{"id":77417,"date":"2025-09-03T08:16:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T07:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=77417"},"modified":"2025-09-16T07:49:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T06:49:33","slug":"analogue-photography-part-3-a-nostalgic-race-and-a-suburban-shopping-centre-with-kodak-tri-x","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/analogue-photography-part-3-a-nostalgic-race-and-a-suburban-shopping-centre-with-kodak-tri-x\/","title":{"rendered":"Analogue Photography: Part 3 – A Nostalgic Race and a Suburban Shopping Centre with Kodak Tri-X"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Polished chrome and proud owners – Jaguar XK120 | Kodak 400TX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

As promised in my previous analogue articles, \u201cAnalogue Photography \u2013 A Personal Journey Part 1<\/strong><\/a> and Part 2<\/strong><\/a>\u201d, I\u2019ve started shooting with film again and will be sharing the results from each roll in this series.<\/p>\n

The pictures you see in this article all come from a single roll of Tri-X, shot at ISO 400 and developed and scanned by bildskanning.com<\/a><\/strong> in Sweden.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"You can see this article as a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here!<\/p>\n

For the first instalment, I wanted to begin with one of the oldest and most classic black-and-white films available: Kodak Tri-X. It\u2019s a cornerstone of analogue photography, used for generations by renowned photographers. Tri-X first appeared in the 1940s as a sheet film rated at ASA 200, and since 1954 it has been available in 35mm and 120 roll formats at ISO 400.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Kodak Tri-X \u2014 a roll with more history than almost any other black-and-white film<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Almost everyone who has shot film knows\u2014or at least knows of\u2014this stock. It has long been the go-to choice for street photographers and photojournalists, especially in the US. Its distinct \u201cTri-X look\u201d is synonymous with classic documentary and street photography.<\/p>\n

For this roll, I chose two subjects that fit that tradition: a nostalgic car race and exhibition, and street scenes at a suburban shopping centre.<\/p>\n

The Nostalgic Motor Race<\/h2>\n
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The first glimpse of G\u00e4rdesloppet: polished chrome, proud owners, and a crowd already buzzing, an SS Jaguar 100 (The car to its right is an MG B Roadster)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Some of the cars and owners in the event (Ford Model T?)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What began in the 1920s as an exclusive speed race has grown into one of Sweden\u2019s most beloved motor events. Today, G\u00e4rdesloppet draws tens of thousands of visitors who come for the roar of classic engines, gleaming vintage cars, and the mix of racing nostalgia with a festive, family-friendly vibe. It\u2019s a place where history is alive\u2014not in a museum, but out in the open, running on four wheels.<\/p>\n

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Even the smallest details carried stories<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tri-X rendered the details with grit and shine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The atmosphere was a gift for Tri-X. Its grain and contrast carried the metallic shine of polished chrome just as well as the grit of worn tires.<\/p>\n

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There was an abundance of shining details<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A very classic car interior by a very classic film, 1959 Chevrolet Impala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main competitive part of the event is Prins Bertil Memorial. It’s not a speed race but a “regularity race” (rally).<\/p>\n

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A classic convertible in the race, MG Roadster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A sporty car in the race, and yes, it’s a Volvo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A large, luxurious car in the race, a Bentley Continental R-Type Fastback<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I found myself moving between the cars and the people\u2014because the event isn\u2019t just about machines, it\u2019s about the joy they bring.<\/p>\n

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A a couple of families that had come fully equipped<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A young family with a simpler picnic arrangement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The very modest picnic with some French fries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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No picnic, just enjoying the event<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The G\u00e4rdesloppet features exhibitions of classic vehicles, food trucks, and other entertainment. There’s often a soapbox derby for children, providing an opportunity for the younger generation to get involved.<\/p>\n

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It is a plus that you could buy some food from the trucks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Enjoying a bite while watching the cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Walking through the exhibition, it was easy to see why this event has such a strong pull. Tri-X, with its bold contrast and timeless grain, seemed made for capturing that energy.<\/p>\n

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Well, this is not part of the event, but it was there<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Shopping Centre<\/h2>\n
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A woman at the shopping centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later, I shifted scenes completely\u2014from roaring engines to the hum of daily life at a suburban shopping centre. Here, the pace was different, but just as compelling.<\/p>\n

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A boy with a pack of milk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The flower stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Everyday street photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tri-X thrives on contrast and texture, and I found it in storefront reflections, silhouettes, and the quick expressions of passersby. Everyday moments turned cinematic through the lens.<\/p>\n

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everyday life made cinematic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The geometry of light and shadow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This roll reminded me why Tri-X has such a legendary status. It doesn\u2019t just record what\u2019s in front of you\u2014it shapes it, giving weight and mood to the ordinary and the extraordinary alike.<\/p>\n

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A family at the caf\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Details like this are why Tri-X is so timeless<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Simple shapes, rich contrast, classic rendering<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0Whether at a historic car race or in the flow of suburban life, Tri-X pulls it all together with that timeless, documentary feel.<\/p>\n

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The shopping centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another geometric shot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Hamburger kiosk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Simple, clean geometry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The shopping centre and some residential buildings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All the good things about Tri-X said, I have to admit I\u2019ve always been of two minds about this film. I like the look, and I know many photographers love it \u2014 and yes, I\u2019ll probably catch some grief from the fans for saying this \u2014 but sometimes I find the grain a little too bold and sometimes too contrasty for my taste. For war photography, catastrophes, crime scenes, and misery, it is unbeatable. Perhaps it\u2019s because this film has been used by photojournalists around the world for decades in such contexts, and that association lingers in my mind. For day-to-day photography, happy events, or lighter documentary work, I personally prefer other black-and-white films. More on that in upcoming articles.<\/p>\n

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Tri-X at its boldest \u2014 beautiful, gritty, and maybe a touch too much for me (Chevrolet Corvette C1, Saab 92 in the background)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a less contrasty look with smoother grain and a wider tonal range, there\u2019s a well-known trick: expose the film at ISO 200 and cut your development time by 20\u201330%. However, this also raises the question: if you\u2019re pulling the film to get a lower speed and finer grain, why not just use a slower film in the first place? The advantage of Tri-X is its versatility. But for this roll, I just followed the standard ISO and development recommendations to show you the results.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, the lab had developed the roll in Rodinal 1+25. While Rodinal is a capable and versatile developer, and a favorite of many photographers, a 1+25 dilution wouldn\u2019t be my first choice for this film. That mix tends to produce higher contrast and coarser grain, which explains the look of these frames. A weaker dilution, such as 1+50\u2014or even 1+100\u2014would likely have delivered a broader tonal range with finer grain.<\/p>\n

The pictures you see in this article all come from a single roll of Tri-X, shot at ISO 400 and developed and scanned by bildskanning.com<\/a><\/strong> in Sweden.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Further Reading<\/h2>\n