A return to film...and the Bronica SQ

Another find on e-Bay has proved to be a little gem, for nearly nothing I managed to acquire a fully functional Bronica SQ-A with 120 back, a 80mm standard lens and waist level finder. 

A little later I have invested in a 50mm, grip and a metered prism. 

The square format is classical; and makes composition a joy - 

Shot on Ilford FP4.

Shot on Ilford FP4.

Shot on Kodak Porta 160 VC [really out of date…]

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A return to film...and the Bronica.

Digital photography has flourished and I shoot a great deal in digital, even digital based Infrared (IR) but I have continued to use film throughout: many people don't have any experience with film based photography. I do like digital as it can improve your photographic skills very quickly - I have learnt a lot as you can immediately review your shot and quickly solve any issues with it.

But, I'm not sure even with all the digital conveniences that are available you can get the digital image to look the same as if the image was taken on a negative or transparency film. 

There seems to be a thriving movement (if it ever dwindled) supporting film based photography. I have revisited a format of film photography which I haven't used for a couple of years - Medium Format. I have a Bronica ETRS which I bought a few years back. I have a collection of films for the camera in the 120 format which comprise of Fuji transparency film (Velvia) and the excellent Ilford HP5+ for those black and white shots. Additionally as shown in the shot below I have a shot a couple of rolls of Ilford Delta 3200, a fast black and white emulsion. 

You might just want to get hold of a secondhand film camera, there are a few out there, the Nikon F4, the Canon T90 (I owned one of these!) or even a the superb Contax RTS III and a host of other wonderful photographic tools. Grab a roll of film and shoot - then the wait and anticipation of what you shot appearing on small analogue pieces of heaven. 

Loch Lomond Tree shot on Ilford Delta 3200. 

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Filters and Waterfalls

After investing in rather expensive neutral density filter from B+W a few months ago I have spent a while experimenting with this rather special filter. Offering a ten-stop reduction it can be used to slow the mundane down to offer some interesting images. The filter used normally for industrial applications has been one of my favourite filters I have bought so far. 

So this weekend I ventured out to the beautiful location of Ingleton in the North Yorkshire dales. After some research online, one of the attractions of Ingleton was the cascade of waterfalls situated nearby. Enlisting one of my photographic cohorts we set off early on Saturday to get there in plenty of time to shoot.

Hitting the Ingleton Waterfall Trail early (we were one of the first to arrive!) we set off, the trail is 8km or 4 and half miles, and has eight falls along the way. The rain had been heavy in the previous couple of days so the falls were pretty fierce, plenty of spray to get on the front of the filter!

Setting up proved a task; the trail is a rather narrow footpath, in places quite a squeeze- throw in slippery rocks and mud and you have an interesting combination…

With the filter in place and the camera firmly on the tripod the exposures began, most needed at least a 30 second exposure on bulb, shooting at f8 with the ISO dropped to 50. Being in a shady gorge the exposures were all over the place, the brief passages of light from the sun penetrating the moody sky helped out in exposing the dark corners of the shot. With exposures varying depending on the light breaking through, bracketing widely helped.

Moving around the trail, the light got better as the day progressed, by mid afternoon the sun had broken through the early overcast sky.

After a couple of hours out on the trail, we headed back to the car park to get the car and head home. Definitely a place I would return to, I think in the winter with a blend of snow and ice the place would be pretty impressive to shoot. 

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Beezley Falls
Canon EOS 1Ds 55s @ f8 ISO 50. Shot at 28mm (EF 24-105 f4L)

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December Snow

The recent snowfall across the UK and the freezing temperatures have thrown up a few decent opportunities to get out and about to shoot with the snow and frost. 


This was shot at the nearby parkland.

Canon EOS 1Ds @ f8 ISO 100. Shot at 173mm (EF 100-300 f5.6L)

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Loch Tulla

As you drive up the A82 towards Glencoe and the north you'll pass Loch Tulla. A recent early trip out caught the Loch crystal clear, the low morning cloud still drifting along the edges. 

Canon EOS 30D. Shot at 13mm (EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5)

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Autumn Falls

On a recent visit to the Falls of Falloch on the River Falloch, I thought I'd get a a few shots of the impressive waterfall, alas the recent heavy rain had again made the falls very heavy. The spray was too fine, and blowing off the falls which meant getting a decent image was going to be difficult. 

Having no luck with the larger falls I took a walk and found a smaller burn providing a decent opportunity. During a break in the rain, I got a quick shot. 

I like this type of slow shutter work, the water looks so much better slowed down than at the regular flow rate. I have just found what could lead to a interesting photo project, the ND filter offering a 10 stop reduction. Think about that...

Mine's on order. I'll be experimenting as soon as it arrives, but other than slowing water down it should open up a few other possibilities. I have read it's almost opaque and tricky to use. Should be fun...

Update December '09: Well I had the filter on order, but alas the supplier had encountered problems with supply from B+W so I had to find an alternative. I finally found one who had them in stock for immediate dispatch. It arrived on Tuesday, so it looks like a photo opportunity ahead!

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Out in the Wild

Living in Glasgow you can drive less than 100 miles north west and arrive in some of the most beautifully breathtaking scenery in the UK. 

Living here all year round gives endless possibilities to shoot the same scene throughout the changing seasons. I seem to have been drawn to a impressive landmark. In Gaelic it means Red Peak (Big Shepherd of Glen Etive), or Stob Dearg. From the A82 it looms. It is a Munro which asks to be photographed, and I have obliged. 

I plan to visit it again now the Autumn is upon us, hopefully the snow which tops the peak will be back later in the year. Definitely one to capture. 

This was taken in December 2008, it had been pretty dry and not much snow had fallen only (we want more snow!) the light dusting you can see in the shot which was still clinging to the craggy hillside. This image was shot low from the moor using the trusty wide angle lens, this time the 20-35mm f2.8L. This one captured the crispness to the day, the way the water had frozen in the pool added to the overall shot.

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