Photographing Aldermaston Wharf with the Bronica ETRSi and Kentmere Pan 100 – Medium Format Photography
There is something quietly timeless about England’s canal network, particularly on a still Sunday morning. The soft reflections, moored narrowboats, distant bird calls, and the rhythm of footsteps on the towpath—it all invites a slower kind of seeing, and for me, a slower kind of photography.
Table of Contents
This post shares a set of eight new black and white photographs taken during a mid-morning walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal near Aldermaston Wharf. All images were made using Kentmere Pan 100 film in my trusted Zenza Bronica ETRSi, paired with the 75mm lens.
If you missed it, this outing followed the same walk during which I was lucky enough to photograph a horse and trap—an image that’s now part of my growing fine art canal series. You can view that earlier post here:
👉 Horse and Trap – Fine Art Pics
The Setting: Aldermaston Wharf and the Canal
A Calm and Characterful Location
Aldermaston Wharf, nestled in West Berkshire, is a beautiful section of the Kennet and Avon Canal, well-known to walkers, narrowboaters, and local wildlife watchers. On this particular Sunday morning, the light was clear and mild, with soft contrasts that suited the slow, considered process of film photography.
I began my walk just east of the lock, there’s a pleasing blend of canal infrastructure and rural charm here—bridges, weathered wooden gates, stonework, and moored boats all offer details worth lingering over.
Camera and Film Notes
Zenza Bronica ETRSi with 75mm Lens
The Bronica ETRSi, a medium format SLR I’ve come to rely on for its balance of control and portability, once again performed beautifully. The 75mm PE lens gives a natural perspective—neither too wide nor too compressed—which works well for canal scenes where vertical elements like posts, ropes, and reflections provide compositional anchors.
Kentmere Pan 100
Kentmere Pan 100 is a budget-friendly film stock that delivers excellent tonal range, with a classic black and white aesthetic—ideal for capturing the textures of wood, water, stone, and foliage that define the canal landscape.
I rated the film at box speed and developed it in Rodinal 1:50 , yielding smooth midtones and delicate highlights, with just enough grain to retain the tactile quality I look for in traditional darkroom prints.
A Meditation on Slow Photography
This kind of work is as much about pace and patience as it is about composition and light. The medium format experience with the Bronica encourages that. Every frame is a decision. There’s no rushing past details, no frantic shooting. I often find myself looking longer, listening more, and being present in the space—not just observing, but inhabiting it.
That Sunday morning, I passed only a handful of people—dog walkers, a couple of cyclists, a solitary boater making coffee on deck. The black and white film strips the scene of modernity, reducing it to form, contrast, and mood. It might as well have been 1955, not 2025.
Final Thoughts
If the earlier image of the horse and trap captured a fleeting moment of traditional rural life, this new series is its quiet counterpart—focused not on action but on atmosphere. It’s a reminder of how photography, especially on film, can serve as a kind of visual journaling.
I hope these photographs offer a sense of place to those who know the canal, and a feeling of quiet discovery to those who don’t.
Plan Your Own Visit to Aldermaston Wharf
If you’re local to West Berkshire or visiting the area, I’d highly recommend a walk along this stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal. It’s a place where time slows down, where the rustle of reeds and the distant hum of a canal boat engine become the soundtrack to a quiet, mindful day out.
Aldermaston Wharf itself is easily accessible—located just off the A340 between Tadley and Aldermaston village, with a small car park adjacent to the canal and signage from the main road. The nearby Aldermaston railway station also makes this a great spot for those travelling by train from Reading, Newbury or further afield.
One of the real joys of this location—especially after a photographic stroll or sketching session—is a stop at the Tea Rooms at Aldermaston Wharf. Tucked beside the waterway and just a short walk from the lock, the tea rooms offer a warm welcome, home-baked cakes, and, of course, a proper cup of tea. On sunnier days, you can sit outside and watch the boats ease through the canal as swans glide past.
The canal path is well maintained and mostly flat, making it suitable for a gentle walk or even a longer circular route through the surrounding countryside. Spring and early summer bring an abundance of wildflowers, dragonflies, and nesting waterbirds, making it an ideal time for nature-lovers and photographers alike.
So bring your walking boots—or your camera—and discover the quiet beauty of Aldermaston Wharf for yourself. And don’t forget to leave room for a scone.
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