Night Landscapes

Okay I have a scientific experiment planned to show the difference between what I can do with my 35mm film camera versus what my Nikon P-300 can do in automatic (photos for dummies) mode. But for now - here’s a shot taken with the Nikon. This little camera never ceases to amaze me at what it can do all by itself with no help at all from me and my four decades of photography experience.

Instant is Back!

Remember Polaroid instant pictures? Back in the 1960’s and 70’s almost every home had at least one Polaroid camera hanging around in a closet somewhere. Well, they’re back! Actually Polaroid & Fuji are both producing instant film and cameras to shoot it with. These trippy little analog cameras make business card sized pictures (about 2” by 3 ½”, the Fuji is just a little bigger) that develop in seconds right before your very eyes.

Why would anyone want such a diminutive analog photo in this brave new digital universe? Well one customer reviewer put it best when he said he wanted to be able to hand Granny a picture of her holding the new baby at the hospital. I am sure each of us could come up with a unique situation where an instant picture would be a great thing to have, besides from all accounts the quality of these little treasures is pretty impressive.

The only complaints I have found in all the customer reviews I’ve read is that some wish the pictures were bigger and one or two complained the cost was too high. I could wish for a bigger picture too but as for the cost….

The cameras all seem to sell for $100 or less, most of them average $60 to $80 online and the film cost appears to run from $.75 to $1.00 per shot. Considering that includes the instant processing too it’s not exactly cheap but it certainly is not exorbitant.

Do I have any plans to enter the instant picture game? Probably not, but then I actually ridiculed the Holga not too long ago and have since acquired one and become a fan. I already think the little instant cameras are pretty cool so who knows what tomorrow will bring. If I did get one though it would probably be the Fuji. The pictures are a little bigger and the film gives you twice as many shots for only about 50% more than the Polaroids.

Digital for Dummies!

You already know that I really love my film cameras – all of them. I never thought I would say this but my new Nikon P-300 digital is slowly worming its way into my heart. This shot of Mary and I was taken by my son using the full automatic setting.  The way this camera handles tricky lighting situations is pretty amazing.

Happy Birthday Rachael!

 

What this blog needs is more pictures of lovely young ladies. I took this shot of my beautiful granddaughter last summer and her birthday seemed like the perfect time to post it.

I don’t recall the exact settings but this picture was shot using the Vivitar body and the  Pentax 135mm f2.8 lens wide open with Kodak Portra 400 film.

Fast Food Fire Hydrant!

With the sun setting earlier these days and the weather not always so great I don’t have as much time to go out and take pictures. To keep things interesting and photographic I am digging into my treasure chest from last summer.

Here’s one of my favorites. This lonely sentinel stands watch over all these iconic Fast Food establishments in its own well-tended little piece of paradise. This was shot with the Olympus FE310 on full auto.

Other than the composition this picture is also noteworthy because it is the first one that sports a watermark. Yes, I finally figured out how to do it and actually remembered to do it this time.  

Camera Obscura

No, it’s not a mural! This is a picture created by Abelardo Morell using his very unique camera obscura techniques. This one is entitled “View of the Brooklyn Bridge in Bedroom, 2009,” and is from his gallery at http://www.abelardomorell.net/photography/recent_01/recent_01.html

This is just one of many examples of this artist’s incredible body of work. Morell is best known for camera obscura images created at various places around the world by turning an entire room or in other cases a tent into a big pinhole camera that projects an image on a wall or the ground which he then photographs.

If you are as intrigued as I am by this unusual work check out his web site for a wealth of unbelievable photographic images that cannot be found anywhere else.

Pinhole Camera

 

This is the pinhole camera kit my son gave me for my birthday. Now that the summer is over and the sun is setting about the same time I leave work there is little time for photography during the week so I am temporarily turning my attention to other things. 

I have often wondered about pinhole cameras. Now I have a chance to experiment with one. Of course first I have to put it together. After carefully reading all the instructions this will not be as simple as I first thought. Still, since I have more time to tinker with things inside where it’s warm and dry and lighted this is the perfect time to tackle such a task. I will keep you posted on my progress and hopefully there will be some pictures to share in the not too distant future.