Desert Varnish

15-06-22

Just watched photographer Ben Horne’s latest YouTube video photographing in Utah with an 8″ x 10″ film camera. He mentioned the desert varnish on the rocks and the scents and sounds in the area. It took me right back to when I visited Capitol Reef in 1992 (my first visit to the USA) We camped at Fruita N.P. for a couple of days in a very small tent, I was hardier then. I recently scanned in a roll of film from that time, I put off scanning it for so long because it has a lot of dust marks, but with the aid of Lightroom’s healing brush and a lot of patience and fan whirring on the lap top I managed to get some reasonable images. I can vividly remember the scent of Pine and Sage, and the heat reflected from the rocks.

Desert Varnish

Capitol Gorge

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Along the Scenic Drive

Olympus OM2n – Zuiko 24mm f2.8. Plus X Pan I think.

Flat Battery

13-06-22

I haven’t used my car for over a fortnight as most of the places I’ve been to recently have been either in the city centre or involved drinking beer. Yesterday I thought I ought to give it a bit of a run, switched on the ignition, turned the key, got one spin of the engine then nothing. So I’m now waiting at home today for a battery charger to be delivered. Why not have a bit of a sort out in the sitting room I thought, of course I got quickly distracted ! Found some buttons in a container that I liked the shape of and decided to make a bit of a still life with them, it was also a good opportunity to get more familiar with my Macro lens.

Olympus E620, Zuiko 35mm Macro Lens, PP in Lightroom.

Power Socket & Fake Wood

06-06-22

Sigma DP1 – Silver Efx

Spotted this (no accounting for taste) while I was out with the Photo Buddies last week. I have two (new to me) film cameras loaded up with film, both about half way through the rolls, but the weather apart from the odd day has been cold, damp, and grey, more like March than June.

Monochrome Rose

02-06-22

Olympus E620, Zuiko 35mm Macro lens, Silver Efex.

From an old Rose bush in my garden, it must be about 40 years old and just about surviving. The flowers have a lovely scent.

Prop

16-05-22

At the beginning of the year I sent my Nikon Af 20mm lens off for repair as it wasn’t stopping down, wondered why the photos were soft and sometimes overexposed. The lens is now working as it should. I must say I’m not that impressed with the lens, it’s very soft in the corners even stopping down, I think I’ll be trading it in for some Olympus glass.

Having said that I quite like this chance image, especially as it was a dull overcast day.

Nikon F601/N6006, Af Nikon 20mm f2.8, Orange filter, Ilford Hp5, 800asa, Microphen.

Trellis Work

08-05-22

Spotted this Trellis on my way to the music pub on Friday afternoon. I was travelling light and only had my old Sigma DP1 with me. The band was really good and so was the fish finger sandwich served with fries and a side salad washed down with a couple of pints of Adnams Ghost Ship Bitter.

Adrenaline Buzz

23-04-22

I have been feeling in a low mood since my lovely cat Fleur had to be put to sleep, I miss her presence around the house so much. Her daughter Mimi is a great comfort, really glad she is with me. So when my best buddy phoned on Thursday and asked if I fancied a trip out in the country for a bite to eat and a walk, I jumped at the chance. Get your crash helmet and jacket ready, we are on the Triumph Tiger today. It must be about 4 years since I’ve been on the back of a bike.

Triumph Tiger

Wow, the Triumph certainly has some get up and go, my feet lifted off the footrests a few times under acceleration, felt very safe though, my buddy has been riding bikes since the late 1960’s.

Our destination was Thornby Hall in Northamptonshire, it’s a meditation centre that is set in beautiful grounds, the house is built from a lovely warm coloured stone and dates back to the 17th century. I took my little Olympus EPL1 digital camera with me and a 1956 film camera (more on that in another post) took lots of images of the grounds and house, but I like looking for the unusual, often tucked away round the back.

Waiting for Christmas

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I just liked the window and wall with the old Hall in the background

Felt better for the adrenaline rush, the walk around the grounds, and some good food and coffee in the café. As I’m writing this my cat Mimi is asleep on my lap, she’s lovely and warm, dreaming, and snoring quietly.

MB 250SL

18-04-22

Spotted this lovely 1969 Mercedes 250SL on my way back from the music pub on Saturday.

Sigma DP1 – Silver Efx

Half Frame Snapshots – Camper Van

I would love one of these, this one was immaculate in White and pale Blue paintwork.

Agfa Parat – Fomapan 100 @ 200asa – Ilford Ilfosol

Launde Abbey – Still Life

Well I still haven’t developed any film, and now have a lovely cold and tickly cough, serves me right for drinking beer and walking home in the winter weather. So here’s another two images from last November at Launde Abbey.

Nikon F801s – Tamron 28-200mm – Orange Filter – Ilford HP5 @ 800asa – Microphen