Triumph of Cross tower from close below, cross at summit and statue on parapet, La Rabatelière Vendée, Canon AE1 Program

La Rabatelière: Month of Our Lady

May 1st: the first day of the Month of Our Lady. I loaded the Canon AE1 Program with Fomapan 100 and drove to La Rabatelière to photograph the Sanctuaire de la Salette. What I found was a burned church, an axe-marked door, a miller’s millstone, and a hillside full of statues built in defiance of the Republic. The Vendée remembers.

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A single wooden post stands in perfectly still water, its reflection extending directly below, framed on either side by low vegetation at the bank. The most minimal and considered frame on the roll — and the best argument for leaving the house with a pocket camera.

Olympus Trip 35 Review: Still Worth Shooting in 2026?

The Olympus Trip 35 is one of the most iconic film cameras ever made — compact, battery-free, and surprisingly capable. A hands-on review with sample shots from my local countryside.

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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 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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The high altar of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Nantes, photographed on a Nikon FE with Ilford HP5 Plus 400, black and white 35mm film

Waiting for the Light: Reclaiming the Cathedral with Ilford HP5+

Ian’s contemplative journey through Nantes’ Saint-Pierre Cathedral, captured on Ilford HP5 Plus film with a Nikon FE. This black and white photography essay explores reclaiming sacred space from municipal spectacle, celebrating grain, silence, and winter light. A meditation on film photography as spiritual practice and architectural reverence in France’s historic cathedrals.

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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 – Stonehenge August 2016

Stonehenge, a historical site in Wiltshire, holds different meanings for people. For some, it’s a spiritual center; for others, a family day out. After a cruise, the author revisited Stonehenge with family, marveling at the ancient construction and capturing moments with a camera. His wife was moved to tears by the experience, pondering the site’s mystical energy.

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The Opening of the Film Archives—the Hangar à Bananes August 2016

This is the second part of a special day with the author’s daughter. They visited Jardin des Plantes, then went to Altercafé at the Hangar à Bananes. The daughter’s strong-willed nature is highlighted, and the author reflects on her as a model. The day concludes with the recognition that even a top model needs rest.

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The Opening of the Film Archives—Jardin des Plantes August 2016

The writer reminisces about a time when his daughter was younger and more eager to spend time with him. He describes a visit to the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes, recalling how his daughter subtly led the photography outing. The images captured hold nostalgic value, representing a specific moment in time from 2016.

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