No. 1

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

When left alone, nature slowly reclaims all.

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

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. 

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.

Desert Boulders

Fujifilm GA645Zi Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C-41 Processing Kit

Another image from the roll of Fujifilm Reala that sat in my GA645Zi for nearly two years. I am sure my fellow analog photographers feel there are two sins in the sentence previous,

1. I left a perfectly good roll of film in a camera for nearly two years
2. I did not use my Fujifilm GA645Zi for nearly two years.

Either one is bad enough on its own, but combine the two and I really need to do some penance to the Analog Gods.

Anyway, it is a nice image of the boulders in the Sonoran Desert outside of Phoenix Arizona.

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

Sonoran Desert no. 1

Fujifim GA645Zi Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C41 Processing Kit

Not bad for a roll of film that sat in the camera for nearly two years. This image was taken in the Sonoran Desert outside of Phoenix in September of 2015, but due to my hiatus from analog photography, is sat lonely and undeveloped until now. The roll held up well. I wish I could say the same for the other roll from this trip, which got two unprotected x-ray baths during the trip. I am sure they will be the subject of a future post.

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

Majestic....

Fujifilm GA645Zi Fujifilm Reala 100 Arista C-41 Processing Kit - So many tones and textures. I have always loved Fujifilm's Reala and the is one of my few remaining rolls. The GA645Zi makes shooting medium format a guilty pleasure.

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

Instax Evil Dead

Lomo-Instant Camera with Close-Up lens Fujifilm Instax Mini Film - Inspired by last night's viewing of the original version of "The Evil Dead" and a general lack of any in my other project coming to fruition any time soon, I thought I would play with some Instax close-ups. When Instax film is extremely over exposed it actual begins to product a negative effect as you can see on the top of the skull. This adds and eery touch to this image.

Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM software.

Instax Berries

Lomo'Instant with Close-Up Lens Fujifilm Instax Mini Film - Shot after a heavy snow in late afternoon sun, I love the contrast between the red berries and the blue tinted shadows.

Scanned with a HP Scant G4050 using HP's OEM software.

Instant Faces

                                    

Lomography Society Lomo'Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film - Sometimes life gets in the way. I have been woefully neglectful of both my photography and this blog over the past few months. Between work and other concerns I have had difficulty finding the time. In the mean time I have been playing with my new Lomo'Instant camera and here are a couple of funs shots. The Lomo'Instant camera comes with colored filters that insert over the flash, so I thought I would use them for a couple of self portraits. I also used the auxiliary portrait lens that I purchased with the camera.

Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 Scanner using HP's OEM software.

A Simple Beginning

Lomo'Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini Film - Just a quick shot to make sure my new Lomo'Instant Camera is working properly. A cute pile of Prey over Predators caught my eye as a good first subject. The lens of the camera is surprising sharp, especially since focus is limited to two broad zones. This was shot with the closer zone which is 0.4m to 0.9m. More to come soon...

Scanned with a HP G4050 scanner using HP's OEM Software.

It's Here! The Lomo'Instant Camera

I backed the Lomo'Instant Camera Kickstarter project from the start and finally received my reward, presenting my new Lomo'Instant Camera. I purchased the Black Camera with the full lens set, including the Fish-Eye, Close Up and Portrait Lenses. I have always been a huge fan of instant photography of all types and was happy to support this project. The final product exceeded my expectations. The camera is well made, with an excellent fit and finish, while keeping the "Plastic fantastic" feel you expect from the Lomography Society. I cannot wait to start working through my first two pack of Fujifilm Instax Instant film to see the results.

Vanishing Point

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - An eery trip into light and shadow, this track trails off into oblivion. The late afternoon sun casting shadows made this shot for me.

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

Under The Bridge

Kiev 60 Arsat 150mm f2.8 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Caffenol-C-M plus Salt - The supports of the Lynchburg Expressway Bridge that crosses the railroad tracks and the James River. An interesting mix of symmetry and chaos.

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