Sauntering Vaguely Downward

A couple of days ago, the children picked a mass of wild garlic so that we could try cha_mel_eon’s technique for making anthotypes. The choice of plant material is the first deviation from her method, as she used wild spinach. The effect of this difference will become apparent later. Be grateful that this post doesn’t involve smell-o-vision as the whole process reeked. The smell of wild garlic is much more powerful than the taste, but this doesn’t help when you aren’t eating it.

Ingredients and tools:

• Phone camera
• Wild garlic, approx 50 g
• Vodka, approx 30 mL
• Hand blender and jug
• Bowl, teaspoon, and fine sieve
• Brush (calligraphy style)
• Two sheets of sketch paper
• Two empty picture frames
• Direct sunlight
• Time

( Process )

At the weekend, Keiki expressed an interest in using a film camera. I think this might be because of one of the Miyazaki films we’ve watched recently. I showed him an array of the film cameras I have tucked away, and he picked out the Polaroid Impulse. As I haven’t used it in six or seven years, it didn’t have any film in it,. The packs only last about twelve months, so I would have had to get some new ones anyway. I didn’t want to order off Amazon as sellers there don’t seem to have any scruples about flogging expired film. I wasn’t entirely prepared for the sticker shock. I got some from Jessops, who didn’t have any colour film in stock, but did have black-and-white at £18 for a pack of eight. It focuses the mind wonderfully when you know that every time you press the shutter release, it costs £2.25.

Once I got over that, the film arrived in two days and I checked the manufacture date: October 2019. Phew. I loaded up the Impulse and instructed the children to work out two photos that they wanted to take outside in the garden.

( Closeups )

We’re saving the other four shots for a walk up the canal. I’ve also promised to rustle up some colour film, but possibly they’ll have to earn it through chores, as this could become a very expensive hobby otherwise.

I know I'm not obliged to post every day, but as (a) I don't have the energy to do the big Roman Baths photo post tonight and (b) this picture makes me laaaaaugh, here is a small photo post.

Fledgling swallow demands food from adult swallow. Fledgling swallow was, just before this photo was taken, swooping around catching insects for itself.



( Answer behind the cut )

I went for a walk this morning with my camera + macro lens. Right up until the very end of the walk I was kicking myself for not bringing the telephoto instead because it was already too hot for butterflies and damselfies to be sitting still, and then I came across this mallard duck shading her baby from the sun. Aw.