I went on a Spiritual Retreat to Swaledale, and stayed somewhere familiar: Grinton Youth Hostel. I took a camera, so as well as prayers and reading, I hoped to find some film photography inspiration in a place I’d photographed before. The weather was okay, but I did begin to notice the deep yellow light towards sunset, and I used those minutes to take photographs of textures and shapes which drew me.
Over the course of the few days retreat, I used a roll of Rollei IR film, and a roll of Kodak Ultramax. The last time I used IR film I spent ages trying to get the exposure right with a 720nm filter. The results are here. This time I just let the Rollei behave as plain ‘ole B&W film.
These first few are in the woodland area where the camping pods have been built. I love the way the woodland and the old stone buildings are mixed together – both of which are finding new uses in the campsite.
The camping pods have these ruddy concrete tiles curved across them, and each pod is being reclaimed by moss. I love the texture this creates, and shooting film with a shallow depth of field.
The quality of the air in Swaledale leads to an abundance of moss thriving in all sorts of locations. The out buildings of the old Lodge look beautiful with mossy clothes.
As the sun set, I found myself looking around at the way the world was tinted with a yellow/orange light.
The fading light highlighted the contours of Fremington Bank in a way which wasn’t visible in the middle of the daytime…
Which was interesting to compare to the dawn light in which the texture of the bark, and the brightness of the green leaves stood out dramatically.
As I used these two rolls of film, I found myself remembering that photography I enjoy is: texture, shape, and the way our natural world interacts with built structures. It reminded me that home in Weardale I am surrounded by rural decay: buildings whose purpose is no longer relevant but there will never be money to demolish.
I turned my camera lens on the shapes I found in Grinton Lodge… the doorways, windows and walls. I particularly enjoy the fire escape from one outside space into another outside space.
On this Spiritual Retreat, I also made sure I had good quality coffee and somewhere comfortable to sit and read…
All photographs taken with Pentax MX, SMC 50mm f1.4, using either Rollei IR film, or Kodak Ultramax colour 35mm film. Copyright © 2026, Graeme Holdsworth, all rights reserved.