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Winter Stopped By, Part 2
... continued from Winter Stopped By
While I did not intend on this being a two-part post here we are back to the wonderful Birdsong Park in Orchard Park, New York. Not only did I have more photos to share but I completely forgot about including some technical information last time. I usually skip the technical details and focus on the images and the experience but sometimes, I get excited enough about the process to share, and that is what I would like to do here.
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So what got me so excited to really want to go into the details? It's the chemistry! I develop almost all of my film in commercial developers and for black and white negatives, I've settled on Kodak XTOL or it's alternatives, like the LegacyPro EcoPro developer. I like the balanced contrast that gets me, the sharpness, and just the right amount of grain to my taste. And I really enjoy developing film myself. I am pretty sure I would not be a dedicated film photographer if I did not do my own development. To me, that is the essence of the experience, even if time consuming.
Through the Winter LandscapeBirdsong Park
Through the Winter Landscape, Birdsong Park, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
However, here and there my curiosity gets the better of me and I need to try something else. This time, I intended from the very beginning to run this roll of Fomapan 200 through Caffenol. Fomapan 100 and 400 have been my go to black and white films for a long while but for a bad reason I stayed away from 200. A bad reason you ask? I read a few articles on various message boards and online groups and they all raved about how good the classic grain of the 100 and 400 is while they decried Fomapan 200. After years, I finally bought a roll of 200 and decided to give it a whirl.
The Creek Guard Tree in Winter, Birdsong Park, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
I also wanted to give Caffenol another shot. I had used it a few times in the past but was somewhat neutral about my results. I actually liked my results with darkroom prints in Caffenol more than my film developing. However, I had seen several outstanding photos developed in a different recipe, specifically Caffenol Delta. It is my understanding the recipe was fine-tuned specifically for Ilford Delta films, which have T-Grain emulsions. Since Fomapan 200 is a hybrid, I figured why not give the same recipe a try. It is a very simple recipe:
- 1000ml Water
- 45g Instant coffee
- 24g Washing soda
- 20g Vitamin C
Even though this recipe does not call for Potassium Bromide (KBr) I added 1mg. I had it available and I also wanted to develop a higher speed film with it. I used the first 500ml for Fomapan 200 and the other 500ml for Agfa APX 400 exposed at EI 800. To complete the technical details here, I developed this roll of Fomapan 200 at 68°F for 12 minutes. I am so happy with the results that I will definitely try even the classic Fomapan 100 and 400 in the same recipe. What gets me so excited about Caffenol? I love that it is easy to make at home with mostly easily accessible ingredients, and I love the almost zero toxicity. Yes, I ended up adding KBr, but only 1mg along with 1,089mg of other environment friendly ingredients, which is less that 0.1%.
White Trail of WondersBirdsong Park
White Trail of Wonders, Birdsong Park, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
So there you have it, the look of winter combined with silver, coffee, vitamin C, and washing soda. What's not to like? I'll admit, I am hooked!
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
References: You can find a whole publication dedicated to Caffenol recipes here: The Caffenol Cookbook.
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. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
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Icy PierWinter Wonderland
Icicle FormationWinter Wonderland
BrokenWinter Wonderland
Eighteen Mile Creek Bend in WinterWinter Wonderland
ReachingWinter Wonderland
Winter Stopped By
On Christmas Eve 2020, the weather decided to cooperate and sent a nice dose of puffy snow our way. Waking up the next morning was quite magical with almost a foot of snow on the ground and trees coated in white. It was time for a family walk and definitely an opportunity to take a camera along. The location choice? Birdsong Park right in Orchard Park, New York.
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We were the first ones to arrive for a walk there. The road leading to the parking lot loop was plowed but the parking spaces were not. With a four wheel drive vehicle and a shovel in the trunk the foot of snow was not going to stop us even if the snow plow created an even higher barrier to enter. Off to the side we pushed in, parked, and set for our walk.
We had to make our own path through the field before entering the woods, which made walking more challenging but also more rewarding and definitely created a wonderful winter mood. Nothing quite matches the feeling of walking through fresh snow, feet sinking ankle deep or more with fresh cold air to breathe.
As always, this park does not kid around and has some beautiful sites to offer as soon as one turns into the woods on the first boardwalk. The path leads over a wet area and a creek and looks beautiful on both sides. I usually find the view to the left more appealing but this morning I believe the right-hand side actually had an edge with the trees and branches covered in pristine white snow.
Winter Creek at BirdsongOrchard Park, New York
Snowy Winter Creek at Birdsong, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
It's beautiful occasions like these that the camera of choice drives my photography quite a bit. With the Yashica twin lens reflex camera being loaded with 120 film I only had 12 frames for the morning. And since this was a family walk I wanted to keep things simple and did not even bring a spare roll. Thus, 12 it was to be split between portraits and landscape photos. With a 35mm roll of 36 I would have probably gone crazy and used up the whole roll too. As a result, the shorter roll held me back and made me pick and choose. That is not a complaint, that was a good thing. This being one of my favorite local destinations I already have many photos in all seasons and being choosy is the right approach, I believe.
Branches Dressed for WinterOrchard Park, New York
Branches Dressed for Winter, Birdsong Park, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
Despite the need for restraint, this spot got me. After two frames to the right I just had to take a picture of the scene on the left too. The tree bent over the creek forming a gate has been my favorite for a long time and it looked very nice this morning, Even its reflection in the creek looked better with all of the snow around.
Birdsong Gate in WinterOrchard Park, New York
Birdsong Park Gate in Winter, Orchard Park, New York
Photographed with a Yashica LM twin-lens reflex on Fomapan 200 Black and White Negative Film
Developed in Caffenol Delta Recipe
Later that day more snow arrived and we were knee deep making for even more charming walks. Unfortunately, true to the last few years, the winter wonderland did not last long and a warm front arrived and rained on the parade. I already look forward for the next winter visit. Still, even if brief, I love winter landscapes. Snow covers everything up and creates nice clean and simple landscapes. Come on winter, come back and bring it on!
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. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Watchman's Big ToeWinter
Winter LakeshoreWinter
The Green Lake WatchmenWinter
Puffed Up Smoke CreekWinter
Frosty Horseshoe FallsWinter
Fall Squares
Here we are in mid-December but the little bit of snow we had is gone by now and we're squarely back to the season of gray. I think that's a great opportunity to look at some colorful scenes from the fall season that has recently retired, don't you?
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This time I hit the road with a classic camera from the 1940, the Rolleiflex Automat. I usually load black and white film in my twin lens reflex cameras but this was in the fall and colors were everywhere. Thus, Kodak Portra 160 went in. Over the last few fall seasons I have come to really appreciate the colors one gets from various film stocks, whether the subtle tones of Portra or even the vivid colors of Ektar. They all provide a pleasant alternative to the oversaturated world we're bombarded with these days.
Hay Bales by Mill RoadFall in Western New York
Hay Bales by Mill Road, Fall in Western New York
Photographed with a Rolleiflex Automat on Kodak Portra 160 Color Negative Film
I took a slight detour on my way to the Emery Park to take a peek at the overlook at the top of Mill Road. It's just a minute out of the way and the view is always very nice. I was so glad I did that! It was just about the perfect combination. Great bright fall day with fall colors in the trees lining the large meadow and hay bales! I am a sucker for hay bales so this truly was a treat!
After that, turn around, a bit back down the hill, a left turn and off towards Emery Park. The park itself is very nice and provies beautiful scenic views in all seasons but even getting there is a treat. I often take further detours and explore the back roads zigzagging through the landscape in the general direction of my destination. There were even a few cases when I never made it to the park at all.
Stairs at Emery ParkFall in Western New York
Stairs at Emery Park, Fall in Western New York
Photographed with a Rolleiflex Automat on Kodak Portra 160 Color Negative Film
I usually don't like blotchy scenes when sunshine finds its way though treetops. Not ony is it more difficult to photograph with the high contrast between the dark and light spots but it is usually also difficult to watch and make sense of the scene. However, I really liked the set up in front of me here. The stone walls, the steps, and a patchwork of light and shadows leading up to the tree line.
Colorful Alley at Emery ParkFall in Western New York
Colorful Alley at Emery Park, Fall in Western New York
Photographed with a Rolleiflex Automat on Kodak Portra 160 Color Negative Film
To close, a small road winding through the park lined with colorful trees of the season. Always great to take a drive or a ride on roads like this, or even better, park the vehicle of choice somewhere and take a slow walk, take a breath, and let all problems melt away!
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. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Fall Colors of Emery ParkWestern New York
Letchworth ShelterWestern New York
Yellow Alley at Emery ParkWestern New York
The Music of Fall at BirdsongWestern New York
Country Road through FallWestern New York
Holding on to Summer
I know, it is December and there are snowflakes in the air this morning but since we're not all in white let's keep it warm today and go back to summer. Let's take a stroll along Buffalo's Outer Harbor and look around.
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Every time I am on the Outer Harbor I appreciate what has happened there in the last five to ten years. The comparison to the late 1990s or even early 2000s is striking. The land got cleaned up, opened to public, and lightly developed. As a result, people have a wonderful area on Lake Erie to enjoy. It's a great addition to the downtown Erie Basin Marina and it provides miles of trails for walking, running, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Up the BreakwallBuffalo Harbor State Park
Up the Breakwall, Buffalo Harbor State Park
Photographed with a Nikon N75 on Fuji Velvia 50 Color Slide Film
However, every time I sit down to post my photographs from there I also like to search the internet and learn about what is happening there and what future plans may hold. And that is usually when my heart sinks. While I view the creation on this public space as one of the best thngs that has happened in Buffalo, NY over the last 20 years it seems like there are active efforts to make that success short-lived. There are efforts to capitalize on this premium waterfront property and turn it into privately owned condos or other ventures generating cash. What a shame if that happens. What took decades to get to might forever be lost.
Water Gas StationSmall Boat Harbor in Buffalo, NY
Water Gas Station, Small Boat Harbor in Buffalo, NY
Photographed with a Nikon N75 on Fuji Velvia 50 Color Slide Film
So in the meantime, let's enjoy what we have while we have it. This whole stretch of waterfront from the Cargill Pool grain elevator all the way up to Buffalo Main Light is truly remarkable right now, whether you traverse it on foot or two wheels. And in summer there is a ferry that can take you across Buffalo River to Canalside, another recent success story. And from there, Erie Basin Marina awaits as well as Lasalle Park and more trails north.
South End Marina and Cargill Pool Grain Elevator, Buffalo, NY
Photographed with a Nikon N75 on Fuji Velvia 50 Color Slide Film
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
References: Our Outer Harbor (public comments sought now!)
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. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Grain Elevator at DuskBuffalo, NY
Buffalo Union Ship Canal Bridge in BlueBuffalo, NY
Edward M Cotter & USS Little RockBuffalo, NY
Little Rock & Spirit of BuffaloBuffalo, NY
Gold & Purple Peace BridgeBuffalo, NY
The Naval & Military Park at NightBuffalo, NY
Sunrise over Gallagher Pier RoofsBuffalo, NY
Twin Lens Challenge Zine 2020
Twin Lens Challenge Zine2020
This was such a fun project with a group of 23 international film photographers! And I am so glad I managed to wrap things up in time for everyone getting their copy before this crazy year of 2020 is over. And yes, we printed a few extra ones so if you are interested, click on one of the images below and get a copy of your own.
Support this blog: Do you like my free content but are not ready to buy a photograph yet? Using my links (Amazon) to do your shopping helps me share more photographs and write the stories behind them.
It all started back on June 1, 2020 when we formed the group to do the project. All photos had to be made using a Twin Lens Reflex Camera. Each photographer committed to shooting three rolls of 120 black and white film and selecting one photo from each roll plus one wild card to submit to the group. Then we voted on each four selecting the final two for each photographer. Twenty-three photographers, two photographs each, that gives you forty-six total previously unpublished photographs to enjoy in the zine.
The zine is only available in this printed form to provide a tangible physical output from the project in this increasingly digital world where ones and zeros are quickly born and die a few seconds later. Whether you get a copy to enjoy yourself or give as a gift to someone, the hope is that they will pause, sit down with a beverage, and flip through the pages white reading the individual commentary each photographer provided.
Yes, as you flip the pages, you will have an opportunity to learn about Twin Lens Reflex cameras, about this project, a little bit about each photographer and also about each featured photograph.
Grab a copy, take a moment to pause the hustle and bustle, and enjoy!
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. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Zine Issue 1Road Trip 2018
Zine Issue 2Chasing Waterfalls
The 135mm ChallengeZine 2019
Zine Issue 3South Carolina Road Trip 2019