Ilford Ortho

I’ve never used an Ortho film before, so I had to buy one! It’s languished in my film cupboard for ages, so this was the time to try it. I planned a trip to Stourhead Gardens, a National Trust property, not too far away. Loaded up the film in the Canon EOS 30, removed my usual yellow filter, so I could try it raw – so to speak. I’ve heard that it is rather like the reverse of using a red filter, and darkens red and lightening skies. Within half an hour of loading the film the sky was fabulous and filled with clouds I don’t often see. So out I went into the garden…

The sky was quite a deep blue heading into the evening, but to my eye it does seem to have darkened it a little rather than lightened as I’d heard. Anyway – next morning, into the car and off to Stourhead. Compared to the clear bright of the evening before, this was a dull day and rather grey. It would be interesting to see the difference.

This year the National Trust are marking 75 years of looking after Stourhead which was gifted to the charity by the Hoare family on 7 March 1946. In the fore ground here is the Palladian Bridge inspired by the work of 16th-century architect Palladio, this five-arched stone bridge was built in 1762. The bridge is entirely decorative, and whilst I’m sure it would stand use, it’s blocked off so the visitor can’t walk over it!

Built in 1765, by the architect Henry Flitcroft, it is dedicated to Apollo, the sun god. It sits on a small mound and provides a good focal point from all around the lake. From the slightly elevated position it also gives good views from it’s steps. While I was there there were various harvest decorative displays that I enjoyed photographing.

The pumpkin above was the usual orange colour and certainly the Ortho film has recorded this much darker that would normally be on B/W film. Next on the tour was the Gothic Cottage sometimes known as Watch Cottage.

The art installation is of Birds and Feathers. Submitted by both people and organisations and created from used milk bottle containers! Just time for a couple more images!

This market cross once stood in Bristol, but was brought here to Stourhead by Henry Hoare in 1765, apparently with the aid of six wagons pulled by oxen! It is medieval. End of the film, and when that happens it’s time to head to the coffee shop!

I enjoyed using the Ortho Film. I wasn’t brave enough to load the film into the tank under red light, as I should be able to do. Instead was processed in my usual Ilfosol 1+9, in the usual way. The negs are good contrast but no more so than FP4 I would say. I’m not sure for me, it would add much to my type of photography and therefore I can’t see it becoming a film I will use regularly. At 80 asa in daylight it’s also a bit slow. That said it was fun to try!