Neither Cheap Nor Plastic

Charlie, originally uploaded by LeandroF.

Been a little while since I ran a roll of film through my Hasselblad. I was having some problems with the lens shutter sticking at slower speeds since it had been sitting. Managed to loosen it up by leaving the camera in a warm part of the house and rotating the various f-stops and speeds on the lens everyday and it eventually started working again. Definitely need to get it properly cleaned and overhauled.

Most of the shots from this roll were a bit on the underexposed side, but it seemed like more then enough information was there to pull out an image. Strange thing though, a weird texture of some kind is on the film. I don't know if something happened at the lab or if it was just something peculiar about this expired roll. Basically makes it near impossible to save the image, at least with my scanner. This shot was my favorite anyways and was better exposed. If anyone has any clues as to what would cause the texture I'd love to hear about it.

Hasselblad 500C/M, expired Ilford FP4 film. Processed normal, scanned from negative.

Xpro Urban & Nature

Always amazed at how some cross processing can yield crazy results and other times it seems to barely shift. The sky/wires image looks fairly normal, while the duck pond almost looks like its on fire, and they are both from the same roll. This particular film seems to hold together pretty well for being cross processed. Maybe its not expired enough.

Holga 120CFN, expired Fuji RXP 400 chrome film, cross processed C-41, scanned from negative.

Oakwood

Oakwood, originally uploaded by LeandroF.

Overcast days with some xpro.

Holga 120CFN, expired Fuji Provia RXP400 chrome film, cross processed, scanned from negative.

Lomo Does The Getty

Polaroid Mio, Fuji Instax Mini film.

The Lomography Store here in West Hollywood have started to do what they call "Lomo Adventures" instead of a workshop at the store, they head out with some sort of theme in mind, this one was to The Getty Center Museum. It costs a little bit more then the workshops, but for $25 not to bad. Pretty sure this was their first one (they've done a couple of others since, a double decker bus touring L.A. and also an outing to Día de los Muertos festival at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery). Just had to be at the store at noon (return by 4pm). Got a choice of a Lomo loaner camera and a roll of film (I went with the Lubitel 166+ with 35mm mod), plus chartered bus to and from The Getty. Also, there would be a special surprise waiting for us and another loaner camera, which turned out to be a scavenger hunt! Off everyone went with Diana cams with Instax film backs to capture the items on the list. Had to track down various sculptures and garden items that were printed on the list. Had fun running walking quickly around the beautiful grounds at The Getty. The regular visitors seemed to not notice us much and the hunt itself was harder then I thought it would be i.e. didn't win...it was fun though.

My only real complaint was that I didn't get a chance to check out any of the exhibits. We left late from the store since a few people were running behind, the scavenger hunt itself lasted longer then I think they had planned for and then in the process having a roll of film that I needed to get thru at the end meant no casual time to wander in the nice comfortable galleries (it was warm out). Then again, I guess if I had won something then I'd have nothing to gripe about. ; ) All I'm saying is that it would have been nice to still have the time to appreciate the art and wander around in addition to the surprise scavenger hunt, it just didn't work out that way for me (I think a few people opted to just wander). Did get to meet some cool people that day and got to spend a nice afternoon in a beautiful location with great views and most importantly, took some photos. There are some iPhone Hipstamatic shots on my flickr page that I took as well.

As for the loaner camera, I found the Lubitel 166+ to be a really great camera. Offers a lot of precision control for what's supposed to be a plastic camera. A full range of F-stops and shutter speeds. You can double expose as well since you have to cock the shutter on the lens, which is quite sharp by the way. The 35mm mod was cool to use. Has a screen in place with the 35mm marks in the viewfinder so you can properly frame it. Since you get the normal width of what would be medium format 6x6 film and sprockets you get less shots per roll. For a 24 exp roll of 35mm film it worked out to 12 shots. One nice thing about it being plastic was that it didn't feel like you were lugging a heavy metal camera like a Mamiya C330 even though it looks like one and performed great. Adding another camera to the want list.

   

  

Lubitel 166+ with 35mm mod, Klick color negative film, processed normal C-41.

Check out their site for a schedule of upcoming events. I know there are a couple of Diana F+ workshops coming up plus they're doing a closing night party on Nov 14th. The parties are pretty fun. They have a band play, plus snacks and a open beer bar. Good times.

Polaroid Week Fall 2010

Just thought I would post my shots from Polaroid week which just concluded on 11/5. I shot mostly Impossible's new film PX600UV since I had just received the 4 packs I won the week before (yah, perfect timing!). I did also shoot some PZ and some ATZ edge cut. I went into it with the intent of posting new recent shots as well as trying to get some new shots during the week itself, which I was able to do. I managed to challenge myself a bit in the process as well.

I've only shot one pack so far of the PX600UV film and had a variety of results. In some ways it seemed more like a first flush pack, had a lot of shots with artifacts and weird splotches, not sure if it was just a funky pack or something to do with the cold clip during processing (or maybe a little bit of both). Most people seem to have very positive results though. At the same time, I got some fantastic, deep black and white tones in some and others were very sepia or charcoal like. I don't have a 680 camera, so I had to use a ND filter on the lens of my SX-70 and tried to remember to keep the exposure wheel dialed dark.

The PZ600 film keeps coming back as a fave of mine of the monochrome films. They seem to have a found a good balance of quality and stability. I'm also finding that I'm enjoying shooting with the Spectra SE camera more and more as well.

I really love the quality of the ATZ edge cut film. Just beautiful tones and colors. I only have a a few shots left and then one more pack...

Day 1. ATZ edge cut

Day 1. PZ600

Day 2. PX600UV

Day 2. PX600UV

Day 3. PX600UV

Day 3. PX600UV

Day 4. PX600UV

Day 4. PX600UV

Day 5. ATZ edge cut

Day 5. ATZ edge cut

One of the nice things about Polaroid Week is how much positive attention it brings to everyone. So many people participating and sharing. Finding lots of new and talented photographers/artists and in general, just being inspired by so much great imagery. Already looking forward to next Spring!

Diana F+ Pinhole Fun

An afternoon with friends, taking a stroll around West Hollywood during a recent Lomography pinhole workshop (really inexpensive by the way). Made for a fun afternoon. Next time I use a Diana pinhole, I'll attempt some better hand holding techniques!

Diana F+ pinhole, expired Fuji Pro 400H, developed normal C-41, scanned from negative.

I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

Just a quick post to say thank you to Jeff at the art of waiting, the impossible project and Anne Bowerman and Dave Bias for selecting my Polaroid diptych for The Art of Waiting "Autumn" instant theme contest. They're sending me 4 packs of the new PX600uv+ film! How cool is that? Needless to say I'm very happy about this.

"Trees and Crows" - expired Artistic TZ film.