Captured #23: September 2026

Hello!

Summer has been and gone, and we’re heading full-on into autumn – an excellent season for photography. To be honest, I like all the seasons but there’s definitely something about the colours and the light in autumn that are unbeatable.

It’s been a while since the last newsletter, so I’m going to do a round-up of all the things I’ve been up to, including a bunch of photos. It hasn’t been a super-productive summer on the photography front (no holidays) but I’ve definitely got a bunch of pictures I’m pleased with. Let me know what you think!

🏆 British Photography Awards nomination

Firstly, a bit of blatant self-promotion. Soz.

I’ve been shortlisted in the Street section of the 2026 British Photography Awards! The standard is high so I’m really pleased to be selected 😊

The winners are picked by a judging panel, but there is a “People’s Choice” award where the public vote, so if you’d like to vote for me you can do so by clicking on the link below:

Vote for me!

🎞️ Darkroom processing and printing

I did a half-day darkroom printing course a couple of years ago, but I never flexed the skills I learned. In July I decided to level up and do a proper 4-week course at the wonderful Stills in Edinburgh. I learned how to develop black and white film as well as make prints. It was so much fun!

I’ve been back once since (with another visit due soon) and it went pretty well I’d say. I also did my own scanning at Stills.

Using my Contax S2 (review coming soon!) I shot couple of rolls of Ilford HP5+ as well as a roll of Kentmere 400 which I pushed 2 stops for fun. I’m happier with the quality of the Ilford, but they all look pretty good. I’ve got a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400 waiting to be processed which I’m interested to compare.

Here are some of my favourite photos taken in Edinburgh and London. Should anyone be interested in buying one, I’ll be happy to do a darkroom print by hand!

Ilford HP5+

Kentmere 400 (+2)

Street Portraits

I’m getting more and more interested in portraiture in general, but mostly street portraits for now since they’re more accessible (although studio work is something I want to do more of).

It’s not always easy to go up to random people and ask to take their portrait, but I find it’s pretty much always fine if you go in with good intentions.

If you’d like to take street portraits but feel too nervous, somewhere like the Edinburgh Fringe festival is perfect to give it a go. Performers roam the streets all day and are usually more than happy to have a portrait taken, especially if you share a link to their show online!

Here are some of the portraits I’ve taken recently (plus the black and white film one above). Some on film, some on digital. You can probably spot which ones were the performers! 😊

🔗 Linky McLinkface

Some recent photo-related finds from my web wandering:

• Limiting Beliefs That Are Holding Back Your Photography. I like Doriyan Coleman’s blog, and this post about common misconceptions is great.
• When and Why to Use Flash on Film Cameras. Shooting film is one thing, but shooting film with flash is a whole ‘nother world! This guide might help.
• EmberFilm is a Mac app for editing film scans. I’ve not used it (yet!) but I’ve heard good things.
• I’ve always used Squarehood but these new Urth lens hoods look like a good alternative to check out.
• A Century in a Click: 100 Years of the Photobooth is on BBC Sounds.
• Speaking of photo booths, Glasgow photography Simon Murphy has a Kickstarter to raise funds for his new Photoautomat book. He’s reached his funding goal, but you can still back it.
• The rapid rise of photographer Misan Harriman – and what happened next is a good read about the London-based activist/photographer.

📺 Tubes

Some videos I’ve watched and enjoyed recently.

Sound system 🔈

The sound of the streets.

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That’s your lot! :) Please share this newsletter with other people who might be interested. Sharing is caring ❤️

¡Hasta luego, amigos! 👋