Pentax Spotmatic & 105mm f/2.8 lensFilm Photography A bit of a catch-up after a blogging break with another Orchard Park photo walk post, this time with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic film camera loaded with Kodak T-Max 100 black and white negative film in hand. I usually have a wide angle lens mounted as that angle of view allows me to work the foreground vs background perspective and I like getting close to my foregrounds. On this walk, I changed the pace a bit and went with a 105mm f.2.8 telephoto lens. And despite having loaded the relatively slow ISO 100 film, I banked on the sunny day and added a red filter, which effectively knocked the film speed two stops down to 25. Time to see things differently and capture different perspectives.

This walk started in the woods across the street and took me all the way to the village and back home. I always enjoy those long walks that can be 8 - 9 miles long based on some route variations, or even as crazy as 12 miles when a substantial Birdsong Park offshoot is added. Those can even hurt. But the base walk is just right, enjoyable, with no real side effects to speak of. Yes, they are demanding on time even with no photography but when photography is in the plan, the commitment can be quite substantial.

The neighborhood woods always have something to offer too, whether to runners, walkers, or photographers. I like to practice my eye there. Despite walking the trails there at least weekly, there's always something new, something different, or something I have not noticed before.

Who would not like Mother Nature arranging a log over a creek?

Log over a Creek, WetlandsOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Log over a Creek, Wetlands, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Just a few steps further down the trail waited another log. This one was more surprising as it formed an obstacle to overcome. But before stepping over, of course, a photograph had to be captured. especially since I knew this would not last long and would be cleared away soon. I was also glad this was the day I had the telephoto lens mounted as it allowed for a shallower depth of field placing focus on the trunk. Ok, now we can step over and continue the walk.

Log over the Trail, WetlandsOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Log over the Trail, Wetlands, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Even though I captured this sign several times I wanted to do it again as its future life is quite uncertain, probably just a matter of time before it's gone. While this telephoto perspective allowed me to juxtapose it against the houses behind it, it belonged to a house to the left of the frame, which is no more. Only an empty lot remains after a storm damaged the warehouse, which was cleared out, and the house shortly after.

Graffiti Grafix Signs, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Graffiti Grafix Signs, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

I always feel uneasy about taking pictures of residential houses, even if from the street and always avoiding any people. Once in a while a house catches my eye enough though to click the shutter, as in the photo below with the hose being beautiful lit from the east by the rising sun.

Residence, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Residence, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

In the past, I had photographed the Deuel Cemetery entrance path with a wide angle lens, and this was an opportunity for a different perspective. Again, the illumination by the rising sun was irresistible.

Deuel Cemetery Entrance Path, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Deuel Cemetery Entrance Path, Orchard Park, NY Photography
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Here we come to a 2-mile mark on the walk as we arrive at Green Lake in Yates Park. Circling the lake and returning at this point would cut the walk to 4.5 miles, which often comes handy when time is limited, but that was not needed on this day. The long lens helped me find a perspective I had not capture here before.

South Shore of Green Lake, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

South Shore of Green Lake, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

I often come upon this sign when it is in the shade but this morning it was lit up wonderfully allowing be to capture the cover page for a potential future zine. No, I have no active plans for a Green Lake zine yet but why not? I certainly have an ugh material from there.

Yates Park - Green Lake Sign, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Yates Park - Green Lake Sign, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

North Shore of Green Lake, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

North Shore of Green Lake, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

The Orchard Park Train Depo is a strong photo magnet for me all year long and any time of the day. On this blue sky morning, the front light was perfect knowing I had the red filter over the lens. And the newly repaired vintage signal looked spectacular!

Signal at the Train Depot, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Signal at the Train Depot, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

So spectacular, that it needed its own close up.

Old-Fashioned Railroad SignalOrchard Park, NY Photo walk

Old-Fashioned Railroad Signal, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Behind the Train Depot, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Behind the Train Depot, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Yes, as you can see I am easy to impress. This rail cart managed it on this day and many times in the past.

A Rail Cart, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

A Rail Cart, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

The path on the left is part of a relatively newly open section of local Rails to Trails and goes along the tracks here behind the depot, whereas it replaced the tracks in the opposite direction.

Rails to Trails, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Rails to Trails, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Here we arrive at the midpoint of today's walk, Gingersnap Patisserie, a wonderful local cafe and bakery that is rather dangerous to the active walker as one can easily let too many calories sneak in and negate the benefits of the long walk. Still, I'd say I wall for it at least 50% of the time. If you think you're safe because you're gluten free, you are mistaken. This cafe has a wonderful selection of goodies even for you! Still not sold? Well, don't take my word for it and go check it out yourself.

Gingersnap Patisserie, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Gingersnap Patisserie, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

No more words needed for the return leg of the walk, we've been there and you will know where you are. Enjoy the uninterrupted photographs and please, scroll slowly, it's still 4 miles and takes a while.

Yates Park in Green Lake, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Yates Park in Green Lake, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Girl Scout Camp, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Girl Scout Camp, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Shadows on the Pier, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Shadows on the Pier, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Into the Lake, Orchard Park, NYOrchard Park, NY Photo Walk

Into the Lake, Orchard Park, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic on Kodak T-Max 100 Black & White Negative Film

Thanks a bunch for joining me on yet another local walk. They all always confirm the hash tag I have been using for a while ...

Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy

Previous walks through Orchard Park, NY: The Parks of Orchard Park -  A Walk through Fall Orchard Park - A Walk through Orchard Park - New Year's Walk in Orchard Park - New Year's Walk in Orchard Park, Part II

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.

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