Black and white photograph of laundry — possibly canoeing gear — drying on a rack in a stone-framed window recess, dramatic shadow arcs sweeping across the wall on either side.

Messing about along the river in Clisson

A 45-minute walk along the river in Clisson with a Canon EOS 500 and a roll of Agfaphoto APX 400. Castles, viaducts, calla lilies, and laundry — what film photography finds when you stop looking too hard and start looking behind you.

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Black and white film photograph of a round tower with a conical slate roof and dormer window at Château de la Preuille against a clear sky.

Capturing Time: A Photographic Journey Through Château de la Preuille

Discover Château de la Preuille through stunning black and white film photography. Explore this 11th-century Vendée estate’s vineyards, towers, and moat reflections captured on HP5 film. Learn about gîte accommodations, wine tourism, and analog photography techniques. Experience timeless French heritage where history meets hospitality in Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay.

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Black and white photograph of a Nantes café window with the handwritten French phrase "On ne peut pas acheter le bonheur mais on peut acheter du bon vin" — you can't buy happiness but you can buy good wine.

YOU CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS, BUT…

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy good wine.” A philosophical photo essay exploring what Nantes, France teaches us about the good life—beauty as democracy, the right to solitude, and pleasure as infrastructure. Discover how black and white street photography reveals the architecture of everyday happiness in one of Europe’s most livable cities.

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Black and white film photograph of a person lying on a granite ledge at the water's edge in the Jardin Extraordinaire Nantes, trees and an urban building in the distance, shot on Ilford Pan 100 with a Nikon FE

Birdsong in Black & White: A Morning at the Jardin Extraordinaire

First visit to Nantes’ Jardin Extraordinaire meets first roll of Ilford Pan 100. Shot on a Nikon FE, developed at home in Ifosol 3, scanned on Opticfilm 8100. A slower pace, a Panama hat, and the Grue Titan in the distance. Why analogue photography still matters in 2026, and how film helps me be more authentic.

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Black and white film photograph of the Maine valley from the Le Porte-Vue belvedere, the river and weir winding through the wooded gorge, Château-Thébaud.

Making the Ordinary Less Ordinary: Rollei RPX 400 at Pont Caffino

After 40 years behind the lens, still learning. Explore Rollei RPX 400 shot handheld in flat light at Pont Caffino, France. A honest look at dodging, burning, and making ordinary prints less ordinary in Lightroom.

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Photograph from the summer 2025 road trip to Lourdes, faith and family in the Pyrenées, IJM Photography

Summer 2025, Part II: Faith, Family, and the Road to Lourdes

A family road trip to Lourdes in summer 2025 — film photography, the Pyrenees, faith, and laughter with the Nikon FE, ME Super, and Ilford HP5.

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The Opening of the Film Archives – April 2017 On the Border

Discover the magic of capturing everyday moments in this heartfelt journey through the archives with the Canon AE1. Join me and my daughter Kate on a nostalgic walk through the vines, exploring how familiar scenes transform into timeless treasures through photography. Reflect on seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

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The Opening of the Film Archives – March 2017 with Kate in the Vines

Discover the magic of capturing everyday moments in this heartfelt journey through the archives with the Canon AE1. Join me and my daughter Kate on a nostalgic walk through the vines, exploring how familiar scenes transform into timeless treasures through photography. Reflect on seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

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Opening of the Film Archives, Château de Clisson, February 2017

In this entry from the Film Archives series, I revisit a visit to the Chateau de Clisson in February 2017, documenting the experience with my Canon AE1. Explore memories captured in time, the nostalgic process of film development, and a playful moment with my daughter. A journey through history.

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Opening of the Film Archives – Canon AE1 Street Photography in Nantes

Join me on a street photography journey through Nantes with the Canon AE1, capturing raw, candid moments. The article also reflects on choosing the right camera for an upcoming China tour, balancing film versus digital for unforgettable images.

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The Opening of the Film Archives – Chaussée des Moines, Autumn 2016

Explore the Chaussée des Moines through the lens of the Canon AE-1 on a golden autumn day. Discover the tranquil beauty of the Sèvre Nantaise river, the interplay of light and shadow, and the charm of film photography. This reflective piece blends nostalgia, technique, and storytelling for photography enthusiasts.

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