Aug
30
Until a short time ago people would still email me and ask “digital or film?”. Not anymore. Now they ask me (and I’m obviously the wrong person to ask this) “which digital camera?”
So why do I still favor film while everybody else seem to be moving forward in the world of megapixels?
Other than the obvious fact that I prefer the look of film (though I’m sure nowadays this look can be easily made in photoshop), strangely enough I also like waiting for my negatives to be developed (isn’t this a sure sign for some kind of a self inflicting pain disorder?) and I even enjoy handling the negatives.
But the main reason I prefer film is that I don’t want to be a photographer and I don’t have to come up with good quality photos. Since I’m not in the market for shooting large format landscapes or outsized promotional projects, and as I’m limited to the partial quality of 35mm and medium format toy cameras, making high quality images is not a concern of mine. On the other hand I feel that with digital cameras being so loaded with pixels and other fancy features one is inclined to produce sharp, polished, color-correct and superior images or they will surely offend the great designers, manufacturers and gurus of these cameras.
Posted in Film photography, Thoughts about photography, black and white photography
Aug
28
I wanted to try something I haven’t done before in photography. So I chose to go with portrait photography. Not only I haven’t tried it before but also I don’t know anything about it.
At first I thought I should probably read and learn something about it, especially before I expose my first victims to the torture, but then I decided against it. I’m sure reading and learning photography will be quite a boring pastime. Besides I’m not so much interested in the technical side of making portraits. I don’t care much for lighting, focus, necessary equipment etc. maybe just for inspiration and ideas. But this might be better in the future when I have a better idea of what I want to do.
Next thing to determine was what camera to use for this assignment. I was pondering for quite some time before selecting the obvious choice: Holga.
After all with the Holga I won’t have to worry about making good portraits 
I loaded the Holga with a 3200ASA film and was ready for the challenge.
I chose to make portraits of people I know, and I wanted to photograph them in their natural habitat, not in any fake or staged settings.
Judging from the under-exposed negatives of my first photo shoot, I should have probably learned something about lighting, but yes, anyway, moving on, I will just, ideally, in a perfect world, learn from my mistakes.
Posted in black and white photography, people, toy cameras
Aug
26
This is an example of an image transfer almost overwhelming the mixed media background. Obviously too much dark area (the mixed media background shows only through the white areas). Never the less, quite a useful transfer. The image was in fact transferred onto the top part of an unattractive wooden cigar box which is now transformed into a cool storage box.
So much that it was taken away from me.
I hope she’s going to keep fine secrets in it.
Just an idea.
Posted in Image transfer
Aug
24
I set out to find out why people choose to photoblog.
Yes, yes, they connect to others, become a part of a community and improve their photographic skills. But these are mostly the outcome and reward of photobloging and not the initial motive.
After a bit of poking around the web I decided photoblogs meant to be nothing more than ego boosters. This is the only way I can explain their existence.
This ego booster element demands lots of visitors, especially of the type who leave profound comments such as: what a beautiful photo.
In order to pursue these intelligent visitors most photobloggers resort to leaving comments on other blogs. And so very often pohtobloggers feel obligated to reciprocate comments to their visitors in order to keep them coming back and all.
I think it’s quite true most photoblogs get their hits from other photoblogs (where they left insightful comments such as: nice photo) and not from search engines. Get you thinking about substance vs. marketing/chasing skill.
But then again, sometimes I wish I had more time to check out the sites and photography of all visitors here. I think time and age are conspiring again me. They have a secret plot to take me down.
The picture here taken in North End, Boston got the coffee stained textured layer treatment.
Posted in Thoughts about photography, vintage
Aug
22
I find out people think it’s really difficult to make this type of artwork but really it’s quite easy and takes just a few minutes to create.
If you’re not sure how its done look at a previous post about this process.
Sometimes I make one of these at the end of the day, especially if I feel the day went by too fast and I haven’t had a chance to do something worth mentioning.
Sometimes I make one of these when I need a rehab session.
Give it a try.
Everything will be just fine.
The picture used here was taken at the Embarcadero, San Francisco
Posted in Experimental, Image transfer
Aug
18
Someone mentioned to me this photo looks somewhat like the old
1905 version by Edward Steichen.
All I can say is I wish I was there.
For the background textured layer here I used the same scan of an old book cover which I talk about in this post. I also had to burn (darken) some areas of the original picture where unwanted elements where visible. This proves that even unsuccessful pictures such as this one can be salvage and get a second chance in life.
Posted in texture layer, vintage
Aug
16
You know how sometimes you come up with this type of a picture: there’s really nothing what-so-ever special about it. It is a normal recording of an ordinary moment in time. But yet there’s something special about the photo, something you can’t really put your finger on.
Maybe one of my greatest shortcomings in photography (and I have a couple) is that I don’t know how to “read” photos. Yes, I admit I’m one of these people who are drawn (or not) to a photograph but cannot say anything intelligent about it.
Ben Lifson told me once:”…you’re good, this much I know. I’m pretty sure you know it too, but I’m not sure you know why, or just how good your work looks to others or what makes it strong, gives it a sense of promise, to say nothing of the energy, force and freshness…” (yes, wow! And no, he was right, I have no idea)
So this is one of these photos. I don’t know why I like it. Maybe I just had a good day.
Adams Morgan, Washington DC 2007
Posted in Thoughts about photography, black and white photography, street photos
Aug
15
1) The stores seem to be too expensive even for the good old fashioned window-shopping.
2) Everybody around you is engaged in a lively cellular phone conversation, including the couple having a candlelight dinner.
3) A pile of recycled bottles turns out to be a sculpture.
4) Every 3rd person is holding a sophisticated camera and is speaking Japanese.
5) Taxi zones are occupied by fancy limos.
6) Even the restaurant kitchen workers are dressed better than you.
7) You’re worried the bottoms of your shoes will stain the sidewalks.
[Text from my book "Streets of America"]
Posted in street photos
Aug
11
There’s no better way to turn me off and away from a photo blog than a
political rambling. sorry. not interested.
It’s hard enough sometimes to concentrate on the photography.
unrelated photo: wall street, NYC 2006 expired film .textured layer.
Posted in Experimental, Thoughts about photography, vintage
Aug
07
After a few years of shooting many different cameras, mostly film cameras, I think the Holga grew to be my default camera. And by this I mean that often Holga is my camera of choice to routinely take along with me when I don’t know if I’m going to take any pictures. Such as a trip to the store or even when going to the movies.
No doubt the main reason I often choose the Holga is its light weight, so I usually just forget I have her with me, at least until I want to take a picture.
The second reason I prefer the Holga is that its one of these cameras that don’t require any fiddling with its settings and can be shot on the move, just the way I like it when shooting street photography.
And finaly, as the price for the Holga is quite reasonable, and in fact I have 3 Holgas, I don’t need to worry about its safety and well being which is obviously a liberating concept especially in street photography.
I wonder if anybody else has such a thing as a default camera.
Posted in black and white photography, toy cameras
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