Ko-Fi

Monday 27 July 2020

The First Fifty - A Photobook Gift To My Wife

At the beginning of 2020 I set myself two goals to achieve by the end of the year. I wanted to learn how to develop my own black and white film and I wanted to publish a Photobook. I achieved the first goal during the first half of the year, I have documented it in this blog with all my trials and tribulations along the way. The second goal was now within reach and I began looking into how to go about it.

The photography world is awash with photobooks. From full colour coffee table tomes to small booklets and 'Zine's, it's great to see so many people putting their work out for public viewing. It shows photography is in pretty good health as we head into the 2020's. It's also great to see every form of photography being represented in print. From daguerrotypes to the latest digital images, wet plate collodion to film, there is something for everyones taste. Rather than be daunted by the competition, I decided to make my first photobook a personal one that would be only for my dear wife. She has stood by me in everything I have done in our years together and her support for my photography meant there was only ever going to be one person getting my first book.

The problem with publishing one book is the cost. It aint cheap! I checked out various sources and websites and was going to put it to one sde when fate played her hand. I was browsing through Instagram and an advert appeared from a company named Saal Digital offering a discount for anyone willing to give their services a try. At first I thought it might be one of those offers that are "too good to be true", but after a pause for thought I followed up on the advert to research it further.

This proved to be a good decision as Saal Digital are a professional photo lab who turn your photographs into books, cards, calendars, prints and gifts. I decided to give it a try and sent an email. I didn't have long to wait for a reply and was given a voucher to use towards payment of my photobook. This helped out enormously and meant my plan to give my wife my first book was possible. I had a good look at Saal Digital's website and from the various formats I chose to use the professional line and I set about designing it.

Saal provided proprietary software for me to use to design my book, but they also provide a plug-in that can be used with other photo and design software from Adobe on Windows and Mac o/s and an android app. Saal also provide simple video tutorials that are really helpful if, like me, you have never tried this before. The layout and design process are simple and intuitive and it wasn't long before I was selecting photo's and adding some text to accompany them.

One piece of advice I will give to anyone thinking of doing this is to plan ahead and have a firm idea of how you want your book presented. You can go into it cold, but having a plan will save you some time and make the whole process a lot easier. Write some notes, select your images and put them into the order you want to see them in your book. I found It's easier to match notes to images this way and it sped up the process for me considerably.

I spent a weekend composing the story I wanted to portray in my book, then adding it to my photographs.
I decided that as it was a gift I would have the book placed in a presentation box to finish it. Saal provide several choices of material and I chose an acrylic cover and black leatherette binding for the book and a natural linen and black leatherette covering for the presentation box.

Once I had finished designing my book the review process started which Saal made very easy with an automated method of making everything fit where it should. You don't have to use the auto settings, you can do it all yourself if you wish, but I took the easy way and it didn't take long to edit my book and be ready to submit my order.  The ordering process is also done in Saal's software and the payment process is secure. All I had to do was wait for it to be delivered.

It took three days from placing my order to the nice folks at DHL delivering it to my door. That's great service. The best part is my wife loved being presented with a book made just for her. She is very impressed with my effort and with the quality of the printing and finishing by Saal Digital. No one had ever done that for her before, it made it special and she said she will treasure it always.


The digital revolution hasn't managed to destroy the art of story telling, it has made it easier. The ability to publish a photobook with a digital process has made self publishing so easy and achievable for everyone. With a little care and imagination you too can publish a photobook. Perhaps a travelogue from your holiday snaps, a keepsake of a family celebration or even a special wedding album from photo's you have taken to give to the happy couple. There is a product for every occasion, all you need is the imagination to design it. Saal provide the tools to take your idea and put it into print. They also have special offers available to make your ideas even more affordable so you too could be surprising your loved ones with a truly unique gift. 


Here are a few images of the photobook I designed for my wife. Not all of it mind, it wouldn't be special if I showed you all of it. I hope they inspire you to produce one yourself. For more information about
the services Saal Digital offer and their very reasonable prices please visit www.saal-digital.co.uk Tell them I sent you.

Natural Linen bound presentation box

Acrylic Front cover with black leatherette binding

The quality of the materials is high

All images are scans of 35mm Black and White film.

Look at his face

The Face Of Wigan





Monday 20 July 2020

My Return To Wigan Park With A Roll Of Ilford HP5+ 400

With my first fifty films developed and documented I was looking forward to my next fifty and wanted to start that stage of my journey at my favourite photography location, Mesnes Park in Wigan. I shot my first film there back in February 2017 and as I am a creature of habit I thought why the heck not! My fiftieth film conicided with the easing of lockdown restrictions and mother nature challenged me with a rainy day, on my fifty first, mother nature blessed me with sunshine and clouds that made for some great images. Again my film of choice was Ilford HP5+ 400.
 

I freely admit to being an Ilford guy, my education with expired ilford film this year has taught me a lot about the capability of Ilford film to withstand some punishment. Hot temperatures here in the UK pose no problems for Ilford film, nor, it seems, does water damage. I managed to get images from some pretty messed up emulsions that gave them a vintage look despite being exposed only a few days before. Armed with the knowledge I learned through experience, I loaded a roll of Ilford HP5 into my Nikon F801 and headed off to the park.

Mesnes Park in Wigan is the jewel in the crown of the town and the easing of lockdown restrictions had brought folk back to the park to enjoy themseves and get some much nedded fresh air. I hadn't visited the park for four months and was glad to be back there to explore old compositions and just enjoy an hour or two in the sunshine. I am never afraid to revisit compositions and explore them further, each new image is a moment in time so no two images are ever truly the same.

The clouds that day gave the Boer War memorial and Pavillion some texture that adds to the composition. The Coalbrookdale Fountain was in full flow and providing a cool place to spend a few moments as folk sought a bit of repite from the sunshine as they enjoyed their afternoon. The statue of Sir Francis Sharp Powell looked happy to welcome the people back to once more rub his foot in the hope some good fortune would come thier way. An afternoon in the park was definitley lifting my spirits and I soon finished my roll of film and headed into town for a bit of shopping.


Lockdown was a tough time for everyone, but with care for our families and giving each other space, we have begun the road to getting back to normal. It may be a long time before we can truly be free from Covid 19, but the chance to spend some quality time in the park certainly boosted my spirits. I even managed a full roll of keepers which means I have to be more stringent in critiquing my images in future, but I will let you decide. I have placed them in an album on Flickr. Return To Wigan Park Here are some of the best ones from my return to the park, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.







Monday 13 July 2020

The Half Century - Ilford HP5+ 400

Recently I have reached the grand total of 50 rolls of film that I have shot and developed this year. Considering I was reluctant to develop film for three decades this is quite an achievement and I wanted to mark this occasion with a film that I really enjoy using, Ilford HP5+ 400. As I have experimented with black and white film over the course of 2020 I have come to the realisation that I am an Ilford fan.

I have shot developed and shared some of the budget films from Foma and Ilford's own Kentmere and also more expensive and technical films such as Tri-X and Bergger 400, but I have an affinity with Ilford that surpasses them all. Before anyone says it, yes, Kentmere 100 and 400 are Ilford owned and produced films, but they are a different emulsion entirely from Ilford HP5 and FP4. Kentmere's unique identity in the Ilford family is a tale for another day.
 

In late 2019 I was given several rolls of expired Ilford HP5 and FP4 and used them to learn the art of developing film at home. I took care this time to make sure I didn't spill any chemicals and to wear gloves etc. Older and wiser and all that. I really enjoyed the experience of shooting and developing expired film, I learned a lot of valuable lessons that have put me in good stead for the future. I also learned that I love Ilford film.

Ilford has a long and storied history in the world of film photography. Founded by Alfred Harman in 1879, he began manufacturing dry gelatine plates in his home in Ilford, London. It wasn't long before a dedicated facility was required and the Britannia Works became the home of Harman, manufacturing 4 types of plate and 6 types of paper. Shortly before the turn of the century Alfred Harman retired due to ill health but retained a substantial share in the company. A few short years later the Britannia Works 1898 ltd officially became known as Ilford. The company has been at the forefront of the manufacture of film, dry plates, paper and chemicals ever since, despite a few hiccups along the way. A management buyout in 2005 saw Ilford come under the Harman Technology banner and thrive in the face of the onslaught of the digital revolution. You can find a more in-depth history at Ilford Photo History

My 50th film just had to be Ilford HP5+ 400, the latest in the HP line of film from Ilford. Over the years Ilford's HP series has advanced to the film we have today with a lot of research and development of chemicals and emulsions that are safer than ever before. The digital revolution may be in a dominant position at this moment in history, but the loyal film photography community have kept Ilford going through the tough first decades of the 21st century.

Ilford HP5+ 400 is a great all rounder amongst the films we still enjoy today. It is a solid and dependable emulsion that can take a fair by of latitude on the exposure index, indeed a lot of folk enjoy shooting HP5+ 400 between 100 and 1600. Some have discovered this by accident, me included, and some have done it deliberately to achieve a certain look to their photographs. Ilford HP5+ 400 handles it all with ease. I decided to stick with box speed on a wet Tuesday in Wigan, loaded a roll of HP5+ 400 into my Nikon F801 and headed into town.


I hadn't been into Wigan town centre for 4 long months due to the corona virus pandemic, but my local Max Spielmann photo store had re-opened and I wanted a few rolls of ColorPlus 200 developed. I like to support the staff at Max Spielmann as they have looked after me since I came back to film photography in 2017. The last few months have been tough all round so it's good to see them back again.

I paid a visit to my usual haunts to celebrate my 50th film. Billy Boston's statue was giving me some decent reflection compositions as the rain drops created an ever changing pattern in the pool of water at Billy's feet. The Face Of Wigan was reflecting the rain soaked path before it and Wigan Parish church stood looking rather dignified in the summer drizzle. Wigan wasn't as busy as I remember it before lockdown, but it's good to see some life on the streets again. Here are a few images I shot that day, the rain made my choice of film a wise one
. I have tidied them up in Affinity Photo to rmove the odd scratches and spots
and I'm pleased with how they have turned out. You can see more on my Flickr account as I proved my earlier full roll with my OM-1 was no fluke, I managed it again with my Nikon F801. I hope you enjoy them.








Only in Wigan can you find a Max Spielmann between two Pie shops.



Monday 6 July 2020

Analogue Wonderland and Bergger Pancro 400

This weeks blog is in two parts. I will be sharing my views on Bergger Pancro 400, a black and white film I picked up from Analogue Wonderland, a little later in the blog. But first....
 

Analogue Wonderland, the film retailer here in the UK established by Paul McKay and his mum Mary, has recently celebrated it's 2nd birthday. I first learned of Analogue Wonderland in 2019 when I was looking for a reliable supply of film. I have a liking for Kodak ColorPlus 200 and there was a point in 2019 that saw supplies getting a bit thin when Kodak decided to finally put it on sale in North America. Our chums across the pond finally had the chance to see what all the fuss was about and promptly bought the worlds supply of it and bunged it in ther fridge. This was a little disconcerting as ColorPlus 200 is my favourite colour film due to it's cheap price and ability to forgive a stop or two of light either way. 

So off to the internet I went and found Analogue Wonderland through a swift bit of googling. I was immediately impressed with the range of film on sale in 35mm, 120, large format sheet film and even a couple of now rare formats, 110 and 620 format. They even sold APS! Sadly, they too had sold out of Kodak ColorPlus 200. However, all was not lost! I spent a while checking out their black and white films and ended up buying 4 rolls of film and began my patronage of, what was at the time, a retailer still in its infancy.
 

Seeing a new business grow can be quite a roller coaster for any trade, but growing a film business in the age of the digital revolution is a massive gamble that most folk wouldn't even contemplate. Paul spent quite some time doing his research and, convinced there was a place in the market for a dedicated Film retailer, took a leap of faith. The last 2 years has seen Analogue Wondeland grow from a small home business to being an influential and much loved purveyor of Film supplies to the film photography community not just in the UK, but world wide.
 

Analogue Wonderland have since branched out into the world you tube and in collaboration with Marina from www.ifwefilm.com/, produced a three part video series aimed at informing folks who may be considering trying film photography for the first time how they can go about it. Marina has also been a regular contributor to Analogue Television, the weekly you tube show where Paul invites a guest from the world of film to talk about their craft and answer questions from the Analogue Community. If you know of anyone thinking of trying film photography, or maybe someone wanting to come back to film after many years away, you will be doing them a huge service by pointing them in the direction of Analogue Wonderland. You might even enjoy it yourself. Marina is very passionate about Film Photography and it shines in the series. You can check it out here
Analogue Wonderland Beginners Guide to Film


I first bought a couple of rolls of Bergger Pancro 400 from Analogue Wonderland back in August 2019. I had seen it talked about on the Negative Positives Podcast facebook group and wanted to see what the fuss was about. I was not disappointed. Bergger is a film manufacturer based in France that has one film. Bergger Pancro 400 in 35mm, 120 and Large Format sheet film. They also produce the chemicals needed to develop Bergger Pancro 400 at home and also the paper to print it on in your home darkroom.

My first 2 rolls of Bergger Pancro 400 were developed by my friends at Photo Hippo 

in Burnley. I hadn't begun home developing at the time and I was rather pleased with how it performed. Bergger Pancro 400 is a dual emulsion film that has two layers, one of silver bromide and one of silver iodide, to give a rich tonality to your photographs. I decided recently that as I was now more confident at home developing I would give it a try. Bergger supply the right chemicals for the developing process, but you can use other developers. I used Kodak HC-110 dilution B and, rather than shoot it at box speed, I shot it at 320. I saw Bill Smith's results on the Negative Positives facebook page with his Bergger film and liked what I saw, so went the same route.

Sadly the weather here hasn't exactly been conducive to going outside with a lump of metal hanging around ones neck. Thunderstorms have been rolling across the UK, but a favourable gap in the weather on Thursday afternoon gave me a chance to do an evening of photography around the local trails. I had loaded a roll of Bergger Pancro 400 into my Nikon F801 a couple of days earlier and had done a few test shots in my garden to make a start. Once the clouds parted I headed out.

Bergger Pancro 400 is a great film for bright evenings, It's probably at it's best in late afternoon when the shadows begin to lengthen and just gets better as the evening draws on. Shooting it at 320 slightly over exposes the film and developing it as normal in HC-110 dilution B is as sweet as Bill described. The twin emulsion layers compliment each other and combine to give a plenty of detail and rich contrast. It's also a very forgiving film, Bergger Pancro 400 has enough latitude to forgive mistakes along the way. It retains details you might not see on the negative, but show up with some dodging and burning in the dark room or in the photo editor of your choice.

I have another roll of Bergger Pancro 400 in the fridge and hope to be getting out a bit more now lockdown has been eased. I have missed street photography during the pandemic, empty streets aren't really my thing, but a vibrant town centre can be full of compositions that Bergger would excell at. I just need to make sure my skills are up to it after 4 months and you can be sure i will share it with you in a future blog. You can buy Bergger Pancro 400 along with a wide range of film and film supplies at https://analoguewonderland.co.uk/


Here are a few images from my latest experience of Bergger Pancro 400 and my first experience for comparison. I hope you enjoy them.
From my recent session July 2020

July 2020

July 2020

July 2020

July 2020

July 2020

October 2019

October 2019

October 2019

September 2019

September 2019

September 2019


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