10/22/25- Yates Mill Pond- Raleigh, NC

Yesterday, I had watched enough videos to float a battleship and decided to shoot a roll of film myself. Originally my idea was to finish up a roll of Kodak 400 in my Pinhole Camera around the neighborhood. With only two shots that didn't last very long. 

Still itching to get out and about, I loaded up some film into the Holga and did a Google search for MOST PHOTOGRAPHED PLACES IN RALEIGH. Having not ever been to Historic Yates Mill County Park, I hopped in the car, drove the 5 or so minutes down the road. I've seen pictures before, and even seen it from the road, but never gone. What a shame on me for having not taken the time to go, but hey...better late then never. 

It was really nice to get out, enjoy the almost 80 degree weather (it's October), and stretch my legs. The park has severally well marked trails, but the mill itself was closed for renovations. All told, I bet I walked a mile out and back to the mill using the HIGH RIDGE TRAIL to get back. More, far more, than my lazy self has walked in long time. At least on purpose. 

Of course I was using one of my two Holga 120Ns. One thing of note is that I used a filed down square frame that had been flocked with sandpaper on the sides. Basically I carved it down with a knife (what self respecting man from East Tennessee doesn't carry a pocketknife), then sanded it down even with progressively finer sandpaper. It remained a square, just a larger one. 

For film I used Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Negative Film, which I have shot on this camera before with good results.

There were a couple of blanks on this roll because I am a dummy and forgot to take off the lens cap. Still there were some decent shots. 

Details. 

Roll Number: #6 for camera, #14 all time

Film: Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Negative Film

Camera: Holga #1 

Started: 10/22/25

Ended: 10/22/25

Developed: 

Subject: Yate Mill Park, and Historic Yates Mill- Raleigh, NC 

Notes: Used filed down frame. Missed a couple of shots with the lens cap on. 


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