April 30, 2026

Back to a birch grove after rain

A friend suggested a birch grove after rain months ago, and this week I finally went. I kept a paper notebook this time, writing down the time and the light for every roll.

The path was muddy and longer than the map suggested, but the view at the end made up for it. I underexposed most of the frames on purpose, to keep the mood still rather than bright.

Shooting with a 35mm prime meant I had to get closer than I am used to, which was uncomfortable at first. Working with a 35mm prime forces you to slow down. You think twice before pressing the shutter, and that changes the pictures.

An elderly couple asked me to take their picture. I used their phone, then made one frame of them on mine. I sat on a bench for almost an hour, just watching window light change as the clouds moved.

I tried a few long exposures, but the wind had other ideas. The handheld shots turned out better anyway. A light drizzle started around ten. I sheltered under a bus stop roof and photographed people hurrying past.

Nothing dramatic happened, and that was exactly the point.