Every year around the end of June, I like to attend a festival known as Sheffield Steam Fair and take along a camera. I can't quite work out how or why I'm interested in this sort of thing but I think it is something to do with my grandfather who used to be obsessed with all things traction engines. This is a sort of homage to him even though he passed away more than 20 years ago.
Sheffield Steam Fair is known for an abundance of traction engines, a coal powered steam engine used in agriculture and civil engineering applications. This year (2025) was a good year in that I don't think I've seen so many in attendance.
Also present is an array of vintage cars, trucks and military vehicles which I also photographed today.
I thought about posting the following in colour but I still find it difficult to break the habit of monochrome! This is a selection of what I got. I have so many shots still unprocessed I could even create another post with more!
Old Pals
I saw this group of old geezers looking deep in discussion about all things oily and pointed my camera in their direction assuming I was going to get rumbled. They didn't notice me and I carried on snapping. I find this style of photography a challenge but the story telling angle works for me.
A Traction Engine
For the uninitiated, this is a traction engine used in agriculture in the days before diesel powered tractors. These things weren't particularly fast but they served a purpose until the diesel engine led to their demise on the farm!
Old Buds
Another pair in deep conversation not noticing me!
Breakneck Speed
There appears to be an unofficial dress code amongst traction engine drivers; flat cap, gritty looks and dungarees.
Playing Peek a Boo with a Traction Engine
I stood in this spot for more than 5 minutes waiting for the background to look less cluttered and used the traction engine as a frame. This was tricky to keep a focus lock on the chap in the flat cap.
Old Poser
This chap must have seen me with a camera but made no effort to avoid being photographed despite looking like someone who might not want to be. I got lucky with the light on the chap's face.
At the Controls
I have no idea what all these controls and valves do but it looked pretty cool.
Motion Blur
This is an antique straw bailing machine albeit close up. I used a slow shutter speed of around 1/50th to blur the motion on the flywheel whilst still keeping the machine around it sharper.
American Muscle
It wasn't all about steam powered traction engines today. On one side of the huge field was a selection of beautifully restored vintage cars. I have no idea what this model is but I deduced it was a Ford dating from 1967. (The bonnet badge and the reg plate were dead giveaways!)
Left Hand Drive and a Stick Shift
I shot this poking my lens through the open window and was quick about it with hardly any preparation with the settings. I needn't have worried, I nailed it first time!
A Studebaker Truck
I've heard the name "Studebaker" from somewhere but didn't realise it was a pick up truck!
The Showman's Special
This commercial heavy goods vehicle is about as rare as it gets. Small and compact for a truck, it probably only does 20 or 30 mph flat out and is probably uncomfortable to drive with no power steering but it did have a great paint job!
The Austin 7
I saw "A7" on this grill of an Austin A7 and I don't know why but I find car grills on old cars kinda fascinating. It's like the face of the car with it's headlight eyes and front grill mouth with vintage graphic design telling all what it is.
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in landscape, urbex and artistic model photography. I like to collaborate with other photographers and occasionally shoot outside my comfort zone.
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