Quote: Eddie Money (Rock Singer)

After being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

"But you know what? I'll take every day I can get. Every day above ground is a good day."

Quote: Svetozar Gligorić (Chess Grandmaster)

"For me it was not important who the opponent was sitting across from me, it was important I play correct and active chess."

Last Trips 16mm R Leica Lens Photographs

Some of the 16mm Leica R shots from the last Thai trip. I hope the new used 11-24mm lens will continue this ultra wide angle photography.

"The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok, 2019"

"The People Who Live Under The Freeway, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok, 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

"Families of the Dump, Mae Sot Thailand 2019"

Bought Me A 11-24mm F4 USM Canon EOS Lens

Bought me a used 11-24mm Canon EOS F4 lens. After the success of shooting the 16mm Leica R lens last trip I decided to get the best Canon EOS dedicated lens I could for my digital Canon system. After some research  I read great things about this ultra wide zoom so I decided to get one to use in conjuction with my future used Canon 5D Mark4 body (I currently shoot with a very beat up Mark 3). I used the 16mm for probably 75% of my digital photography last trip, so I think I will use this new Canon dedicated lens to death. It will probably be the only lens I put on my digital bodies most shooting days.

The 16mm Leica worked but was difficult to use. I could not do any type of auto focus so lost quite a few images as a result. The adapter I was using also would make the viewfinder of the camera go black which made me shoot and compost my images with blind guesses most of the time, not the best way to work.

With this new-used lens I can always compose through the view finder, I will be able to shoot as wide as 11mm and there is auto focus available. The only down side is this Canon lens is a F4 the Leica was a F2.8. The plan is to continue to use the Leica with my film R cameras and use the 11-24mm with my digital Canons.

Cost of this lens (without taxes or USPS shipping) was a reasonable $1791 USD (my max bid was $1851 USD). Most of these lens used seem to go from $1800 to $2100 USD used, so I think the price is acceptable. I just hope the lens is as promised. The lens is advertised as in SUPERB condition and was originally bought new from Adorama.

As usual I will be digging deep trying to find the money for this new gear, but I think it could lead to some very important photos, possibly the best I make in my lifetime. So need to get this baby paid for!

Here is the lens EBAY advert:

SHARP LENS. PERFECT for real estate, vlogging and astrophotography. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM Lens. Condition is Used. No original box. Comes with lens cover and mount cap. Lightly used lens in superb condition. One of THE BEST lenses you can put on your camera Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

A truly versatile wide-angle zoom featuring an advanced optical design and constant f/4 maximum aperture, the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens is a member of the esteemed L-series of lenses designed for full-frame EOS DSLRs.

Canon 11-24mm F4 USM Lens

Quote: Danny Kaye (Actor, Comedian)

"Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it."

Quote: Mahatma Gandhi

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Cleaning Mom And Dads Laundry Room

from facebook...

Still have not finished cleaning the glass room area of the house that I intend to use for photographs matting and framing. This last week off I got distanced and was working on the laundry room area of home. Cleaning organizing and the like. Found things in the drawers dating back to when I was 10 years old. Trying to keep the important older things and get rid of the useless stuff. Mom had house gas and telephone bills dating back several decades in this room.

Still more work there to do.I set up a fish tank as in the room, that I got on the cheap for $30 CAD. Had the fish at the old house and needed to move them.

Back to my security nightshifts tonight, Need to earn some money for a new important digital lens for our next Thai trip to the families at the dump an Bangkok‘s Klong Toey Slum in 2020.

Laundry room

Cleaning Mom And Dads Glass House

from facebook...

August 4 at 8:52 PM ·

Am cleaning out an area in my mother and father’s home for photo related work. This place we called the “Glass House” . Back in the day dad used to entertain his guests here. It is a roofed over area connected to the main house via a balcony. The room is made up of 4 sliding doors so has excellent light. My plan is to clean out the room, repair what needs repairing and set up a print framing, matting and spotting work area. I will spot, mat and frame all my exhibition prints here. In the basement of this house I have darkroom #2 up an running and next to the glass house I have my computer printing work area. Everything will be close together and interconnected. It should allow for an easier work flow in the coming years.
 

Not sure what dad would think of all these renovations devoted to photo things but he would probably be OK with it. Living in his and mom's house, using it in a good way was what he always wanted after his death. Trying to do that now.

Cleaning efforts on glass house to matting, framing room

Set Up The 16x20!

Am thinking of using my new 16x20 Chamonix Camera in Thailand  next year for a cross country photo project. With that in mind I set the camera up today on a new tripod and new head combo that I bought several years back (never used before). I usually buy gear a few years in advance of my projects and then when I am ready I dive in head first.

This project idea is to do a series of pictures of both the traditional Thailand and modern Thailand using a traditional camera (view camera 16x20 film) and a modern camera (Medium format digital camera 50 MB Hasselblad X1D). Old and new type gear, old and new Thailand.

Am not sure I will be able to handle the 16x20 in Thailand. Traveling the country lugging this monster about with a large tripod, holders, lens,  hanging tent etc. Might prove to much of a challenge, especially as I will be 56 years old in April 2020. Will test it all out here in Canada first before I decide. I might have to go to my lighter-cheap 11x14 camera. I know I can do the lighter 11x14, but can I do the 16x20? The 16x20 film will also be much more expensive.

I think it would be a cool and different project for me to shoot. It is certainly a challenge and that is always a good thing. As you get older it is important to keep pushing and challenging yourself in new directions. Taking this camera set up to Thai for 7 weeks in 2020 would also help me develop things for my coming cross Canada wet plate project.

Note* The Lens is the expensive Fuji 600mm F11.5. The tripod is a wonderful geared centre column unit I got off EBay cheap. The head is the largest available from Luland in China, it seems to work well.

Note** The tripod seems to handle the weight of the camera very well. Having a centre column that you can crank up and down and then lock down is also a very useful compositional tool. I looked out when buying this thing, thought it was a lot smaller than it was when I bought it.

Hyper me unboxing the 16x20 Chamonix Camera

Large Linhof Tripod

Luland Tripod Head

Fujinon 600mm F11.5 Lens

Chamonix 16x20 camera on Linhof geared centre column tripod with Luland Head.

Shelter Dogs Receive Vaccine

Just thought I would post and update on the dog vaccines that were bought and delivered to the shelter (Piam Suk Dog's House) before I left Thailand in July. These photos are a bit older but show a few of the 100 dogs being injected.

For those that helped thank you so much. The dogs at the shelter are now protected, they received vaccines for rabies and 4 other types of dog diseases. Thanks to you!

Am hoping to help this shelter again if we can next trip. The dogs are former street dogs from Bangkok, now well taken care of. Will also try to do a series of photographs highlighting the lives of homeless stray dogs in Thailand next trip. Their barks need to be heard.

Note* These injections were done after I left Thailand.

Donated vaccines, thanks to you.

The former street dogs now have a happy life, and lots of friends!

Many of the dogs are scared of needles.

The last day I was there this dog (forget his name have it written somewhere) was very friendly to me. He would come up to me and want to be petted. As soon as he saw some of the other dogs getting needles, he left in a hurry!! Guess he has needles somewhere in his past and was frightened by them. In this photo he looks not to bad thou, more like a 'GET IT OVER WITH!" attitude.

All the vaccines have been used now. 100 dogs protected, thanks again folks.

Quote: Mark Twain

"No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot."

Cool Story On An Iconic Photo

Here is the story behind the iconic Burk Uzzle Woodstock picture.

NY TIMES, Burk Uzzle Wood Stock Couple Pic

Couple, Woodstock 1969 by Burk Uzzle

Quote: Danny Trejo (Actor)

"Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else, Everything."

Danny Trejo Saves A Baby

A wonderful photograph of Danny Trejo

Quote: Jimmy Carter

"What is needed now, more than ever, is leadership that steers us away from fear and fosters greater confidence in the inherent goodness and ingenuity of humanity."

Quote: Beto O'Rourke (Politician)

On President Donald Trump.

"He’s not tolerating racism; he’s promoting racism.”

Mom Smile/Laugh

A happy pic of mon made today. Not sure the later photos in this mom illness project (dementia) are going to be happy, so it was nice to get smile and laugh shots today.

Mom from today, @=25600 ASA

Hasselblad X1D, First Photo Of Mom

This is my first attempt with my new-used X1D Hasselblad. The photo is of mom for her health photographic series, documenting her fight with dementia. Not sure what the pictures will be like just now, how I want to shoot it, but this is a nice start. Will probably do photos using a variety of cameras, the X1D will be used to create a series of head shots, made through the months and years, as the her disease progresses. So this photo might be one in a series of several hundred heads made over the next several years.

I want to tell moms story with honestly but with respect and kindness as well. The high quality files give so much detail, am not used to that just yet. Need to use the added file sizes and the detail to their best effect. I can use my 35mm Tri-x shooting for 1 look, allowing blur and non detail to tell a story, with the X1D it will be the opposite. It is nice to have both tools in my camera bag now. Telling important stories in as many ways as possible is always more fun and challenging.

Note* With my two new used X1D batteries I will have a total of 4 to use!! I still owe about $3000 CAD on the camera but should be able to pay it off over the next few months. Then I can shoot guilt free! So far I quite like the X1D, the auto focusing and the manual focusing (especially the manual) are a joy to use. The tonality and extra detail from he larger files are amazing!! Am eager to try the unit out in Asia, in 2020, wish I would have had it last trip!

Mom, July 31 2019, X1D Hasselblad, 800 ASA, 1/40 F4, 45mm Lens (slight crop).