torainbow

I had a dream last night that I saw tornados forming right in front of me. I guess this is just Kansas.

Ref

smile!

I didn't take this vertical panoramic, but it makes me smile just to look at it! :)

 

I hope it makes you smile too!

Ref

Wonka vision?

I just love this video. It makes me smile :)

Lomo Spinner 360

Now be patient with me, as I'm in serious experimental mode with this new camera. Not only was it just released (so there isn't a lot of data on the internet about it), but I've found it to be a bit difficult just getting these images onto my computer. Being panoramics, not a lot of pro photo shops will print or upload your pics without it costing you. One lab developed my film for $4, but quoted $5 per frame just to scan them to a disc. Each roll of 35mm film that normally takes 36 frames will now hold about 8 panoramics (given each "image" is one 360 rotation). That means it would cost $40 JUST to scan one roll! Insane. So I bought a film/photo scanner. Now for the next dilemma...

As you can see, the sprockets are an exposed (and artistic) element of the image. While you COULD use film trays that keep the negatives flat while scanning, that would cut the sprockets from your final product. I've looked for solutions online and have found only one, which suggests using 120 film trays and rubberbands to keep your 35mm negatives flat. Unfortunately this adds lines to your negatives, again something I am not willing to accept. Besides, the Spinner 360 already has enough lines in many of the images as it: 1. is sometimes unevenly exposed to light when manually spinning it, and 2. seems to leak light somewhere through multiple portions of the frame (see in 2nd image below).

Long story short, here is my first scanned negative (fairly decent though you can see a glare from the film curling at the top end) and my second (light leakage and morph-age):

...more to come!

Allison & Mike's Wedding (Holga)

We had a GREAT time with the Holga at Allison and Mike's wedding! I'm glad so many of the photos turned out since we were experimenting a lot... and by experimenting, I mean, there was some alcohol involved and a few unintended double exposures, etc.

I LOVE these two photos!! Well, many of the photos from the night, but these two in particular. (above and below)

An interesting effect with the photo above is that it is a double exposure (intentional, haha). They were no where near one another when this was taken. I think I shall try making the next couple I do this with kiss... :)

The dark spot from the fisheye lens unfortunately covered up the cake, but it's still a neat photo.

NYC & DC (Holga)

I love the light leakage in the photo above!

I was quite amazed that this photo was actually in focus! The camera has four indicators for how to base your focus adjustments: 1 person, 3 people, 7 people, mountain. Haha!

Above and below you can see one of the main issues I have with this Holga camera... in order to get the hazy edges and corners on the film, it is recommended that you not use a bracket that holds both the film and the batteries in place. Without the bracket, you need to tape the batteries down but they can (and often do) become dislodged which creates a twofold issue: 1. you can no longer use your flash until that roll of film is complete (otherwise you'll expose the film), and 2. the battery or tape can get into your photos, creating dark spots blocking part of your image. These photos were minimally affected but the rest of this role was trash.

...more Holga...

The problematic issue with using the fisheye lens is that it blocks light from the embedded flash to the bottom center portion of your subject/frame. If you used an external flash (of which I have none), you could avoid this.

This was actually a triple exposure. Either that was too much for the film (I don't believe so) or the flash didn't go off the third time.

Philly (Holga)

Messing around with the color flashes, fisheye, and a prism lens at the 4 Seasons bar in Philly.

As Katie put it well, above is Mikaleidoscope. :)

A burger king crown royale?

Mad Hatter's Easter Tea Party (Holga)

Again, you'll see some double exposures, fisheye use, and lengthy shutter exposures which I think give these photos an ethereal feel... oh, and bubbles were used as well, if you see them floating around the frame.

(silly bandz!)

Holga

Time to update this blog on some of the artsy things that have kept me busy this last year! First and foremost, I've gotten into lomography a bit. It started when I bought a polaroid camera in California awhile back, then a friend bought a Holga which got me interested in toy cameras and medium format photography. These photos were taken in Iraq in early 2010 with a Holga CFN 120, using 120 film go figure. Some of these are double exposures, some use the colored flash that's embedded inside the camera, and a few utilize a fisheye lens. Additionally, the ones taken that look a little shaky used a feature that kept the shutter open a bit longer than normal.

I'll be posting more recent photos shortly as well. Enjoy!

Back in Philly!

On a bright sunny Spring day in Philadelphia, a day when I ran in the fresh warm air past blooming tulips... after strolling through the main street of my little neighborhood and looking into calming meditation classes... where I caught up with old friends over a homemade and festive meal...

While cutting fruit for sangria, this insignificant thing, this orange with its bright juicy colors and straight lines caught my eye as being so beautiful. I thought this photograph to be a nice, refreshing representation of today as well as the start of Spring... the beginning of a warm season.