The Overgrown Path

                                   

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f3.5 Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C41 Kit

This is the opposite view from my post The Barred Path, in hindsight the two taken as a single work invoke a sense of having no clear options. One can remain outside the gates, or turn and walk into an uncertain future.

The two present together

                                      

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

The Barred Path...

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C41

I have an artistic fascination with old doors that I cannot fully explain. I can say the ones that call to me do so at some sort of emotional level.  Maybe it is just a childish curiosity of what may lie beyond, or maybe it is the frustration of not knowing. I do feel they are symbolic barriers to the past, observers of comings and goings that will never tell their secrets.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo, using Epson OEM software.

Love....

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f4.5 Fujifim Reala 100 Arista C-41 Kit

The "Love" statue near Riverfront Park in Lynchburg, Virginia. Not much to say on this one other than I like the way the Arsat 45mm accentuates the converging lines of the sculpture from this angle.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo Scanner using Epson's OEM software. 

The James Through the Trees

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C-41 Kit

A peek at the James River passing through Lynchburg, Virginia through the dense foliage on its banks. I returned to my Kiev 60's to shoot my last two rolls of Fujifilm Reala and despite their quirks, I still love them as field shooters.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

In the Weeds No. 2 Fujifilm FP-100c Negative Reclamation

Speed Graphic Graflex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c Negative Reclamation

I have toyed with the Fujifilm FP-100c negative reclamation process many times, usually with disappointing results, but sometimes I get an interesting outcome. This is one of those times. For me, it is the imperfections of the process that make it attractive. The resulting negatives are very thin and low contrast, at least in my experience, and scanning them is a challenge. The results have a pastel quality giving an ethereal feel or maybe my kalopsia is showing.

The original instant print can be found here: In The Weeds.  

Scanned using an HP Scanjet G4050 using Vuescan 9 x64 (9.5.85).

Creeper in the Shadows

Olympus Stylus 35mm f2.8 Out of Data Fujifilm Superia 200 Arista C41 Kit

Another image from my Olympus Infinity Stylus, this one showing off its more than capable exposure system.  I did a few different exposures for this image, some with fill flash, some without, but I decided the one without fill flash was the best. If you look closely at the image enlarged, you can see and interesting bokeh effect created but the light passing through the out of focus leaves in the background. The effect is most pronounced in the upper left section of the image.

Scanning with a Pakon F135 Scanner using Pakon's OEM software. 

Hint of Autumn

Olympus Stylus 35mm f2.8 Out of Data Fujifilm Superia 200 Arista C41 Kit

During its heyday, the Olympus Infinity Stylus was known the professional photographer's point and shoot camera of choice.  Its sharp Olympus 35mm f2.8 lens, compact size, and elegant clamshell made it the perfect pocket companion for serious photographers looking for a convenience and quality. Add features such as decent close focus capabilities and an excellent fill flash mode and you had a camera that would produce SLA quality images without the bulk. I picked mine up at a resale shop for around $3.00 and have never regretted the investment. As you can see from the image above, it is a capable little camera.

Scanned with a Pakon F135 using Pakon's OEM software.

In The Weeds

Speed Graphic Graflex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c

I love instant film, especially the old pull and peel type which, unfortunately, appears to be a dying format. I will miss being able to load a pack of Fujifilm's FP-100c into my Polaroid 405 back and turning my Speed Graphic into a massive instant camera. There is just something about the soft contrast of this type of instant film that makes it unique.

Scanned using an HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM Software.

A Devilish Grin

FujiFilm GA645Zi FujiFilm NPH 400 Pro Arista C41 Kit

This was a creepy find, even in broad daylight. The line "Why So Serious" from the Film "The Dark Night" comes to mind and I expected the Joker to pop out of one of the surrounding dark doorways at any moment.

Shooting with the GA645Zi feeling like cheating as it makes shooting media format so effortless. The autofocus is usually tack sharp and the exposure system is great even in tough lighting situations. The built in flash is excellent for daylight fill, as you can see in this image.

Scanned using an Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

An Unexplained Madness....

FujiFilm GA645Zi FujiFilm NPH 400 Pro Arista C41 Processing Kit

Someone made use of a broken plastic chair to jot down a profound thought. Captured as found the full text is;

"An unexplained madness in a trembling mortal form,

Here to bring a thundering God to his knees."

-Anonymous

It is a shame a cannot properly credit the author, but he or she did not sign their work.

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo, using Epson's EOM software.