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:

Autumn Color

I got out in the autumn colors today, from a vantage point at Bear's Den overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, less than an hour from home.  Here's the overall scene (don't forget that it's interactive - you can zoom and scroll around in the 360 degree panorama image if you click on image):

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

And here are my favorite shots from the day, all shot with my Nikon D810.  The first two with the Nikkor 200-500mm, the rest with the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f1.4 (amazing lens!).

World Pinhole Day 2016

Tree Triptych, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera

Kodak TMax 100 Black and White Negative Film

 

April 24, 2016 was World Pinhole Day (WPD). Here's the shot I submitted.

 

I inadvertently made it a triptych (series of three images) by improperly loading my film behind the two posts (vertical black stripes) instead of in front of them. I like it, though.

 

See all of the WPD submissions by (clicking here).

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

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.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Another Panorama - Bronica ETRS This Time

I really like shooting panoramic images.

 

Rudy, Ben, and Will, by Reed A. George

Bronica ETRS, 135W Panoramic Back, Kodak Color 400 Film

 

I'm dragging the Bronica gear out after a few years of neglect. I'm having a problem with the film not advancing predictably with this 35mm wide back, but sure like how this image came out. More to come from this camera.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Panorama

 

Aloha Lake, Desolation Wilderness, by Reed A. George

 

The iPhone does an incredible job with panoramas. Click on it to see the detail.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Do I Miss My Hasselblad Xpan? I think I Do.

Some of my Xpan Shots, With 45mm f4 Lens

 

I used to own a Hasselblad Xpan and 45mm lens. It's the only Hasselblad I've ever owned. I liked it, but didn't love it at the time. It was valuable enough, I decided to sell it. Now, I wonder if that was a good idea. I was just getting into the panoramic composition. I have continued to play with panos, with a few different cameras that give me the option - the Reality So Subtle 6x17 pinhole camera is my favorite. I also have a Lomography Sprocket Rocket, and a 35mm wide (panoramic) back for my Bronica ETR. But, the Xpan was a nice combination of small size, flexibility (it can also shoot normal 35mm frames), and very high quality optics.

 

As I prepare for my upcoming vacation and hiking trip, I'm thinking about the Xpan again. My plan is to take my Fujifilm GS645S medium format rangefinder, and my Lumix DMC-LX100 on the trip. Both are excellent travel cameras. But, an Xpan would be great, especially for the hike.

 

Nick DeMarco of the Rangefinder Chronicles shoots an Xpan regularly. (Click Here) to see a nice post of Nick's work.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

One More Wide Pinhole in This Series -

W-I-D-E Perspective, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera

Kodak TMax 100 Film, 35 sec., f/250

 

The orchid on the table at right is what caught my eye. So, I set up my Reality So Subtle camera very close to it, and opened the shutter. I then walked to the window at center. If you look hard, you can see my translucent silhouette.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Frog's Eye View - Reality So Subtle 6x17 Pinhole

Frog's Eye View, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera

Kodak TMax 100 Film, 30 sec. Exposure

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Pinhole at the National Arboretum

Finally finished the roll of 120 film in my Reality So Subtle pinhole camera. Who'd guess it's a challenge to finish a 4 exposure roll? But, the results are pretty cool. More coming soon.

 

National Arboretum Bonsai Collection, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera

Kodak TMax 100 Film

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

World Pinhole Day - Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramas and My Entry

I've posted several times about Worldwide Pinhole Day. Here are four images I made with my Reality So Subtle 6x17 pinhole camera, on TMax 100 film. (Click Here) to find out more about this awesome camera. It has my high recommendation.

 

All were taken at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC.

 

The fourth and final image is the one I chose to submit to the Worldwide Pinhole Day gallery for 2015.

 

To see all of the entries for Worldwide Pinhole Day 2015, (Click Here).

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

How to Get Better Pinhole Images

Bull Run Creek, by Reed A. George

4x5 Pinhole Camera

 

Today (the day I'm writing this, April 26, 2015) is World Pinhole Day.

 

(Click Here) to read about World Pinhole Day. You've missed this one, but read up and be prepared for the next one!

 

My friend, Bill, and I went put and shot pinhole images today at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. I used my 6x17 panoramic pinhole camera for black and white. But, since there were so many great colors there because of spring, I also shot quite a lot with a pinhole body cap on my Nikon Df. I'll be posting some of those in the near future.

 

(Click Here) to read about the Reality So Subtle 6x17 panoramic pinhole camera that I use a lot these days.

 

After returning this evening, I did a web search to read a little more about pinhole techniques. I found a post on The Phoblographer (Click Here to read it), listing five keys to better pinhole photos:

 

1. Shoot in black and white
2. Use a tripod
3. Use high contrast film
4. Compose to guide the viewer through your image
5. Use a lightmeter

 

I agree with most, but not all of these points. As I've already said, I do like to shoot color as well as black and white in my pinhole cameras. Also, I strongly recommend using a smart phone app, instead of a light meter. Personally, I use a great one called "Pinhole Meter" on my iPhone. It is very simple to use, and doesn't require me to mentally calculate anything. Better than a traditional lightmeter.

 

I had a great time shooting on World Pinhole Day. Now to process film, select a single image, and get it posted to the website!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick DeMarco (Rangefinder Chronicles) Uses His Hasselblad Xpan on the Street

 

 

 

DC Street Vendors, by Reed A. George

Hasselblad Xpan

 

I used to a Hasselblad Xpan panoramic camera. Shooting 24x65mm images on regular 35mm film, it was interesting. I've always been partial to panoramic images.

 

I sold mine, for two major reasons: 1) it was worth too much money for the amount I used it, and 2) I found a panoramic back for my Bronica ETRS. I feel like I had just begun to get how to compose with the XPan when I sold it. Probably too soon. And, I have not used the Bronica pano back nearly as much as I expected.

 

What I did shoot with the Xpan was mostly landscapes.

 

I recently read a post on Nick DeMarco's Rangefinder Chronicles blog about how he uses the Xpan for street photography. (Click Here) to read about it on Nick's blog. He's got some great work there.

 

This doesn't have me back in the market for an Xpan, but it does make me motivated to get out with the Bronica. It's been sitting for far too long.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Another Example of How Technology Affects Vision

I've posted this picture before, taken with the Nikon Df and Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens.

 

Here's the same statue, shot with the Reality So Subtle 6x17 panoramic pinhole camera.

 

 

I love figuring out how to use different tools to make images that appeal to me.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

How Technology Affects Vision

Each and every camera and lens we choose brings with it a unique vision, and unique constraints. It's the combination of these influences, and creative vision, that interests me the most. Here are two shots of the same subject, made from approximately the same distance and location, but with very different cameras.

 

First, an image made with the Nikon Df and Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AF-D Lens.

 

 

And now, one made with the Reality So Subtle 6x17 panoramic pinhole camera, on 120 (medium format) film.

 

 

Quite a difference, I'd say. I like them both.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Vietnam War Memorial In Panoramic Pinhole View

 

Vietnam Memorial, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera

Kodak TMax 100 Film (120 Size), 10 sec. at f256

 

I've been shooting more pinhole images lately, using the wonderful new "Reality So Subtle" camera that I received from my wife for my 50th birthday.

 

(Click Here) to read about the camera.

 

Don't forget, Worldwide Pinhole Day is coming up on April 26, 2015! (Click Here) to read about that. I'll be shooting pinhole images that day, for sure.

 

More to come.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Some Panoramic Pinhole Images - Buddhist Temple

Here are three 6x17 shots I recently made at my meditation class:

 

These were made with the "Reality So Subtle" panoramic pinhole camera that my wife bought for my on my 50th birthday. It shoots four exposures on a roll of 120 film (TMax 400 in this case, which I developed in Kodak D-76 diluted 1:1 for 13 1/2 minutes). The top and bottom images were made with about ten seconds of exposure; the middle one took one hour.

 

(Click Here) to read more about the camera.

 

(Click Here) to see the images above at full size on my flickr page.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Final Couple of Pinhole Shots for Now

Poster Session, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle Panoramic Pinhole Camera, Kodak TMax 100 Film

 

These examples show just how well the pinhole camera can perform. Again, there were people in these pictures, too, but they're barely visible. You can see a ghostly apparition in the center of the bottom pic.

 

I like this camera.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Pinhole Camera in Odd Places

Following on my post from yesterday, here are a couple of shots I made by placing the Reality So Subtle 6x17 pinhole camera in odd places. First, I put it on top of the coffee grinder. It's impossible to see, but there was a steady stream of people who walked through the fifteen minute exposure, including one of the staff who was about to call security, wondering what this odd box on the coffee grinder was. Luckily, I was sitting nearby (that's me to the far right), and let him know it was mine. No problem, once I noticed his concern.

From the Coffee Grinder, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Pinhole Camera, Kodak TMax 100 Film

 

This next one was made by placing the camera on a stainless steel serving table, under a shelf. The lights in the ceiling are reflected back up from the stainless surface, giving an interesting effect.

From the Serving Table, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Pinhole Camera, Kodak TMax 100 Film

 

I'm really enjoying using this odd camera. For more information on the camera itself, (Click Here).

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

One Hour Exposures - 6x17 Pinhole

Two Hours at the Symposium, by Reed A. George

Reality So Subtle 6x17 Panoramic Pinhole Camera, Kodak TMax 100 Film

 

I had some fun last weekend, shooting my new panoramic pinhole camera at a work symposium. Each of these are one hour exposures. On top, I set the camera in the front row of seats, pointed directly at myself (the middle blurry person, in dark clothes). You can see my Leica CL in the picture, a little left of center.

 

The second is another one hour exposure, this time from the speaker's podium.

 

You can click on these images to see more detail on flickr.

 

In both cases, the images were significantly underexposed, because I didn't take reciprocity failure (film's loss of linear response to light in very long exposures). They would have been much better as two hour exposures. But, I think they're kind of fun and weird.

 

More long images from the symposium coming soon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com