Look closely.
Archive for July, 2008
31
Jul
08
Reflecting.
30
Jul
08
The Forest for the Trees.
Rachelle spent a Saturday morning with me down at the river.
I got more than a few that I like, but I figured I’d post this one.
29
Jul
08
Yes, We Have No Negatives Today.
Only moments ago, I exercised what I can only describe as an admirable amount of restraint. Let me explain.
One of the remnants of the old Darkroom is a gallon jug (picture the things milk comes in) of Kodak’s Photo Flo 600. I figure it works the same way the old stuff we used to use in the Darkroom did: mix a tiny bit of it with a whole lot of water and use it to help negs dry. Squeegee the excess off with your fingers. It’s not exactly rocket science.
Fast forward. I’ve been using the stuff on all the film I’ve processed here at the house and have been getting water marks (the circles left on your glassware if you don’t use JetDry) on my film. When I was just scanning the negs for the web, it wasn’t such a big deal, but when I started thinking and realized that I’d be printing for shows from these same negs, it became a huge pain in the ass. There are marks on a couple of the prints I just finished at Gordon’s and they’re totally my fault. I can only hope that no one really notices them.
On to my restraint.
Instead of pulling my hair out when I got the same result (again) with film I fretted over earlier today, I did something I didn’t think I needed to do. I read the instructions. Wouldn’t you know, the amount of water I need to balance out a little of the 600 (the old stuff is 200) is even greater than I thought. All this time, I’ve been thinking that it was the location of the film dryer — in the basement — but it was that my mixture was too strong. That never effing occurred to me and now I feel dumb. (Hence the ersatz hair pulling)
This time, I struck a blow for the smartness I allege and re rolled the film and rinsed it for 30 minutes. I then mixed a new batch of Photo Flo 200 (the old standby) and am currently re-drying the negs.
I figure by tomorrow, I should be happy and streak free. Plus, I got a voicemail today that says that my slides from the other day are ready. This week will end in images for you all. So say I.
Things are looking up.
27
Jul
08
Still Here.
Just a little post to say that
(A) There are new slides en route, and
(B) There are negs which may be processed as early as tomorrow, and
(C) I’m waiting to hear back from a few models on some other shoots.
I’m still here.
23
Jul
08
Showiness.
Not that it matters so much, but I’ve managed to be in a couple of group shows next month.
For those of you too lazy (or too far away) to come out to see the prints I’ve slaved over, here are the images I’m planning on using. I’m not sure if they’ll be split into two groups of three or if I’ll send four to one show and two to the other.
And there’s one more of the charming gentleman at the gate in front of my house. It’s on my homepage.
21
Jul
08
All’s Fair.
Another from a day at the fair before people got there.
Got some projects in the works, but largely I’m takin’ it easy just now. There’s a quietness that you can only see with a Holga sometimes.
18
Jul
08
Birth of the Naiad.
The scary thing? Holding my camera that close to the water. I wanted to use a lot more film than one roll but the fear got to be too much. (shivers)
17
Jul
08
Star Catcher.
Black and white film images.
It might be worth it to go back and have the flash fire for a set of these. Not sure yet.
I can say with certainty that I’m happier with them (despite the lack of clouds).
16
Jul
08
Keys to the Kingdom.
As promised, the door in color. All told I think I got 5 from this endeavor (shot something like 60) and they were the ones I knew I wanted before I even started.
Had another personal project set for yesterday, but haven’t processed negs yet. I’m flyin’ kinda high on all this.
15
Jul
08
Baby, You’re A Star.
Shot these digitally, so I’m personally not sold on them. The idea was one I’d had for awhile. I’m thinking the film black and whites will be better, but I’m not sure.
