David

Paul Henry

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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It’s not been all work and no play this past couple of weeks . I’ve been travelling to the UK. While there I have managed to take a few shots and some of them may turn up here over time.

Meet Paul Henry Kiltmaker, and all round good fellow. Here I caught him reading just before we set off for a walking tour of York in the UK.

Camera Leica M9P

Lens :Summilux 35mm f1.4 asph.

Skin & Blister

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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Firstly let me explain the title for those not in the know. “Skin and Blister” is Cockney rhyming slang for Sister. Meet my Big sister Eunice.

I find you have to work at getting a relaxed shot of people even if it’s people you know well. This time I think I nailed it. There was lots of light from behind streaming through the windows of the café. I took the camera and metered away from the light . As it turnrd out I got the shot I wanted 1st time . The lightmeter on my Leica maybe a simple centre weighted  type but if you know how to use it it’s easy to adjust for such scenes..

Try some portraits this weekend. If you are shy ask people you know  to pose for you. Have a great weekend

Leica M9P

Summilux 35mm f1.4 ASPH

Post in Silver Efex Pro 2.

Not So Still Life.

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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This picture is rather appropriate. I don’t know about you but I’m a Bee photographically speaking.  I’ve never been able to settle on one film, one camera, and one lens.  I flit from camera to camera and between lenses and analog and digital just like a Bee buzzing around flowers. I just don’t settle.  It’s a strain on the pocket, and it means I have never mastered any type of photography thoroughly.  I’ve tried to settle, I really have. It just gets boring. One thing I have had to do is stop reading reviews of new lenses and equipment and concentrate on what I have on hand.  Film is a little different.  I have all kinds and I love to experiment.  Although again I have never gone the one film route.  I choose a film I know for each task.  Which brings me to this shot of a Dandelion.  Taraxacum officinale, or the common dandelion to us less proficient in Latin.  Here with a visiting insect.

This was an unknown film to me, and is very special to work with. A 20 ASA film exposed at 12 ASA (Yes I wrote 12)  and fixed for only 30 seconds  (That is almost enough time to pour it in, and pour it out of the tank again).

Now I’ll buzz off :0). Have a great weekend.

Hasselblad 203 FE

Carl Zeiss 80mm F/2.8 FE on E56 extension tube

Adox CMS 20 at 12 ASA.

Developed in Adotech II for 8.5 mins at 20˙C Stopped with Ilfostop and fixed with T-max fixer for 30 seconds.

Scanned with Epson V700

Silverfast SW

Portraits

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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Last week I told you what I don’t consider myself good at photographically. Well it’s not that I’m good at portraits either but I like them the most. I would probably run a mile from a model in a studio. I prefer spontaneous shots a little more candid. I like outdoors shots but anywhere will do.

The shot above is of my best mate here in Norway.  The snow is acting as the worlds best reflector  and we were at an old cabin taking a break from snowshoeing.

I took my Hasselblad with me This is the first shot off the roll.
Rollei 80s in Caffenol C-L using Stand development Here’s the Recipe

Washing soda (Stabil) 16gr/l
Vitamin C (Santa maria) 10 gr/l
Potassium Bromide 1gr/l
Instant Coffee 40gr/l
Inversions for the 1st minute and then left to stand for 49mins
Stop and fix as usual
More details on Caffenol here

if you want to try caffenol you can read more here

Landscape

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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Now I’ll admit that Landscape shots are not what I’m good at. Those nice shots you see on chocolate boxes are great. With mine you’d have to give the chocolates away free. I have a mate who takes the most stunning landscapes. We live in Norway so it can’t be that hard..can it?  Well for me I’ve never cracked the code properly. I’ve read all the hints and tips, all the composition guides, waited for the light to be dramatic, and come home with nothing too exciting.  I think Landscape is just not my thing.

However having said that I do get the occasional shot that is worth a second glance like this one of the Sand buried church in the North of Denmark. Taken in late afternoon with my Nikon D800 and 24-70 lens then tweaked in Silver Efex Pro2.

I’ll just have to keep practicing :0)

That Moment

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

Emily Laughs

I called this post “That Moment” I actually call the picture “Emily Laughs.”

Let me explain.  Some of you may have read my blog already.  If not here is a story.  The Nikon D700 had just hit the market.  A mate had one and it was the “all-singing-all-dancing” camera at that time.  I nearly purchased one.   I just happened to start reading about Leica and the M6.  That’s what I wanted my dream camera from the 80’s.  I then found out they had a new Leica MP an all manual do it yourself total contrast to the Nikon.  What I knew best then was film.  I chose the Leica.  Then the feelings of  “Have I done the right thing?”  started to worm their way into my head.  To make a long story short when I saw this picture, It was that moment I knew I had made the right choice.

Leica MP

Summicron 50 mm f2.0 Ver III (Now sold)

Film Ilford XP2 at 400 ASA

Natural light.

A Policeman’s Lot…

Black And White Photography, David

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I’ve let my lighter side win me over yet once more.

Back in the Eighties I was on a visit to London. I was on my way to visit “Grays of Westminster” For those that don’t know It’s a Nikon only camera shop. On my way there, my way was blocked by police making a human cordon for a Miners demo march. I mingled with all the press photographers  raised my Nikon FM2 shouted “oi ” and this Policeman turned around and looked at me as if to say “I got your number sonny Jim!” However what makes the shot for me is where he has is hands.

Camera Nikon FM2

Lens Nikon E 100mm F2.8

Film Ilford XP2.

scanned from paper copy and adjusted with Silver Efex Pro 2

Six-Pack Dreams

Black And White Photography, David, Photography

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I’ve tried a little humour for this weeks post. My previous shots have been a little on the darker side. This shot is cropped on the righthand side I once read somewhere that if it is cropped it’s not a street shot. I don’t abide by such rules, It’s my image I’ll do as I please. I Still I think it made for a nice shot and tells a story. What do you think?