The Atlas Mine Museum is located just outside of Drumheller, Alberta in the Badlands. A coal-mine (now closed) it is a fascinating location, especially if you like heavy machinery. In one area of the exhibit, a lot of abandoned machinery and parts are laid out, against an amazing backdrop.
Rolleiflex 3.5E3, 75mm/3.5 Xenotar lens
Plus-X developed in Rodinal 1+25
Toned in post
This is another image taken during my recent trip to the Badlands in Alberta. It had rained the day before, so the textures of the rock and sand were smoothed and muted, but still alien and harsh in their own way.
Voigtlander Bessa R 35mm, 15mm/4.5 Super-Heliar lens
Rollei RPX 25 film developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 12 minutes
Toned in post
A couple of days ago on a visit to Guelph to see my good friends Katherine and Rob, I took some portraits of Rob with my Olympus Pen F half-frame camera, shooting on Ilford FP4+. I really like the look of the half-frame negative and medium speed film for portraits of men in the prime of life; the texture of the grain in this film, or Eastman Double-X suit the subject matter.
This image is a view of the lake at the Laurentians home of my friend Michelle. It was taken inside a hut, looking out through a window. To me the window looks suspended is space, and I reminded of the concept of the classic Science Fiction story Light of Other Days, where “slow glass” forces light to take years to pass though it.
Rolleiflex E3, 75mm/3.5 Xenotar lens
Kodak Tmax 400 film developed in Xtol 1+1
The railway bridge in Lethbridge, Alberta is quite iconic, and it was interesting to look at it through a gazebo-shaped look-out at the top of a hill.
Voigtlander Bessa R, 15mm/4.5 Super-Heliar lens
Ilford FP4+ film, developed in Xtol 1+1
Here is another image of my friend Michelle, taken at the Quebec meet-up of friends she hosted. This photograph was made with my 4×5 Speed Graphic, my antique Petzval lens, some amazing light, and an amazing subject 🙂
Recently I was in Alberta for business meetings, and as I was staying over the weekend I had time to do some exploring and drove up to see the Badlands around Drumheller. These formations are called hoodoos; the day brought a bright overcast sky, and combined with a strong backlight the landscape had an alien look to it. While the hoodoos are not as big as one might think (only a few metres), their shape is fascinating.
Rolleiflex 3.5E3, 75mm/3.5 Xenotar lens
Plus-X film developed in RodinalÂ
Today’s image is a portrait of my friend Michelle, who hosted a lovely gathering outside of Montreal a couple of weeks ago. I think the landscape orientation works for this portrait, and I love the expression she has!
Pentax Spotmatic F with Helios 44/2 58mm lens
Rollei Retro 80s film, developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 20 minutes @ 20 C
Toning and diffusion in post
Finally back with a new image! This is my good friend Sylvain; a couple of weeks ago I enjoyed meeting up with him and other good friends just outside Montreal. This image was created with my 4×5 Speed Graphic and 1860’s Petzval lens.
When Sylvain saw the image, he said he thought he looked “serious.” The word that works for me is “thoughtful”; like everyone at the gathering, Sylvain is a person of great depth and creativity; he lives up to the caption on his T-shirt. This lens has a very shallow depth of field, but I think it captures depth of character.
HP5+ developed in D-76 stock solution
Yesterday was a bright sunny day, and I probably should have known better than to go out with Eastman SO-331, a special purpose duplicating film with almost impossible to control contrast. Amidst the soot and whitewash I did get an image that turned out OK, and the fact that this film stock has no anti-halation layer made for some interesting glow effects.
Nikon F4S body, 50mm/3.5 Micro-Nikkor lens
SO-331 stand developed 1 hour in Rodinal 1+150 @ 20 C
My Third Eye 