Frugal Film Project 2024 - November - 120

With the success of my October film, I loaded my November roll of Ilford HP5 into Baldy the Baldax with a sense of excitement. My constant tweaking over the last couple of months is paying off and I haven't been doing huge tweaks, just gentle ones to help keep the light leaks and "fat rolls" at bay. I spoke of not feeling inspired with my Olympus OM101, but Baldy the Baldax has me in its thrall. This beautiful little camera is going to be in my regular rotation long after it has finished being my medium format camera for the Frugal Film Project 2024.

For November I took a walk around the local footpaths through the countryside and woodlands. As is now customary for me, I had no plan in mind, I just wanted to see what I could find and I tried to keep my mind open to the world around me. You never know what you might find on a sunny autumn day, sadly I found the best of the autumn colour had gone. Storm Bert had blown through over the preceding days and taken the majority of leaves from the trees and all that tone with them.

Undaunted by the lack of colour and tone, I hunted for contrast and found some plastic barriers being stored ready to use as the local pathways get some much needed maintenance. There's a lot of activity involved with the paths in my local countryside and it's most welcome. Drains across the paths from the wash have been dug up, repaired and replaced then gravel is being laid and levelled. Muddy paths are not my favourite experience and the improvements will make it a lot easier for everyone to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

I made my way to the cemetery nearby and paid a visit to friends resting places there. I also have some ideas concerning a new project and wanted to take some photos there whilst the sun was shining brightly. There are people who don't like the idea of taking photographs in a cemetery, but those that do, they do so with respect. It's all about taking care to honour the people laid to rest whilst trying to capture the peaceful nature of the cemetery. Mindful of my activity I took care to select my photos and soon finished my roll of film, then headed home.

I developed my film a couple of days later using Kodak HC110 1+31 dilution B for 5 minutes at 20 celcius and soon had it hanging to dry in my bathroom. Once dry I digitised it with my Nikon D700, Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 macro lens, Valoi 120 film holder, Pixl-Latr and A5 size LED light pad. I processed the RAW files with Affinity Photo 2.

HC110, despite being a Kodak product, really does bring out the full tonal range of Ilford HP5 shot at box speed. Light leaks were still present this month, but that was down to a harsh low sun on the two photos the leak appeared on. Overall I am pleased with how they turned out this month.

With just one more film to go before I finish the project, I am gad I persevered with my Balda Baldax 4.5x6 medium format folding camera. It really does remind me of a time when Photography was a lot simpler without all the bells and whistles that modern cameras have. I recommend to anyone wanting to try Medium Format Film Photography, find a frugally priced folding camera to learn with. They are very easy to use and, when you get it right, magic really does happen.

Here's a few of my favourite photos from my November roll of Ilford HP5 400 shot with Baldy the Baldax. 18 months of constant use and gentle persuasion has really paid off and, whilst I will return to the Frugal Film Project in 2025 with a vintage 35mm film camera, I will remember this year for my medium format film photography. As always I have placed them and more in my Frugal Film Project 2024 120 album on Flickr that you can visit using the link below. I hope you enjoy them.

Frugal Film Project 2024 - November - 120