Ilford HP5 - Contaflex - No Kings HtX - March 2026

No Kings Protest — Houston, Texas March 29, 2026 (Houston City Hall) This series documents the No Kings protest held in downtown Houston, where demonstrators gathered at City Hall to speak against rising authoritarian rhetoric and policies. The event brought together a diverse cross-section of the city—activists, veterans, organizers, and everyday residents—united in public assembly and civic expression. Shot on Ilford HP5 Plus (ISO 400) using a Canon AE-1 Program, this body of work leans into the raw, documentary tradition of black-and-white film. The tonal latitude of HP5 allowed for strong contrast under harsh midday Texas sun while retaining detail in shadows beneath tree cover and architectural edges. All images were captured using manual focus FD lenses (50mm f/1.8 and 28mm f/2.8), reinforcing a deliberate, observational approach. The 50mm provided intimate, human-centered frames, while the 28mm expanded the narrative to include crowd density, spatial tension, and the scale of public participation. This work embraces the imperfections and authenticity of analog—grain structure, exposure variance, and timing—capturing moments that exist beyond digital precision. These frames are not just documentation; they are fragments of presence, resistance, and civic identity in Houston. .🎞️ Technical Details Camera: Canon AE-1 Program (35mm) Film: Ilford HP5 Plus (ISO 400) Lenses: Canon FD 50mm f/1.8, Canon FD 28mm f/2.8 Focus: Fully manual Metering: In-camera center-weighted Lighting Conditions: Midday Texas sun, mixed shade and high contrast Approach: Documentary / street reportage