It’s been a long while since I posted my film photography. I developed several rolls in March and I’m finally getting around to blogging about them. This roll of film was all about slowing down and letting the Nikon FM2n guide the experience. The FM2n, fully mechanical and as dependable as they come, has a way of making you think about every frame before you press the shutter. No screens, no autofocus—just pure photography.
I loaded the camera with Ilford Delta 400, a classic black-and-white film known for its fine grain, wide tonal range, and forgiving exposure latitude. The shots were made over the course of a few weeks, between November 19, 2023 and January 3, 2024, which meant capturing both the crisp light of late fall and the muted tones of early winter.
Pea Island Life Saving Station – Outer Banks, North Carolina
The highlight of the roll is definitely the series from Pea Island Life Saving Station. The windswept Outer Banks always carry a sense of history and resilience, and the weathered textures of the old station felt perfect for black-and-white film. Ilford Delta 400 rendered the wood grain, the sand, and the sky with incredible depth, giving each frame a timeless, almost archival quality. Every shot feels like a small piece of maritime history frozen in time.
Oak Grove Park – Chesapeake, Virginia
Closer to home, I spent some time wandering around Oak Grove Park in Chesapeake. The park’s trails and quiet corners made for a nice contrast to the coastal landscapes of the Outer Banks. Here, the FM2n really shined with its ability to capture subtle shifts of light filtering through bare trees. Delta 400’s midtones gave the scenes a gentle softness, while still preserving the crisp edges of the branches. Even familiar surroundings felt elevated and contemplative through this film.
Various Stops Along the Way
This roll also includes images from other random places—those “in between” moments when you have the camera with you and just can’t resist making a frame. That’s part of the magic of film: you never quite know what’s going to stand out until you see the developed negatives. The imperfections, the surprises, and the intentionality all combine to tell a story across the roll, rather than just frame by frame.
Closing Thoughts
Shooting Ilford Delta 400 with the Nikon FM2n reminded me once again why I keep returning to film. It’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about slowing down, seeing differently, and appreciating the craft of making an image. This roll was no exception, spanning the history of the Outer Banks, the calm of local parks, and little moments in between.
Here’s the full roll:
