Back out after a yearlong break: A Photographic journey and Closing Reflections
Returning to the world of pinhole photography after a year-long break was both an exciting and challenging endeavor. It was Saturday, the 18th of November, when I finally coaxed myself back into the realm of creativity with my trusty pinhole camera. Destination: Hastings – a locale teeming with character, home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in England.
Hastings Old town beach is adorned with new boats launching into the waves daily, old weathered fishing boats that bare the scars of countless journeys, old diggers that nudged vessels into the sea and tall, black net shops standing as stoic guardians of fishing gear.
Yet, my return to this captivating world was not without its challenges. As I grappled to find my rhythm, the once-familiar tools of my trade seemed distant and unfamiliar. Reciprocity failure and pinhole conversions danced in my memory, and I fumbled to recall apps I hadn't used in ages. A light meter app, my reliable companion, became a puzzle as my recent phone change left it untested. The first meter readings revealed its inaccuracy, a hiccup I hadn't anticipated, and a stark reminder of the importance of calibration.
In a stroke of luck, a forgotten hot shoe light meter tucked away in my bag emerged as a savior with just enough charge to guide me through the shadows of uncertainty. Upon returning home and putting the app through its paces, I discovered it had been a prudent decision—2 1/2 stops underexposed, a narrow escape.
As I unpacked my experiences, both triumphant and challenging, it became evident that the essence of pinhole photography lies not just in capturing light but in embracing the unpredictability of the process. In this rekindling of my creative flame, I found solace in the imperfections and inspiration in the unexpected. The journey, it seemed, was as important as the destination, and with each exposure, I rediscovered the joy that had drawn me to pinhole photography in the first place.
The weather on that day embraced the classic British combination of wet and windy. Surprisingly, though, it was the best it had been in a long time. Yet, despite the elements being somewhat cooperative, I found myself grappling with a different challenge—composition. As I aimed to frame each shot, I realized I was teetering on the edge of taking the easy route, not fully leveraging the unique pinhole aesthetic and characteristics.
The struggle to conjure creative compositions lingered, tempting me to opt for the familiar rather than embracing the distinctive allure of pinhole photography. Perhaps the hiatus had left a temporary fog in my creative vision. However, amidst the internal tug-of-war, I couldn't deny the sense of accomplishment in merely reaching this point.
As the morning unfolded, the weather, true to its unpredictable nature, took a turn for the worse. The wind gained strength, and rain came down hard. Faced with the elements, I pushed forward, determined to squeeze out the last couple of photos. The urgency heightened, and the challenge intensified—each exposure became a race against the elements, a swift attempt to capture whatever scenes unfolded before me.
In the midst of this chaotic dance between man and nature, a certain beauty emerged. The adverse conditions became a catalyst for spontaneity, urging me to abandon meticulous planning and instead seize the raw, unfiltered moments. The last few shots, hurried and unscripted, encapsulated the essence of the day—a blend of struggle, resilience, and the sheer joy of capturing fleeting glimpses of a world transformed by the weather's capricious hand.
As I wrapped up my pinhole escapade amidst the worsening weather, I couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected beauty that arises when creativity meets adversity. Each raindrop and gust of wind etched its mark on the images, creating a visual narrative that spoke not only of the scenes captured but of the journey undertaken to immortalize them. In the end, the day might have been a battle against the elements, but it was a triumph in embracing the chaos and finding beauty in the midst of it all.
During this shoot, I opted for my Mia 4x5 pinhole camera, accompanied by film holders pre-loaded with Fomapan 100 for well over a year. To navigate the challenges posed by the day's conditions, I made the deliberate choice to meter each shot at ISO 400. This adjustment significantly reduced exposure times, rendering them more manageable given the specific atmospheric conditions.
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