Nikon F4Nikon F4, AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 A black and white trip back to 2022 today visiting the neighboring Orchard Park and Hamburg, New York. The camera and film choice were unusual that day as I ordinarily prefer old manual cameras for my black and white photography and go with a bit more automation with color film.  The reasoning behind those choices is purely practical. It's enough I drive my family bonkers using film instead of super sharp digital perfection. Then, if I miss focus even slightly, that does not help matters a bit. As a result, having auto focus for family photographs helps. It's a simple recognition of the fact that my eye sight unfortunately is not good and still gets a little worse as years go by. My biannual visits to the optometrist prove that.

For a change of pace, I decided to capture one Quaker Marching Band event on black and white film instead of color, which drove the choice of the autofocus Nikon F4. Film of choice was the wonderful Kodak Double-X cinematic film. And since I did not finish the whole roll at the event the combo went with me on couple local expeditions, one through Orchard Park and one through Hamburg, New York.

One Way Do Not EnterOrchard Park, New York

One Way Do Not Enter, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon F4 camera on Kodak Double-X 5222 Black & White Negative Film

While standing in front of the Green Eats and waiting for a yummy smoothie to be ready I spotted the corner above and found it irresistible. I liked the dual signage on the brick pattern, decided to center the edge of the corner in the photograph and went for a shallower depth of field to allow for the focus to fall off, which is nicely visible on the righthand side.

Walking back home luck was on my side and the Orchard Park Fire Company had their trucks lined up outside. This black and white photo provides a more subtle alternative to the usual bright red colors but I like that about black and white photography.

Orchard Park Fire CompanyOrchard Park, New York

Orchard Park Fire Company, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon F4 camera on Kodak Double-X 5222 Black & White Negative Film

Further south I added on the obligatory loop around Green Lake to the walk. It adds about half a mile and a ton of potential photographic opportunities despite having photographed it countless times. And I was rewarded this morning too. As I looked back I really liked the dark tree silhouettes against the bright light of the rising sun.

Moody Morning at Green LakeOrchard Park, New York

Moody Morning at Green Lake, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon F4 camera on Kodak Double-X 5222 Black & White Negative Film

For the next two photographs we're off to the beautiful neighboring village of Hamburg, New York. First stop, the train depot. Let's board for a trip, shall we? I really wanted something a little different and the idea of playing with a shallow depth of field came quite naturally this evening. Maybe the fading evening light gave me a nice assist prompting an open aperture

By TrainHamburg, New York

By Train, Hamburg, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon F4 camera on Kodak Double-X 5222 Black & White Negative Film

We'll close off today's mix of urban photography and natural landscapes on the charming Hamburg Beach. The photo itself is a blend of natural and manmade thanks to the "House with a View". The whole set up here with the cliffs, the clifftop house, and the often spectacular sunsets feels like being somewhere faraway on a tropical island. For a while, I visited regularly and frequently, yet now I can't remember my last time. Maybe an idea for the next photo op?

House with a ViewHamburg, New York

House with a View, Hamburg, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon F4 camera on Kodak Double-X 5222 Black & White Negative Film

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog again for today's dose of black and white film photography.

Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy

Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! For more travel photography, my Travel Photography gallery offers an interesting mix of places all around. And for more black and white photography hop over to the World without Color photo collection.

Hilbert College ReflectionHamburg, New York Franciscan HallHamburg, New York Campus CenterHamburg, New York