April 1, 2025

Slow afternoon at the city's oldest market

I went to the city's oldest market with an old film camera and no particular plan. Working with an old film camera forces you to slow down. You think twice before pressing the shutter, and that changes the pictures.

Shooting with an old film camera meant I had to get closer than I am used to, which was uncomfortable at first. The light was grey but generous, and wild flowers kept pulling my attention away from anything I had planned to photograph.

By noon the crowds arrived, so I walked further along the path, where wild flowers were still undisturbed. I sat on a bench for almost an hour, just watching harbour cranes change as the clouds moved.

There is something calming about returning to the same spot and noticing small changes since the last visit. On the way home the train was nearly empty, so I reviewed the day's notes and planned the next trip.

It was a good reminder that interesting pictures rarely require going far.