Film Advance

Abstract Grass

Posted on September 24, 2011 by admin

(Camera: Nikon FG; Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.8; Film: Kodak T-Max 100)

One of the aspects of black-and-white photography I enjoy the most is that, with the slightest adjustment in composition, you can turn the most ordinary subject into something beautiful. And what could be more ordinary than a bunch of dried grass that had sprung up in a neglected flower pot? Yet, framed this way and photographed in full sunlight against a dark background, the subject becomes abstracted just enough to begin to part ways with “reality.” Continue reading →

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Favourite Cameras: Olympus Trip 35

Posted on September 22, 2011 by admin

In the two decades between 1968 and 1988, the Olympus camera company produced something like 10 million of these cameras. That’s nearly one a minute, every minute, for 20 years. Apparently, they were popular. And why not? They’re simple and fun to use. From today’s all-polycarbonate perspective, the Trip seems fantastically well made, as anyone who has held one will attest. This is one solid little camera — there’s very little plastic and all the controls feel sure and positive. Continue reading →

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Sea-Tac Airport, Central Terminal

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

The central-terminal food court at Sea-Tac airport.
(Camera: Olympus OM-PC; Lens: 50mm f/1.8 Zuiko; Film: Fuji Provia 100F)

No matter where I fly, my journey always seems to involve a visit to Sea-Tac, or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, as it’s more formally known. I’ve logged many hours there in the past few years that it’s starting to feel like a home away from home. As far as airports go, SEA is pretty decent. There are lots of food options (including Ivar’s, where they serve the best fish and chips anywhere), it’s easy to get from terminal to terminal, and the main terminal is spacious with plenty of natural light. It’s a considerable upgrade over my previous home airport, Logan, in Boston. But don’t get me started…

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International Harvester

Posted on September 18, 2011 by admin

International Harvester pickup truck, Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
(Camera: Nikon FE;, Lens: 50mm; Film: Fuji Sensia 200)

While working with a new scanner, I found myself revisiting some previously overlooked photos. This one was snapped while wandering around Jasper in June 2009, while our car was being repaired at a local garage. I don’t know much about old pickup trucks, but as near as I can tell, this one is a model KB-2 made in the late 1940s. It probably spent its working life on a prairie farm, judging from the make and the Saskatchewan license plate. Its journey apparently ended in Jasper some time in 1980.

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Twisting and Turning

Posted on September 11, 2011 by admin

(Camera: Nikon FE; Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.8; Film: Kodak T-MAX 100)

I love trees. I find the endless variety of their shapes and textures fascinating and, without getting all anthropomorphic here, I’m struck by how often their features suggest the human body. It seems somehow appropriate that our arms and legs and the branches of trees are all called “limbs.” Continue reading →

Posted in Black and White, Framed Prints, Nature & Landscapes | Leave a comment

All Mod Cons

Posted on September 8, 2011 by admin

(Camera: Nikon FE; Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.8; Film: Kodak T-MAX 100)

I pulled this negative from my archives and decided to have a go printing it the other night. It was a relatively straightforward print to make since the limited tonal range that initially attracted me to the image didn’t need a lot of massaging to come through. As a result, my darkroom decisions were mostly limited to a little cropping and selecting the correct level of filtration on the enlarger to preserve the muted contrast. Continue reading →

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Favourite Cameras: Pentax Espio Mini (UC-1)

Posted on September 7, 2011 by admin

Have you ever had that anxiety dream — you know the one — where you show up for work or school and realize you forgot to wear pants? Embarrassing! My version of that dream is arriving at an amazing an place as it’s awash in otherworldly light, only to discover that I’ve forgotten to bring my camera. Don’t laugh — I’ve actually had that nightmare. Thankfully, my trusty Pentax Espio Mini prevents such a mishap from occurring in real life. Continue reading →

Posted in Favourite Cameras, Reviews | 8 Comments

Postcards From Iceland

Posted on August 31, 2011 by admin

Reynisfjara beach, near the town of Vík, southern Iceland.
(Camera: Olympus OM-PC; Lens: 24mm; Film: Fuji Provia 100F)

Iceland is a photographer’s paradise. In October 2010 I lead an aurora-watching tour there with a fabulous group of travelers. And as exciting as the nighttime show was, it was our daytime activities that yielded the richest harvest of photographs and memories. Continue reading →

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Postcards From Costa Rica

Posted on August 25, 2011 by admin

Sunset over the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica. (Camera: Agfa Isolette II; Film: Fuji Reala 100, 120 format)

Every year I lead a stargazing trip to a beautiful, dark-sky location in Costa Rica. Our destination is on an immense nature preserve and working farm on the Gulf of Nicoya. This is the driest part of the country and we usually go in February, which is the driest (most cloud-free) time of year. Continue reading →

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Postcards From the Caribbean

Posted on August 24, 2011 by admin

Eagle Beach, Aruba. (Camera: Pentax Espio Mini; Film: Fuji Provia 100F)

Last December I was fortunate enough to be one of the guest speakers on the Cosmic Trails cruise that Sky&Telescope magazine and Insight Cruises put together. This was not only my first cruise, but also my first visit to the Caribbean. Naturally, there were lots of photographic opportunities both aboard the Holland American ship, the Zuiderdam, and at our ports of call.