25 October 2013

autumnal light.

what I like the most about autumn sunny days in Finland is the light: on those rare days when the sky is completely clear - the low position of the sun creates the most perfect natural light to take portraits outdoors. today I would like to share a couple of black and white portraits we took last Saturday on a walk in the forest: the day was cold and the sky was incredibly bright - it was hard to stand still but I think these results were worth the effort.
portraits in autumnal light:
Hasselblad 500 C/M - Ilford HP5+
that is me in the first photograph and Jacopo in the second one - as you might have already guessed: Jacopo took the first and I took the second. just a couple of weeks ago he got the same model of parka as the one I have and that makes us look like we are in a team! I have developed and printed both of these photographs in my darkroom on the Sunday morning after our walk: it had been a very peaceful darkroom session - I will have plenty more this coming winter. you might have noticed that I have chosen this portrait that Jacopo took of me to become my new profile picture here on Blogger and on other websites too: I felt that it was time for a change and I really like the photograph - it seems that Jacopo really knows how to picture me.
I wish you all a lovely weekend! ♥

32 comments:

  1. They are fantastic and the light is amazing. I also love the contrast - wow, really well done!

    If I may ask: Do you have a darkroom at home or do you share one with others?
    At the moment I'm planning a darkroom for me, so I'm really curious :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Nancy! I'm happy you think so!

      I have my own darkroom equipment, which I bought a few years ago. The actual darkroom is my bathroom, which I set up with a red light every time I need to print. I wish I had a bigger space, but for now my bathroom is just fine.

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    2. Wow, that you produce such fantastic prints in your bathroom is amazing! Keep up the great work, Polly, it's stunning!

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    3. Well, once again thanks so much, Nancy!

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  2. Anonymous25.10.13

    you and Jacopo make the greatest of teams :-)
    these are extremely beautiful!
    much love and light to both of you <3

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    1. Aw! Thank you so much, dear Catarina!

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  3. I saw them first on instagram, and than I wanted to see them again. And as always, u really know how to bring out tranquility, simplicity and beauty and as always I really like them! (I hope once I will be able to take an adventure called 'developing the film';)) Enjoy the weekend! xx

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    1. Once again, your comments are always so beautiful! Thank you! I hope you've had a lovely weekend!

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  4. I agree with you, Polly, Jacopo sure knows how to take a picture of you! Both portraits are incredibly beautiful, especially because of the black and white tones. Looking forward to more in the coming winter!

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    1. Thank you, dear Katie! I'm glad you like them! I have to say I truly have a soft spot for black and white portraits in natural light.

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  5. beautiful portraits!!
    and i love you hair:)

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    1. Awono, thank you! My hair looks probably better in the photograph than it really is!

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  6. lovely photo of you

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    1. Thank you, Isabelle! And thank you for stopping by this blog - I really love yours!

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  7. you both look amazing! and yes, her really takes amazing portraits of you...

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm glad you think so!

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  8. You both know well how to take photos of each other! It must be great to share this love for photography. :)

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    1. Thank you, dear Ingeborg! In fact, I do love taking photographic walks with Jacopo!

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  9. how did you develop them? sounds interesting.. and I totally love that white frame on them (from what I saw on instagram)

    :)

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    1. Thank you, Lusu. I develop my black and white films myself at home, with Ilford chemicals and a regular developer tank - those are very comfortable and easy to use. The white frame that you saw on Instagram is actually the border of the photographic paper onto which I have printed the photos. I have then cut them the way they are here.

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  10. Seurasaari is always a nice place where to spend an afternoon! Despite being often a windy place, the island offers always some hidden locations like this one where it's calmer and it's easier to take great pictures :-)

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    1. I totally agree! That spot was absolutely precious and the sun light was falling so beautifully through the trees!

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  11. Everything is superb: the light, the depth, the tones, and, of course, your faces :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Inês! I'm glad you like them so!

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  12. lovely portraits, you two are adorable with the same parka ♥

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    1. Silvia, thank you! It is a very good parka actually - I have been wearing it for three winters now and I love it, that is why I have told Jacopo to get the same model!

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  13. Such beautiful portraits you take of each other :)

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    1. Thank you, dear Evelyn! I guess we'll need to take more then!

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  14. Team Polly-Jacopo is a winner :)
    You two are also very good looking witch makes everything easier <3 ahahah

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    1. Haha, if you say so! Thank you, dear Sara!

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  15. You too are really just too gorgeous!!! *_*

    I know I sound like a broken record....eeeehhh.... :P

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    1. Haha, no you don't! Thank you so much, my dear Charlyn! ♥

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