Film Daniel Ruffles Film Daniel Ruffles

Home Developing in 2024

Relying on labs is convenient, but at £12+ per roll of black and white, it's definitely not the cheapest option. Also, there's nothing quite like the magic of seeing your images come to life as you pull the spool from the developing tank.

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A Surreal Landscape at Orford Ness

Orford Ness stretches around nine miles along Suffolk's eastern coastline and is a captivating blend of shingle and marshland.

On my most recent visit, I decided to take a different approach and shoot with Lomochrome Purple film to create a landscape that feels like another world.

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General Daniel Ruffles General Daniel Ruffles

LPOTY 2023 Coastal View Winner

Back in February, I submitted a selection of images to compete in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. My journey in this competition had started back in 2020 when I was shortlisted but sadly went no further. However, with a good range of new images taken since then, I figured that I would give it another shot.

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Shooting The Canon 5D Classic in 2023

The Canon 5D Classic, in 2023, is an eighteen year old full-frame DSLR and hosts a 12.8-megapixel sensor, which, by today’s standards, might not be considered exceptionally high, but I truly believe it remains entirely practical for most uses.

In an era marked by an abundance of auto focus points, phase detection technology, remarkable high ISO performance, and impressive burst rates, it's natural to wonder if "less is more."

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General Daniel Ruffles General Daniel Ruffles

On Zen & Mindfulness

Photography serves as a powerful tool for mindfulness, and it offers a unique avenue to be fully present in the moment. When we engage with our camera, we can easily find ourselves attuned to the world around us, noticing intricate details, subtle shifts in light, and the beauty in everyday scenes that often go unnoticed.

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Film Daniel Ruffles Film Daniel Ruffles

Passages

Mid August marked another walk with Illuminate, and this time we opted to head to the beautiful Orwell Country Park. As per the previous walks, we were given a concept to capture, and this time it was around the idea of “passages”. Like previous concepts, this is something that is open to interpretation.

For myself, I feel that beyond the frame lies a dimension that is defined by the act of taking the viewer on a journey. This journey, in all its intricacies, can be best encapsulated by the concept of a "passage", lending itself to a gateway where we can look to transport the audience from something mundane to the extraordinary.

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Film Daniel Ruffles Film Daniel Ruffles

Walberswick & Southwold on HP5

Nestled upon an elevated spur of land, the charming hamlet of Walberswick sits at the mouth of the beautiful River Blyth.

Encompassing more than a thousand acres of heath and marshland encircling Walberswick, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) safeguards this scenic expanse.

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The Festival of Classic & Sports Cars

There's a distinct thrill when it comes to the world of classic and sports cars that's hard to encapsulate with mere words. Whether it’s the sound of engines revving, the gleam of meticulously restored paintwork, or simply the palpable nostalgia for eras gone by. All of these things come together to create an atmosphere unlike any other every year at the beautiful Helmingham Hall in Suffolk.

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Shooting The Fujifilm X100 in 2023

The original (OG) Fujifilm X100 is one of those rare 'vintage' digital cameras that has recently captured significant attention. When it was first released in 2010, it faced various issues, which caused a division among users. The camera was slow and clunky, the focus was questionable, and the list goes on… However, over time, after a few firmware updates, it managed to carve out a special niche and developed a bit of a cult following, with many preferring it over the models that came after.

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Landscape Daniel Ruffles Landscape Daniel Ruffles

Reflecting On Manningtree

Another month, another photowalk with Illuminate. This time it was at Manningtree in Essex, a once-thriving town steeped in history and mystery. The underlying concept this time was to engage in reflection, whether it is in a literal sense, contemplating ourselves, or introspecting about the past or the present.

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Landscape Daniel Ruffles Landscape Daniel Ruffles

Exploring Walton-On-The-Naze

Situated on the Essex coastline is Walton-On-The-Naze, a place that embodies the essence of a traditional seaside, where time almost slows down, and the simple pleasures take center stage. Whether you're wanting to relax by the sea, enjoy some nostalgia, or take a walk through history, this charming coastal town offers everything.

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Exploring Sizewell

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Suffolk lies the unique and captivating landscape of Sizewell. As you arrive at this somewhat isolated spot, the salty breeze brushes against your face and the rhythmic sound of crashing waves fills the air.

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Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra

When it comes to editing your photos, ensuring that you are seeing an accurate representation on screen is so important.

The Spyder X2 Ultra by Datacolor provides a swift and uncomplicated method for calibrating your monitor. The process is completed in just a few minutes, and for those who are not overly tech savvy, the slick setup process guides you through step-by-step. Say goodbye to off-set colours and iffy brightness!

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Landscape, General Daniel Ruffles Landscape, General Daniel Ruffles

The Essence of Time

In continuation of a successful photowalk with Illuminate where we delved into the unseen, we embarked on another journey as June drew to a close. The location was set at Felixstowe Ferry in Suffolk. This was a spot that I’d been to many times and have documented on this blog.

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Exploring The Unseen

Discover the unseen beauty of the world through landscape photography. Capture hidden narratives, challenge perceptions, and expand your artistic vision. With diverse interpretations and a distinct artistic perspective, explore the limitless playground of the unseen.

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What You Can Learn From Shooting Film in 2023

Feel like digital has made you a bit lazy? Then I challenge you to try shooting on a film camera for a week (or two). If you embrace the process and take it seriously, there’s a good chance you will notice an improvement in your photography.

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Exploring Nacton Shores

Nacton Shores, located along the River Orwell in Suffolk, England, is part of a beautiful coastal village with a rich history and breathtaking natural beauty.

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Film Daniel Ruffles Film Daniel Ruffles

Getting Creative With Chemigrams

I recently attended another workshop at Illuminate Studio in Suffolk once again, but this time, the workshop shifted its focus away from traditional photography and delved into the realm of chemigrams.

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A Stormy Southwold

Southwold, a small town on the Suffolk coast, is a photographer’s paradise. With its historic pier, colourful beach huts and picturesque lighthouse, it offers endless opportunities for capturing breathtaking landscapes. But, as any photographer knows, the best images often come from challenging conditions.

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Film Daniel Ruffles Film Daniel Ruffles

Kentmere 400

At the end of 2022, Ilford launched its budget-friendly Kentmere range in medium format. Both 100 and 400 ISO options have been available in 35mm since 2007 and were very often praised by the film community, so I was excited to hear they were stepping up the options in size, especially as I gravitate more towards medium format when shooting film.

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