Some archaeology students from Bristol University were digging up parts of Royal Fort Garden for a project this week. I snapped this photo of them sweating under the midday sun, with the intention of using it for this week’s Photo Challenge – documentary journalism.
This week I loaded some Ilford Pan F Plus 50 film into my AE-1. It’s the slowest film I’ve used to date.
I took a few photos around the campus of Bristol University but before I had a chance to shoot many, I lent the camera to my mate who visited for the weekend. He took pictures of steam trains, and we developed the film together. No doubt his pictures will be on his blog; I’ll provide a precise link to the actual post when he does. In the meantime, these are the handful of photos that I took.
The wall of the Chemistry department.
Colston’s Almshouses on St Michael’s Hill.
No 71, St Michael’s Hill
Royal Fort Gatehouse
At lunchtime today I went for a walk in Royal Fort Garden. It was the first really summery day of the year, and a lovely day to eat lunch outside.
These daffodils are in front of the physics building (left) and Royal Fort House (right).
This robin was very tame. Given that I was sat on the bench, the robin was well within arm’s reach. It had previously been even closer – about a foot behind my neck, but by the time I reached for my camera it had retreated a bit.
While I was distracted with the robin, a squirrel came and sat by my feet too. I felt like Doctor Dolittle!
Incidentally, I had such a pleasant walk that I decided to look up and email the head of grounds and gardens at the University.
Dear Alan,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say that Royal Fort Garden is looking absolutely fantastic in the spring sunshine today. The daffodils add a real splash of colour.
Please pass on my thanks to your grounds staff who clearly work so hard to maintain the garden and keep it as an oasis of peace in the middle of a bustling campus.
Best wishes,
Jonathan
And I was pleased to receive his reply…
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you very much for the compliment which we will pass on to Karen and Clayton. As you indicate we are fortunate to currently have such a professional and dedicated team of staff.
Ahhhh spring (at last)!!!
Kind regards
Alan Stealey
I shot a roll of black and white film over two snowy days on the 6th and 7th of January, 2010.
I wasn’t sure how it would come out, given that black and white film can only “see” the colours black and white, and the snow is white. As it turns out, I’m very pleased. Anything that’s not snow appears as black, and the contrast is striking. I think it’s right what they say about black and white photos showing more texture. I will definitely be using black and white for snowy scenes in future!
This is the snow sitting on my balcony railing. I love the texture.
This is a snowy car on the street outside my flat at night. I like the way the street light deepens the shadows in the tyre tracks.
Some students walk through the archway of the Royal Fort gatehouse on their way to lectures.
Some students built a huge snowman in Royal Fort Gardens. It must have been about ten feet tall, but when I visited it a day later it had started to lean.
This snow was sitting on the branch of a tree outside the physics building.
This is a new sculpture that has been erected in Royal Fort gardens to commemorate the centenary of the University of Bristol.
It’s a series of tall, narrow mirrors arranged to make a maze. Like a house of mirrors – with gaps. I recommend giving it a visit!
