November, 2010

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Winter Scene, November 2011

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Going with black and white film for the last few months has definitely changed how I look at the world.  It’s something I’d recommend for pretty much everyone, if only for a short while. I’m definitely seeing tonal changes more, and the nature of having to guess on exposures has tightened up my eye for the opportunities around me.

For example:

Snowy scene

Snowy scene

Before I would have seen the same thing, and appreciated it every bit as much.  But now, I see the scene and have the tools to pull it off (and yes, this was with digital – was out taking pictures for a family project)…

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Some Images Worth Spending some Time With

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

Reading through the comments on Ctein’s most recent entry on The Online Photographer, and I came upon this gem. From his description:

Started in an attempt to see if I wanted to stay with MF film. Turned into a challenge to see how many OK shots I could drag out of the 3 rolls of 120 Delta 400 iso in my Rolleiflex 2.8F that’s had too little use since I bought it in 1980.

As a recent entrant into the world of the 60′s-something Rolleiflex, I’m pretty amazed.  I recently went through my first roll (on Tri-X), and ended up with only one keeper – and a personal one, at that (picture of my daughter). I have a long way to go, but at least I can enjoy some of this gent’s work.  Particular favorites:

  • Barclays 3 Cash. Wow, I think this is the best in the set.
  • Fresh Air. The look, the framing, the slightly off-kilter eyes that aren’t quite in sync.  Beautiful street portrait.
  • Polar Explorer. There’s almost joy on the gent’s face.
  • 28 June 1996 ~ 9. This is about as good as street photography gets.  Again with the off-kilter eyes, but this time in combination with the anti-Gaddafi sign. So much that could be read into it.

Contrast his work with:

Monopoly Die

Monopoly Die

Not the best, as I was testing a close-up lens attachment.  So very far to go…

An extra thanks to Mike (proprietor and general know-it-all of TOP) for pointing this one out.

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Scott Kelby’s gift guide is out

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Check it out here, if you care. In years past I’ve looked forward too it, as our always had something neat-o our cool, or perhaps useful bout unheard of (BlackRapid camera straps jump to mind).

Fortunately for my bank account, it’s a bit of a disappointment this year. Maybe nothing that cool came out? I’ll give him a couple of solids, though: the Ikea Suspension Rail system (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/09945/) would be handy for the office, and the lens mugs (http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/camera-lens-mug/) are kinda neat. But I heard about each one around 6 months ago, along with pretty much everything else.

I dunno, not bad, but I’m left feeling… underwhelmed a little.

Probably just me, having gotten back into film recently…

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A Plug for Joey L

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Nope, not getting a dime for this.  Just a plug, nonetheless: check out his Faces of a Vanishing World video. You don’t have to pay actual cash money for it, but it is an option.  An option I went with, in fact – the price is low, and the funds go to a good cause.

Why would you want it? I can only speak from my perspective, of course: I am someone who hates TV, watches perhaps five movies a year, and am not really interested in some young pup who is living the life I could always dream of… not to mention his obvious talent, which at 16 was already eclipsing that of whatever I might even aspire to.

I, the TV-hater, deem this a good video.  It’s short for the cost – fifty minutes, with a bonus behind-the-scenes slideshow that’s worth watching through. Yet, it flows well.  It’s full of information. You see interesting people, and come to care about them.  You see Joey in juxtaposition with his life in New York, and you get a feel for his technique when he’s in the field.

An entertaining watch, and worth the cash.

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