River-side house

Continuing the theme from the past couple of days, here’s a shot of the scene just downstream from the previous locations. As is so often the case when I pre-arrange a day out with the camera, the weather was dull with featureless grey stratus clouds, making for somewhat less than interesting skies. Still, we make do with what we get and, while the conditions might have been better, it was still a very nice walk along the river.

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 75mm f/2.8 & Ilford Pan F Plus.

Taken on 25 January 2020

Through the pines

This was taken on the footpath beside the River Derwent a little further upstream from the bridge I posted a photo of yesterday. I’ve taken a picture at this location before, last year, using my Yashica Mat 124G. Unfortunately something went wrong with that version – I think the camera strap, or possibly the cable release, had gotten in the way of the taking lens without me noticing and the resulting image had a blurry streak across part of the frame. This one worked much better (although prior to this I managed to waste three frames by somehow shooting them with the dark slide in the camera – something I didn’t even think was possible with the ETRSi).

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 75mm f/2.8 & Ilford Pan F Plus.

Taken on 25 January 2020

Crossing calm waters

This is the road bridge that crosses the River Derwent just above Calver Weir. It carries the A625 and I believe is called New Bridge, although I have no information byond that unfortunately. It makes for nice photographs whether viewed from up or downstream though – the nearby weir means that the water here is deep and slow flowing, producing lots of opportunities for reflections.

This shot is my entry for the 2020 film photography contest I’m taking part in – the theme for January is “Openings”.

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 75mm f/2.8 & Ilford Pan F Plus.

Taken on 25 January 2020

No animal, but vegetable and mineral

I noticed this plant sprouting atop this boulder during a walk near Calver at the weekend. As I had B&W film in the camera I thought the textures in the leaves would work well.

Bronica ETRSi, Zenzanon 75mm f/2.8 & Ilford Pan F Plus.

Taken on 25 January 2020

Soon to be gone

A short distance south from Haggler’s Corner (see yesterday’s post) is a short row of businesses, only one of which remains trading – a wooden staircase manufacturer and supplier called Heeley Stairparts. Alas, this too is soon to close its doors. The reason for this is that there is a plan to widen Queen’s Road at this point, meaning that this row of buildings needs to be demolished.

I discovered this when a lady across the street from me noticed me taking photographs and asked what I was doing. As the road here is very busy, I couldn’t make out what she was saying so crossed the road once the way was clear. It turned out that she was the owner of the staircase business and thought I was from the council – she’d heard that the council sometime photograph buildings that are due for demolition (I have no idea if this is the case or not).

I quickly reasured her that I wasn’t there in any official capacity and had just been attracted by the low sunlight on the buildings (although these shots are B&W, the storefront is a light green colour that was glowing in the light), and we chatted for awhile about the reasons for the demolition and how it was a shame that so many older buildings in the city are torn down for re-development rather than being repaired and restored.

I’m not a stick-in-the-mud who opposes all new development – far from it in fact – and understand that sometimes buildings pass their useful lifespan, or are simply unsuitable for restoration, and this row of shops doesn’t stand out for any particular reason amongst others in the city – apart from than the staircase store, the other buildings seemed pretty run down. Nevertheless it’s a shame that the woman’s business is going to disappear and I wish her well in her future endeavours.

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 18 January 2020

Haggler’s Corner

Hagglers Corner is a multi-functional space just on the outskirts of Sheffield city centre. It hosts live music and other events, has a cafe, a shop and provides spaces for local makers of things. I didn’t get chance to go in on the outing, but will try and make sure I give myself time to do so next time I pass.

Although this picture doesn’t really indicate so, Queen’s Road is a busy thoroughfare, being one of the main arteries into and out of the city centre. I managed to find a brief spell with a gap in the traffic to take my photo that emphasises the road leading into shot (and the zig-zag road markings denoting the Pelican Crossing.

The two towers above the roof of Haggler’s Corner are minarets belonging to the Madina Masjid that sits a short distance beyond.

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 18 January 2020

Evocations of a journey #1

Last year, Postcard Cafe, a blog I follow, posted a number of pieces featuring photographs made on train journeys. The first of these I came across was a post titled “Jumping someone else’s train” and I commented on their post how I liked the idea and that I might borrow it at some point.

Today’s post is the first attempt at doing something along similar lines (badum-tish!).

If I’m to be critical, then Postcard Cafe’s posts are much better than my attempt here, but I’ll admit to making life more difficult for myself by a) using a compact film camera that struggled with camera shake, and b) attempting to fit picture making in around some work I had to do on the train, thereby probably missing some opportunities (plus I had a window-frame next to my seat, which limited my field of view somewhat too). Anyway, enough with my excuses and on to the photos.

For the purposes of this post, I’ve limited my photos to ones taken station-to-station. I shall also leave them without narrative, and just let them tell whatever story you see fit to make up. They are in chronological order though, both outbound and homeward.

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 15 January 2020

Abandoned bags

Another shot featuring reflections (albeit, mostly of the sky in this one) making up a trio of posts over the last three days. I like the ambiguity of this shot, it making it look like the faceless person walking away has forgotten or abandoned their bags.

One thing this roll shot with the little Pentax Espio has taught me, is that the camera falls back on slow shutter speeds very quickly in low light. Several shots on the roll were largely spoiled because of subsequent camera shake (although in some cases, the motion blur has added a great sence of movement to the images too). This said, I have used it in dim light before without any noteable camera shake, so I wonder if it’s somehow mis-read the Kentmere’s DX coding (or maybe it’s just faulty)? Where I’ve used the camera in sunny conditions, it’s a capable little performer though, so I shall bear that in mind for future reference.

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 15 January 2020

Floating in a reflection

This is the frame before the image I published in yesterday’s post. It was the puddle that caught my eye and how the letters of the “Bus Stand” sign on the road almost seem to float above the reflected building.

I got a few odd glances when taking the picture. 🙂

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 15 January 2020

A passing reflection

Just a random street shot today. Not much to say about it other than the scans from this whole roll of Kentmere 400 are covered with dust spots! – no idea why it should be worse than other rolls, but it is. It’s taken ages to spot each scan so far. Maybe I need to have a dusting session in the office…

Pentax Espio 140M & Kentmere 400.

Taken on 15 January 2020