Bradford on Avon Christmas Lights at night

Here are some night time shots of Bradford on Avon taken over the weekend.

The camera was balanced on walls, bins or posts. Exposure time between 1 and 4 seconds depending on the available light.

Winter sun

Yesterday, I did something I haven't done for a while, which was to take an amble around Bradford on Avon with my camera. The light was beautiful. 

It's difficult not to take the same image that has been taken many times before in your hometown, but sometimes the light makes it worthwhile. 

November

It's November 1st and I could almost venture out in a  T-Shirt without feeling cold.

The sun + autumn leaves = irresistible urge to go on a walk with a camera.

Roll 37 and 38 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Kodak Elite Chrome)

Hot on the heels of Roll 36 are more photos from sunny Sicily. More Baroque splendour for you to savour....

Roll 36 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Elite Chrome)

Three rolls of film have been developed and so the long wait is over...

The two photos from this roll were taken on our recent holiday in Sicily in the beautiful town of Noto.

The town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693 and was completely rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Where are my rolls?

It's been some time since I last posted any new rolls of film. No doubt you are all waiting with bated breath for the next instalment of my 52 Rolls challenge....

I have had Roll 35 developed but didn't feel any photos were worthy of sharing. 

Meanwhile, four rolls are currently being developed at Jessops and so there will be a feast of film to share very soon. 

It's part of film's charm. It's not immediate like digital. It requires patience both in terms of thinking about how to best take the photo and then waiting for the results - not knowing how they will turn out....

Roll 33 and 34 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Kodak Ektar 100 and TMax 400)

One of the great secrets of Bath and its wonderful skyline walk is Smallcombe Cemetery.

I stumbled upon it a few years ago and I love to return and walk amongst the gravestones nestled in one of Bath's beautiful valleys.

The volunteers who are currently looking after the cemetery have organised a photo competition as part of a National Lottery bid to help them preserve this corner of an English field.

Here are a selection of my entries... fingers crossed that I get a prize!

Roll 31 and 32 / 52 Rolls (Leica MP, Elite Chrome)

Two rolls from an English summer.

This was taken on the beautiful Crow Point on the North Devon coast. It is reached via a toll road, surrounded by a marsh and at the end is a long stretch of sandy beach. There were very few people there but there was this one shipwreck with perfect colours for slide film!

The second photo is from Budleigh Salterton. This film came back from Jessops in a strange mood! All the photos were under exposed and I'm not sure whether that was my fault or the labs fault. Still, this one has pleasing colours and composition...

Rolls 28,29 and 30 / 52 Rolls of Film

The rolls are coming thick and fast at the moment. Only two photos to show from these three rolls though.

Both are from a recent visit to Exeter Cathedral while spending a sunny weeks holiday in beautiful Devon. One is using Kodak black and white 400asa film and the other is using Lomography colour 800asa film.

Roll 27 / 52 Rolls (Leica CM, Kodak Elite Chrome)

Only one photo worthy of sharing on this roll... Not only do Neil and Dan look quite cool, but thanks to Kodak slide film the colours really do 'pop.' There is no post editing here except a little bit of cropping.

Half way through.... Roll 26 / 52 Rolls (Leica iiig, Elite Chrome)

Old Neil has excellent taste. He likes my photos. 

Some weeks ago he asked me whether I would share my wisdom and take him on a photo walk. Of course I would! So we met one sunny Sunday in Bath. We strolled and I tried to show him new ways of seeing.

My favourite bit was when we walked down St Margaret's Buildings and he said "what can we photograph here without it being cliched?" I took up this challenge and he took what I thought was his best photo of the morning. 

Here are my efforts:

Dusty Ape Photo Shoot

I spent yesterday with Dusty Ape - a local coffee roasting company run by all round good eggs Phil and Evan. I will post more photos later but I couldn't resist putting these up first.

Most people hate having their mugshots taken and these two were no different.... All stiff and all formal until I saw this picture and asked "Phil, do you always look up to Evan. Are you his disciple?"

To which, the only response is a fit of giggles...

Roll 25 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica CM, Kodak Elite Chrome)

A day admiring classic cars at the Lions Fun Day on a sunny bank holiday weekend in Bradford on Avon.

Roll 24 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Kodak Elite Chrome)

Film Camera / Digital Camera / iPhone

I took a film camera, a digital camera and an iPhone to the Wind Tunnel Project last week. Each photo has different characteristics but I'm struggling to decide which one I like best....

Do you have any preferences?

Roll 23 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Lomography 800asa)

A bumper roll this week which includes photos from Wells Cathedral and the stunning Wind Tunnel Project.

The Wind Tunnel Project in Farnborough is open to the public for the first time ever until 20th July. It was such a great experience - not only for the wonderful interiors and industrial design from previous decades; but also the art installations which greatly enhanced the experience.

Here is what their website says:

OPENING ON THE 9TH JUNE 2014FOR SIX-WEEKS, THE INAUGURAL EXHIBITION WILL TAKE PLACE IN AND AROUND 1917 AND 1935 GRADE 1 AND 2 LISTED BUILDINGS WHICH WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. Q121 AND R52 ARE TWO OF THE MOST ICONIC EXAMPLES OF FLIGHT TESTING CENTRE TECHNOLOGY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. BOTH BUILDINGS WERE DESIGNED TO HELP PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF BRITISH AVIATION, IN THE RACE FOR DOMINANCE OF THE SKIES AND HOMELAND PROTECTION

Roll 22 / 52 Rolls of Film (Rolleicord, Kodak Portra 160)

Once a year, Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon is opened to the public in order to raise funds for the International Red Cross. The gardens truly are beautiful and if you are in the area next spring, try and find some time to visit!

Roll 21 / 52 Rolls (Leica CM, Kodak TMAx 100)

Roll 19 & 20 / 52 Rolls (Rolleicord, Kodak Portra 160)

Roll 15 & 16 / 52 Rolls of Film (Rolleicord, Kodak Portar 160).

Bailey's Stardust

I visited the much publicised Bailey exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery last week.

To me, a good portrait should reveal a glimmer of recognition that helps us understand a little bit more about the sitter; to provide an insight into what makes them tick.

However, I felt that Bailey only did this on occasion. To me, many of the sitters were presenting their public persona. Performing to the camera and confirming what we already knew about them.

I contrast his approach with Jane Bown. She is not as well known (she has photographed for The Observer for the last few decades); but to me, she captures her famous subjects in a far more naturalistic and revealing way.

Or, portraits by Henri Cartier-Bresson, who showed the context of each sitter. He rarely did a head shot but more often placed the sitter against  background which helped not only with the composition; but with revealing something about them.

It is of course, a matter of taste. I prefer those photographers who use natural light and a natural setting to those who use the studio to achieve the light, position and background just as they want them.

When it comes to portraiture, a natural approach helps create a more intimate setting than the artifice of a photographic studio.


Find out more:

A recent (and illuminating) profile on Jane Bown in The Observer.

An insightful article on Henri Cartier-Bresson's portraits.

Bailey at the National Portrait Gallery

A bumper month!

I seem to be having bumper month with photo sales! In addition to the four sales at the annual Bradford on Avon Photography Group exhibition, I have just sold my third photo in the last month at Sebastien's Bistro in the centre of town.

Here is the lucky fellow who has found a new home:

Wiltshire Music Centre

The Bradford on Avon Photography Group photograph a dozen concerts through the year for Wiltshire Music Centre. In return, they support our annual exhibition.

The conditions are difficult as it is of the utmost importance that we photographers do not disturb either the performers or the audience. No flash is allowed, we can only photograph from the edge of the auditorium and we must be as quiet as possible.

We are challenged to overcome a combination of low light, restricted angles, distance and a need for fast shutter speeds

Last night I photographed the excellent Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles and Printmakers concert. Here are a couple of the images I liked best.

Roll 17 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica MP, Lomography 800asa film)

This is the first time I have used Lomography 800asa film. Given that you can buy three rolls for the same price as one roll of Kodak Portra, I was keen to see how it worked. It may not be quite as good, there seems to be a green tinge to it, but I am still happy with it.

This roll was taken inside Southwell Minster in my home county of Nottinghamshire over Easter.

Roll 14 / 52 Rolls of Film (Leica iig, Elite Chrome)