Torture

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - Politics aside, this taggers placement of this work is perfect. Stenciled onto a buildings cracking foundation, the positioning only reinforces the message of the work. I chose a slightly over exposed negative for this post as it heightened the already high contrast of the Tri-X and Adonal combination.

Scanned with and Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

Bricks, Grass and Tags

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - Another study in texture and tones, a common thread in my current work. There are so many things going on here, the uneven tones of the brick, the contrast of brick and mortar, the pattern of the masonry and the randomness of the grass. These elements appeal to me, even when view the scene in color, my mind translates it to grey.

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Pallet

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - The overlapping, smeared appearance of this door reminded me of an Oil Painter's pallet. Layer upon layer of tone and textured blended with care and purpose, but giving no hint of the actual work in progress.

Scanned using an Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Epson's EOM Software.

The Suits no. 2

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - The return of the suits... Ever present ever watching...

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Back Alley

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f3.5 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - An interesting scene discovered while scouting a hidden alcove off Church St. in downtown Lynchburg VA.. Shot as found, if you look closely you can see "downtown" written on the laundry cart.

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

The Suits no. 1

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X Professional Adox Adonal 1:50 - I like the ominous feel of this tag, anonymous headless men is black suits lurking everywhere. The industrial element added by the location chosen just enhances its stark nature.

Scanned using an Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Epson's EOM Software.

Handles, Chains and Locks

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X 400 Adox Adonal 1:50 - Another study as much about the textures and tones, as the subject. Great later afternoon like made this image pop, and the Tri-X/Adonal combination completed the look.

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

Doggie Door

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X 400 Adox Adonal 1:50 - An interesting mix of tones and textures on this one. I love the way rusted, weathered iron renders in black and white, the subtle tones are wonderful. 

Scanned with an Epson V500 Photo using Epson OEM Software.

Dark Entries

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f3.5 Kodak Tri-X Adox Adonal 1:50 - This portal was hidden between two buildings at basement level, I noticed it from a terrace above. The sun was just cutting between the two buildings making the lighting very contrasty and eery. There was very little room to shoot, even with the Arsat 45mm. My back was against the other building.

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

First Baptist Church Lynchburg Virginia

Kiev 60 Arsat 45mm f3.5 Kodak Tri-X 400 Adox Adonal 1:50 - From Wikipedia "The First Baptist Church, a historic Baptist church located at Lynchburg, Virginia. It is built of hard-pressed red brick on a rough granite foundation. The main facade of the church, facing Eleventh Street, and the two sides are centered with large rose windows framed within Gothic arches covered with hood moldings. Construction began in 1884 and the church was dedicated in 1886. In the 1920s, Lynchburg architect Stanhope S. Johnson designed the complementary Sunday School annex. In 1941, the interior of the sanctuary was modified by Stanhope S. Johnson, with the creation of a divided chancel. It is home to the oldest Baptist congregation of Lynchburg, established in July 1815"

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Alternate Door

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X 400 Adox Adonal 1:50 - Continuing on the door theme started in the previous post, the light and shadow of the late afternoon sun made this intriguing. I have mentioned my life long love affair with Kodak's Tri-X before. It is the first film I ever developed myself and I will shoot Tri-X as long as I can get it.

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

Gotham

Kiev 60 Arat 45mm f3.5 Kodak Tri-X Adox Adonal 1:50 - Walking around downtown Lynchburg, Va. reminds me of Gotham City in the old Batman TV show, everything tilts at odd angles and nothing seems to be square. In this image the inherent barrel distortion of the Arsat 45mm accentuates that feeling. I want to return to the doorway and shoot it at night. It has a light inside the stairwell above the top of the arch, giving the entryway a great film noir in the dark.

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

My new girl Koni

Koni-Omega Rapid Omega 200 Super Omegon 90mm f3.8 Kodak Tri-X Arista 76 1:1 - A shot from the first roll through my recently acquired Koni-Omega Rapid Omega 200. A Koni-Omega has been on my camera "must have" list for some time and I finally got an opportunity to buy one for a great price (Thanks Jeremy!). The Koni-Omega line of medium format rangefinder cameras are have a 6x7 frame size rendering 10 exposures on a roll of 120 film. They have a unique single stroke "pull and push" film advance mechanism built into the interchangeable film backs, that is both quick and positive. Film advance and shuttle cocking are coupled to prevent double exposure and inserting the dark slide locks the shutter release. One oddity is the film advance does not require the shutter being fired to advance again, so it is easy to skip frames if you are not paying attention. The Super Omegon 90mm f3.5 lens has impressive sharpness as illustrated in the image above. I also have a wide angle  Wide Omegon 58mm f5.6, I have yet to test.

Technical Specifications

• Negative size 2 1/4 x 2 3/4" (10 pictures on standard rollfilm 120)
• Rangefinder Camera with automatic parallax correction
• Interchangeable lenses 58mm f5.6 with optical finder,  90 mm f3.5, 135 mm f3.5, 180 mm f4.5, all with integrated leaf shutter B, 1-1/500 s, synchronisation M/X, built-in retractable lenshood
• Film magazines 120 and 220 with preloading roll film holders 
• Rapid advance lever for film advance and shutter

 Images scanned with an Epson V500 using Epson's OEM Software

From the Archive - School Days

Nikon FE2 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Tri-X Kodak HC-110 Dil. B - In 1984, Pre-Columbine and other famous school shootings, bullet holes in High School's windows did not seem to cause much concern. This was captured at Kecoughtan High School in Hampton VA.. There were usually multiple windows with bullets holes, shots coming from the outside. All appeared overnight, with malice shown for the school itself, not the occupants within.
Scanned using a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III using SilverFast SE Plus Software.

A Slight Breeze

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - The last of this "Dark Corners" series. There was very little wind this day. I squatted patiently, waiting for a breathe of life to lift the flag. It teased me... lift slightly then falling, until finally an exhale.
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A Mute Reminder

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - Another from the Old City Cemetery, interesting shadows and tones. Many of the grave marks here are so old the marking have been lost to wind and weather, mute reminders.
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Coleman and Virginia

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - Coleman and Virginia, there may be more detail buried beneath the surface, but this is all time has left visible. A loving couple? A Son and Daughter? We cannot tell. I could shoot for week in the Old City Cemetery and always find something new. There are some many layers, textures and new angles to explore.
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Tree of Stone

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - An interesting Grave marker in the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg Va.. Reminds me of the trees that come to life in the Lord of the rings, or a Hobbits lawn monument.
Scanned with and Epson V500 using Epson's OEM Software.

Double Exposed

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Profession Arista 76 1:1 - An Accidental Double exposure that came out well. Shooting with the Diana F+, you must remember to advance the film after each exposure. Sometimes you forget, but the results can lead to some of your most interesting shots.....
Scanner with an Epson Perfection V500 scanner using Epson's OEM software.

Dark Corners and Diana

Lomography Society Diana F+ Kodak Tri-X Professional Arista 76 1:1 - From a walk through The Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg Va. with 2 rolls of Kodak Tri-X and a Lomography Society Diana F+. Actually my first rolls of 120 film through my 3 year old Diana. I originally purchased the Diana with a Fujifilm Instax Mini Back and have used it as an Instant camera until now. I love the dark corners and focus falloff of the plastic lens. Perfect for the mood of this site.
Scanned with an Epson Perfection V500 Photo using Epson's OEM Software.