.January ‘26.

I continued to push my limits this month, getting close to subjects and looking for gestures over faces. Admittedly, I thought I’d found my pocket coming off December. I was a touch overzealous—flash in hand, no viewfinder—led to missed compositions combined with slow shutter and high flash power in bright day light. Even with my tightest aperture, ambient light won the battle. Results were more painterly than freeze frame. Although I was disappointed at first, the lesson eventually revealed itself buried in the frames… such is life. 

The one scene I was truly aiming for this month was tobogganing, up close and in action. I found my subjects and they were down. Kids sending it off some jumps at High Park. I was hoping to freeze them mid air and have some trailing ghosts with motion in the background. While I did not capture the scene—and to be honest, the frames are quite questionably terrible—I share for myself and others as a reminder that not every photographer shoots 36 for 36 a roll. I also had an absolute blast going for it. I think it’s time to strap the flash back on the camera and get the viewfinder going a bit more. 

I also took out some infamous Harman Phoenix and Red to the streets to see how it performed in the snow and grit. Results may vary. I actually don’t mind the Red. I think it offers some interesting rendering when you calibrate the colours. Of course, I mixed in some Kentmere, the premier low-tier BW film. shhh don’t tell anyone!