A Glimpse of My Town Tuesdays -- Windows
posted by micki at 5/09/2006 07:38:00 AM
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
About Me
- Name: micki
- Location: United States
No digital photography here folks. Only film, all the time. No post processing. I shoot it, I have it developed, I scan the print, I post it. It is hoped that you would respect my ownership of the images posted, despite the ease with which you could copy them. If you would like a true photographic print of any of my images, please contact me at goodiesbaker@yahoo.com and I will be happy to provide you with one. Weapons of Choice: * Minolta 7000 * Minolta 9000 *Minolta Dynax 9 * Konica Minolta 70 *Minolta x-700 * Minolta AL-F Rangefinder *1958 Minolta Autocord *Holga *holgamod Holga *PIX Panorama Toy Camera *Polaroid One Step Close Up Lenses: Too many too list, just read the stats for each shot I post Scanner: Epson 4990 Perfection Photo Favorite Films: * Kodak Tri-X * Fuji Superia * Ilford HP5+ -- Goal: To make the best exposure possible, on film. A Theme a Day *Sunday – Take A Guess *Macro Mondays *A Glimpse of My Town Tuesdays *Wednesday's Colors *Thursday's Critter *Unique Film and/or Camera Fridays *Saturday – Anything goes
31 Comments:
Today is a series of three different windows in my town. The first shot came from a building I’ve actually taken a good number of photos of. It is old and run down, and quite different from most of the quaint shops and restaurants in the area. The windows are coated in years of grime and all have been busted through with rocks. There’s a great door, too, but today is Windows Day.
The second window shot is from the old courthouse in the historic center of the town. This is another from the expired roll of T-Max. Frankly, I don’t even remember shooting this one. It’s the last on the roll…hmmm. Wonder what I was thinking of instead?
Third shot I took just a couple of weeks ago. It is a post office in Ware Neck, and is also a small general store. I was there again last week taking some photos, and it was so busy with folks running in and out. As soon as I have a nice bright day, I’m going inside to shoot. I want to use more of the sunlight coming in and no flash. It’s rather dark inside, so hopefully their lights won’t mess with the color balance of the film too much. I have a filter, just in case, but it’s rather dark itself.
Which brings me to Roger’s question yesterday regarding going digital. For me, film is still easier. I don’t want to have to mess with any adjustments in post processing. I like the challenge of studying the shot beforehand and making any corrections that might be necessary with filters or lighting. My postings could be much nicer if I did this or that with Photoshop, I know that (especially with my poor scanner.) But for me, it’s all about the learning process. Most of my challenges are in composition and focus anyway; and some day I want to move up to medium format. So, no, I really don’t have any desires at all to go digital. This is where I’m learning, and this is where I want to stay. Besides, there are still so many wonderful films to try out, and I relish the delayed gratification of waiting for the prints to come back.
Just took a peek at the top nominees over at the Photobloggies awards. I’m so excited for all the well deserved recognition for some of my favorite bloggers! Good luck to all of you!!
Broken Window -- Minolta Maxxum 7000 Fuji HQ ISO 100 1/4 f-22 Aperture Mode Sigma 105mm portrait/macro lens
Courthouse Windows -- Minolta Maxxum 7000 Expired Roll of Tri-X 1/30 f-32 Aperture Mode Minolta 50mm macro lens
Post Office/General Store -- Konica Minolta 70 Kodak Max ISO 400 1/45 f-13 Aperture Mode Sigma 70-300mm zoom @ 135mm
Micki the thing about digital is that you don't have to post process if you don't want to. I have more pictures that aren't post processed than are, and even the ones that are, probably would have passed fair without any. In addition to the sad fact that there are still so few things that I know how to do, and what I can do is very easy stuff. If I can learn it anyone can.
The most recent thing I learned is Clone Stamp, which is awesome and easy once you get the technique. It removes unwanted things from photos. I had a shot that was a great shot of a couple that I know, there was a guy behind them that took away from the shot, I used clone stamp and painted him out of the photo, and you would never know he was ever there. I cloned a tree branch out of my husband's head in a candid shot that I took several months ago that I had written off as a bad shot, now it's one of my favorites of him. In the first church ruin shot, there was a overhead wire in the upper most right hand corner. I had 2 choices, crop it, or clone it out, I cloned it out since the shot would have been changed too much by cropping.
White Balance helps to eliminate the need for most filters. I use a circular polarizer, and I am going to probably get a grad ND filter or two, but that's really all you need.
I am a button-phobic, computer-phobic, techno-boob, so for me to be able to figure out how to go digital is a testament to how easy it really is.
I believe I have learned quicker using digital than I ever could have with film, but that really isn't my call since I am not objective. I learn on the spot many times what worked and what didn't. Just last night, I was shooting another concert in a different venue than the last one, where the conditions were much poorer than the first, I saw the difference right away and was able to quickly fix it. I still have a lot to learn about shooting events like that, but in just a few days, I've made tons of progress. I have 2 more concerts to shoot in the next week and 1/2 that are again in a totally different, but probably more camera friendly environment than yesterdays. I had to use direct flash yesterday on all the shots since the ceiling was dark and I couldn't bounce the flash, so I got a bit of red eye even with the use of red eye reduction. This is where post processing will be a blessing, since so many of the shots were wonderful except for the red eye, which usually occurred in the subjects surrounding the one was focused on, or if they were not looking towards the camera.
The house lighting in this venue was terrible, which didn't help. It actually turned out best when I set the camera to program mode which is something I rarely if ever do. (Even in this mode you can adjust and compensate some settings.)
Believe it or not, I haven't had to remove red-eye; before shooting these concerts, so this will be another learning experience. But I will try different techniques until I like the results.
I also cannot afford the costs associated with film and processing. So that is a huge advantage for me.
My camera is a lower end, lower priced DSLR camera. It's an Olympus e-300, 8mp DSLR. It came with 2 lenses and a flash card. It cost less than $700, and now it's even lower because it's been replaced by the e-500 for about the same price.
I have 3 1g cards that I carry with me and 2 smaller ones. So I always have plenty of shots I can take. You can get the cards for about $35/1g-card. Storage space varies depending on the settings you choose to shoot. I shoot in the lowest compression JPEG, so I get around 180 shots on a 1g card. After I look at them and delete any obviously bad shots I back them up to a cd and then I keep them in a disk cabinet for easy access. I re-format the card and start again.
I buy The cd's in large spools of 100, and get them when they have rebates or buy one get one free so they are pretty cheap, about $20/for 200 disks is what I usually pay. I like to back things up, some people just keep all their shots on their hard drives in their computers, I do not.
Ok I've rambled on way tooooo much I know. And you're probably so sick of hearing it. I just love digital since it was really responsible for bringing photography back into my life, that and the fact that my husband convinced me to go with a digital SLR.
I love these shots, they are great and I love your view of the town series. I look forward to seeing more of them.
Sorry for the novel sized post.
Excellent series! I really like the top shot with the broken pane. Well done.
Nice series of shots, well done!
nice shots. especially love the second one. great bw shot.
Keep it old school! I raise my spool of 100 speed to you. Digital isn't bad it's too easy. Your blog is nice to check ever so often. Thanks for sharing.
Go Digital or stay Film...that's the million dollar question huh?
I think we should stop pushing you to switch...if anything we should be encouraging you to be the best at what you do non?
I think digital is a great reflection (Are we impatient?) of our stay of mind and society(Instant Satisfaction?)...we want results right away (mind you I shoot digital only, but I'm aware of this). Whatever happened to the excitement of waiting for a roll of film?
I suggest you give it an try...experiment it if you can afford it. Do a few projects, learn and compare ! I think it will give you a different perspective on digital and film as well, IMHO. I think both of forms of photography have their pros and cons which should be pushed to the limit in order to appreciate the art itself.
Great series...my favourite would be the B&W 2nd or middle photo...just beautiful. The 1st one is an excellent shot as well Love the reflections!
Your first shot here is excellent with those reflections. Can’t wait to see how you get on with the interiors of that store. Always nice to have stuff planned ahead just in case the surprises don’t happen . . lol . .
I like the bottom photo especially, the string of lights and those vetical and horizontal lines everywhere
Nice "windows series"... You 've done a good work!
Michael
i like the first window..great textures and patterns of reflection...kinda abstract look to me..nice series:-)
Love these shots micki! Well done!
Nice shots! You have a good eye!
Love the General Merchandise window. Good series.
i love the last 2 shots! nice use of colour and depth
Hi Micki.
I like those image. nice picture.
I like all three for different reasons. I think that it's cool that you shoot film. I shoot film occasionally but use digital mostly because I'm cheap and I love instant gratification. At the end of the day does it really matter?
I like the middle one. You can tell it's old. Very nice. I love your themes!!
I vote for the first one for its "geometric" qualities.
Love the 2nd shot : trees against skies : may favourite : GREAT SHOTS!
I like the top shot a lot, very mysterious and intriguing, like a window in a haunted house. I also really admire how you set themes and projects for yourself; a great way to keep your creativity rolling!
And we also benefitted from your greater experience. Every time beams better photos. I congratulate to you.
windows windows windows interesting
i like the middle one the most, its most interesting. IMHO go digital, its more cost effective, u can view ur pictures instantly, u can edit ur pics easily
I love the 3 photos.
For the post processing I think that it is always a little necessary as well in digital or films .
#2 lacks interest, but I love the reflection in #1, it gives you a reason to stop and examine the image. I also like #3; in addition to the unique lights in the window, it has a hometown, Norman Rockwell feel.
Oh, and forget digital. If you like film, shoot film. You can always go digital. You never know how long film will be easily accessible.
I really like the fragmented reflection in number one. I shoot film and digital and get the film just developed and straight to CD. There of course is no such thing today as straight from negative to film and someone or some machine is otherwise in charge of the final adjustments before printing and I want it to be my eye :-)
Having had an entire batch of 8 films of Vietnam ruined by faulty processing, i couldn't wait to ditch film.
The excitement of waiting for the film to arrive? Really? How many thousands are lost every year?
No scratches, no dust and control in your own hands and if you lose a chip it's your own fault, not someone elses. No, i don't miss film at all.
And back to the photos: i like them!
Nice series, old buildings have real character.
Those busted up windowpanes are a nice find and that post office porch looks like a fine spot to sit and watch the world go by :-)
I love these three images, they work really well as a series. Great work Micki. LwS
Post a Comment
<< Home