Bright sunshine lifted the lingering morning mist as we set off for a short forest drive today.
Shafts and shadows streaked across Jordan’s Lane, where
our path was soon blocked by a driverless tractor, the cab of which was
soon occupied by a man who drove it on its way, complete with trailer.
Distant tree lines alongside Shotts Lane remained somewhat hazy.
The colourful Georgian terrace of Southampton Road with its clusters of
towering chimneys at its point of departure from Lymington has often attracted me, but it is not a place to stop the Modus.
Today I regretted not making an exception, so Jackie drove around the block and parked in a side road while I walked back.
You may be able to spot the gentleman approaching me on the left hand pavement.
He proved to be another man who, in the days of film, had turned his kitchen into a darkroom in order to print black and white images with trays of chemicals and an enlarger poised on the daytime work surfaces while black sheets covered available windows.
We had an enjoyable reminiscing session, in which he explained that he had a large collection of black and white photographs that he really ought to “move [his] butt” to print. I informed him that the only real editing I carried out with my digital photography was cropping and converting to black and white.
I hope I had inspired him to take up his printing once more as he inspired me to produce these converted images.
The uncropped version of this 1982 portrait of Becky first published in 2014 has not yet been recovered from WordPress, but I include this header picture of her eyes from a later post as an example of a print of such a size that I needed to project the enlarger onto the floor to produce it.
Late this afternoon, having collected Dillon from Heathrow, our daughter delivered him and his young family back home and returned to her own in Southbourne.
We dined on tender roast pork, crisp Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes, crunchy carrots, firm cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, and meaty gravy, followed by a spicy pumpkin pie which Jackie had baked in honour of Dillon’s return. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Gran Selone.
What a chance meeting along a chimney lane. You must have enjoyed talking with another photographer.
It was fun, GP. Thanks very much
The misty shots are very intriguing, Derrick. Not clear but also not really fog, either. So glad to hear Dillon is back with family. Is he done with traveling now?
Yes, although he will make visits to his relatives at times. Thanks very much, Maj
Lovely images to see before I turn in for the night 🙂
Thank you so much, Anne
I love your misty shots Derrick!
Thank you very much, Aletta
We had mist and fog all day here in West Berkshire!
Thanks very much, Kim
Those first few shots are very atmospheric.
Thank you very much, Sheree
A thoroughly satisfying day and pictures. We’ll shared.
Thanks very much, Pat
The forest road looked very inviting–until the big tractor blocked it. Your meeting a former darkroom photographer was quite serendipitous!
It you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Nowadays, the odds of meeting somebody who has his own darkroom and develops his own pictures must be very remote!
Indeed. Thanks very much, John
Yay for Dillon’s return! Those houses with the chimneys are striking.
Thank you very much, Laurie
I do enjoy seeing black and whites shots.
I used to feature a few, perhaps it’s time to return to the habit.
The food sounds as delicious as always.
Thanks very much, Sue
I liked the sequence from the misty lane. I am glad that the tractor driver turned up.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Stunning shots of Jordan’s Lane, Derrick! I’m happy Dillion is back with his family. Thanks for sharing!
Much appreciated, Jill
There is something about black & white photos that intriguingly appeal to the eye, Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
My pleasure Derrick
Those rays of sunshine between the trees are so so beautiful! Same as your black and white photos!
Thank you very much, Ribana
I love those misty photographs
Thanks very much, Gary
I love the misty images of Jordan’s Lane, too, especially the second one. Becky’s eyes are so intriguing. Glad you got to talk with someone who shares your passion for photography. 🙂
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I was quite taken with the two images from Shotts Lane. They seemed perfect examples of Blake’s reference to England’s “green and pleasant land.”
Thank you very much, Linda
Bright winter sun shining through misty and forest lane is a beautiful thing, Derrick. It sounds like you had an enjoyable visit with the old photographer. I remember the days of developing film and printing by hand, too.
Love your captures of light.
Thanks very much, Sherry
You one lane blacktops remind me of those in the cattle-raising grasslands of the Nebraska Sandhills. You sometimes get caught behind cattle being herded from one pasture to a new one, and you just get to enjoy the scenery as it slowly moves forward! Yes, there still are cattle drives in the contemporary West.
Once again, I enjoyed your drive through the forest and in town! I, too, have lots of photos on film that could be printed, but give me digital files any day. They definitely have the advantage when it comes to editing, and they take up much less space.
Thank you very much, Doug
Gorgeous photos, all! I am especially captured by the B&W photos!
And those first two photos are perfection! 🙂
So glad Dillon is home safely! 🙂
(((HUGS)))
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
I am never sure about black and white. I think they work sometimes but not always.
Thanks a lot, Andrew. When form or mood suits it, I think
I thoroughly enjoyed your black and white photos, Derrick. However, the other ones are also worth mentioning, since one can actually see sunshine breaking through the mist.
The misty photos have a mysterious aura about them. Black and white photos seem to have a crispness about them and bring out the detail.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Black and white photography, always charming.
Thank you very much, Bridget
Beautiful photos–the mist and the black and white. It sounds like your photography conversation was enjoyable. It’s wonderful Dillon is home.
Thank you very much, Merril
I love black and white photos but people are more life like in colour. But then again, it’s all in the eyes.
Thank you so much, Chrissy
The mist and shafts of light can contribute to the aura of an image when done the right way, you have produced classic examples. Black and white conversions are top notch.
Thank you so much, Uma
Lovely photos and the light.
Thank you very much, Rupali
A great post, Derrick. I too love the Black and White process and did many prints.in my early days of marriage. I liked contrast, so I went for the F4 glossy paper!
I also love the black and white photos. But I don’t think the digital conversions have the same feel as the ones that you pull out of the developing tray. So now I know what I have to write tomorrow and thank you for the prompt a little bit of nostalgia.