After a far too long hiatus I finally got back in the darkroom this morning and made a start printing some of the shots taken over the summer. This one was from the Event of the Year in The Liberties (in my opinion) - the Ballymoney Agricultural Show:
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| FP4+, via the 'Blad, 60mm CB lens; Foma 313 paper. |
This was one of those unscripted moments. I'd asked the adults if I could take some shots and they indicated that would be fine. As I walked between the pens this young boy reached up to pat his sheep. Now the educated among you will of course recognise a Valais Blacknose sheep when you see one, but let me tell you, these things are big. She towered over the boy! - especially hoicked up on the fence like that. I had to wing the shot, which isn't easy with the Hasselblad. I knew I didn't have long so I trusted the old "f/8 and be there". The look on the boy’s face says it all. I asked if it was his sheep and he was very proud to answer 'Yes'. To be honest, this moment made my day - it's what these local shows are all about: family and livestock. With luck you come home tired, with muck on your boots and a couple of exposed films. I love it.
