple of minutes, the fella was from London, and was enjoying his maiden trip to Brighton.

To change things up, I started using my 85mm, which I used as part of my ongoing COVID19 coverage here in Brighton, I just love the compressed images and the bokeh, these are ideal for environmental portraits and street in general.

I have also queried why I have not been interested with the 50mm, I think the very reasonable prices and kit lens status, had pushed me away from it, numpty!

I’ve been reading quite a few photo books since March 2020, to get some creativity ideas.  What I have enjoyed of late, is taking more street portraits and candids.

I acquired a Sony 50mm kit lens for the A7iii, as I’m keen to build on my street portraits, as well as providing a different perspective for my general street photos.

As well as the perspective being that bit closer to that of the human eye of 43mm, the compression allows you to stand a little further back from street portraits, which I’m finding is more friendly when taking candids in the street, compared to the 28mm or less in the face.

Yesterday was World Mental Health day, long may the spirit and mindset of this fella last through the winter.  

I asked to take his photo, was told sure buddy, when I asked ‘Are you doing to a Stag Do, or a Birthday Party’? he responded ‘Naaa mate, I haven’t been out for a while, so I thought I didn’t dress up’.

Good for you.

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Adios summer, for what you were.

Its nearing the end of September, summers a distant memory and we now enter into autumn.

It’s been a interesting 6 months, dealing with work, juggling home schooling and trying to fit in some photography to document these ‘crazy’ times.

I think I am writing this blogpost with the same mindset as you, that a second wave is coming, god knows what it will look like.

Inevitably, these times bring folk together, I have discovered an added depth to the relationship I have with my kids, also my photography has taken on a new dimension, both positives.

The negative is trying to manage wellbeing and ‘calorie intake’.

I would consider myself bookish, I enjoy a good read, but being a single parent, finding time for some exercise is non existent in my daily schedule.

So trying to plan some order in my day, I purchased a Schwinn IC8 Spinning Bike for the house, only owned it 4 days, but I’ve enjoyed 20 minute spinning sessions at the start or end of the day, courtesy of the Peloton app, its that more enjoyable that the family are also participating.

Man, you earn every calorie or inch travelled, no free wheeling like on a pushbike! It’s shocking how unfit I am / have become. That’s the Q4 2020 challenge set. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a clothes horse!

On the book front, I try to avoid typical self help books, as they are too broad brushed in their approach. I’m open to all genres. I finished The Midnight Library by Matt Haig last week, nothing to demanding, quite a light hearted read but quite relevant in these times. I have enjoyed Haig’s work since picking up The Human’s a number of years ago. His books all have a slant towards mental health and positivity, he talks openly about his own struggles with mental health, his twitter stream is interesting.

On a final note, why don’t we push the clock forward 4 hours, rather than back 1, this will give us all a fighting chance over the winter.

Until next time, keep snapping.

Staycation 2020

A good friend of mine made an interesting statement about Covid19, back in May 2020.

He mentioned he was calling his girlfriend’s pug 'Covid' When I asked ‘why’? I was told, ‘its simple really…… it's stopping us going on holiday, we can't go out for an evening to the pub or restaurant and it poos everywhere'!

Both funny and apt.

I’m sat here writing this blog, returning back to work after my two weeks annual leave. No sun, sea or extravagant journeys unfortunately, lockdown in COVID-19 has kiboshed that.

I had some nice plans for 2020. April 2020 was supposed to be a trip to Istanbul with the kids. It was being billed as ‘kebabs and cameras’. I have been mesmerised by the street photography there for many years, in fact the tipping point was purchasing the excellent City of a hundred names, by Alex Webb last year. But alas not to be, this year at least.

Whilst this is depressing, it is providing me with some me time, catching up on photobooks, documentaries and also afforded me the opportunity to compliment my own body of work documenting these strange times.

It also provided a more grounded break with the kids, to have a couple of day trips.

First up was Broadstairs and Margate. I have always loved the allure of the British seaside town and all its kitsch foibles.

I hadn't been to Broadstairs before, and was given the nod by a work colleague. It was a lovely place with plenty of photo opportunities of the domestic holiday maker.

I wanted to take them to the Black Lives Matters exhibition at the Turner Contemporary Gallery, this was of interest to my daughter, who has taken an interest in the three marches that have been held Brighton over the summer, since the harrowing murder of George Flloyd by a police officer.

The exhibition detailed works evidencing black folks plight in the Deep South to get work through art and craft. It also had an excellent (albeit limited) collection of black and white civil rights photography front the 1960’s.

The Turner Contemporary Gallery is a stunning building situated to the east of the seafront, which also has an Anthony Gormley statue in the sea, at the rear of the gallery.

Whilst the town has regularly been voted the best seaside town in the UK to live, the remnants of the old Margate are omnipresent.

Arlington House is a beautiful brutalist residential high rise that dominates the skyline.

First completed in 1964 the site was advertised as “Britain’s first ‘park and buy’ shopping centre with luxury flats,” and marked the beginning of Margate’s redevelopment.

Arlington was designed by Russell Diplock Associates and built by Bernard Sunley and Sons, Originally the site was made up of 52 shops, a pub, a supermarket, a coach station, a filling station, a multi-storey car park and the 18-storey, 142-flat block.

I normally take the kids up to London for a day trip, but due to the depressed tourist market, we were fortunate to be able to book a 2 night stay at the Lancaster Gate Hotel, near Hyde Park. We snagged a bargain getting the room at 50% of the normal daily rate.

First up was West London, and Notting Hill / Portobello Road.

By daughter loves to see the whitewashed London terraced houses and flower lined mews.

For dinner we headed over to Tayyabs Restaurant for the mixed grill in Whitechapel, absolutely delicious. This place never seems to disappoint. I haven’t eaten here for nearly 10 years.

Day two was a mixture of shopping and sight seeing, we ended up heading over to Soho in the evening for a bite to eat at Bibimbap and to take some night photos of the lights in China Town.

As staycations go, it wasn’t bad, the kids and I remain healthy and well, so we can’t and shouldn’t complain.

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Take it to the streets………..

……………….. a saying people often use to encourage protest.

Last Saturday, whilst I was passing through Brighton, I came across a protest about #BLM (Black Lives Matter).

This was the 3rd protest that has happened locally, since the savage murder of George Floyd.

It’s not only the amount, but also the diversity of the protesters that seems to grow each time.

My kids and I also participated in the original march in June 2020.

Comparing to protests in London or America, the Brighton march seems almost sedate in comparison, but the message is clear, Its truly endearing to have and see the presence of youth and hear their voices.

While I was there I met many people including two of they guys who helped organise the protest (along with many others).

I was utterly mesmerised by their compassion and dedication to keep the momentum moving as a passive movement.

There has not been much coverage of this significant shift in this human rights movement, I am loathed to say this, but I think it largely hinges on the outcome of the American Presidential Campaign, which is due to be concluded on November 2020.

#BLM No Justice, No Peace.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

(Self) Reflection

Whilst I am one to (try and) consciously avoid GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), there are instances when this allows you to look at the same thing in a different light, to give a fresh perspective.

I say this as this is something that I had endured in the past. Chasing camera brands, lens, tripods, £££$$$!

I came across an interesting blog on Sean Tucker’s website, pre covid19 lockdown, which got me thinking about exploring other lens outside of my comfort zone, which is something that I have wanted to undertake for some time.

The above images was taken with an 85mm lens, as part of my COVID-19 ongoing project, documenting the impact on the virus on Brighton / East Sussex.

I love the content that Sean puts out, philosophical in nature, with a slant towards challenging the norm and pushing boundaries. He compared a variety of street photography lens, 50mm, 85mm, 35mm, in several blog posts a couple of years ago.

This idea is further visualised on Kai Wong’s YouTube post, with a comparison of the ‘staple’ 28mm vs 35mm vs 50mm lens.

Whilst the 85mm lens is typically aimed at portrait photographers, where the compression of the lens allows for backgrounds to be produce a natural bokeh, I think it gives an added dimension in street photography.

I discovered this creative side, as I started shooting images through the empty shops in Brighton whilst lockdown was in full effect. I quite like the abstract effect.

I never quite got the opportunity to explore the ‘nifty fifty’. I think this was possibly hindered by the fact that I had the 50mm on my Canon 7D, so whilst the lens rendered some beautiful photos, the bulk of the camera setup meant that I didn’t use it for street, it also had a crop factor sensor.

I started out originally taking street photography on my iPhone, which I understand was a 35mm equivalent, upgrading to the awesome Mark 1 Fuji x100 (also a 35mm), this was at the same time I switched to Android smartphones, which were all generally 28mm equivalent lens.

I felt obligated to shoot 28mm as this is considered a ‘purist’ street lens. The ‘tog has to get up real close and fill the frame. This is particularly the screens of the excellent Ricoh GR series of compact APS-c digital cameras. Nimble, stealthy and discreet.

I think my love for the grii is for another blog as is a comparison of the 35mm and 28mm.

I love the perspective of the 28mm ,but of late, I’m finding the ‘challenge’ of the 85mm, gives me a new leash of life with my street photography.

Whilst this won’t necessarily replace my core lens, its a necessary additional to the camera bag, that is a friendly GAS!

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Masking over the cracks

I’m sat here on Monday 27th July 2020 writing this blog post, after the announcement at the weekend on 24.07.20, when the government made the wearing of PPE / face covering, mandatory in England. That is, when visiting closed spaces such as supermarkets, petrol stations, retail shops etc, MASKS ON.

Although England has been late adopters to this next stage of addressing the pandemic, I suppose its ‘better late than never’.

I have found this whole COVID-19 pandemic to be very revealing and insightful, in regards to understanding the human psyche.

Largely folk are conformist / compliant towards adhering to these changes to societal customs, But I find the right to demonstrate, against such stances as lunacy, for example this MP recently in the Houses of Parliament spouting complete nonsense, as part of his constitutional right to debate.

Normal folk see sense.

What I am finding is that now masks are more common place, folk are more attuned to having their photograph taken, they are conscious about how they look. This change in mindset is making it difficult to catalogue my ongoing COVID-19 project, whilst I look to compile source photos for COVID-19 Volume II Zine.

I am sure things will settle down as masks become the accepted norm, as they have in the Far East.

Whilst I finish of this blog, the radio has had several articles today regarding Boris Johnson’s next government campaign with the fight against obesity. If this is a success, no doubt he will start offering marriage guidance classes.

Until next time, Keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.