It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

By Peter Roberts

24 July, 2025

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One Shot Story
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Or to give it its full title, ‘Nothing to do wiv me, guv. It wos the camera wot done it, honest.’

Towards the end of a canal walk in North London on one of the hottest days of the year we stopped at a café on the towpath for a much needed drink. There was no outside seating and the few customers, who were obviously busy working from home on laptops, had avoided tables by the windows where the floor to ceiling glass was making inside even hotter than outside.

To document the day for the benefit of friends and family I’d taken along a Fujifilm X100s. Now, I try to make a point not reviewing the images on the back screen too often when using a digital. So there was a head scratching moment when I went through the day’s snaps on the computer at home and came across one that I had absolutely no recollection of taking. I can only surmise that when we got up to leave the café I’d inadvertently pressed the shutter release when picking the camera off the table.

There is, however, another explanation. Those of you who read my occasional ramblings may recall Robert, my doppelgänger. He’s been quiet lately but it could be that he had a hand, or at least a finger, in this. If he was indeed responsible all I can say is, “I admire your taste in high contrast architectural minimalism, Robert.”

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About The Author

By Peter Roberts
Recently retired railwayman with a lifelong interest in all things photographic. A self-professed saddo: other interests include classic cars and model railways.
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Comments

Gerard on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Great picture and dito title
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Thanks, Gerard. Though in truth I can only take credit for the title!

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Andrew on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Interesting. I think you would struggle to achieve this result with film- the dynamic range of the Fuji sensor is huge and surpasses most if not all film stocks.
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Gary Smith on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Haven't seen you in a while Peter...
...nice, crisp shot.
Any idea which of the film sims was used on this shot?
Thanks for re-appearing... :-)
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Thanks, Gary. I appreciate your comment. The sim was monochrome/yellow filter which is usually my default for the X100s. For some colour shots I took on the same day I used the Velvia sim, which gives nice saturated results but in all honesty doesn't really look like proper Velvia.

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Andrew Fleetwood on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Lovely picture! I think you would struggle to achieve this result with film- the dynamic range of the Fuji sensor is huge and probably surpasses most if not all films.
My vintage Digicams with CCD sensors have a far more restricted dynamic range, more like film, and using them does force you back to thinking very carefully about exposure and composition. With a modern digicam, you have far more exposure latitude and can pull up detail in shadows and highlights in a way you just can’t do with film (or an old CCD digital).
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 24/07/2025

Thanks for your interesting comment, Andrew. Without wishing to set an argument running I think you're right about modern sensors. They're so annoyingly good. There again I thoroughly enjoy using film because the results are so...well...film looking and have a character all of their own.

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Rob on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 25/07/2025

I've had many times, when I've reviewed a days shoot, where I don't remember some shots. But they've never been as good as your accidental one presented here. I wish!! I usually find one among amongst a bunch of repeats shots I've taken of the same scene. But never one from one I wasn't aware off taking. Photography, it's a wonderful pastime isn't it.
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Peter Roberts replied:

Comment posted: 25/07/2025

Hahaha. Thanks, Rob. I guess I was just lucky this time, or rather the camera was. All part of the magic of photography.

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Bill Brown on It wos the camera wot done it – A one shot story

Comment posted: 25/07/2025

Peter, I've had several occasions where upon getting my film back there were images missing that I thought I shot. Not for sure what to attribute that to. As a kid I experienced what I thought was a paranormal encounter when I opened my returned film envelope and one strip of images were of people and a place I'd never been to. It was not until years later I realized my neg strip had been switched with someone else's. I just never imagined someone would make a mistake like that. Oh to be young again!
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