From the Archive - My What a Big Popeye You Have

Nikon FE2 Nikkor 35-104 f3.5/4.5 Agfachrome 100 Pre-E6 - One from the archive, you never know what you will see when arrive for work a a shopping Mall. 10:00 AM in the parking lot of the old Coliseum Mall in Hampton Va. and I am greeted with the disembodied head of Popeye the Sailor. I did not realize he was quite that big. It appears Bluto finally got his revenge.
Scanned with a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III and Minolta's OEM Software.

From the Archive - Robert F. Snow & Son Bicycles & Repair

Unknown Camera and Lens Kodak Tri-X 400 developer possibly HC-110 Dil. B - Technically, this shot is far from perfect, but I like it. Shot sometime in the late 1980's in Phoebus VA., it feels much older, but then again Phoebus has that look and feel. The camera used for this image is unknown, this is just a frame from a roll of miscellaneous images. My first solo apartment was above Robert F. Snow and Son, and as far as I know, the shop and the apartment are still there.

Hampton Hobby House Polaroid 665 Circa 1985

Polaroid Automatic 100 Polaroid 665 Positive/Negative Film - I was rummaging through my photo drawer and ran across this gem. Yes that is me circa 1985, manning the photo counter at the Hampton Hobby House in Hampton VA.. My first real job and the best job a budding photographer could ever have. I would kill to have access to half the photographic artifacts that were hidden in the drawers and boxes of that wonderful store. This was taken by my co-worker and partner in crime Alan Hilliard. We were playing with an outdated pack of Polaroid Type 665 Positive/Negative film. The print of this image was lost long ago, but I tucked away the washed negative in a plain envelope for safe keeping. Ah, the memories, some of the best days of my life. Polaroid recommended fixing the negatives with a sodium sulfite solution if I remember correctly, but we just washed them in water to remove the black backing. The negative held up pretty well over almost 30 years.

From the Archive - Musical Still Life exposure no. 7

Mamiya RB67 Sekkor 90mm f2.8 FujiFilm Reala ISO 100 C-41 - One from 1993, a little fun with what was around at the time. Two Bowen 9000 Monolites shooting through white umbrellas. Another example of my ongoing love affair with FujiFilm Reala. Low contrast, tight grain and great tone reproduction.

From the Archive - Class Ring

Bronica S2A Nikkor 75mm f2.8 Kodak Plus-X D-76 Stock - I shot this for my High School Year Book. Not too bad for a 18 year old. I bought the Bronica S2A used while working in a Camera Shop, and later traded it for a VHS Video Camcorder. In hind site, I got the short end of the stick.

From the Archive - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect

Bronica S2A Nikkor 75mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X D-76 Stock - An old Self Portrait, going back almost 30 years. Tri-X was generally my film of choice back then and D-76 my developer. A very simple shot. Incandescent overhead lighting from a single source (my bedroom light). Let's see how many of you digital images you have 30 years from now.

From the Archive - Fog on Hampton Roads 1980's

Nikon FE-2 Nikkor 35-105 f3.5/4.5 Kodak Tri-X 400 HC-110 Dil. B - Just a grey foggy day on Fort Monroe in Hampton VA.. Shot sometime between 1983 and 1986, most of my negative pages from that time are not labeled very well. I am just happy I still have them.

From the Archive - Film Reels 1987

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Kodak Tri-X 400 HC-110 Dil. B - Shot in the Balcony projection booth of The New America Theatre sometime in 1987 another old negative that never made it to print. I always thought the series looked promising on the spread sheet. Shot with available light and I suspect the Tri-X was pushed to 800. I loved grainy, contrasty Black and White, back then, and I still do today. I used constant stirring agitation during development to get the most contrast I could.

From the Archives Barnacles 1986

Nikon FE-2 Nikkor 35-105 f3.5-4.5 Kodak Plus-X 125 HC-110 Dilution B - I burned through a of film in the mid to late 80's many rolls never made is past the proof sheet phase. Interesting to go back and visit some of those "lost rolls." Shot in the back yard of my parents house on the Hampton River in Hampton, VA.. I never printed anything from this roll, in hind site, that is a shame.

Happy Holidays. However You Celebrate

Bronica S2A Nikkor 75mm f2.8 Kodak Tri-X 400 HC-110 Dil. B - From the 1980's. Still one of my favorites. I wish I'd never let that Bronica go.

From the Archives - Sometimes the ones you like don't make sense.

Nikon F2AS Nikkor 35-105 f3.5-4.5 (assumed) Fuji Neopan 400 Kodak HC-110 - Most likely shot in 1987 or 1988 this is a one off shot I keep coming back too. It seems to ask more questions than it answers. Grainy, missed focus and contrasting , I have to assume this roll was pushed, but the specifics are long lost to time. Most would consider this a cast off, but there is just something about it I like. Scan is pretty much "as is" which seems fitting for this image.

From the Archives - New America Theatre

Mamiya Universal 100mm f2.8 Kodak Gold 100 - The Side wall of the new America Theatre Shot sometime in 1987 or 1988. I lived in an Apartment  above the bike shop next store and amazing always likes this view.