Least we forget. I was in York England during Rememberance Sunday and caught the parade in the streets. Here is one of my favourites. Here we see a veteran explaining his medals to his granddaughter.
David Williamson
Paul Henry
Black And White Photography, David, PhotographyIt’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, PhotographyFirstly 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, PhotographyThis 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, PhotographyLast 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
Landscape
Black And White Photography, David, PhotographyNow 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, PhotographyI 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.
Six-Pack Dreams
Black And White Photography, David, PhotographyI’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?
“He Was Nothing But A Pawn.”
Black And White Photography, David, PhotographyThe winters here in the frozen north are long and dark. I don’t ski so I have to think of things to occupy my mind. This is a little table top fun with my Hasselblad 203FE with the Carl Zeiss 80mm F2.8 FE mounted on an 32E extension tube. Taken on my fav black and white film Rollei 80s stand developed in Caffenol for 50 mins at 20℃ with agitation for only the first minute and then left to rest in a water bath for 49mins.
Here’s the Recipe
Make one litre
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
davidapw.wordpress.com/caffenol/
The Reluctant Urban Explorer
Black And White Photography, David, Photography
When I posted my first guest post here at Monochromia I said that I did a little UrbEx. Let me explain.
It all started with me seeing some shots from a local abandoned psychiatric hospital. They were taken by a mate, also a photographer who lives almost as a neighbour to the building. He invited me along on a shoot and it scared the hell out of me. That is why I don’t do this kind of thing too often. My disposition is on the nervous side. When I do this kind of shoot I just have to concentrate so hard that it’s mentally exhausting. If I stop to think where I am, I’d run, and run fast. It’s a horror film waiting to happen. However after a few days I just want to do it again. It’s a strange kind of drug, if that’s not too strong a word for it. At least I got a few good shots before It all got a bit too much for me 🙂
Camera:- Leica MP
Lens: – Nikkor 20mm f2.8 manual focus lens on a Novoflex LeiNik adaptor.
Film: – Ilford Xp2 at ISO 400 exposure about a quarter of a second.











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