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.

 

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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).

 

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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.

 

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Instant Photography Today

Winter 2014 (kind of looks like Winter 2015), by Reed A. George

Polaroid 103, Fuji FP3000B Pack Film

 

I'm still having some fun with instant photography. This was one area I'd stayed out of for several years, but am now in, and really enjoying it. My entry was the Polaroid 103 that my parents sent to me. I converted it to use AAA batteries, found Fuji pack film, and started shooting. Lots of fun.

 

Then, I went to the Film Photography Project's Walking Workshop last spring, where I was introduced to the new Fujifilm Instax Neo Mini. I now have one, along with the wireless Instax printer. These are fun, but they're really just party toys. The images are nice, but quite small.

 

Next, my friend Dennis Gallus sold (nearly gave) me his Mamiya Universal Press (MUP) outfit. I added a pack film back, and now I have a very capable, high quality instant imaging system, complete with full manual control and interchangeable lenses. Awesome.

 

And now, I've picked up a higher grade Polaroid (the Model 250), complete with several hard-to-find accessories, including the portrait kit, closeup kit, remote release, and timer. That camera is on its way to Seattle for a shutter replacement. What makes the 250 higher quality than my 103? All metal body, Zeiss finder, tripod mount, some exposure control. All pretty nice.

 

I was reading about the current state of instant photography. It's not all good. The worst news is that the venerable Fujifilm FP3000B is discontinued. Still available at this point at twice its normal price or more, but no longer being manufactured. That leaves only FP100C, which is great color film, but no B&W option. The Impossible Project is a great development, making new instant films with a reconditioned Polaroid factory, but the prices are high, and the offering incomplete. $3 per shot is an awful lot. I find myself hoping that they'll make pack film in the future, but I'm not looking forward to the cost.

 

(Click Here) to read a review of the state of instant photography on polaroidland.net.

 

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Nice Write Up on the Argus A on the Film Photography Project

I have an Argus A. I usually take it out once a year, for the annual Argus Day, in August. (Click Here) to read about Argus Day. I missed it last year, but will keep it in mind for 2015.

Catching Crayfish, by Reed A. George

Argus A

 

(Click Here) to read a recent post by Robert Dungan on the Film Photography Project's website, about the Argus A. While you're there, visit the FPP store and buy something. They're a great group, and are helping to keep film photography alive and well.

 

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Dancing to Woody Pines on a Tuesday Night

Yesterday's post was about my friends in the band Mink, playing at Jammin' Java on a Tuesday night.

 

After Mink, Woody Pines hit the stage. I had to leave early, but did capture these shots of people having a good ol' time dancing to their music.

Dancing to Woody Pines, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 1600, f3.2, 1/60 sec.

Bounced flash (Nikon SB800) on manual, ~1/32 power

 

I was about to walk out the door as the band started, but the music was pretty infectious. Noticing that people had started to dance, I shot several images of them silhouetted against the stage lights, without flash, and with my 50mm f1.4 lens. None of those images really came out very well.

 

Then, I decided to move in closer with the 24mm, and add just enough flash to illuminate the dancers in front of the stage. I reduced the expose I'd already set for the previous shots by decreasing my iso from 3200 to 1600, and set the flash on a lower power manual setting. I was quite pleased with this result.

 

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Mink at Jammin Java

I haven't been able to make it to a lot of live music events recently. I did get out on a Tuesday night (!) to see my friends Melissa, Danny, and Rudy of the band Mink play at a local venue, Jammin Java, in Vienna, Virginia.

 

I brought out my new Nikon Df and three prime lenses - 24mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, and 85mm f1.8.

 

Mink, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AF-D

iso 5600, f2.8, 1/125 sec.

 

Keeping the camera in Auto-ISO mode, was able to set a relatively fast shutter speed (1/125 sec.) and shoot wide open with any of the three lenses. As you can see, iso 5600 is just no problem at all for the Df. Actually, 12,800 isn't too bad.

 

Melissa and Danny, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D

iso 2800, f2, 1/125 sec.

 

It felt good to get out and see my old friends, even for a quick set on a weeknight.

 

(Click Here) to find out more about Mink.

 

(Click Here) to find out about Jammin Java.

 

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