Iksodas

Lilly, and I have been working together for years.. A great friend, and just a general fun person to be around..

Sadly for me and Great for her, she’s pursuing life in warmer climes.. can’t blame her really..

But I’ll miss getting to work with her every year or so..

about 90 seconds worth.. and you have to love F32….

Having a load of fun with the 4×5, learning it’s tricks, nuances, and silly little things like….

you need to leave the lense open to focus. Be sure to shut it before you load the film.

M and X are settings on older lenses, allowing you to account for the time lag of a flashbulb, versus electronic flash. The M/X lever is really close to the shutter release, and its easy to bump… Another words many blank negatives, and some good ones.

That loading 4×5 films into backs create all kinds of interesting challenges, namely that not all brands box and store them the same way. Sure, they all have the cut out corner so you know what side is up, but that Efke likes to store it’s film seperated by sheets of tissue paper that tend to have static cling.. neat effect, if I knew it was coming. Nothing like unloading backs, and finding an extra sheet of stuff in there.

And the most important thing I’ve learned with this 4×5?

The Generosity of others in their support of my photography.

Although the Enlarger I’ve used for several years has quite an array of accessories, and top notch lenses, it was not big enough to handle a 4×5 negative. Some time ago, a gentleman passed away that had an incredible array of darkroom equipment, inlcuding a Beseler 45, and an equally impressive set of lenses for it. It was first stored by his widow, then by a friend, looking for someone that would make use of it.

And to that, all I can say is thank you. This has once again opened new doors to my photography, and exploration of the art.

And one more lesson I learned?

That the 4×5, like my 120 and 35mm cameras all have a use, a purpose, a spot they all fit in my lineup, and that there are times that the 120 just shines, such as here with Dr. Lightness, in the fadiing afternoon light.

That’s what I started telling myself last summer. I’ll wait, until I get enough of a particular size, speed and setting of a film to develop them. Then I told myself I would wait until I had some issues straightened out. And now, I’m getting around to some very old film..

I still don’t have all of it developed, but I am getting quite caught up. I still have a stack of 35mm Neopan to work thru, a handful of 120, and now, a number of (recent) unopened 4×5 backs..

One could say it’s a slow, ardorous process, but the truth is, I don’t want to move any faster. I want to savor every roll, pick the best images, and publish only those I truly enjoy.

I am however trying my best to stick with printing the oldest first (yes, Dr. Lightness, I have negatives, I have contacts, but I also have 2 more rolls from a wedding last June!), and in so doing well, I am getting to present day, but a slow pace, that I am enjoying very much. Even the wedding candids, are a blast, and I hope will be a beautiful surprise for the bride…..

That said.. here’s a short list of prints I’ve recently made, some from many months old film.

Enjoy..

Tistic, from some time ago
Lela, from the trip last summer
Steph, hanging in my studio early last summer
Lela,  4×5, playing around
Dr. Lightness, another one willing to test out my 4×5
Lilly, I have a few 35mm rolls from this day, and in the fading light, we shot this 4×5. My first Real frame with this Camera
Amber.. A great friend, finally let me shoot film of her. I only wish it hadn’t taken so long for me to develop these!

stacks of negatives.. everything from models, landscapes, and even a wedding.

these are the first 3 I printed.

Looking for a Beseler 4×5.. and still learnning the view camera…

So, here you go, the blog is not dead. To all those that wondered if I am still alive, the answer is yes.

The above image of Lela is digital, and, with any luck may be one of my last published digitals in some time… read on.

Well, it’s been an interesting 6 months or so to say the least. My business has been on a real upswing, which is quite odd compared to how it seems the rest of the world has been doing. The business model has always been that we lead the trend by 6-12 months, but this is ridiculously good. Here’s hoping the rest of the world catches up to us in 2009. Put it this way, the time I using to write this blog post is being “borrowed” from a scheduled conference call with a new client. They asked to postpone a day, and so now I find I have time to do some “unscheduled” fun.

The bad news about busy day job is that I tend to like my other pursuits with less planning and scheduling: hence my photography has (suffered, been put on hold, slowed down) not been as productive as in the past. I’m not sure if this will change in the near future, but I do know I’ve found the time to work on my infrastructure a bit, and the new found success has allowed me to acquire some new toys. Not big things (well most are not), but things, I don’t mind dropping a buck or two on here and there, and when the opportunity arises, take advantage of a bargain. Besides it’s still less then what I spent on the new racing sails for the boat!
Yesterday I had an opportunity to hit an auction of a photo store going out of business. This, was rather serendipitous in that this is the place my camera that marked my return to photography was purchased. A short list of things I was able to procure?

A Durst color head enlarger. The enlarger is junk, but the lenses was worth every penny.
A Big old Bogen Monolight, and a handful of light stands.
An entire bin of Canon FD lenses, including the ever favorite 50mm 1.4, 2X 50mm 1.8, the stock 135mm 3.5, and some other mix and match off Brand.. Also in the bin was a Sigma Canon AF mount 24-70mm 3.5-5.6 lens.. Anyone want it? I won’t be using it. It looks clean, and the action is about as smooth as any Sigma.

And.. Drum Roll Please…….
Calumet 4×5 view camera, 2 lenses, a killer spot light meter, 3 shutter release (another words, about a 6 month supply for those that know me) a handful of film backs, and a whole list of doo dads for the camera. The good news is that I’ve had a tripod for about 2 years, just waiting for this camera. With 1 1/2 “ tube steel legs, a bearing turn race 6” in diameter and crank handles the same size, it looks like it came from the movie industry.. Damn, the camera and the tripod just look right together.

I should have film before the end of January for it, and I am currently looking for volunteers to test the thing out.. No guarantees on the quality of result, but I’ll shoot some 35mm, and 120 too, just to make sure you don’t walk home empty handed.

It just so happens that I’ve been remodeling my darkroom (again, at my own leisure, when I find time and ambition to do it). And the plan called for working in 4×5 negative development “for that day”. Well, the day came sooner then expected, and definitely at a price I consider a bargain!

That reminds me.. It was critical that I redo the darkroom, including water supply. It seems that our municipal water supply has recently made some changes, and I believe they have added an additional agent to our tap water, one that leaves a white residue in spots where drops dry. This is unacceptable, so, extra water filtration being added into the bargain too. I have film from June that I have refused to develop until the water situation is straightened out.. It’s a shame that the auctioneers considered the temperature valve a “permenant” fixture and refused to auction it off! Ah well, here goes some serious cash at B&H… So, if you have been waiting for film, all I can say is your wait is almost over!

The last few months of absence doesn’t mean that I haven’t been writing or having ideas floating around my head. .It just means that I have had too many other things going on to comfortably spend the time writing. So, here’s what we’re going to do. Give you a taste of what’s been rolling around in my head. The notes, I’ve written, and some things I’m dying to write.. Everything from “Ribbons” to the “Last Gathering of the Lost Boys (and 1 Girl)” A tale about a storm one October night that was the meanest I ever sailed my boat in: 30 miles of “HANGON!”, and a phone call to shore, as quickly as possible, so as not to scare my wife too much.. our current position, our destination, and ETA. .if you don’t hear from me 15 minutes after the ETA.. call the COASTGAURD ASAP. Yeah, that kind of fun. Made it to the dock and laughed hysterically for 15 minutes fun. And then, spent 2 days partying, racing and hanging with the other lost boys.
But for now.. I’ll bore you with my other unscheduled forms of Entertainment.. I started playing a game.. It’s got all the things I crave.. Skill, worthy opponents, Camaraderie with my team.. and for the real kicker for me. I get to sail, sail fast, AND shoot the other guy! This is where they……

CALL ME ABSOLON
(and occasionally Ishmael)

Yeap, that’s him/me up there standing on a dock somewhere. I had to trade in some serious in game loot to get those shades.. The game is called Pirates of the Burning Sea, and it’s a blast for those that play the game, or are thinking of playing. Here’s how to find me/Absolon: Antigua Server French, Society Mutinous Musketeers.

For the most part, I play a Privateer for the French. That Means Fast Ships, run the other guy down, slow him up, wait for my “mates” to catch up and take the guy out. “Ishmael” is an alternate character that has a long way to go as a naval officer, but some day he’ll get to drive the really big ships on 24vs24 player battles. It’s a blast, its strategic, and it’s a good form of recreation. In the last few months of playing, I’ve made some good friendships with some interesting people with people around the U.S. and other parts of the world (even Chef DeSade, you freak, I know you’re the one that’s gonna read this). We even have in our group of regulars are large number British, Dutch, French and German Players. We talk using a piece of software called Ventrillo, Voice communication and coordination is required in order to be successful at ship combat.

We compete, we brag a bit, we “play hard to win” but, the irony is we get rid of the folks with the really big egos and the self absorbed. Yeap, my kinda folks.

The real Irony is that to them I am Absolon, a privateer that knows how to sail “real boats”. Only 1-2 know my real name. They call me Absolon.

And for a parting shot, this is from last night. I’m in the lead skirmish group of French. In less then 3 minutes, we will make contact with 24 British Players, have a slug out battle, leaving 2 of our 24 sunk, and 18 of theirs on the bottom.

It seems Lela thought it was time to update my blog, and I was given a bit of an assignment…

My first thought? I only get to name six?

Guess I’ll go with the first ones that pop in my mind.

I hate being late.
This blogpost is late. No other way to say it.. it’s late and ticks me off, I really hate having missed deadlines, self imposed or otherwise hanging over my head.. The day job had a deadline, that was late, and this post suffered.

I often take on tasks that are too big, or take on too many.
And that’s why this blog post is late. The day job had a big task, a huge task, that the last time I took on one of this size, I had a whole team working for me.. Now, it’s just me. Mix in with it my three other community volunteer agreements, and we have too many, and too big.. Sorry folks!

Until I hit the goal (or, when dealing with deadlines where my compensation is on the line.. henceforth known as ‘dinging the bell’, rather pavlovian eh?). I go obsessive compulsive in a big way.. Working right thru the day and evening.. stopping only to eat and shower.. I have not taken a day off, and only a few evenings off in the last 3 weeks, since I went for a sail, and shot a bit with Lela.

It happens, and for dinging the bell with the day job, well, this is my reward. Getting to shoot a bit, and writing the post.. Ding the bell, and give yourself a reward. .and this is it.

But wait, just talking about why it’s late.. I’ve given you three of six already.. hmm. .well, lets call the above a late penalty. .for not dinging the bell on time.. so.. here it goes with the rest I had written last weekend..

I go barefoot whenever possible.
I prefer to go barefoot. When I was a kid, I think there were entire weeks I didn’t wear shoes. In the Mid 90’s working out of an in home office, I once figured out that I went 12 days without wearing shoes. One of the benefits of running a small business (with no walk-ins, all clients were out of state), I could kick off my shoes, and would often walk around the office barefoot. Even now, in a small town, I’ll often walk to the post office, the carry-out, or other places, without shoes, and people let it slide. The only place I insist on shoes is on a sailboat. Most of the boats I am on race, and seem to be loaded with sharp edges.

Shoes
The flip side of barefoot, is the attention I pay to shoes. You’d think womens shoes would interest me, but the truth is.. You can tell a lot about many guys by their shoes. This is especially true in a corporate/business setting.

Of course, shoes for physical work are another matter. Construction boots, worn out tennis shoes, etc.. don’t count.

But.. you can honestly tell a lot about someone, where they “exist” in the corporate food chain by their shoes. Leather sole, or comfort padding? High gloss? If so, do they polish them on a regular basis. Cheap, or high dollar? That one, really is not hard to spot in shoes.

I even think lace-up/loafers even say something about the owner.

And I absolutely hate walking into a meeting in shoes that are not polished. When I’m off the clock, I’m all about Sperry topsiders (when not barefoot). I currently have 3 pairs in varying states of wear and tear. Four, if you count the pair with blown seams, and soles coming off (and yes, I do wear them too)

Really, I don’t have a thing for feet, but, when I found out I had to write this, I went for a walk.. without shoes, it got me thinking…

Sushi Bars.
Yeah.. there’s something addictive there. Is it the raw protein, or the seaweed, or the special sauce? Don’t know.. don’t care. .but I know this.. When I travel, if given time and opportunity, I hunt down Sushi Bars. I like the atmosphere, and always sit at the bar. I enjoy the effort put into presentation, as much as the dish itself. .

I’ve hit Sushi bars from one coast to the other. .and, my hands down Favorite was Joss, located in the Annapolis Maryland Old town.. It’s been many years since I’ve been back there.

Beer
I prefer a good glass of Red wine, more then beer, but being an American male, it seems that I’m inclined to put a few back every now and then… but there’s beer, and then there’s beer.

Most American beer tastes like Sugar Corn Snaps Cereal to me, and gives me one helluva hangover. I hate the crap.. Sam Adams, is bearable, but, just aint it. The all time Favorite? Paulaner Heife Weizen. Hands down the most awesome beer ever made. If I have to go with something else. .well, is there a Blue Moon, or a Corona in the house?

Then there’s “boat beer”. Glass bottles and boats don’t mix. Alright, on vacation, I’ve been known to pack away a six of Paulaner down in a hold somewhere, but, in the cooler, when racing.. It’s boat beer..

Boat beer, comes in cans.. different colors, different shapes sometimes.. but it’s all the same really. Some, are only marginally worse then others.. On My boat, you’ll usually find Molson. .but, whatever the boat I happen to be on has, is fine with me..

Then there’s the (quickly approaching? Jeez, summer’s gone already) end of season tradition, of draining the cooler. Everyone pulls their boats out shortly after this race, and, anything left on the boat has to be taken off, stored, or disposed of. You owe it to your friends and comrades to go drink their boat cooler dry.

The only discerning factor in judging quality of end of season boat beer is that it hasn’t already been opened.. If you are handed a can by a skipper, and he says “help me empty the cooler”, well, by tradition you are obligated to drink the thing (or discretely pour it over the side!)… Of course. There’s a couple of people that go out of their way to make this tradition a little more interesting, and stock up just for the event, loading their boat with the likes of Shaefers, Black Label, Schlitz, and I’ve even had a can of generic handed to me.. the lousy bastards.

I’m a Gearhead.
Alright, I have friends that are real heavy duty gearheads, rebuilding cars for fun, I’m not one of them, by a long shot, but It really pisses me off how little can be done to current automobiles by someone well equipped with a garage, and a large selection of tools.

I prefer a car I can work on. .Not out of necessity, and will gladly take a car in when I have to, But, some of this stuff, well, you should just be able to do on your own. When in my teens, I was once asked the question “What’s better, to be able to fix a car yourself or to be able to afford to take it in to the shop?” The answer, is neither. Take the dang thing in, and then know enough to not get screwed.

I like my cars well designed, not just pretty, but well designed. The fuel pump, is a prime example. A piece that is prone to eventual failure, and buried in the gas tank. In an American car, one has to drain the gas tank and remove the whole thing (usually located under the trunk), way too much for the average home mechanic to take on. In a Volvo they’ve fixed this problem by putting a simple little access hatch in the bottom of the trunk. All it really is, is a simple little hole, with a cover, take it off, and tada.. you’re at the fuel pump.. Simple, right? Sure is, and you can swap one out in under 2 hours.

I miss Volvo, I really do.
What? you say they’re still in business? Bah. They’re a Ford in disguise, quality and design have gone way downhill. It’s just another shapeless silver/grey box.

Pictured aobve is Heather, and I hope to work with her again soon.

This summer is flying by at an incredible pace. .

So many new things beginning in my life.

and some, coming to an end.

Luckily, I was able to make time, to do my annual trip.. .

When Most people think of Northern Ohio, or even Northwest Ohio.. I don’t think Terrain like this comes to mind..

Thanks Lela, for another Great trip..

Something a Little Lighter.. from a fun day, and a quick shoot.

The good things.. seemed to all have happened at once.. Don’t want it to sound like a complaint, but this is the best, and busiest year I’ve had in a long time..

Shot, about a month ago with Lela, a little over the top, and finally found the time to publish this one

How cool is that?

That’s number 4.. in the last 18 mos.

The good and fun news just keeps on coming!