broad_ologie: Blickling

Showing posts with label Blickling. Show all posts

Friday, 27 February 2015

Review: Lomography LC-A+

Today I finally got two rolls of film that had been through the Lomo LC-A+ (that I got for Christmas) developed.

I was going to do a bit of editing but the store didn't scan TIFFs as I requested, they gave me JPEGS ....72dpi... (ALWAYS THE SAME). So here is my selection in it's unedited glory.

Lomo Chrome Purple 100-400 (this film and the LCA+ are available at Lomography Store in both 35mm and 120):

Expired Fujicolour 200

So I am hard pressed to decide what I enjoyed most about shooting these rolls. I love how easy the double exposure feature is with the LC-A+. But the effect of the Lomo Chrome Purple is sensational! I'm also a bit enamoured by the grain on the Fujichrome! I am really looking forward to shooting the next roll I have. Also excited when my turquoise edition is shipped!

With the LC-A+, metering is done by half pressing the shutter. One red light means you're all good. Two means your pictures will end up either under or over exposed. Now every shot I took; I had one red light. But as you'll see from this selection some did still come out exposed incorrectly. This might have been due to the batteries going down. Or maybe just how far away I was in low light! Since the LC-A+ let's you set your ISO, you can always try pushing the ISO up to compensate for the low light.

In any case, happy accidents. I like the gothic feel. And I will be scanning in the negatives to see what I can do to compensate for the exposure.

The LC-A+ is a really great camera to have in your bag for some analogue adventures.

Pros:

Double exposures are a breeze.
Compact, light and robust. Perfect for having with you all the time.
Focusing is straightforward.
Manually select your ISO. Great for when you have ISO variable film (eg Lomo Chrome!)

Cons:

Metering can be a little off at times.
Can't focus close up. 0.4m is the closest you can get.
Vignette a little inconsistent.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Friday Adventures: 6th February Blickling Hall

Today I took myself off to Blicking Hall. There is a particular piece of architecture on the grounds I had sudden inspiration to photograph!

Quick shout out to David Hopley a talented photographer in York who sold me his old (brand new) tripod for a bargain price! Armed with this and after quickly stopping by at Wex Photographic to pick up a Cokin ND8 Filter, I was ready!

Having not done a great deal (no) long exposures before I had a lot to learn!

First I found out how light leaks through the viewfinder. So I covered the camera with my jacket. Since my camera was second hand I didn't get a cover for it with the camera.

Then I discovered 30 seconds is not always long enough to get the right exposure. Keeping your finger on the button during bulb mode causes shake/blurring. In short I need a external shutter release cable.

Finally I discovered. TO MY HORROR. I had a HUGE fibre stuck to my sensor. Initially I thought it was on the filters and spent about 10 minutes trying to 'clean' them. Queue a visit to Wex on the way back to pick up a puffer.

But after all that I did get one shot that I am pretty happy with.

To get this shot I used a combination of the Cokin ND8 & P007 Infrared Filters and a 30 second exposure at F22. Editing wise I converted to Black and White in Capture NX-D and then did some dodge/burn in GIMP. And used the clone stamp tool to rid the picture of the ghastly fibre!!!

Due to the freezing temperature and the long exposures my battery didn't last long (I don't have a spare - another thing to add to the list of near future purchases). I'm going to go out there again and see what I can do with more experience and a clean sensor!!

Wex Mondays: Week 6

My entry this week was my favourite image from Blickling Hall.

I am really pleased with this image. It might be a little over edited for most folks taste, but I really wanted to make that moss glow! I really had fun with this picture. It was my first attempt at long exposures and since I was working with a infrared filter guesswork was involved as to how much light was stopped.

I didn't place this time. But the winners images were truly stunning. Check out the current leader board on the Wex Photographic Blog.