When I set out for a day of street photography, I chose Kentmere Pan 400—a versatile, budget-friendly black-and-white film. Its ISO 400 speed seemed ideal for dynamic street scenes, offering flexibility in lighting conditions. My chosen locations, the streets of Witney in Oxfordshire and Winchester in Hampshire, each presented unique opportunities for storytelling through the lens of my 35mm Canon AE-1P.
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The Journey Begins: Witney and Winchester
Witney, with its historic charm and slower pace, invited me to focus on quiet details: the interplay of light on old stone facades, reflections in shop windows, and the textures of cobbled streets. Winchester, by contrast, was a bustling hub of activity. Its vibrant streetscapes required me to adapt quickly, capturing fleeting moments of motion, interaction, and contrast between its ancient landmarks and modern life.
While both towns offered distinct moods, they shared an atmospheric quality that black-and-white film brings to life—an almost timeless feel that transcends colour and focuses on shape, form, and emotion.
Development and Scanning: Embracing Hands-On Creativity
After the shooting came the development. I processed the roll of Kentmere Pan 400 at home using Ilford Ilfosol. The joy of home development is in the control it provides over the final look. Watching the negatives emerge from the tank is always a rewarding experience.
To digitise the negatives, I scanned them using my CANON EOS 5DS R and a 105mm macro lens. My scanning process included exposing to the right (ETTR)—a technique where the histogram is pushed toward the highlights. This maximises detail in the shadows and minimises noise during editing.
The results were unexpected but exciting: grainy, dark, and moody images that carried a distinct character. Rather than aiming for pristine perfection, I embraced the imperfections that film often provides, allowing them to add personality to the photographs.
Characteristics of Kentmere Pan 400: Grain, Contrast, and Mood
Kentmere Pan 400 produced striking results, with pronounced grain adding texture and atmosphere. The grain complemented both locations in different ways:
| Location | Characteristics | Mood Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Witney | Textured details of historic buildings, interplay of light and shadow, reflections in shop windows. | A quiet, contemplative mood emphasizing the timeless nature of this small town. |
| Winchester | Dynamic contrasts, movement of people, modern and historic elements juxtaposed. | A lively, gritty urban vibe highlighting the energy and layered history of the city. |
The high contrast helped isolate subjects and added depth to compositions. Kentmere Pan 400 handled both bright and overcast conditions well, though some highlights required careful attention during scanning.
Creative Challenges: Slowing Down with Film
Shooting with film, especially black-and-white, forces a slower and more deliberate process. Unlike digital photography, where instant feedback is available, film photography requires trust in your intuition and a good understanding of exposure. The 36-exposure limitation also demands selective framing—each shot feels more intentional.
Both Witney and Winchester offered their own challenges. Witney’s quieter streets gave me time to experiment with compositions, while Winchester’s fast pace required quick decisions to capture fleeting moments.
The Scanning Process: From Negative to Digital
Scanning the negatives was an equally creative part of the process. Using my CANON EOS 5DS R and a 105mm macro lens gave me excellent resolution and control. The ETTR approach, while designed to preserve shadow detail, led to images with a dark, grainy aesthetic.
I embraced this as part of the film’s charm. Grain, often seen as an imperfection in digital photography, added an authentic texture that enhanced the atmosphere of each scene. For example, in Winchester, the grain emphasized the grittiness of urban life, while in Witney, it lent a vintage feel to its historic architecture.
Reflecting on Two Locations
Shooting in both Witney and Winchester provided valuable lessons. Witney’s slower pace encouraged me to look closer, noticing details I might otherwise overlook. Winchester, with its energy and movement, pushed me to capture decisive moments quickly.
This contrast between locations highlighted the versatility of Kentmere Pan 400. Its ISO 400 speed allowed me to adapt to both bright and overcast conditions, while its grain structure and tonal range lent themselves to a variety of subjects.
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Film in Street Photography
This project reaffirmed my love for black-and-white film. Kentmere Pan 400’s unique characteristics—its pronounced grain, tonal depth, and affordability—make it an excellent choice for street photography. Developing and scanning the roll at home added a personal touch to the process, while the ETTR approach introduced unexpected yet welcome surprises in the final images.
Whether in the quiet streets of Witney or the bustling avenues of Winchester, this roll captured the essence of each location. The imperfections and unpredictability of film, far from being drawbacks, became integral to the storytelling process.
For anyone considering street photography with film, I highly recommend giving Kentmere Pan 400 a try. Its affordability and character make it a forgiving yet creative medium, perfect for exploring urban life one frame at a time.
