Today I spent my lunch hour(s) at Nichols Arboretum. The peonies are in full flower, and it is quite a sight, and fragrant. I took a bunch of shots with my Diana, Lubitel 2, and with the Coolpix 995. Afterwards, I went looking for other interesting things to shoot, and this little green tiger beetle let me get pretty darn close with the coolpix. Usually they are so wary that you can rarely get within a few feet of them. Just move sloooowly, and inch towards them and they don't realize that you are there.
My thoughts and activities in photography, camera collecting, current events, and photographic tips.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Ann Arbor's nascent Crappy Camera Club
Last night I hosted the 3rd meeting of the Krapppy Camera Club, and 7 of us gathered at my house to swap stories, fondle each other's cameras, exchange ideas, and to look at each others' work.
One of the things we did last night was to present our photos that were done as an assignment since the last meeting. It was so interesting to see how each of us not only chose our subjects, but the type and subject of the poetry that we based our photos on. Linda had some really nice Holga work.
What impresses me most is the level of photography/artistry that exists within this group. Definitely proof that crappy camera (or toy camera) does not equate into crappy images. As the group gets more momentum and participants, I think we could really do an amazing show somewhere.
One of the things we did last night was to present our photos that were done as an assignment since the last meeting. It was so interesting to see how each of us not only chose our subjects, but the type and subject of the poetry that we based our photos on. Linda had some really nice Holga work.
What impresses me most is the level of photography/artistry that exists within this group. Definitely proof that crappy camera (or toy camera) does not equate into crappy images. As the group gets more momentum and participants, I think we could really do an amazing show somewhere.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
At last
At last, my anticipated photographic debut in a glossy, slick magazine. Traverse magazine used three of my photos for the article on Hine's Emerald dragonfly. That was cool. I never expected the article to include a fair amount about me, so that was a pleasant surprise. I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday to get the copy hot off the newsstand, and told the clerk how excited I was to see my photos in the magazine. She agreed, but probably thought I was pulling her leg.
Traverse is one of those magazines where it would be a delight to be a staff photographer. Really upscale articles mixed with touristy stuff and beautiful homes, etc. I'm pleased with the article they did on Hine's Emerald, and hopefully it will boost public awareness of the endangered species in Michigan.
Traverse is one of those magazines where it would be a delight to be a staff photographer. Really upscale articles mixed with touristy stuff and beautiful homes, etc. I'm pleased with the article they did on Hine's Emerald, and hopefully it will boost public awareness of the endangered species in Michigan.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Paw Paw Barn
Yesterday, Marjorie and I went on one of our one-day wonder road trips. We took mostly back roads, going up M52 to Stockbridge, then some really back roads, going through Leslie, then through Mason, Charlotte, and over to Holland. From there, we went south to South Haven, Benton Harbor, and est over to Hartford, Paw Paw, Augusta, and finally home on I-94. We put on about 400 miles, and saw a lot of sublime things that one can only appreciate driving around. The flock of turkeys with several toms all puffed up; beautiful fields of crops just coming up; vineyards with the carefully managed vines; old decrepit barns --some on their last "legs", and others not decrepit, but painted and kept up (like the one shown). The amazing county courthouses in these rural counties - where the county seat is not necessarily a big place, but the solid limestone or brick buildings give a sense that government matters; the significant number of Tacquerias in areas that depend upon mostly Hispanic laborers for the production and harvest of our fruits and vegetables; the beauty of downtown Holland, and the fact that there is so much one can see if you really look.
It was a fun trip, and Marjorie photographed 11 theaters, including an unexpected drive-in in Van Buren Co.
It was a fun trip, and Marjorie photographed 11 theaters, including an unexpected drive-in in Van Buren Co.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Going with the Flow
On Monday I went over to Fleming Creek at Parker Mill in late afternoon to shoot some photos with my Diana camera. Yes, that "toy" camera. I wanted to capture some long exposures of Fleming Creek to give it a dreamy flowing look. That of course, requires a time exposure on the "B" setting, which also requires some sort of sturdy support. Oops, the Diana does not have a tripod socket - imagine that.
So, I cobbled together a tripod attachment point using Velcro and an old flash holder. It actually worked pretty well. This photo was taken on Arista 100 film, using the sunny setting (f16?) at about 6 seconds. Not too shabby, and I think my mission was accomplished.
Here is how I set up the tripod mount:
So, I cobbled together a tripod attachment point using Velcro and an old flash holder. It actually worked pretty well. This photo was taken on Arista 100 film, using the sunny setting (f16?) at about 6 seconds. Not too shabby, and I think my mission was accomplished.
Here is how I set up the tripod mount:
on a tripod....
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