Dale Steet - Medium Format Film Camera

Background:

As part of the 'Places' assignment there was an option to use a medium format camera and produce 1 roll of film in the form of black and white prints. I have gone somewhere in between. I have used my trusty old Rolleicord 120 camera to produce  a set of images of Dale Street in Manchester, but decided to scan the negatives in  digitally.

Dale Street is in the Northern Quarter of Manchester that is going through a major face lift. I had worked in this area for about 7 years and always said I would go back and photograph it. Dale Street has always been synonymous with the rag trade and many of the buildings have not changed since being built at the time of the industrial revolution.

I wanted to keep within the look and feel of this area so I purposely chose the Rolliecord to captured these images. The day for this session was sunny and bright which has caused some issues with flare. The image above was taken looking down the length of Dale Street, its only the cars that can date this picture.

This image is of the old JD Williams building on Hilton Street that runs parallel to Dale Street. This photography does not do this door way with its arch and small glass  panels justice. It's somewhat spoilt by the VW car and parking sign on the wall.

Just a few yards on from the archway door is the side of the old JD Williams building that have now been turned into flats. This building has a beautiful  art deco fascia restored to its former glory.

The following images are all taken on Dale Street:

Must remember to wind the film on!!

Camera Rolleicored

Film Ilfod HP5 400

Shutter Speed 125th sec

Aperture between f22 and F11 (you don't get a lot of choice for a large d.o.f on a Rolleicord - its either f22 of fll, or move the dial somewhere in between and hope for the best!

Saturday 1st May 2010

Learning Outcomes:

1. To control the flare I will have to make a hood for the Rolleicored

2. These old medium format cameras add something in the right situations. Yes you would have got clearer shots and more detail with DSLR, but somehow I don't think it has that creative quality.

3. Remember to wind on the film - I lost 3 on this roll.

4. Still think there are to many cars around spoiling our shots!!