A Tender Moment

Quite a change from what we were experiencing 7 months ago: http://www.pbase.com/marke/zoomer

I've got my eye on you!

He's a very cooperative model

I'm getting more work that requires me to shoot digital, so I spent a little time with my Canon 40D this afternoon.

All Zoomer-ed out!

What to do on a rainy day

The last two day were gorgeous outside, but I had to work. Today, it's raining and raining, and I want to shoot some film. So I load up a Leica with some b&w film and head outside...briefly, only to the dismay of Zoomer who had to watch through the window in frustration.

Of course, those furry little friends of Zoomer always seem to talk me into doing a portrait session.

In Living Color!

This was shot with my Leica MP with VC 25/f4 Color-Skopar lens, and some Walgreen's "Studio 35" 200 ASA film I bought last year for $0.99/roll.

Zoomer portraits

These portraits were shot with Kodak BW400CN, a chromogenic black & white film that offers very smooth tones and very low grain. When I saw the negatives from these pictures, I realized why I love this film so much. Unfortunately, I'm not able to develope it on my own, and the commercial lab often ends up producing micro-scratches and lots of dust, which requires me to spend a lot of time cloning out in Photoshop.

Rockin' for the Lord

Over the past several months, I've been regularly shooting Kodak Tmax P3200, about 3 rolls every week, and exposing it everywhere from the native EI 800, all the way to a two stop push @ EI 3200. The environment where I've been using this film is very contrasty. I've concluded that an EI 3200 produces too much contrast and grain for what I'm trying to achieve. At EI 1600, the grain/contrast isn't too much of an issue, and I can live with it if I need the speed. But the native EI 800 is really where this film shines.


Last night I photographed a group of Christian rockers called, "Saved by Grace".
The pictures below were taken with a Leica MP, 50/f1.4 Summilux (pre-asph), and Kodak Tmax P3200 film, exposed @ EI 800.

Back in the saddle again

Last Monday my wife and I took Zoomer for a walk through the woods. He doesn't seem to be missing that leg too much these days.

The Big Bad Bass

Heavenly Pipes

This is Scott, a local bagpiper who will be featured in the "Sounds at the Grounds" photo exhibit this summer in Milwaukee, WI.
Scott played "Highland Cathedral" for the processional at our wedding last year, backed up by a full orchestra. He is truly a gifted muscian. Man, that was awesome!

Get down and grainy

I was pretty busy shooting this weekend, with musical acts both Friday and Saturday evenings at the local coffee house. Here's a couple from Friday night's event. As usual, shot with the Leica MP rangefinder, Leica 50/1.4 Summilux pre-asph, and Kodak Tmax P3200. Normally, I've been using an EI of 800 with this film, which is actually it's true speed. But once in awhile I like to induce a bit more grain, so I chose to push it one stop to 1600 this time. But in reality, the wet prints always look smoother than what the screen shows.

Older than me

Yesterday I decided my 1955 Leica IIIf RD needed a workout. That's the camera featured in the previous post sitting alongside the Kodachrome. So with it's 1946 Summitar 50/f2.0 lens and a roll of Kodak Tri-X, I shot a few pictures of our greyhound, Zoomer. That 63 year-old lens can still make that sweet light sing. And it makes the ol' boy look pretty good too.

57 Year-old Kodachrome!

Several weeks ago, I posted some pictures of a roll of 53 year-old Kodak Tri-X black & white film that I had aquired. I doubt I'll ever try to shoot that film, as the reason I picked it up was for an interesting still-life prop. Today I received some Kodachrome that's even more ancient than the Tri-X. This Kodachrome is dated to expire in 1954, meaning it was probably manufactured in 1952. It's 57 years-old! Kodak manufactured this specific type of Kodachrome from 1936 until 1962.

Back when I first starting photographing as a freshman in high school, 35mm Kodak film came in silver, unpainted aluminum, screw-top canisters. I had always wished I kept some of those old canisters. But the ones from this 57 year-old film are even cooler! The red and orange paint that Kodak gave these canisters were the traditional Kodak logo colors. They'll make a nice addition to my collection of retro still-life props.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome

My wife has good eyes

Today while driving down a road near my workplace, my wife pointed out an unusual pile of contorted something or other. We couldn't make it out until

getting closer and discovered it was a fallen

tree. The strange covering was caused by a recent ice storm, which had covered the branches in a layer of ice over one inch thick. Early last night, a light snow had covered the tops of the ice-encrusted branches, resulting in an interesting arrangement of lines and contrast.

I ended up shooting an entire roll of Tri-X on this assemblage.

Chasing Shadows

Nature Compensates

Dogs have a way of dealing with physical challenges that sometimes us humans have a difficult time understanding. They apparently don't have the ability to recall the past in a way that allows them to understand the "good ol' days". Rather, they live in the moment, and deal with their challenges as they come along without a sense of "worry".

A lot of people thought that Zoomer would have a difficult time adjusting to getting around on three legs. I've known other dogs that have lost a leg and have adjusted to it with no problem. But I have to confess that I always thought greyhounds would not belong to that group. Because the greyhound's strongest skill is to run, I felt that if they would lose a leg, they would lose their passion to live. Well, the day that Zoomer came home from his surgery, I was proven wrong. When I saw the joy in his eyes upon setting his eyes on me and my wife, I realised that a dog's joy lives in the relationship he has with those he loves and who love him.

Since Zoomer's surgery, he has become even more precious to us. And speaking at least for myself, the way he has "handled" this challenge, has been an inspiration to me. He has been getting the best food we can afford, as I now firmly believe that proper nutrition can play a significant role in fighting osteosarcoma. But even before that, we have seen his body develop into something even stronger than before the cancer struck it's evil hand. I am amazed every day at how luxurious his coat has become! Never in his life has he had the thick, soft undercoat that he now possesses. His muscles have also toned up very well. My plan is to keep him on a regular schedule of walks, short walks, and open play (fetching sticks/Frisbees, playing tug of war, etc.). I think it's important to get and keep his rear leg strong and healthy so that it can safetly accept the added stress now required of it. And as you can see in the second picture posted here, his rear leg is getting quite muscular.

Our Old Stomping Grounds

There is a trail along the railroad tracks near my old house, where Zoomer and I used to go on walks together. And on occasion he would chase (and at times even catch) a lingering rabbit. There are years of memories and talks I have here with just me and Zoomer. The last time Zoomer and I walked this trail was about a year and a half ago, long before there were any signs of bone cancer in his leg.

Today Zoomer and I returned to "our old stomping grounds". It represents another milestone in his recovery from the bone cancer and his leg amputation. So here he is, Captain Z being a dog again. Taken with my Leica MP, 50/2.8 Elmar-M, and Tri-X film.

1912 Conley 4x5 Large Format Camera

Here's my new toy, a 1912 Conley 4x5 large-format film camera. It came with 5 original 4x5 film carriers and the original carrying case. It's in great shape for a camera that's nearly 100 years old. Now I have to figure out how to actually use this thing!

Kodachrome and Street Photography: 35 years ago

It was probably thirty-five years ago when I made my first attempt at street photography. I was the staff photographer/art editor for my high school newspaper. I had just purchased my first "real" camera (an Argus/Cosina STL 1000) from the saving I made at my first job, working at a car wash. It was the summer of 1973, and I was shooting Kodachrome while my family and I were visiting downtown Wisconsin Dells, WI. This summer, as part of the Kodachrome Project, I plan on returning to the same location, again with Kodachrome, thirty-five years later.