Black and White Film Photography at Ogawa Suwa Shrine

The making of a B&W film photograph

Since it was cherry blossom season, I recently, I took a visit to the nearby Suwa Shrine in Ogawa-town, Iwaki City, Fukushima, Japan to engage in some black and white film photography. It’s a place steeped in culture and tradition, and it presented a perfect moment for some heartfelt photography.

The Scene

Tucked beneath the gentle bloom of cherry blossoms, the shrine was adorned with traditional decorations, including lanterns that swayed slightly in the breeze. Each element seemed to tell its own story. Among these serene surroundings, I captured an elderly woman in a moment of prayer, her gesture of reverence connecting her with generations past.

Technical Choices

For this particular occasion, I chose my reliable Hasselblad 503cxi, a medium format film camera that’s fantastic for capturing detailed and well-balanced images. I used the standard Carl Zeiss 80mm lens and a yellow contrast filter. I shot on Ilford FP4 film, developed in Kodak HC-100 developer solution “B,” known for bringing out fine grain and high sharpness, which added a timeless quality to the image.

Perfecting the Exposure

To ensure the exposure was just right, I used a Sekonic light meter for an incident light reading. I walked up to the shrine and pointed the dome of the meter back towards where I planned to take the photo from. This method helped me accurately capture the soft, diffuse light, emphasizing the detailed textures of the scene without harsh shadows or overblown highlights.

From Film to Digital

After developing the film, I scanned the negatives with my Fujifilm X-T4 digital camera using a Fujifilm XF 80mm macro lens . This hybrid approach allows me to combine the authenticity of film with the convenience of digital technology, ensuring that the unique character of the analog image is preserved while facilitating editing and sharing. Rest assured, I will be making a full analog darkroom print of this later, however.

Looking Ahead

This photograph goes beyond simple documentation; it’s a narrative that invites reflection on cultural significance and personal devotion. I’m also planning to create a darkroom print of this image to deepen its visual narrative further. I’ll be sure to update the blog with that experience and the reflections it brings.

I hope this image and its story resonate with you as they did with me. It’s a reminder of how photography can connect us to the enduring aspects of human culture and spirit. Join me as we continue to explore the power of photography to capture and celebrate these moments.