As I explained in the introduction for roll #08, the Yashica TLR seemed to be a good travel camera. After a short week in Paris, I managed to escape to my hometown of Brest, in Brittany. Travel photography usually translates into several types of subjects for me: people, street and landscape. When shooting digital, wildlife is part of the list, but full manual TLR with a 50mm equivalent lens is not the best to shoot your average sea bird… As can be seen below, I did try landscape, but the other two types of subjects just work better. I cannot blame the Yashica entirely, though. I have my own struggles with landscape photography.
Photography learning curve is slower with film. But there are things I should know now. For instance, do not use the Yashica for landscape when loaded B&W film when it is cloudy… Or rather, get something in the frame first! The place was moody but the picture does not do justice to the Elorn banks, near my home town of Brest, Brittany. The sad thing in this case was that I was walking with my mate Emilien and putting him in the frame would have been a much better choice. Note for future self: when there’s a portrait opportunity, don’t shoot a landscape...
What is funnier than a trip in a tram? Nothing, that’s what! This was shot in my hometown of Brest, France, in the brand new tram traversing the city center. The more I look at my archives, the more I realise the versatility of ISO 400 black and white film. No surprise it’s a photo-journalist favourite. With that loaded, you can shoot anything.
This place is in Morlaix, France. I have a special relationship with that restaurant, as my father’s side of the family used to own and operate it. The pool room at the first floor hasn’t changed a bit in the last 60 years… I think I boosted the contrast a bit too much on this one, but I wanted to highlight the features of the windows and doors.
Meet my father, who grew up in the restaurant from the previous picture. Nowadays, I would have post processed the picture in a different way. I feel there is more details in the shadows that what shows here. I personally find that the bokeh from the Yashinon lens is quite pleasing at this distance. Anyway, hi, dad!
My journey through film photography includes the quest for the best portrait of my kids and some experimentation as well. This shot was designed to be compared with a similar one (more on that later) shot with a very different camera. Apart from the test, I find looking back that this was yet another portrait by the window. I don’t know if it is because I get attracted to windows like a trapped bug or if the light coming inside just looks great. I guess these two options are one and the same, actually.