"Engineer" (Low-Fi Large Format) Prints from Photojojo

I have a couple of images that I want to print very large. I posted one of them yesterday, which I shot at Audubon Park in New Orleans. I have a very large square frame that I rescued from the trash can, waiting for that shot. Another is a pinhole image that I recently made, which I have not yet shared. It's a much less sharp (obviously, having come from a pinhole camera), more interpretive image that I want to print as large as possible to see if the effect scales.

 

Large prints are very expensive to make. At least photographic quality prints. This morning, I found a post about "Engineer" prints from Photojojo.

 

Image Source: http://photojojo.com/engineerprints/img/tutorial_photos/Engineer-Prints-457_Full1600new.jpg

 

These are apparently made on printers designed for architectural drawings, and on rather lightweight paper. They are 3' x 4' in size, and only in black and white. The description includes this statement about what to expect:

 

"Streaked, striated and wacky black and gray tones combine to create a super unique look that’s no ordinary photo print."

 

So, don't expect a perfect print. However, at $25, and with free shipping, it may just be worth a try with my pinhole image. That shot is made on 4x5 film, so I can make a very large scan of it to send for printing. Yes, I think I'll give it a go. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

(Click Here) to read more about Engineer Prints from Photojojo.

 

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Another Lens Option for Focusing on Composition With Micro 4/3

Olympus 15mm f8 "Body Cap" Lens

Image Source: www.amazon.com

 
I've posted some images that I've taken with the Holga 25mm f8 lens for Micro 4/3 recently. Today, I read a nice post by Ray_S on mu-43.com, where he shared several pictures he took in Philadelphia, using the new Olympus 15mm f8 "Body Cap" lens. Ray_S has listed copyright protection on his images, so I didn't repost any here (too bad, I'd say it's limiting his exposure, but that's not my call).
 
So, (Click Here) to see his images.
 
I really like the composition and look of some of these pictures. There's clearly some processing going on here that makes them look like HDR to me. A bit artificial looking, again in my opinion, but the lens clearly works pretty well.
 
The Olympus lens is a 15mm (30mm field of view equivalent on full-frame 35mm sensors), fixed aperture f8 lens. Just like the Holga, it is a slow lens (f8 requires quite a lot of light), and has a little bit of focus adjustment capability, but it's only rough. At 15mm focal length, focus is not much of an issue anyway - the depth of field is enormous. The Olympus lens is wider angle than the Holga, and I'd venture to say the optics are higher quality than the Holga (not a high bar). The other cool thing about the Olympus lens is that it's tiny. In fact, as the name indicates, you can use it as a body cap for your extra Micro 4/3 camera body; it's only 9mm (~1/3 of an inch) thick. It can also focus close-up, to a minimum distance of 30cm (12 inches).
 
The Olympus lens is more "expensive" than the $25 Holga, but at ~$55, it's hardly going to break the bank for anyone who can afford a Micro 4/3 camera body. My conclusion is that the Olympus Body Cap lens adds nicely to the goal of Micro 4/3 gear overall - compact, easy to use, good (not extraordinary) image quality. Maybe I'll try one.
 
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Why Is This So Bloody Fun? Holga Plastic Lens on Micro 4/3.

So, on a whim and a suggestion (from Andrea Costa, one of my readers), I recently picked up a Holga plastic lens for my Lumix DMC-G3 Micro 4/3 camera. Total cost? $22 including shipping, and a couple of weeks waiting for shipment from Hong Kong.
 
(Click Here) to go to Holga Direct if you want one.
 
I used mine on our last day in Barcelona. I can't really explain why, but it's sort of freeing to not worry about the technical quality of your images. It's a blast to just snap whatever comes in front of your eyes. One very rough focus knob is all there is. The f-stop is always f8. I used aperture priority sometimes, manual shutter speed settings, other times. Most of the time I used iso 400, but went up to 3200 in dark places.
 
This shot was taken from the cable car going up to Montjuic Castle. These guys were working on the roof of a building in the part.

Roof Repairs, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Going Up, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

I find that this lens works best with bold shapes and colors. Maybe that's one of the things I like about using it. It just kind of captures blurry little memories of what you're experiencing. I really, really like using it.

Vines, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Montjuic Castle Arches, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

 

Lamps, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

Tomatoes, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Holga 25mm f8 for Micro 4/3

I highly recommend that you get one of these. I can feel it being a great solution for creative block, when I just can't think of anything to shoot, or what to say with my photography. I wondered about whether I'd regret using it on a trip to Barcelona - didn't I want all nice, sharp images? The answer is no. The Holga lens really added to my trip, and the shots here will be part of my memories of the trip.

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