Wine Country in 120 Roll 2: Ilford HP5
October 26, 2026
Yashica D · Ilford HP5 Plus 400 · 120 · 6×6 · Sonoma, CA · May 3, 2026
Every time I shoot black and white film, I wish I shot it more often. I've gone back and forth with different black and white films over the years, and while I never love HP5 the most, I do find it one of the most consistently solid. I decided that an overcast morning was the perfect time to break it out, and I was so happy with the results. The clarity of black and white, as well as how it simplifies the scene by removing color, was really fun here.
In color, this might have been too busy. But the crisp lines stand out and give it depth in black and white. This was shot later in the day, once the sun started peeking out, and I love the shadows coming out to play.
Even though it was a cloudy morning, the light coming through the large windows made it not just possible, but easy to take this shot indoors. I don't hate that the framing is off-kilter, which gives it some energy.
Our friend Arianna graciously offered to be our DD throughout the weekend in wine country, though the enormous Ford passenger van was not her first choice of a ride.
Hamel Family Wines had a beautiful property that photographed well. I love the hard lines of the window and roof structure contrasted by the tree right next to the building and the vines in the left foreground.