My wife's uncle lent me his PERFECT Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 large format camera.
Wow... I couldn't even have hoped to get one of these, and it just popped into my lap.
I'm going to be purchasing some developer and 4x5 film from Freestyle today, and I will likely shoot my first large format images this weekend.
Wow.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, December 9, 2011
Does My Faith Mean Anything?
I am a Christian. I believe the Word of God. I know that mankind is sinful, and hostile to God. I know that I am, at my very nature, a rebel against God... essentially, a God hater. How can I know this? Because I do those things that God has told me not to do. I hate, I covet, I lust, I don't put God first in my thoughts, my time or my desires.
I know that God has provided a way for me to be righteous in His sight. His son, the God-Man Jesus, came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died as payment for the sins the I would have had t bear. I have repented.
But does my faith really mean anything to me? Do I share my faith with others, as I ought? Do I encourage my wife in love? Do I reach out to encourage a weak brother. Do I pray as I ought? If I say that I love the Word, then why don't I savor reading it?
I truly am a wretched man. Lord, save me.
I know that God has provided a way for me to be righteous in His sight. His son, the God-Man Jesus, came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died as payment for the sins the I would have had t bear. I have repented.
But does my faith really mean anything to me? Do I share my faith with others, as I ought? Do I encourage my wife in love? Do I reach out to encourage a weak brother. Do I pray as I ought? If I say that I love the Word, then why don't I savor reading it?
I truly am a wretched man. Lord, save me.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Reeling up 35mm film
I've got film, I've got gear, at least what I need, but I stink at loading my film on the reels....
The first step in processing 35mm film is getting the film from the 35mm cassette into the developing tank.
There are lots of types of reels and tanks. I happen to have a few Patersons and normal stainless steel tanks.
The stainless steel reels are a real pain to learn to load! Here's my advice. Get an old roll of film and try to load the reel in the light. Do it a lot if times. It wont get any easier in the dark, or the changing bag.
Peace.
The first step in processing 35mm film is getting the film from the 35mm cassette into the developing tank.
There are lots of types of reels and tanks. I happen to have a few Patersons and normal stainless steel tanks.
The stainless steel reels are a real pain to learn to load! Here's my advice. Get an old roll of film and try to load the reel in the light. Do it a lot if times. It wont get any easier in the dark, or the changing bag.
Peace.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Luddite - Not always a bad word....
I've been thinking about the word "Luddite". I'm not sure that it is a bad word, at least in use today.
The Luddites were a response to the industrial revolution. English weavers saw the revolution as a threat to their way of life, and destroyed mechanical looms.
Today, the work Luddite refers to people who are intentionally outdated, or backwards. Someone without a computer or cell phone could be called a Luddite. Generally this term has lost is revolutionary (or more correctly, counter-revolutionary) flair.
In regards to photography, it generally refers to someone who uses outdated or old fashioned equipments or techniques. Before digital came around, an old fashioned person used a press camera or a "folder". At one point in time, even 35mm film cassettes were considered new-fangled.
So to support analog photography, I give you two reasons.
1: Esoteric creativity: A photographer who set the scene, checks the light, winds the film and fires the shutter interacts with light and science in a way that is unique. Then to process the film, and print on paper. This also is the intersection of light and science. You may wind up with garbage, you hope for emotion.
2: Cost: What? Did Ray just say cost? Film costs a ton, doesn't it? Yes, that's true, but let me throw out an opinion. A modern digital SLR will set you back, I don't know, maybe $700. This camera will depreciate at a rate of what, $250 the first year, $100 the next, and $75 the next? Maybe faster. Better plan on taking and making a lot of images. Thankfully, you can with a digital camera. For under $100, you can get someone's old darkroom (I did that for $25). You can find a film camera, be it a $10 Argus C3 or an AE-1 for $50 (on ebay). Throw in $100 for Chemicals, paper and film, and you are ready to go for just over $200. At these prices, you can spend the same money and get a different form of enjoyment. Just don't plan on shooting 200 images this weekend.
The Luddites were a response to the industrial revolution. English weavers saw the revolution as a threat to their way of life, and destroyed mechanical looms.
Today, the work Luddite refers to people who are intentionally outdated, or backwards. Someone without a computer or cell phone could be called a Luddite. Generally this term has lost is revolutionary (or more correctly, counter-revolutionary) flair.
In regards to photography, it generally refers to someone who uses outdated or old fashioned equipments or techniques. Before digital came around, an old fashioned person used a press camera or a "folder". At one point in time, even 35mm film cassettes were considered new-fangled.
So to support analog photography, I give you two reasons.
1: Esoteric creativity: A photographer who set the scene, checks the light, winds the film and fires the shutter interacts with light and science in a way that is unique. Then to process the film, and print on paper. This also is the intersection of light and science. You may wind up with garbage, you hope for emotion.
2: Cost: What? Did Ray just say cost? Film costs a ton, doesn't it? Yes, that's true, but let me throw out an opinion. A modern digital SLR will set you back, I don't know, maybe $700. This camera will depreciate at a rate of what, $250 the first year, $100 the next, and $75 the next? Maybe faster. Better plan on taking and making a lot of images. Thankfully, you can with a digital camera. For under $100, you can get someone's old darkroom (I did that for $25). You can find a film camera, be it a $10 Argus C3 or an AE-1 for $50 (on ebay). Throw in $100 for Chemicals, paper and film, and you are ready to go for just over $200. At these prices, you can spend the same money and get a different form of enjoyment. Just don't plan on shooting 200 images this weekend.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Next Step - Beseler 23CII
Got this for a song (literally). Came with "everything you need", and it really had "everything your need.
Enlarger, easels, trays, timer, safe light, tongs etc. etc.
Everything but chemicals, film and paper.
Wow... time to shoot some black and white....
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
First Revealed Image - 30 Nov 2011
So, I am a 40-something guy, with a family and multiple interests. I guess I would say, I'm a geek. This blog is about my personal journey in Faith, Family, Work, Love and Art.
I've been enamored with photography since my first pinhole camera in a fifth grade summer course. I think that I took two or three photos out of it (go figure).
I've played with photography (mainly old-school film). My uncle game me his darkroom gear. Time to get to work.
Ray
I've been enamored with photography since my first pinhole camera in a fifth grade summer course. I think that I took two or three photos out of it (go figure).
I've played with photography (mainly old-school film). My uncle game me his darkroom gear. Time to get to work.
Ray
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