Behind the scenes photography during filming of Endeavour episode ‘Canticle’, series 4 episode 2, in Oxford. These shots are from the morning when the temperature was a lot cooler and more comfortable than the afternoon would prove to be. I like how these have turned out and I’m glad we had a morning of softer light compared to the contrasty light we had in the afternoon. All from the same roll of film.
[Tech info:] Konica Hexar AF, Ilford HP5 film, developed in Kodak HC110 1+31, Pakon scans.
Behind the scenes during filming of Endeavour episode ‘Canticle’, series 4 episode 2 in Oxford, July 2016. The film I used to make these pictures was left over from the filming of Star Wars: Episode VII. The film stock is Kodak Vision 3 250D and is designed to be developed in ECN-2 chemistry but as I don’t have any I cross-processed this roll in C41 chemistry which is why the colours are not completely accurate.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5, Kodak Vision 3 250D, developed in Fuji Xpress C41 kit, Pakon scans.
Lots of images to share in this post. All from the same roll of film shot at the Town v Gown 2017 boxing event which was held in the debating chamber at the Oxford Union Society. As in previous years I tried to document both the behind-the-scenes goings on as well as some of the actual boxing in the ring which wasn’t easy because of the distance between the two buildings where both of these things were happening. I wanted to travel light so I only took two lenses with me for my Leica M2 – a 40/1.4 and a 50/1.5 but I ended up using the 40/1.4 for the whole evening.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 40/1.4, Ilford HP5 @ ISO 3200, developed in HC110 1+31. Pakon scans.
Behind the scenes photography from Endeavour – Series 4 Episode 2 at New College, Oxford. This was at the end of the day which you can tell by the long shadows and harsh sunlight in some of the shots. At the time I had no idea that the main storyline revolved around the band Wildwood so after watching the episode I’m glad I managed to get the group shot with the band’s manager and some of the crew. For most of my Endeavour behind the scenes photography I tend to use b&w film the most overall but on this day I only took colour film because although I had no idea how colourful the song and dance routine was going to be, I did get a little peek at part of the set the day before when a couple of scenes were being filmed in New College so I got to see the final touches of glitter being added to the rainbow and a few of the props such as the coloured watering cans and the step ladders. That was when I felt I had to use colour film.
Funnily enough, the spot where the scene with the screaming Wildwood fans was filmed in New College Lane is the same place where Tom Cruise was filming scenes from The Mummy reboot a few months earlier. You can see some of my pictures of that here.
[Tech info]: Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton, Kodak Colorplus 200 film, developed in Fuji Xpress C41 kit, Pakon scans.
Behind the scenes during filming of Endeavour, Series 4 Episode 3 in Oxford. This was the first day of filming, a Sunday as I recall. It was an early-ish start and I remember the streets being quite empty and quiet but that didn’t last for long. One of the things I enjoy about putting these Endeavour blog posts together is going through my images and remembering things that happened around 6 months before. I don’t usually rush to develop my Endeavour films because I know I won’t be doing much with the shots until after the episodes have been broadcast so it’s often weeks or months until I see if there’s even anything on the rolls. After I’ve watched an episode I go through the film scans and pick out my selections to blog. That’s when the various scenes I photographed make sense. More to come.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton, Kodak Supra 200 film (expired), developed in Fuji Xpress C41 kit, Pakon scans.
After seeing lots of great shots from other photographer’s that use a Voigtlander 40/1.4 lens I decided it was time to try one myself. The weather recently has been very overcast and the light less than inspiring but you don’t have to always have sunny weather to test out gear. So far I am very fond of this little lens – the size and weight being two standout features – and I’m very pleased with these initial results.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 40/1.4 multi-coated, TMAX 100 (expired), developed in HC110 1+31, Pakon scans.
If you ever visit the Great Dorset Steam Fair be sure to stay until after dark because the display of steam engines all lit up is a real highlight of the day. These images are from my first ever roll of Fuji Natura 1600 film which a generous friend brought over from Japan for me. To my knowledge Fuji only make it for the domestic Japanese market.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton Classic, Fuji Natura 1600 film developed in Fuji Xpress C41 kit. Pakon scans.
Behind the scenes pictures from The Mummy (2017) reboot starring Tom Cruise when filming took place in Oxford. The facade of Hertford College was cleverly dressed to look like The Royal Thames Hospital complete with ambulance vehicles parked outside. I had a great chat with the lighting guys and it was from them that I discovered the movie is being shot on Kodak film stock which is always nice to hear.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, 50/1.5 Voigtlander Nokton, Ilford HP5 @ ISO 1600, developed in Kodak Xtol stock. Pakon scans.
During my visit to The Great Dorset Steam Fair I got to experience the Wall of Death for the very first time. This wasn’t any old Wall of Death, it was the Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death and what made it extra special was seeing it with my old friend Benedict Campbell who made an excellent short film about them (see it here). The show is nothing short of spectacular and I highly recommend it if you get the chance to see it.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton Classic, Ilford HP5 @ ISO 800, developed in HC110 1+31. Pakon scans.
Two days ago I visited The Great Dorset Steam Fair for a photography day out with my old friend and fellow photographer Benedict Campbell – we used to work at the same photography studio 25+ years ago and I was one of his assistants. Ben suggested the Steam Fair would be great to photograph because he previously visited it to make his short film about the Wall of Death (watch it here). After setting off at 6am we arrived there nice and early with beautiful morning light and not too many crowds. The weather was kind to us with just the odd passing shower during the afternoon which got rid of the humidity and helped keep the air a little fresher. It was a fantastic day out and I really enjoyed seeing so much passion for massive machines. We photographed all day, stayed until it got dark and brought back lots of pictures to share. Lots more to come.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton Classic, Agfa APX 100, Developed in Rodinal 1+25 for 8 mins. Pakon scans.
Here are some behind the scenes shots of Martin Parr at work on his project that has the working title of ‘Oxford’. I enjoy documenting all sorts of things but this is the first time I’ve shadowed a photographer at work. It was interesting to see which kinds of things caught Martin’s eye and also how many people didn’t know who he was. I’ve bumped into Martin on a number of occasions around Oxford so you’ll be seeing him again in the future on this blog. The book will be published by OUP and is due out in September 2017.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton, Ilford HP5 @ ISO 800, developed in Kodak Xtol, Pakon scans.
The Oxford comma hangs on the wall in the background
Chimping
Behind-the-scenes photography during the filming of the first episode of Endeavour series 4 (or to be more precise, Endeavour IV: film 1). These pictures were all made before the masses of tourists turned up. To say that things ended up getting very hectic would be understating it a little.
[Tech info:] Leica M2, Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton, Ilford FP4 @ ISO 400, developed in Kodak Xtol, Pakon scans.
