Mini-Hiatus

To have a full-time hobby grew to be much more expensive than I originally planned. And my money supply is much more limited than I wish it would be.

So, what with the costs of film, processing, printing (myself or having it done), and/or Polaroid film I've slowed down somewhat.

I think I have a handful of Polaroids that I should probably scan and share. Hopefully I'll get around to it eventually.

Until then, I'm still on the lookout for a light-weight 35mm camera that has a look that inspires me (picture taking look, not just physical look) so I can take more pictures for cheaper with a much faster process time. 120 film was wearin' me down.

So, until my next scan, stay tuned and we'll see how this all develops.

Slacking

I've been a terrible routine blogger.

The problem/hassle is scanning pictures.

I don't yet have installed our scanner software/driver into my laptop, but it's on Adam's desktop.

But I prefer to edit them and post them via my laptop.

So in order to post here I have to round up the pictures, scan them in, email them to myself, open them up from my laptop, adjust the colors just a little, then upload them to my blogger album.

I've been keeping busy lately with heavy movie watching, painting, picture developing, and Polaroid taking.Oh, that and living life.

So, hopefully sooner rather than later, I've got something to put up here. You know, for my all of 1 viewer.

Remembering... Waiting...

This is an installation sculpture in rememberance of the Holocaust by George Segal in front of The Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

When I first developed this roll and saw this picture I wasn't quite sure why I took it. I even took a group of them and put it in my pile of trash pictures that absolutely didn't turn out (but I never actually throw away).

But as I was looking through my pictures again for this blog I gave this one a second look.

It's definitely a different feel. It's undeniably creepy.

But there's something about it that, I feel (if I'm gonna toot my own horn), that captures the feelings of the art itself. Something silent, expectant, broken, yet somehow still waiting.

The First Flush of Color

Could it get any better than this?

Club for Film Photographers

I feel like film photographers should have some sort of club. And when you're officially allowed to join it's like a school graduation.

"Yay! I can do it! I have something in common with these awesome photographers!"

I feel like it should imply special discounts, extra recognition, and instant friendship.

I guess that's as ridiculous as expecting to be accepted and liked by someone else because you're the same race.

Either way, I feel like I'm breaking into some sort of secret club. And I can't wait until I start feeling the perks, meeting the other members, and fully coming into my own as an honorary member.

I also feel like I need a new camera.

My bank doesn't support this cause. Neither do the other things needed that have been on the back burner. It also isn't an emergency even if I do feel like if I don't get something new I could die.

If there's anything I've learned it's that no matter the camera, it won't make your pictures any better. Too bad, because if I could buy a magical, awesome, do it all camera, I might. I might get one and then quickly discard it because I've grown to appreciate all my mistakes along the way. They're happy accidents. Maybe my start in toy photography taught me the skill (possibly seen as a flaw) of loving and accepting something that isn't perfect.

In my class I've noticed that everyone else constantly has the goal of perfection. They're angry at strange shadows, light leaks, a little bit of blur, the tiniest shade anomaly. Maybe that should be my goal because they're all much better than I am but I can't help but attach a little bit of love to the first messy couple of prints or test strips I make of a picture.

I'm still formulating ideas for what's supposed to be my first artistic photography series so I'll catch you up when I get there.

If anyone is in the San Francisco/Bay Area area and wants to volunteer as models, let me know!

It may take a little longer but I know I will find my way back...

Tonight I start my next level of Black & White classes.

SX-70: This Just In!

I can barely contain my excitement. Also on the way: First Flush Color starter pack. I could probably scream.

Here's to hoping my Polaroid camera isn't broken (after an in-bag Spanish accident).

Ano Nuevo

Here's a double entry since I slacked off yesterday.

These are from two trips I took to Ano Neuvo a couple of years ago.

If you see any strange lumps in any of these three pictures they're sleeping elephant seals!

When we went the pups (or wieners) were just lounging, playing, and passing the days before being able to leave the beach as young adults.

If anyone is considering going I'd recommend it. It's a nice short walk and what's more exciting than seeing Californian native wildlife?

(I'm still loving the color of the sky from this film)

Searching

There's just something about film and cameras that make my heart beat a little faster.

I've always been a girl of very varied interests. I don't like the term, "jack of all trades" but I think I could qualify for it. Being so spread in interests means that I can get a little excited about everything.

There have been few things that have really entwined itself around my heart though. Few things that, just at a glimpse, could make me feel like I couldn't breathe. Maybe this is all just veiled materialism but it feels deeper.

Seeing the grain and fuzz and physical presence of film makes me feel the same as yellowed old books that twist me into time, or a dance that lifts and spins. It hurts me. It makes me ache, ache for something more. Like my life is missing something.

It's this feeling that makes me feel like I shouldn't leave ignore the creative side of myself when considering a future career. I can't imagine being happy longterm going day in and day out without being able to use something of beauty. My life now oftentimes feels absolutely empty of beauty, empty of meaning, and empty of that breathless anticipation of loving something you're creating.

So, today I bought new film (too expensive film.) I'll let you know when it comes a-rumbling in.

Close, Closer

Sands of Time

Light Wraps You

Today has been a rather frenetic day.

Did you know that work days go so much faster with just a little bit of caffeine?

Blue

The blues of this particular roll of pictures came out absolutely amazing.

I can't remember exactly what kind of film it was because I bought a varied bunch from ebay a little while ago. They were expired, I remember that.

The magic of that blue is just one more reason why color photography will always be where my heart is.

Even if I am taking a second level Black & White class. 

Dog Stalking

I'm interesting in beginning a series of dogs and their owners. I know it's not very original, creative, or even super awesome but I can't think of something I'd love more than dog pictures!

Night

My first attempt at night photography.

I wouldn't call it hugely successful but a picture did come out. I was mostly testing out a new tripod that I haven't really used since.

This summer I hope to take a lot more pictures than I have been so far. Money is tight so development is a stretch. I've ditched where I used to go for my 120 film to a place that is a little more inconvenient in location but will hopefully be better in communication.

I just finished my Black & White I class at Rayko and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot and I hope to continue understanding and using the skills in the next level of classes.

Cheers to bigger and better things, here's to hoping it translates to the greater part of my life!

Strawberry Heaven

My baking masterpiece.

(escapism via blog happiness)

Taken with my fuji instax mini

SummerLess

I wish I could escape.

I kind of wish I had more vignetting on my pictures. They make me feel as if they're mysterious. 

Impending Doom

This has proven to be the longest week in a series of long weeks in a row of long months, joined together for a couple of the longest years in my short life. I hope these are the longest years or sorrow and grief I'll ever have to endure.

The Bay Bridge

It's been a long week and it's bound to be an even longer one this week.

And maybe posts everyday was a little too ambitious of me. I'll try it one more time and regulate from there. Trying to get into the swing of this.

Plus, I'm a little insecure that my small audience will get bored of me. All my pictures are just too similar.

That and I may run out. 

But I've been printing a lot more of my work myself and hopefully I'll scan some of it soon to show the world.

Wednesday Blues

My Favorite Four-Eyes

I figured I'd hit a couple of birds with one stone:

• Post pictures on my blog
• Participate in a relatively popular trend right now of portraits against textured backgrounds
• Display my penchant for Adam and the bottom left hand side of my pictures. I don't know why. It just appeals to my aesthetic, ok?
• And, make Adam hilariously mad at me for putting pictures of him all over my blog. Only jokingly mad of course... right?

 

This one's actually digital with a couple of filters... I know, cheating, right?

Chemical Magic

World,

Are you ready?

It sounds a little crazy but... the high have of my day, my week, my month, hell maybe even my year has been tonight.

Tonight for the first time I printed the pictures I processed.

It's an indescribable feeling to see your images, your vision, your work and your effort come into fruition with a few shakes of a canister, some sizing adjustments, and a couple agitations.

This is my contact sheet from my first roll processed. Take note of the light leaks that start about mid-way. I don't QUITE know what it was, but I have a strong feeling it was because while winding I sort of broke the camera winder. I hope that's all it was (I've fixed it since then). I have to develop another roll to be sure and/or determine if I just have a broken camera. I'll consider it a happy accident for now given that no awesome pictures were ruined.

And now....

Are you ready for it?

I couldn't even contain myself during class. Laughing at my dog over and over everytime I looked at it.

World, welcome my very first completely processed and printed picture by me: Sydney

I am absolutely breathless with anticipation for the possibilities of what can be created. For the magic.

Gone for the Weekend

Don't expect any posts this weekend (not like I have any actual readers yet).

I'm going CAMPING!

So, expect an overflow of pictures next week as I learn how to make my own prints, process a LOT more film, and recuperate after my nature-y weekend.

Hope everyone has a good one!

At the Reina, Spain 2010

Tunnel Vision

Mid-Week Escape

I always feel my energy and emotional stamina flagging in the middle of the week. Work is wearing on me, my hope is wearing thin.

I could use a pick-me-up right about now.

All Aflash and Aglow and Full of Wonder -- Spinning

(Diana, Barcelona, Spain)

This morning, on a complete high from last night's film processing excitement, all I could think about was film, film, film. I felt like I was... happy. Strange, I know. I felt like throwing a parade. And everyone who knows me knows that there is little more that I love more than a parade.

Work brought crashing back down to earth just a little though.

But I refuse to let it bring me down too much.

Future photography plans:

• Take as many photographs today and tomorrow as possible.
• Get some practice processing Wednesday or Thursday
• Take even more pictures over the weekend! (Camping!)
• Try to fit in processing them on Monday before class.
• Finish my B&W I class

I'm currently debating whether I should take B&W II next, and further develop (ha ha, develop) this skill set before I move on, or if I should take Color I, where I know I'll ultimately head.

I am absolutely enthralled. Which is new for me. New, different, and such a good thing. A breath of fresh air.

Grappling in the Dark

Today I completely processed, on my own, my very first roll of film.

This is a big deal for me.

First off, I processed black &white 35mm.

I am overwhelmingly proud of myself and unquantifiably excited. It's like a whole new world has opened up!

I can't wait to shoot off just about  half a million pictures in the next month that I get full lab access.

Growing. That's what I'm doing. Learning.

The Opposite of Drowning

Happy Saturday

Zoo Aquarium De Madrid

Diana

Happy Friday

My first look at the Mediterranean Ocean.

As a girl whose lived beside the Pacific Ocean her whole life, being witness to another body of water is always, somehow, significant to me.

And with that, with sighs full of thoughts of daytrips, adventure, warm mediterranean beaches, cool night jazz bars, and escaping the grueling work week, I wish you all a Happy Friday.

El Parque Del Buen Retiro

I'm posting so many to make up for not posting yesterday.

I'm gonna have to start taking a lot more pictures soon to keep up with this thing.

And, I plan on getting a better, more awesome scanner eventually...

City Night Lights

The Clamores Jazz Bar.

By far, the coolest fucking thing I've ever done in a very serious sort of way.

(Diana print 4x5)

Vacation Blues

When we went to Spain we made a day trip to Segovia. This is the cathedral that we took about 9 million pictures of. Day trips somehow add a feeling of breathlessness, excitement, and freedom to pretty much anything.

This picture was a mixture of those feelings and the grand scale (and sometimes overbearingness) of the buildings that surrounded us. The humbling expanse of the detail and history and the rich culture around us.

(Taken with my Diana and then printed 4x5)

First Sundays

Every first sunday of the month you'll likely find us at the Alameda Antique Fair!

I thought you might have already gotten sick of seeing too many Diana Squares. These are from a couple of months ago that I never got to scan until this morning.

These are smaller instant pictures from my Fuji Instax Mini. I also have a Polaroid Land camera. I'll upload more of that camera later.

Metro

I find the Metro both ridiculously convenient, kind of awesome, and somehow romantic. Maybe it's because I'm american.

One day I'll have a more extensive series of old men.

There's just something endearing about finding what fits our definitions of the quintessential Old Man.

I've never really known many. Or encountered many. So to me, they're somewhat... intriguing.

Just look at it. How could the Metro not be romantic?

Reflection

Just got my Spain film developed! Get ready for Spain overload! I'll try to post with an editing eye.

In the Shadow of a Behemoth

I find photography a thousand times intimidating.

I see pictures of the most beautiful type of the most beautiful things so often, my breath is taken so often, I feel like I'll never see things as beautiful as that, I'll never be in places as beautiful as that, I'll never create anything as beautiful as that, let alone capturing any of that in pictures as beautiful as that.

In a world where everyone can have a camera and everyone can use the instant power of the digital to see the art around them, to find that creativity inside of them, it's terribly difficult to feel like one will ever belong, let alone stand out.

I'm terribly intimidated.

It feels like ground zero, while most people my age have already created at least a slightly sturdy foundation. I haven't even decided anything in my life let alone begun building.

I am constantly so astounded by the work of photographic artists that I am intimidated to even casually and as a hobby take pictures.

I try to tell myself that everyone has once been a beginner. And everyone must start somewhere. And better I start now, a little later, than start later, when it's even... later.

But tonight? Tonight will be the first day of the rest of my life. And the first real step into this journey.

I'm nervous, excited, a little scared, really intimidated, and I could probably throw up.

More on this later. Plus pictures.

Monterey

Monterey, CA

A really old picture from 0ct. 22nd, 2007, from my old (and first) fisheye.

The fisheye was actually my first foray into toy photography. 

Introductions

Oh, and in case you were wondering, this is me!

(as taken by Adam on my Diana)

Introductions

My Best Friends (and roomates):

Adam, my fiance

&

Penelope, my little disaster

(she's much bigger since this picture was taken)