I could feel the water on my hand as i held the camera low, using my thumb to press the shutter release and hearing the reassuring clunk as it fired. I thanked the goose for being such a good model, not swimming away as I pointed the metallic object at it as it nibbled on the vegetation on the shoreline. It was the last shot of the roll and I stood slowly, the bird watching me warily now as I continued to talk to it as I stepped backwards and then turned to walk to the riverbank.
The stones were dry now, clattering as I walked, the tide had gone out fast as the early evening sun had dried the exposed bank with just the faint smell of dirty water wafting as I disturbed the stones. A small cluster of people had gathered to watch the river flow and the birds gather, some had bags of food for the geese and ducks, but seemed wary of walking over the muddy shore until some children bolted across, shrill voices scaring the exact birds they hoped to get near. I turned and waved to the scattering wildfowl and continued to wind the film on as I walked to the slipway.
"Nice camera."
The voice jolted me, it was quite soft, but firm and it belonged to a grey haired man with a slight beard. He was with another man, who was gazing out at the water, shaking his head slightly as the children continued to scream and scare the birds.
"Thank you." I looked down, the film was fully wound on now. I was thinking of putting another roll in, but as the birds had now retreated to the middle of the river, there didn't seem much point.
"What is it? It looks in good condition." His eyes flicked from the camera in my hand to my face. He smiled and his eyes glinted.
I held the camera up to show him, "A Voigtlander, medium format camera. It takes six by six photos. I have a similar one that also takes six by four and a half." I have no idea why I was being so specific, he probably had no idea what I was talking about.
He smiled again. "That's lovely, I have some old cameras somewhere. A Rolleiflex and others. I didn't know you could still get the film."
Now he had my attention. "Oh yes, there's still lots of film, especially black and white. I was shooting colour today as the light is good."
He looked at the camera, then straight into my eyes. I am sure i blushed, but don't know why. "Maybe you could help me get the camera going again, it's been years, I am not sure it still works."
"I am sure it does, most old cameras are mechanical, so there is not much to go wrong. Get some film, a cheap roll of black and white and try it."
He smiled and I am certain I blushed. "Where do you get it developed? There are no film shops around here?"
"I develop black and white myself. It's pretty easy. Colour I can do too, but usually take it to a lab across the river." I realised I was staring straight into his shining eyes that were now reflecting the sun and gleaming.
"That sounds easy. I used to do it all myself too, but stopped. I even had a darkroom. I have forgotten how to do it and have no idea where I put all the equipment. Maybe we should exchange details and when I find the camera you can help me?"
I agree so fast I surprised myself. It was then the other man turned and smiled, a smile equally warm and beguiling as his friend's. "It would be good to get the old cameras out again. We used to have such fun taking photos years ago." His voice was harsher, with a slight edge of schoolteacher about it.
My eyes went back to the first man as he was scribbling something on a piece of paper and then offering it to me.
"I am Brian. Here is my email and number, get in touch if you want, it would be good to get your help, you have me interested now!" I took the paper and placed it carefully in my pocket. My stomach was fluttering, but I had no idea why. Both men smiled at me as I thanked them and turned to go.
"Oh, I am John." I reached out my hand and Brian took it eagerly and squeezed hard. The other man then took it and stated that he was Dave and we all bade out farewells as I turned to walk home.
At home I sat and pondered the encounter. I had rarely chatted with anyone since moving to this area four years ago and wondered if it was just my mind that thought the pair were a gay couple trying to pick me up and then I laughed at that. I had never considered a homosexual encounter and figured it was just lack of any sex in the last two years that was muddling my brain. I decided I would email Brian the next day.
I sent the email, a generically friendly one, reminding Brian who I was and sending a link to a website that had my photos on it. Then I set about processing the latest finished roll of black and white film, hanging it to dry and putting the processing tank in the sun to dry, ready for the next film.
An email was waiting, praising my photos and attaching a photo of a Rolleiflex Twin Lens Reflex camera, looking in pristine condition. I whistled when I saw the picture, it was a stunning piece of kit. The email asked if I wanted to check out the camera, to see if it worked. It took a few seconds for me to reply.
Another email arrived quickly after my reply. It gave an address, not far away, with some convenient dates to give the camera a try. Brian asked if I had any spare film that I could sell him to test the camera with. He also mentioned that there might be other cameras, but this was the first one he found. He said it looked ok and seemed to work, the shutter fired and the aperture responded, but it would really need a film to be certain.
The earliest date I could meet them would be Saturday and, after a few more emails, the date was settled. I would go to see Brian in the afternoon and we would check the camera over. He said he was excited about trying it out again, it had been a few years since he had used it properly.
I was excited too, but i couldn't work out why.
Saturday was sunny and warm and i packed a small backpack with my Voigtlander and a few spare rolls of film, mainly black and white as I could process it quickly to see if the camera worked. Then I headed out, my stomach still full of butterflies for some reason, nervous and excited in equal measures.
