Monday, November 26, 2012

Contact Sheet Love

Last week I bought a new lens for the Bronica - a super-wide 40mm F4 - from Ffordes. It's gorgeous, and it only cost £250 - what can you get for a digital camera for that price? Pretty much nothing interesting - you're limited to a used 50mm f1.4.
I'm lucky enough to work for a publication where I can take a risk with my photography, so shooting film is still an option, and an option I'm always eager to take - it gives the mag a different look and feel and sets us apart from the rest of the market. Well, that's my excuse at least.
On Friday I headed down to Bristol to shoot some photos for a feature in Privateer 13. I decided to shoot black and white film, medium format, and for some of the shots I used two off camera flashes. There was a lot of experimentation going on and a lot of opportunity to fuck up, but having got the contact sheets back today, it appears everything worked ut just fine. Now it's just a case of scanning the negs - I cannot wait for these shots to appear in print. They look amazing. Privateer 13 will be available mid January, more info at www.privateer.cc


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Today


CX-89, originally uploaded by Lambrini2010.

Was muddy as hell. I raced hard and I came fifth; I then spent two hours cleaning everything and I reckon I've got another hour to do tomorrow. This sport is nuts, but I love it. Loads more great photos from the London League at Gunpowder Park at http://www.flickr.com/photos/irl2010/8217536813/in/set-72157632100714430

Monday, November 05, 2012

27th best

The sad sodden earth pleads with your tyres to remain, like peasants pleading for mercy in a medieval painting, arms aloft, loss and fear etched in their faces.
It saps and strains until finally you give in and stop pushing on the pedals, let bygones be bygones and come quickly to a halt.
It takes different people wildly varying amounts of time to come to the conclusion that resistance is futile, that mother earth will win and you will come to halt. Physique, past performances and form separately serve an unreliable predictor of performance in these conditions; William Hill was notable by his absence in Ipswich.
Me, I came 27th on the back of no really impressive results or performances. I got overtaken and I overtook, with no real logic to the speed of people I was passing or being passed by. Why didn't that guy ride like that at the start of the race? Is that guy ok? He's going so slow. It makes no sense, and that's why we do it: some days it comes together and you keep the standstill at bay till the right side of the finish line. Yesterday was one of those days.