FotoWeek 2017 Opening Party - 360 Views

Last night, I attended the opening party for DC FotoWeek, an event that is celebrating it's 10th anniversary.

(Click Here) to learn more about FotoWeek.

I took the opportunity to shoot some 360 degree panoramas with my new Ricoh Theta V, a badass little dual-sensor camera that makes these immersive images easy to produce.  Almost too easy.

Be sure to check out the final one, it's a funny little few second video of a toddler on the dance floor who takes an interest in my camera.

Here they are.  DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL AROUND AND ZOOM!

You get much better controls if you click on Theta in the bottom left of each image.

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

A view from the fireplace:

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

And finally, that video clip:

Today on the National Mall

Leica M9, Fujinon L 5cm f2.8 LTM Lens

DMC-365.blogspot.com

01/20/2017 Inauguration Day

 

A Distinguished Couple

 

From an Asian festival in Washington, DC. Photos made with my Rolleiflex SL2000F and Sonnar 135mm f2.8 lens. That Sonnar is one of the very best telephoto lenses I've ever used.

 

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Freer-Sackler Museum, Smithsonian

I love the silhouette in the upstairs window...

 

Leica M3.

 

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White House: "Bill for First Lady"

At least someone's having fun with this election...

 

Rollei 35 Tessar.

 

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Georgetown (less cynical)

Georgetown Street Scene, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D at 70mm

iso 400, f5.6, 1/500 sec.

 

Shot through open passenger window while stopped in traffic.

 

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"Sightseeing"

"Sightseeing"at the Lincoln Memorial, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D at 40mm

iso 400, f5.6, 1/800 sec.

 

 

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Korean War Memorial - Rolleiflex SL2000F

I'm still thoroughly enjoying the somewhat uncommon Rolleiflex SL2000F that I bought a while back. (Click Here) to read about it.

 

Here's a shot I made with the SL2000F and Rollei 135mm f2.8 lens.

 

Korean War Memorial, by Reed A. George

 

What a blast this camera is to use.

 

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Fun with Nikon Film SLR - the Venerable FM

My Nikon film SLR collection is nearly complete, I've had my eye out for one I didn't have - the original FM. I finally found one in essentially mint condition, used, on Amazon. I took the chance and was rewarded with this great little camera. One of the best things about the FM is that it can mount and use both AI and non-AI lenses, making it the perfect film companion to my digital Nikon Df.

 

Here are some shots from the test roll of Ilford HP5 that I put through the FM.

 

 

Saying that I'm pleased is an understatement.

 

By the way, I scanned these on a new dedicated film scanner, the Pacific Image XA. While all of the autoloading on this scanner is a bit oversold, the image quality is outstanding. I can actually see film grain in my scans, something that has been elusive on flatbed scanners, even the Epson V750. If you're serious about scanning 35mm films, I suggest you give the XA a try.

 

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Digital Panorama with Nikon Df - Korean War Memorial, Washington, DC

I've been working on my technique for shooting digital panoramas. Today I shot this one, at the Korean War Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC. I shot it with my Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF lens at 44mm, f/11. I found the approximate nodal point (ideal point of rotation for panoramic images) by using my gimbal head, usually reserved for the big telephotos. That worked quite well.

 

I am searching for a viewer to allow my blog readers to see it up close and scroll around - the detail in this huge image is amazing.

 

Just for fun, I printed it on my Epson P600 printer with roll paper. In order to get the height to 12 inches, the length of the print is nearly 10 feet! It is really cool to see on paper. I can't do that everyday. The cost of this one print was probably ridiculous. I think it was about $20 in paper, many times that in ink cost.

 

 

If you click on the image, it should take you to flicker, where you can see it bigger.

 

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Some Shots with the Pre-AI Nikkor 55mm f1.2

I took my old 55mm f1.2 Nikkor out, mated to my Nikon F2SB body, loaded with HP5, to Washington, DC. Here's what resulted:

 

 

Tough to focus (manually), lots of misses, but hey, what's a f1.2 lens for if not shooting in the dark? Fun stuff.

 

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Protest!

On October 16, 2015, there was a march and protest against genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and more specifically, against Monsanto, in Washington, DC.

 

Disclaimer: My coverage of this event does not indicate that I do/do not identify with the protester's position on this issue.

 

The event began at the United States White House, in Lafayette Park. The protesters took to the street, and marched from the park to the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

The welcome at the EPA (by Department of Homeland Security) was calm, yet firm. This officer informed the protesters that they were welcome to protest on the front lawn, but if they attempted to enter the EPA building, they would be arrested. No one attempted entry.

 

 

Many of the protesters dressed up as honey bees, a species they have identified as being affected by Monsanto's products.

 

 

The honey bees staged a "die in" on the EPA lawn.

 

There was a range of speakers at the event, ranging from the very young (10 years old?) to adult. Their logic ranged as well, and a lot of numbers and statistics were stated without much context, in my opinion.

 

Next, the group marched on to the DC offices of Monsanto. This gentleman was attempting to get into the building, presumably on some sort of official business, when one of the protesters offered him some "Monsanto Bucks," a printed fake currency meant to represent the money that changes hands between government and company officials. He did not accept it.

 

The Monsanto building had prepared well, and had security guards and tape at the doors. They would not let this gentleman in. Apparently disgusted, he seemed to have had no choice but to walk away.

 

 

Interestingly, his security badge lanyard says "Criminal Division." I'm not sure what to make of that.

 

This was the only instance of tension that I witnessed during the protest. The police were present, but as you can see, quite relaxed and friendly with the protesters.

 

 

At this point, the energy of the group started to wane, and I moved on with my evening.

 

This was an interesting shoot for me. I covered it entirely with my Leica M9, 35mm f2 Summicron v.3, and 90mm f4 Elmar C lenses. Great fun.

 

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What Do You See?

Here's my favorite shot from last weekend's LHSA meeting in Washington, DC.

 

I call it E(ye)nigma.

 

E(ye)nigma, by Reed A. George

Leica Monochrom, 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH. lens

iso 1250, f2.4, 1/125 sec.

 

What do you see in this image? I hope you'll see two very different images if you look at it from a distance (or with you eyes squinted a little), and then look close up at some of the details.

 

It's a complicated, busy composition. I know that. That is part of why it works for me.

 

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I Got to Borrow a Leica Monochrom Camera - and I Liked It!

As part of the LHSA (International Leica Society)'s annual meeting in Wahington, DC, Leica camera offered the "Leica On Loan" program to us members. I got to borrow a first version Monochrom camera and 50mm f1.4 Summilux lens. Here are two shots I made with that combo.

 

I am very impressed with the results. Now that the new, improved Monochrom is out, I am really interested in that, too. Purely in an academic sense, that is; I don't have $7,500 laying around...

 

Leica On Loan is a wonderful benefit of being an LHSA member. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of my LHSA friends in DC.

 

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Walking Tour Itinerary and Plan - LHSA Annual Meeting - Georgetown, Washington DC, Thursday October 15, 2015

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, I will lead a walking tour as part of the program for the International Leica Society (LHSA)'s annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be held in Washington, DC. My tour will be a nice walk through Georgetown, and will last from 8:30AM to noon.

 

Here's the itinerary (total 2.8 miles walking), with likely photographic interests listed below each location:

 

8:30 AM: I will meet the group in the Marriott Lobby; we need to leave promptly at 8:30AM to catch an 8:45AM train at Crystal City Metro Station (8 minutes transport time). Fare is $3.20 (cash/fare card). For those who can, it will be very helpful if you can purchase Metro fare cards before the tour. A total of $6.40 per person should cover the Metro ride both ways.

9:00-9:20 AM: Begin walk from Rosslyn Metro Station across Key Bridge to Georgetown.

- nice views of the Potomac River, Roosevelt Island, Georgetown Waterfront from above

9:20-9:50 AM: Georgetown University (37th Ave NW from Prospect St North to O St NW).

- campus architecture, students

9:50-10:15 AM: Walk East on O St NW to Wisconsin Ave NW

- Cobblestone street, neighborhood architecture

10:15-10:45 AM: Walk South on Wisconsin Ave NW to Georgetown Waterfront

- people, street scenes, cross C&O canal

10:45-11:15 AM: Walk along Waterfront, up 33rd St NW to M St

- Potomac River, park

11:15-11:45 AM: Walk M St NW back to Key Bridge, back across bridge to Rosslyn Metro Station. Trains returning to Crystal City leave at 11:35AM and 11:47 AM (8 mins. transport time). Fare is $3.20 (cash/fare card).

- Street scenes

 

Here's a map of the walking portion of the tour:

 

 

The red dot in the image above is Rosslyn Station.

 

Here are some teaser images from my practice walk, to give you some ideas of what you may see on the tour:

 

Key Bridge:

 

Wisconsin Avenue:

 

 

Georgetown Waterfront:

 

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Washington, DC!

 

Reed

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Happy Accidents

So, here's the scenario. I decide to grab my Rolleiflex T, one of my long-term favorite cameras, and take it out for a drive into Washington, DC. It's loaded with film, a few exposures into the roll, but I can't remember which film. If I was thinking as I loaded it, and adjusted the indicator on the knob, it's Portra 160. But, the question is, was I thinking?

 

What to do? Well, I decided to take it into a dark room, open the back, take out both spools, wind it by hand back onto the supply spool, and see what I have. Yup, I was thinking; it's Portra 160. No problem. Now, I simply reloaded the spools as normal and went about my business. Except one thing - I needed to advance past the shots I'd already made. Didn't do it.

 

While the Rolleiflex T is designed to protect against multiple exposures, my little diversion very effectively caused them. I didn't even think of it until I saw the processed negatives.

 

In this case, I think it turned four rather pedestrian shots into maybe something a little more interesting. Keep in mind, I had no idea that I was creating double exposures.

 

 

Happy Accidents, by Reed A. George

Rolleiflex T, Kodak Porta 160

 

What's amazing and cool to me is the fact that in both of these examples, the little girl superimposed to the upper left seems to be pointing at the person rowing on the river. I think that's really cool. Wish I could have planned it that way!

 

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Some Favorites from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2015 - Featuring Peru

Here is a selection of my favorite images from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2015. Peru was the featured country.

 

I shot all of these with my newly re-sealed Nikon FM2 and Nikkor AIS 35mm f1.4 lens on Agfa APX400 film.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Featuring Peru - Shot with Nikon FM2 and Nikkor 35mm f1.4 AIS Lens

I just replaced the seals on my Nikon FM2. My latest roll of film showed evidence of a minor light leak. That's all fixed up now. It took about an hour to get all the old seal residue off and install the new ones, but it was well worth the effort.

 

To test it, I mounted my new Nikkor 35mm f1.4 AIS lens, loaded a roll of Agfa APX400 film (thanks again, Dennis!), met my friend Charlie, and headed into DC. We attended the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which featured Peru this year. Here are a few of the first pics I've scanned.

 

 

I just got the lens from another friend, Alain, a short time back. I haven't used it a lot. I think I like it.

 

I will be posting more from this event as I get them scanned.

 

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Now That's an Escalator

Woodley Park Metro, by Reed A. George

Leica M3 DS, Summicron 50mm f2 Lens

Ilford HP5+ Film

 

Quick post this morning, as I'm at a conference, writing in the lobby before things get started.

 

This is a very impressive escalator at the National Zoo exit of the DC Metro system. The winches and construction equipment on the right caught my eye, immediately after the slightly disorienting look all the way to the top. This shot challenged my iso 400 film, even at f2. I think I shot it at 1/30 second, with the Summicron wide open. While I would have preferred to catch an escalator rider's face, that just didn't happen. I did time my shot to get the lowest person's legs lit by the escalator foot lights. If I'd had a wider lens, I would have liked to get more of the lower part of the escalator belt, but had to work with the only lens I had. Getting the top of the escalator was more important in my opinion, to show the overall height involved.

 

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