Pedals and Pinhole: A Week of Creative Exploration
- THE COMMUTE -
5 DAYS - 6 PHOTOS - 60 MILES
5 LARGE FORMAT PINHOLE CAMERAS
My daily commute involves cycling to and from work, with the ride home often taking a scenic detour or an extended route to squeeze in a few extra miles. This week, I decided to switch things up by bringing a different large-format pinhole camera with me each day. The challenge? To capture a single image along the way that reflects the spirit of the journey.
For these shots, I used Fomapan 100 film
MONDAY
Camera: Harman Titan
Monday kicked off the week with beautiful weather and barely any wind, so I took the opportunity to cycle along the seafront. After about 3 miles of uphill pedaling, I reached the top of the South Downs—a stunning but challenging part of my ride home.
My first stop was Eastbourne Pier, where the wet sand at low tide created a perfect reflection that immediately caught my attention. I exposed the film to ISO 400, resulting in a 1-second exposure.
I had hoped for overcast skies during the week to stretch out my exposure times, but the sun stayed bright for the entire week. As a result, every shot I took, including this one, ended up with just a 1-second exposure.
Later, after the climb, I decided to take a rest on the top of the South Downs. The view was spectacular, and I couldn’t resist capturing a second photo—this time of my bike resting against the landscape.
The simplicity of the shot felt perfect for the pinhole camera, balancing the effort of the ride with the serenity of the view.
TUESDAY
Camera: MIA pinhole
Tuesday brought stronger winds, so I took my ride in the opposite direction, passing by a castle that dates back nearly 1,000 years, with a rich history spanning over 16 centuries.
The sense of timelessness surrounding the castle felt like a fitting subject for the pinhole camera.
For the shot, I rested the camera on a fence post to steady it for the exposure.
WEDNESDAY
Camera: ONDU 4x5 rise
Wednesday was a busy day, so I couldn’t afford much of a detour. Instead, I headed straight under the bypass bridge to capture a quick shot. Using the rise feature on the ONDU pinhole camera, I framed the bridge from a low angle, highlighting its structure and the contrast between the shadows underneath and the light breaking through.
Although it wasn’t the most scenic spot on my usual route, the strong lines and industrial feel of the bypass made for an interesting subject, giving me a chance to experiment with perspective.
THURSDAY
Camera: Zero Image 4x5
On Thursday, I decided to take a route I rarely follow—one that becomes almost impassable when it rains. With rain forecast for the following week, it seemed like the perfect time to explore this trail. Along the way, I passed countless sheep, had my path blocked by some stubborn cows, and ended up with my bike covered in sheep poo!
Eventually, I came across an intriguing structure. I'm not quite sure what it was used for, as it appeared broken and abandoned, but it made for a perfect subject. Its worn-down state and the surrounding rural scenery felt like a scene waiting to be captured on the Zero Image 4x5.
FRIDAY
Camera: Mia modular
By Friday, I was struggling for fresh ideas. However, I frequently pass over a bridge on my commute, and this time, I decided to try something different—a view through the railings.
The composition turned out better than I expected, with the railings adding an interesting frame to the scene beyond. That said, I could have used an extra second or two on the exposure time to really bring out the details. Still, it was a worthwhile experiment, pushing me to see the familiar in a new way.
Developing the film
For these 6 sheets of film, I opted for stand development instead of the usual method of agitating every minute.
After submerging the film into the developer, I gently agitated for the first minute, followed by a couple of taps on the work surface to dislodge any bubbles that might have settled on the film.
From there, I let it sit undisturbed for 45 minutes.
I followed up with the usual stop bath, fix, and wash routine to complete the process.
The developer I used was Ilford DDX, mixed at a 1+9 ratio.
Wrapping Up the Week
This week of cycling with a different large-format pinhole camera each day was both a creative challenge and a rewarding experience. Blending my daily commute with the slow, deliberate process of pinhole photography added a new layer of appreciation to my surroundings. Each day’s ride presented its own unique scenes, from the reflections on the beach to ancient castles, quiet bridges, and forgotten structures.
While working with 1-second exposures under bright skies wasn't ideal, it pushed me to adapt and experiment with framing, light, and composition. I’m pleased with the images I captured, each one revealing the charm and imperfections that pinhole photography is known for.
Cycling and pinhole photography both offer a meditative quality—the steady rhythm of pedaling, and the slow capture of light onto film. Together, they turned an ordinary week into a creative adventure. I'm already thinking about what routes and cameras to try next.
GEAR USED
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