Shooting Expired Fuji Velvia 100 at Kew Gardens
Kew Garden’s Temperate House, the largest remaining Victorian glass structure in the world. 1/320s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
This week marks an important milestone as this blog is number one hundred! It’s one that’s crept up on me the past few weeks, but what better way to celebrate it than with my first ever trip to Kew Gardens armed with an expired roll of Fuji Velvia 100 in my Nikon F100. Thankfully it is a lot less expired than last week’s Kodak Ektachrome 64, this one only passed its best in 2013, so it is less than a decade old. With my previous attempts at shooting an expired roll of Fuji Sensia 200 yielding images that were slightly overexposed, I thought I’d try shooting this roll at its original box speed. A decision that proved to be the right one.
Going up to the walkway in the Temperate House allows you to look out across the main atrium. 1/50s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Following the paths leads you to the wings of the Temperate House. 1/40s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
This curled up leaf proved to be the perfect macro subject to test the resolving power of Velvia 100. 1/5s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
It’s not just plants to keep you entertained. There are also ornamental birds like these mandarin ducks roaming across the gardens. 1/160s 105mm F3.5 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
For those few who are unfamiliar with Kew Gardens, this three-hundred-acre botanical garden houses one of the largest botanical and mycological collections in the world and was founded in 1840. However, this was built upon the legacy of previous exotic garden, which was founded by Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury and was later expanded by Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, who was the mother of King George III. It’s Palm and Temperatures houses are two of the most enduring symbols of Victorian architecture which are amongst the multiple Grade I & II listed buildings on site. From ancient trees to giant lilies, to cacti and everything in between, there’s no better place for the horticultural enthusiast to be.
The Tropical House, unfortunately this image came out blurry from camera shake. 1/200s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Shooting inside the Tropical House proved to be very difficult as the lens fogged up from the difference in humidity from outside. Eventually after five minutes I managed to get this shot of the arches in the wings. 1/50s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Big banana plants reach for the glass ceiling. 1/20s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
There are many brightly coloured subjects inside the Tropical House, though you can see the slight haze from the fogging up of the lens. 1/6s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The contrast and colour of Velvia makes these bright yellow colours pop. 1/10s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
I could sit here and write thousands upon thousands of words about Kew, but I will let the images do the talking. There’s so much more I could have shot but with only one thirty-six shot roll of film you can’t capture everything. But that’s part of the fun! What was great about this shoot is it proved how useable expired slide film can be, even when it hasn’t been stored properly, provided it is less than a decade old. If you see anything like this up for sale you can almost assume it is as good as fresh and you are mostly likely picking it up at a big discount. I did bring my tripod on the day which, thankfully you are allowed to use in Kew, but it did help that this was Velvia 100 and not Velvia 50. Once again, the light meter in the Nikon F100 was spot on despite it being rather primitive compared to modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras and the limitations of slide film’s dynamic range. I can assure you there will be plenty more blogs like this in the future, so long as I can find the right expired film!
The Great Pagoda, built by Sir William Chambers in 1761 after his travels to China to study Chinese architecture. The only one remaining in the UK and arguably the most important surviving building of the Chinoiserie movement. 1/200s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The pagoda dragons were re-introduced as part of the extensive restoration work that was completed in 2018. 1/160s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The 253 tight and winding wooden steps lead to the top of this 50m tower. 1/6s 20mm F8.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Though the effort is well rewarded with a spectacular view that expands out across Kew and back to the city. 1/125s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The woodland walk is best done in spring time when the bluebells are out. 1/25s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
It took a lot of patience to get this macro photo of the bluebells as the wind needed to subside. 1/80s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Hidden away in the grounds is Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, named after the wife of King George III. 1/100s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The treetop walk is likely more impressive in Autumn. 1/40s 50mm F8.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The Botanical Brasserie is one of the many eateries at Kew Gardens. 1/125s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Syon House is visible across the Thames from the west side of Kew Gardens. At the time the house was being used for filming. 1/250s 105mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
There’s plenty to see in bloom outside of the glass houses. 1/160s 50mm F4.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The Japanese Gateway (Chokushi-Mon) was originally built for the Japan-British Exhibition in 1910 and lies amongst a replica of a traditional Japanese rock (zen) garden. 1/40s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
Inside the Minka House, a wooden structure built with traditional Japanese techniques. Originally constructed in Japan around 1900, it was disassembled, transported and re-assembled at Kew in 2001. 5s 20mm F8.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory, the newest of the major glass houses was opened in 1987 and contains many different sections that represent different climates. 1/250s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The arid zone contains numerous large cacti. 1/80s 20mm F4.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The fine details made for another good test of the resolving power of Velvia 100. 1/50s 50mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The lily pond that sits in the centre is home to giant lilies as well as numerous fish. 1/25s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
This pink & purple plant surrounded by green foliage made for the perfect subject for Velvia. 1/5s 105mm F8.0 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
The smallest British royal palace, Kew Palace is run by the charity Historic Royal Palaces (which also look after the Great Pagoda and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage). 1/50s 20mm F5.6 Fuji Velvia 100 (exp. 2013) Nikon F100.
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