Viewing entries in
Photography

Week 4 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

Week 4 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

West Seattle, Seattle, WA

Right after I posted the photos from Week 3, I walked outside to take a quick break for the computer and saw there was a classic car show on California Avenue one block north. As a child, one of the events I enjoyed most was going to Fair Park to watch the Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M football game. I looked forward to the battle of the bands (I used to want to be a drum major in the Grambling band so I could dance during halftime) and the car show. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always appreciated a beautiful, well-made automobile. The subject for week 4 became readily apparent when I walked outside and saw all of these classics lined up. It also reminded me I need to get out more.

 

Street view of the car show beginning to wind down. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

 

I love classic Corvettes. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.
 

That's a mean grille. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

I think this was one of my most popular photos ever on Instagram. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

What car show would be complete without a star of the show? Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

Week 3 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

Week 3 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

Magnolia Bridge, Seattle, WA

For week 3, I ventured back to the Magnolia bridge. I spent the first 4 months in Seattle traveling over this bridge daily. I always thought it provided a great view of Seattle, and the land beneath it intrigued me as well. There is a soccer field, and a marina, but I never really found (took) the time to explore it. With camera in hand, I finally had a reason.

One of my favorite things about shooting on film is the wait. When I made these exposures the other night, I went without a spot meter. And there wasn't enough light to use the built in meter on the DSLR I took with me. So when I came to these scenes I had to rely on my instinct and past experiences  to make an educated guess at the correct exposures. I wouldn't know if I was successful until after performing the final rinse on the film. 

Under the Magnolia Bridge in Seattle. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

 

View of downtown Seattle from the top of the Magnolia Bridge. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

I was captivated by the stark contrast the rock formations created agains the calm water. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

This year I took my first ride on a sailboat. Something brought me back to the marina late one night. Here, I try to do the boats justice. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

Week 2 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

Alki Beach, West Seattle, WA

When I first moved to West Seattle almost a year ago, I learned how beautiful it is to run down the beach. I enjoy it most when it’s relatively quiet, so I find myself running either very early in the morning or very late at night. Every time I run by the water, I find myself in awe by the the Seattle skyline on the other side. To me, it’s most beautiful at night when only the lights and the outlines of the buildings are visible. For week two of the “Year on Film” project, I decided to set up on a pier and make a photograph that shows the skyline and where I stood at the same time. I hope you enjoy. Some of these images I’m using to create desktop wallpapers you can download for free.

View of Downtown Seattle from Alki Beach, West Seattle. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

View of Downtown Seattle from Alki Beach, West Seattle. Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3.

 

Week 1 | A Year on Film: 52 Rolls in 52 Weeks

I’ve written a few blog posts about how the study and practice of photography has taught me how to “see.” For me, the slowing down not only opens the space for reflection but allows a much higher quality experience and product. That’s why I still listen to my music on vinyl (yes they’re still making new music on vinyl) and handwrite my blogs before before I prepare them for the web. Is it the fastest way to go about it? Normally it’s not (and sometimes it is). But I find my thoughts flow much easier and I reveal more of myself when I allow my soul to flow through a fine-tipped nib.

The same goes with photography. I shoot with both digital and analog formats. For me it’s not a question about which is better. I’ll let people debate that question in the numerous forums dedicated to photographers defending their position. For me they both serve their purpose. I appreciate both how quickly I can review, adjust, edit, and deliver photographs (especially for clients) of my digital SLR and also how deliberate I am when loading the film, composing the shot, and developing the negatives on my 1970 Mamiya RB67. Either way, I find that the thought and care I put into the conception of the shot matters much more than what tool I use to make it happen.

For the next 52 weeks I will embark on a journey to celebrate film. Each week I will shoot a roll of film and share the results. I’ll be using different films and different cameras. Some will be portraits, some landscapes, and some conceptual.

Last week I volunteered some time to photograph the Village Green Farm-to-Table Dinner. It was a beautiful time filled with locally grown main and side courses. That night I also met Tizbee and Stephanie who staged for a few shots to show the different types of events for which Village Green can serve as a venue. However, my favorite shot of them was this candid I captured while they were listening to Vera Johnson give a presentation on bees. While the photograph isn’t technically perfect (especially the ghosting caused by the post in front of the camera) I really appreciate the tenderness in which the soon-to-be married couple hold each other.

Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3