Sometimes you just have to get out, even though the weather is bad. Specifically when the whole month has been wet, so you can wait a long time for any sun to come out. And in the end, there is no bad weather, just different conditions requiring a different approach. So on a recent rainy morning I decided that it was time to shoot some black and white film, which I do not often do, and that the city would be the most appropriate destination. I had some Fomapan 100 in the fridge waiting since Christmas when I received it from my secret santa. A new film to me, so I did not know what to expect. I took the M2 with the Summilux 50mm lens, put on a rain suit (there was too much rain for jacket only), and headed for Rotterdam.
The first opportunity I got was right out of the car in the parking garage. There was ivy covering some concrete walls, wet from the rain, but with enough light to create some contrast. It turned out better than I hoped:
After that, it was just strolling around in the rain, which can be seen clearly in some of the photos, but not as dramatic as I hoped. Still not sure how to do that, capture the atmosphere of a gloomy rainy day. Apart from that, I have mixed feelings about Fomapan. I love the photo above, and I am pretty happy with some of the others, but there is a bit more grain than I like. I am not sure, the photos seem a bit murky, there is contrast, but there seem to be lacking some nuances in the lighter tones. Could be my developing though. Anyway, you can see for yourself:
The film was developed by me in Ilfosol 3 and scanned by me on the Epson V800.
Thanks for reading!
Awesome pictures of my favorite city, Aukje!
Thanks!
How refreshing to see a set of monochrome images from film. I guess that I have never come to terms with the more clinical look of digital imagery after a lifetime of seeing historical prints.
The images do look more granular than expected from a film of that sensitivity, not a film I have used. On enlarging the last bridge image the sky has a reticulated look. This could be caused by a sudden change of temperatures like wash water being colder than fixer, this causes the grains to clump together and give a slightly worm like look in even toned areas like sky.
Thanks for the post, it has reminded me that I need to buy some film for a holiday trip in September, film of choice is getting much harder to get. I have always hated presents, no mater how well intentioned, presents of film even more so…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for your analysis of the image Coline. Makes me wish we could discuss film photography over a cup of tea. And I think I know what you mean about the presents. I would choose a different film, but feel obliged to try this one, although I know nothing about it. I guess next time I am going to stick to my go-to film, until I feel that I have a consistent process at least.
I really like these pictures. The Summilux is an amazing lens and you have a good eye. I had trouble loading fomapan 100 in my Zeiss ikon Zi or sometimes it’s called a ZM, anyway, the film appeared thinner??. It could have been me. I agree with dazed, however, I think since the digital age we are checking for faults more than just enjoying the photos. That is why I love film. It has it’s faults. As Churchill said (and I paraphrase) Anyone can see what’s wrong with a thing! But what’s right with it!
Thanks Hugh, and I do love my Summilux. I can’t remember if the film was more difficult to load, so it probably wasn’t too bad. Thanks again for visiting my site, and thanks for the nice quote.