We made it home by 3.30 pm yesterday. It was snowing quite heavily across the Peak District as we came north from Ashbourne. It's all gone now though as it's a wet, grey day in the Peaks and about 7C outside.
Had over 2150 emails in the inbox on our return. Mostly spam but a couple of hundred ones for me to look at, including some orders. Have just cleared the rubbish and am working my way through the ones left.
Had 47 rolls of Ilford FP4 processed by Chelsea Photographic in New York. They did an excellent job for me, including turning it round at no notice within 24 hours. That makes a total of 78 rolls processed and just 22 New York rolls left. Will either process myself or take over to Harman / Ilford for their pro lab to do. Managed to identify all rolls from the notes I took at the time of exposing each image. The city shots are easy but separating dozens of rolls taken at 7 ski areas was challenging at times!
Had some hassle at Denver Airport but all US airports did hand searches of my film when asked so that I could avoid them being x-rayed. In Denver they believed that x-ray machines were no more damaging to films than the radiation received when flying at 36000 feet. I tried to tell them the effect was accumulative so avoiding x-ray machines was beneficial for my films but they didn't seem to appreciate this and searched me, my clothing, my camera gear in the Peli case and everything in my rucsac. It only took about 10 minutes but they made their point! Complete contrast to the last time I went through Denver, it just depends on the individuals concerned.
In the 3 weeks that we were away we had 4 nights and most of 4 days in New York but most pictures were taken on just 2 days which had stunning light, but we did many miles of walking. Most of the time was spent in Colorado with friends Rob and Annie from Boulder, although we didn't stay that many nights in Boulder. We had 7 days at 7different ski areas: Keystone, Vail, Wolf Creek, Crested Butte, Monarch, Winter Park and Copper Mountain. Of these we had 2 days with bad weather (low cloud and snow) - Vail and Wolf Creek. In fact the weather at Wolf Creek gave 54 inches of snow on the slopes in just 3 days. Telluride which was on the itinerary but which we couldn't fit in this time, had 78 inches in the same 3 days! We also had 3 days snowshoeing; around Durango Forest while Durango was snowed in - we couldn't go anywhere else even if we had wanted to!, Rocky Mountain National Park where I took photos from the middle of the ice that covered Mills Lake and finally a return to Brainard Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness for shots of the mountains from Red Rocks Lake before we snowshoed up to Long Lake. We also had 3 walks around the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Boulder Flatirons and the Mount Sanitas area outside Boulder. The only day we didn't walk, snowshoe or ski was when we travelled from Durango to Gunnison ready for skiing Crested Butte the following day.
A great time was had by all and lots of photos for the image library. The only downside was the air travel - all the hanging around, hassle and concern that my film could be damaged doesn't make it a very relaxing time for me.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
JFK Airport - Last Leg
We are in the Virgin lounge at JFK airport waiting for our flight back to the UK.
It was a very grey day in New York today so few photos. Just wandered around looking for shots that worked in dull light and checking out shots for later visits.
Home tomorrow afternoon, hopefully.
Picked up 47 rolls of processed Ilford FP4 today from Chelsea Photo.
From a total of exactly 100 rolls this just leaves 22 for Harman to process on our return.
Dave Butcher
It was a very grey day in New York today so few photos. Just wandered around looking for shots that worked in dull light and checking out shots for later visits.
Home tomorrow afternoon, hopefully.
Picked up 47 rolls of processed Ilford FP4 today from Chelsea Photo.
From a total of exactly 100 rolls this just leaves 22 for Harman to process on our return.
Dave Butcher
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Denver Airport
Just waiting at the gate at Denver Airport for our flight to New York. This the boring part of any trip.
Had an easy day yesterday. Started with a massage on my bad back followed by a walk around the Flatirons and back into Boulder.
In the evening we had a nice last evening with Rob, Annie and friends.
Looks like our plane has arrived, lots of people coming out of our gate.
Still looks like will be on time which puts us in New York early evening.
Will try and have my 50 rolls of exposed film processed in New York before we leave on Tuesday.
Dave Butcher
Had an easy day yesterday. Started with a massage on my bad back followed by a walk around the Flatirons and back into Boulder.
In the evening we had a nice last evening with Rob, Annie and friends.
Looks like our plane has arrived, lots of people coming out of our gate.
Still looks like will be on time which puts us in New York early evening.
Will try and have my 50 rolls of exposed film processed in New York before we leave on Tuesday.
Dave Butcher
Monday, 4 January 2010
Carrying Film in Hand Luggage to and Across the USA
I am travelling to the USA in a week or so and have been concerned about taking 200 rolls of Ilford FP4 in hand luggage after the recent Christmas Day terrorist incident on a plane bound for Detroit. Checking web sites and sending emails to airlines didn't help much so I wrote directly to the US Transport Security Agency to seek clarification. Here is their reply in full and below it my original email to them. It appears that the situation has not changed regarding availability of hand checks and taking film in carry-on luggage:
"Thank you for your request for information on the screening of photographic equipment and film at airport screening checkpoints. We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. All travelers, and particularly those who travel infrequently, are encouraged to visit the section on travel tips before their trip. The website has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel. You can find these tips and more under the "Our Traveler" heading on the TSA website.
For your convenience, we are including the following information from our website about traveling with film.
The x-ray machines used to screen carry-on baggage at the passenger checkpoints should not damage film or equipment. However, the x-ray equipment used for screening checked baggage is more powerful and will damage your undeveloped film. You should remove all undeveloped film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage.
At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
• Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
• Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
• Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
• Film that is or will be underexposed
• Film that you intend to "push process"
• Sheet film
• Large format film
• Medical film
• Scientific film
• Motion picture film
• Professional grade film
You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film. The X-ray machine at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800. However, multiple X-ray inspections (more than 5 times) of the same roll of undeveloped film may cause damage. The machines used to screen your checked baggage or carry-on baggage will not affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, photo compact discs, or picture discs.
Other Precautions
• If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.
• If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.
• If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.
• Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
• We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.
• You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
Please keep in mind security screening at foreign airports is beyond TSA jurisdiction. Travelers must go through different clearance procedures when crossing international borders. Passengers and their baggage are also screened for security according to standards established by the Government of that country. As a sovereign entity, that country may establish its own security requirements for airports and air carriers that are not necessarily the same as those required in the United States.
We hope this information is helpful.
TSA Contact Center"
--- Original Message ---
From: "Dave Butcher"
Received: 12/29/09 2:24:03 PM EST
To: "TSA Contact Center"
Subject: Camera film in carry-on luggage
In the light of the recent tightening of security on air travel I would appreciate some advice concerning the carriage of camera film in hand luggage. It is unclear from searching recent web information what the situation is regarding film.
I am a photographer working exclusively in black and white and I use film for all of my work. It cannot go in hold luggage or it will be ruined by the x-rays (I have seen x-ray damage on the film that I use from hand luggage x-ray machines so more powerful x-rays, as used on hold luggage, will effectively destroy negatives). Will I be able to take factory wrapped rolls of Ilford 120 roll film onto the plane as hand luggage at JFK, and Denver? Will I be able to take exposed rolls of Ilford 120 roll film onto the plane as hand luggage?
When I have visited the USA previously I have always received good service from staff, who perform a hand search of my films. Film is always carried in clear polythene bags to assist them. Will I still be able to have hand searches of films on my forthcoming trip?
Please advise. Thanks.
Kind regards,
Dave Butcher
"Thank you for your request for information on the screening of photographic equipment and film at airport screening checkpoints. We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. All travelers, and particularly those who travel infrequently, are encouraged to visit the section on travel tips before their trip. The website has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel. You can find these tips and more under the "Our Traveler" heading on the TSA website.
For your convenience, we are including the following information from our website about traveling with film.
The x-ray machines used to screen carry-on baggage at the passenger checkpoints should not damage film or equipment. However, the x-ray equipment used for screening checked baggage is more powerful and will damage your undeveloped film. You should remove all undeveloped film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage.
At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
• Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
• Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
• Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
• Film that is or will be underexposed
• Film that you intend to "push process"
• Sheet film
• Large format film
• Medical film
• Scientific film
• Motion picture film
• Professional grade film
You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film. The X-ray machine at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800. However, multiple X-ray inspections (more than 5 times) of the same roll of undeveloped film may cause damage. The machines used to screen your checked baggage or carry-on baggage will not affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, photo compact discs, or picture discs.
Other Precautions
• If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.
• If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.
• If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.
• Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
• We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.
• You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
Please keep in mind security screening at foreign airports is beyond TSA jurisdiction. Travelers must go through different clearance procedures when crossing international borders. Passengers and their baggage are also screened for security according to standards established by the Government of that country. As a sovereign entity, that country may establish its own security requirements for airports and air carriers that are not necessarily the same as those required in the United States.
We hope this information is helpful.
TSA Contact Center"
--- Original Message ---
From: "Dave Butcher"
Received: 12/29/09 2:24:03 PM EST
To: "TSA Contact Center"
Subject: Camera film in carry-on luggage
In the light of the recent tightening of security on air travel I would appreciate some advice concerning the carriage of camera film in hand luggage. It is unclear from searching recent web information what the situation is regarding film.
I am a photographer working exclusively in black and white and I use film for all of my work. It cannot go in hold luggage or it will be ruined by the x-rays (I have seen x-ray damage on the film that I use from hand luggage x-ray machines so more powerful x-rays, as used on hold luggage, will effectively destroy negatives). Will I be able to take factory wrapped rolls of Ilford 120 roll film onto the plane as hand luggage at JFK, and Denver? Will I be able to take exposed rolls of Ilford 120 roll film onto the plane as hand luggage?
When I have visited the USA previously I have always received good service from staff, who perform a hand search of my films. Film is always carried in clear polythene bags to assist them. Will I still be able to have hand searches of films on my forthcoming trip?
Please advise. Thanks.
Kind regards,
Dave Butcher
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