The Third Act

Generous friends...

I love my photography friends.  It's not that I don't love ALL my friends, but the bonds I've formed with those who share this interest, art and passion really are the best! I have Flickr to thank for that...and for coming onto the site in the beginning, at a time when it was much easier to form a tribe.  This November will mark my tenth Flickrversary...and I know that number is quite similar to many others with whom I still communicate.  

I have to say that photographers are a generous lot.  In my experience the willingness to share knowledge, tools and experience is exemplary.  Which brings me to these images, which are on Fuji NPL 160...a film that isn't made any more and I believe this roll expired in 1996.  A long time Flickr friend of mine (thanks Mark!!) sent me a goody box filled with an assortment of expired films and this is the first roll with which I've had a go.  It was like Christmas opening the box!  Now, I suppose many people would wonder why expired films would be so exciting.  The fact is, you just never know what you're going to get regarding the results!  Which is one of the main reasons I delight in shooting film (and especially pinhole)...there's typically at least a little element of surprise in store, which is increased with the expired stuff.  In addition, free film is always much appreciated!  

These images were made in Pony Pasture Park, near the James river, just a short walk from my house...enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes...

...I'm pleasantly surprised by unexpected results with these pinholes (first one in particular...but the rest of the series from this set of negatives follow...)...

 

 

 

 

 

It's just the beginning...

Yesterday was the autumnal equinox...the first day of fall...finally.  The summer was mild, from what I'm told.  Perhaps mother nature took pity and decided to ease me into a new climate.  In any case, the temperatures in general were below normal, with a spike at the beginning of September.  The past couple days have been quite lovely with cooler nights and mornings, and mild during the day.  While yesterday was wonderfully clear, there are clouds today with a possibility for showers in a day or two.

During the summer I took my walks in the morning, before the mosquitoes had woken and the heat was climbing.  Morning walks are great for a sense of calm combined with the new energy of another day.  That being said, with the sun rising later and seasons changing, my sleep pattern is changing too.  Now I prefer to walk in the afternoon so I can allow myself more time in the morning for meditation and journaling.

Being it was the equinox and all, it seemed like a good afternoon to walk down to the river and note the official change of the season.  Since temperatures haven't profoundly shifted yet, there's still a lot of green around, but I can tell fall *has* started. Some plants are sporting tiny red berries, nuts in their husks are falling, and acorns litter various spots as well.  The broader view certainly indicates a bit of orange, brown and gold at the tips of what is now a dull green of the woods.  But it's the light that captivates at this time of year...it's golden and low and sensuously wraps itself around anything it touches.  There really is nothing quite like autumn sunlight and it's just the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colonial Williamsburg

It took me a few months, but I finally made it down to Colonial Williamsburg last week. Turns out that buying a day pass when you're over 50 allows the pass to be used for the rest of the year!  So, I plan on going back when the leaves are changing color and maybe even when Christmas decorations are up.  

Initially, I'd only planned on going to the outlet mall, but then ended up at the park and never did any shopping (which is really okay, since clothes shopping isn't my favorite thing...although I do need some new clothes!).  In any case, I shot a couple rolls of color film...one in the Holga and another in the Zero pinhole camera.  I'm rather pleased with the results and hope to make prints of some of these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross processed pinholes...

I don't typically cross process my pinhole images.  For those who are unfamiliar, cross processing involves using color slide film and having it developed in chemistry for negative film and using the resulting negatives as just that (as opposed to transparencies).  I hope that makes sense!

The purpose of this technique is typically to get tweaked colors.  Odd greenish or pinkish casts have routinely been the results I've gotten.  This seems to work really well with toy camera images.  I can't say exactly why I tend to avoid using this for my pinholes, except that it feels like too much going on.  But, this set has been surprisingly pleasant to my eye.  The cross processing technique has been particularly useful when putting the camera right down on the earth to create liliputian landscapes!  In fact, I'm considering working with that notion more in depth now.  Enjoy these few...

 

 

 

 

Autumn on its way...

Well, after the past week rudely brought a return to the highest temps of the summer, we've finally cooled off a little.  Much to my delight, yesterday Baba Yaga's house received [what appeared to be] an isolated downpour for about half an hour.  The yard and plants had a good soaking.  But even after that, it was still hot and steamy.  Today, however, it's only gotten to the mid-70's with overcast skies.  The doors and windows are open, the sound of crows cawing on the breeze.

Needless to say (well, if you know me anyway) I've been putting up fall and Halloween decorations.  This is a tradition for me, and for my family...although now, it's just for me again (I say with much, much bittersweetness).  The autumn has always been about nesting, that sweet time of the year for warmth of color and taste and pulling family together (as we head towards the holidays).  I'm grappling with it this year, doing what comes naturally but with the nostalgia that's a challenge to move through.  I feel torn emotionally...content to welcome in this season that I've always loved the best, yet to be doing it alone.