New Mexico Revisited

mission
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

I'm looking back at the shots I took in NM when we visited there in July of 2003. Time has elapsed and I can look at them purely as subjects and how well I like the photo. Some I liked shortly afterwards I look at now, and think differently and sometimes still agree. Others that I didn't like so much for the subject or whatever, I now look at and like the abstract quality, such as this one. Originally taken with my cheapo Vivitar digital, I adjusted the red levels and then desturated in PS. I like it now much better.
I think one thing that IS important to do is to look at ones' earlier efforts to reevaluate them and see how they stand against your current work. Amazing how much one can improve, and much of what I was happy with 5 years ago, I would toss now. Luckily, thise b&w neg sheets don't take up much space...

Fogged in, but not out

fogged
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

I love shooting on foggy mornings. Some of my favorite photos have been taken under foggy conditions. Whether it is mist rising from the surface of a lake, or heavy fog inundating the landscape, such conditions are a great challenge to capture the way we see them.

The first thing you have to do is forget any auto-exposure mode. Otherwise, your shots will come out overexposed. Digitally, go to manual mode and bracket your exposures by shutter speed, keeping the same aperture. With film cameras, do the same, but you will want to overexpose for b&w, because you are trying to capture shadow detail.

You will also want to use a tripod or monopod, because your shutter speeds will be slower - and if you are doing landscapes, a tripod really is a necessity, anyway...so use one!

This photo was shot at 1/6 sec at f8 with my FujiFinePix S7000, on a tripod. No manipulations were performed at all after downloading the image.

Lensbabies are cool

fading jug
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

I have finally developed some rolls of film taken with my Nikon FM and my new lensbaby. What a cool, creative tool! I can see how it could easily be overused... but until then I plant on trying it out in a variety of situations. This is the window in my bathroom in the basement. The jubs and bottles there are always great subjects to play with.

As this year draws to a close, I see that I shot hundreds of b&w images, developed well over 100 rolls of b&w film, and have in general, had a lot of photographic fun.

My goals for 2005:

Make more prints - and make them in standardized sizes.

Get material together for a showing

Sell a few prints

Do more portrait work

I hope 2005 will be a more peaceful year all around, but given the current political situation...who knows.

May all of you have a good year!

A morning in the Greenhouse

Jaws
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

I spent 3 hours in the conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens this morning. Cameras - my Mamyia 645E, Nikon FM, and my FujiPinepix S7000. I used my lensbaby that I got for Christmas on my Nikon. A fun piece of equipment. Go to lensbabies.com for more info. A simple piece of Holga-like lens in a flexible housing that really will add some creative angles to your photography!
This shot of an agave was taken by the digicam, and somewhat resembles the shot I took (I hope) with the Mamiya.

glasswarp - reflections on reaching 48

glasswarp
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

As I sat after dinner tonight, I saw this pattern in the stem of my wine glass on the dining room table. I ran downstarirs and retrieved my Fuju S7000, screwed on the adapter tube and a 52 mm +1diopter and took several images of what you see here.
Today was also my 48th birthday...still on the good side of 50, and I guess I can't complain...much. I am having fun with photography, have a great wife and teenage daughter, am relatively healthy, and my job is pretty good.
What would I like to do in the coming year? I guess I need to finish up some dragonfly-related projects, sherpherd my friend's book through the printers, get really proficient at printing and matting, and hold a gallery show somewhere. Oh yes, and get a model or two for some art projects...