Flash Setup With Plaubel Makina 67?

Been playing around with a possible flash for my Makina 67 photo LOOK idea. I could use this Nikon SB-27 speedlight flash. The flash is fairly compact, has a pc sync which I need and allows me to reduce the power in the auto flash setting so I can shoot at F2.8. I will try this gear setup next week to see how accurate the exposures are. I am not sure about this new LOOK but some experimental portraiture now will help me envision what I can create later in Asia. The combination of great bokeh, strong directional light and high contrast might prove quite appealing.

Plaubel Makina 67 with Nikon SB-27 flash, a Gauguin docementary and Mr Edouard Manet.

Links: Fun 8x10 Shooting Video

Just found this video online, here is a change of pace photographer. Most times when you find links on YouTube of photographers shooting large format zone system they are grumpy old fat guys! Here is a video link to a beautiful young lady who has sense of humour and is making pictures with her 8x10 Wista. The photographers name is Lina Bessonova. She is from the Russia, Dzerhinsky city is just outside of Moscow. Lina does some strong unique looking work. I like the wide angle and compositional feel of her photography. Well done!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sc3vmdHKCU

You can learn more about her photography here:
http://linabessonova.photography/
http://linabessonova.photography/about/

"Ain't Photography Grand!"

Photographer Lina Bessonova

The Look!

During my perimeter patrol earlier tonight I started thinking of a distinctive look. A look that I want to try and play with over the next while. It is based on a photograph I saw recently by Mary Ellen Mark.

Plaubel Makina 67 80mm->F2.8->Tri-x Film->Direct Flash->Horizontal Portrait->Ilford Cool Tone Fibre Paper->High Contrast Printing in a Condensor Enlarger

Quote: Socrates

" Poets (artists), are inspired by a divine spark, they are in some way special human beings."

Link: Loving Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

I have always been a fan of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec but today am finding even more wonder and joy in it. HTL was basically a documentary painter, he showed the emotion and behind the scenes lives of people, something I have always valued as a photographer. Lautrec worked extensively in the brothels of Paris as well as the Moulin Rouge.

Here is a link to the story behind "Salon De La Rue Des Moulins"
Salon De La Rue Des Moulins

At the Cafe La Mi, 1891

Salon De La Rue Des Moulins, 1894

Quote: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Am reading and browsing the book "Toulouse-Lautrec A Retrospective" tonight at work. I have had this book in my collection for over 10 years but have not spent much time with it. I found this letter of interest. The note was sent from Lautrec to Theo Van Gogh after the death of Theo's brother Vincent.

July 21, 1890

"My dear Friend,
I received the letter with its news of your poor brother too late to go to his funeral. You know what a friend he was to me and how anxious he was to prove it. Unfortunately I can acknowledge all this only by shaking your hand cordially in front of a coffin, which I do."

Sincerely yours,
HTLautrec

The model for the painting below was one of Lautrec's lovers, artist-model Suzanne Valadon. She lead a rather fascinating, a strong independent person ahead of her time.
Suzanne Valadon

The Hangover, (The Morning After, The Drinker), 1889 Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

More Plaubel Makina 67 Experiments

Here are some landscape shots made last week when I went biking. I will try shooting some more portraits (the reason I bought the camera) this coming week. These two photos were made around 1/25 at f22. I will try shooting at 1/500 at f2.8 with the ND8 (-3stops) filter next time. This lens/camera is all about using the bokeh to make pictures.

Statue #1 my father and my cemetery, Edmonton Canada 2015

Statue #2 my father and my cemetery, Edmonton Canada 2015

Camera, Link: Graflex RB 4x5 For Sale

This camera is a beauty, it was owned by photojournalist Fred Tonne, who workeds for the Milwaukee Journal Newspaper. I have never seen a Graflex of that era (1912-1952?) on eBay in such great condition. This is one of those cameras that might fun to own even if you do not shoot it, just to look it. Thou not using a camera and keeping it as a piece of art on its own seems a wrong somehow. If I ever did buy a camera only to look at this would the one!

I am not sure how usable a tool like this would be in todays photo world. I would use it handheld and it can focus its 190mm lens down to about 2 feet. Still most everything shot without flash would probably have to be around F5.6 which is a very large aperture and shallow depth of field to work with. This camera is probably from the late 1930s, still thou, what a beauty!

To shoot a camera that Strand, Weston, Lange, Stieglitz and Hine used would also be super cool. Was watching some YouTube vids on how to run the camera, it is a fairly complex procedure.

Here is a link on how to shoot the camera:

Graflex How To Video

Getting Stronger

Am feeling stronger and lighter. I have not weighed myself but I feel more light, more agile than I used to. The workouts seem less strenuous and the numbers are increasing. My push-up, chin-up, sit-up and stairs are easier than they used to be. Tonight during my night shift workout I seem to be flying through everything with ease. I need to start to lengthen my bike trips as the 20kms to and from dads grave doe not seem nearly as difficult as it used to be.

I have another 5 months and a bit of training. If I continue to listen to my body, to do things with moderation and to slowly raise the numbers I should be fine. I need to continue to watch my diet, last week I ate pyrogies 2 times, that's a tad much. By the time the Asia trip comes I should be in good physical condition, which will help so much with the photography.

Now onto my stretching!

Quote: Gene Siskel

"Devote your life to something you love--not like, but love."

Quote: Nelson Mandela

From the film "Invictus"

"Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear, that is why it is such a powerful weapon."

Link: Pier 24 Photography

Here is a link to the new website for the best photography gallery I have ever visited. The gallery is "Pier 24 Photography" in San Francisco, my last trip down there I went to the gallery 3 times, a fricking awesome experience. I am planning to take another trip to San Fran the next time Pier 24 has some work I am interested in viewing. This place is free and pretty damn great, here is the link.

Pier 24 Photography

"Pier 24 Photography" under the bay bridge in San Francisco California

Today's Exercise

Did some garden work, planted peas, carrots and onions. Then I got on the bike and 22.3 kms over 1 hour and 5 minute of riding time. Went down to the graveyard to spend time with dad, told him about the stuff that was happening.

I also took my Making 67 and shot 3 rolls, all of stuff I rode past. The camera was fun to shoot. I wanted to do F2.8 shooting but there was way to much light. I would only have been able to stop down to about F/11 or so with a shutter seed of 1/500. I ended up shooting the pics at 1/125 and F22 or 1/250 at F16. For the most part I used the scale on the camera and did zone focusing. I will post some of those pics later. I need to buy some 58mm neutral density filters which would allow me to shoot wide open and get the bokeh I love.

Update: I found a 58mm ND 8 (+3 stops exposure when using) in my collection of photo gear. One of the advantages of buying everything photography related for 36 years is that you have lots of stuff. Stuff that you did not even know you have, you have! I am not sure if I need the ND 4 version, this ND 8 which was made in Japan (good quality) should be enough. Today instead of shooting at 1/125 and F 22, I could have put on the ND 8 filter and shot at 1/500 and F 4 maybe F 2.8 1/2 (a bit of overexposure). Allowing me to get the bokeh look I wanted. The filter is now in my camera bag for next time.

On A Mission

I am on a mission now, the mission is to prepare for my return to Southeast Asia in November. I need to get all my ducks lined up well before that.

Some of the things I need to do:

- Drop weight. I am too big to effectively work in the field.
- Gain some strength, aerobic conditioning as well as flexibility. Which will help my stamina.
- Work with my new Makina 67 to become more proficient with it.
- Shoot the 5x7 with 120mm lens so that I can work faster and more effectively in Asia.
- Learn more Burmese, Thai and Khmer. My language skills need to improve.
- Plan and write about my projects, so that when I am in Asia I will know a general path to follow.
- Prepare all the gear and film I will use. I believe I might need to buy a bit of 120 film but have all the stock I need of 5x7 sheet film and 35mm bulk Tri-x.

I need to work hard over the next 5 months or so at these goals, so that when I arrive in Asia I can get the ground running, and creating effectively.

Graflex RB Super D 4x5

A friend here in Edmonton is selling one of these, pretty aren't they. The Graflex in its day was used extensively by Edward Weston, Lewis Hine, Dorthea Lange, Alfred Stieglitz and Paul Strand, now that's a starting lineup!! It is a 4x5 camera with flash sync that has a mirror like a 35mm SLR and was mostly used handheld!

Graflex RB Super 4x5

First Roll With The Plaubel Makina 67

Here are a few scans with my first roll in the new Makina 67. I like the bokeh, I think it should work well. Am a bit worried at how close I can focus with this camera. Minimum focusing distance is 1 meter with a 80mm lens in the 6x9 format. Exposures were using the internal meter set at 200ASA for Tri-x, at 1/250th and F2.8. The camera made beautiful sharp easy to print negs with good contrast.

The bokeh is especially beautiful in the closer shots, it creates a real surreal effect. I now feel I did not make a mistake buying this camera

Update* Not all the negs on the roll of 10 exposures are sharp but some definitely are. I think this is a result of shooting at F2.8 (little depth of focus) and my inexperience using this camera. Hopefully I can get a higher percentage of sharp negs at F2.8 with continued practise. I also need to try F4 to see what that bokeh looks like, I should have more focusing room error at F4.

Note* These 2 photos were sharpened a bit in photoshop express.

Lisa full body

Lisa head and shoulders

Owen Murray Egypt Shooter

This is very cool, the link leads to the work of a very dedicated and hardworking photographer Owen Murray. Owen is a member of my current photography group, "The Edmonton Photography Society".  He works in Egypt photographing historical building, temples, hieroglyphics etc. The technique he uses to combine the photographs and the final results are quite fascinating and beautiful.

http://owensark.com/2015/02/hypostyle-hall/

Owen at work, Egypt 2015

Rejection Letter From The Vancouver Art Gallery

I got a very nice REJECTION email today from the Vancouver Art Gallery. The VAG is one of the top museums in all of Canada, them taking the time to review my work is appreciated. I will keep on submitting to these folks in the coming year, maybe something will eventually work out. Some how being rejected by such a prestigious facility is less painful.

---------------

Dear Mr. Yaum,

Thank you very much for sending us information on your recent documentary photography project.

I have had the opportunity to circulate and discuss your materials with my colleagues in the curatorial department.  While we are glad to be made aware of your work and congratulate you on your upcoming solo exhibitions in Alberta and Thailand, I regret that we are unable to offer a presentation in our upcoming program due to our commitments over the next several years. There are many great projects that we simply cannot accommodate.

Thank you for considering the Vancouver Art Gallery and I wish you much success with the tour.     

Best wishes,

----- --------

Chief Curator/ Associate Director

Plaubel Makina 67 Initial Thoughts

I loaded some 120 Tri-x into the new Makina 67, here are my intial thoughts.

- The camera is in excellent almost new condition even thou it is probably over 30 years old.
- I love the rangefinder and knob focusing near the shutter button. Focusing is smooth and easy.
- The camera is a bit awkward to hold with the bellows etc.
- Using the built in meter seems easy.
- Changing the shutter speeds and f-stops will take some practise.
- The camera is very compact when folded thou a bit heavier than I expected.
- Everything seems very well made, you can tell this is a high end tool.
- The lens is impressive and very clean, no nicks or marks.

I will make photos and post scans over the coming days. Here is hoping the bokeh is as amazing as advertised! Hopefully I can make hundreds of portraits with this camera over the next 5 years,

Todays stuff, Nikons V 28mm, Diane Arbus book, and the Plaubel Makina 80mm.

"Forgotten Laughter" Playing With A Cover Layout

Just for fun today I decided to layout my cover for the "Forgotten Laughter" book I wan to shoot in November. This cover is so so early I do not even have any photos to put in the layout. For this play page I used a 4x5 portrait I did of a Laos young men doing day labor along the Mekong river in Chiang Rai Thailand. The photo was made a few years back.

Today's Stuff Plus New Cameras

Yesterday was a bad/wasted day but so far today is going much better. This morning I did 26km on the bike in 1 hour and 17 minutes of riding. My Nikonos V underwater camera came as well as the damaged Nikonos III with 28mm F3.5 lens,, these cameras were dirt cheap and should make for some interesting playtime underwater.  I was able to take the 28mm lens off the III and place it on the V as expected. My Plaubel Makina 67 also just arrived and its beautiful! I plan on taking it with me when I go cycling over the summer and fall, hopefully can do up some interesting shots. I will post anything of value on the blog. Now will have a quick bite of noodles and then it's off to the darkroom for 2 or 3 hours of printing. 

Quote: Calin Sandici (YouTube Comment)

On the death of blues great Mr. BB King.

"May BB rest in peace, because his music will live forever. That is, perhaps, the great thing about artists. The fact that even after they're gone, their art survives."

The Thrill Is Gone

One of the all time greats, one of my inspirations in music Mr BB King passed away today. BB King was truly the king of the blues, his music always had great meaning in my life. I have a live album on 2 record that I have listened to more than 30 times through the years as I work in the darkroom . I photographed Mr. King years ago when when I was young and he played Edmonton at a small downtown venue. That music/photo session created one my first strong early photographs.

A CNN story on the life of BB King.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/15/entertainment/bb-king-dead/index.html

BB in his prime performing "The Thrill is Gone" with passion, emotion and heart! Go BB!! GO!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPlsqo2bk2M

Performing at around 84 years old, BEAUTIFUL! He is surrounded and playing with many of the greats of music, BEAUTIFUL! Love the way he works the crowd, his joy and relaxation on stage, a lifetime in music! Goodbye BB, I will miss you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfqHLX3hdcs

Excited About The Future

Photography is such a joy for me, I am so excited about the possibilities the future holds. If I am in Asia again in November creating everyday, what is better than that? It is such a joyful way to live life. Even when you are photographing difficult subjects, in difficult environments, photography for me is just pure JOY!

I am very optimistic and hopeful for the future. First thou I need to prepare, get all my ducks aligned. Will get out on the bike in a couple of hours again to do some cycling, another 20+ Km out to visit dad and then back again. I need to continue to push hard and get in better overall shape. The better shape I am in the better the photography will be in Asia.

I am meeting mom at 1015 am today after my bike ride. Mom has been kinda lost and confused since dad left, I need to spend more time with her. We might visit dad at his grave today or tomorrow, mom wants to take out some flowers.

Camera Arriving Friday

I got dinged with $43.79 worth of duty/taxes for the Plaubel Makina 67. The camera is in Anchorage Alaska but the data for duty already arrived in Edmonton (go figure). Now that I have made that payment the camera is free to ship to my home, I should receive it on Friday. I will shoot it the day it arrives, develop the film and post the samples before Monday. The total cost of the camera is now $1710 CAD, it better damn well be worth it!

Am excited and hoping that this new camera will become a very important tool for my "Forgotten Laughter" book project. Right now the thinking is to use the 5x7 large format Linhof for full body vertical portraits and the 6x7 medium format Makina for closer portraits. When making the pics, one day I will go out shooting with the 5x7 and Leica's, the next day, a resting day, with just the Makina and Leica's.

"Ain't Photography Grand!" taxes and duty suck but "Photography is Grand!!" 

$20 Raise

I have my first 2 workshops of the year scheduled for late June. The student is taking 2 classes, she is a photography student who lives in Calgary and studied in Spain (pretty cool!). I decided to raise the rates on future workshops by $20. The standard darkroom workshop costs $120 now, the view camera workshop runs $140. I am keeping the same $180 on the advanced workshop (not a big seller).

All money I make goes directly back into my photography. The students I have taught praise the classes, so I feel comfortable continuing to offer then.

Equipment? 7 Week - 6 month Asia Trip

Been trying to figure what I would take on a short 7 week trip to South East Asia. I would be working on the "Forgotten Laughter" children living in poverty series. If I went for only 7 weeks I would want to travel much lighter, but a longer trip especially of 6 months I would take more gear with me.

7 week trip cameras:

- 5x7 Linhof with 120mm lens, spot meter
- Leica M6 with 35mm F1.4
- Leica M6 with 21mm F2.8
- Plaubel Makina 80mm F2.8 (my newest buy)

If I traveled for a longer period, 3 to 6 months I would be working on a wider variety of projects and might also take these tools.

3 to 6 month trip, possible added cameras;

- Canon Mark II digital with 24mm 1.4 lens
- Hasselblad 503 with ringflash and 80mm F2.8 lens
- Leica R6 with 60mm lens
- Leica 28mm F2 lens
- Fuji 65mm 6x9 camera
- 210mm F5.6 lens for the Linhof 5x7

Quote: Dragger Man, Newfoundland Canada

This quote is from Farley Mowat's book "The New Founde Land".

"Ah, me son, we don't be takin nothin from the sea. We has to sneak up on what we wants-and wiggle it away."

Book: "The New Founde Land" By Farley Mowat

Am reading a wonderful book "The New Founde Land" by the great Canadian writer Farley Mowat. The book is a compilation of stories on our most distinct Canadian province, the island Newfoundland.

So far the book is filled with wonderful stories filled with insight, humour and atmosphere. Reading about these amazing characters makes me want to go out and do some photos. Maybe someday I can go to my fellow Canadian province and make some portraits. It would certainly be physically easier to work in Canada thou a lot more expensive. A Gerry Yaum at 70 years old photography project? Photographing the people of "The Rock!" It might be something to do as an old man when international travel and living could prove to difficult.

Here is this outstanding book selling for 1 penny plus shipping. I bought my hard copy version 20 years or so ago and just recently found it again.

"The New Founde Land" by Farley Mowat

Burgeo Newfoundland where Farley Mowat lived in 1961.

Alberta Foundation For The Arts, Rejection Letter

Got my annual rejection letter from the Alberta Foundation For The Arts Folks for my Art By Acquisition Submission. The "Expert Art Panel" rejected the "Families of the Dump", "Klong Toey Slum" and "My Fathers last Days" series photographs below.

"Families of the Dump"

"My Fathers Last Days"

"Klong Toey Slum"

"Klong Toey Slum"

"Klong Toey Slum"

Visited Dad

Did a 59 minute bike ride down to dads grave and back to the house today after my 7th 12 hour security night shift. I am on days off now, tonight I will take mom out to Red Lobster for mothers day (one day late). I figured since I would not be able to do cycle later on tonight I better do it right after work. I pushed quite hard on the bike today, I think I did some good work especially coming back (uphill).

When I got to the grave I spent 10 minutes or so with dad, told him what was happening. I talked to him of work, of mom, of missing him and of the new camera I bought.

I want to try and cycle 3 or 4 times this week, I also have to plant the garden and do some yard work. I think the physical fitness/watching my diet stuff is progressing nicely. I feel a bit lighter, a bit more limber and the stairs and push ups etc. seem to be getting easier even thou I am doing more of them. By November when I return to Thailand to work on the "Forgotten Laughter" photos I should be in pretty decent shape, certainly better shape than when I started.

Direct Flash And Makina?

What about combining a Plaubel Makina shot at F2.8 for bokeh with strong direct flash? I will do some experimenting when I receive the camera. I have always loved the confrontational feel of direct flash, combining that feel with great bokeh might really create something.

Another thing I would like to try is the Makina at F2.8 with Tri-x exposed at 800 ASA and given STAND development. I have never given STAND development to 120mm film before. This should be fun!!

Plaubel Makina 67 with flash

Camera: Plaubel Makina W67

Could this camera be next in my buying line : )) The camera is the 55mm f4.5 version of the Makina 67.  Doubt I would buy it unless I totally love the 80mm version. They run in excess of $1800 USD on eBay.

Plaubel Makina W67

Plaubel Makina 67 With Retracted Lens

Here is a photo of a Plaubel Makina 67 with its lens retracted. For me this compacting camera feature was a major selling point. When your traveling in the heat and humidity of Asia through dumps and slums, on motorbikes and buses you need things to be small. This new camera purchase should allow me to make beautiful 6x7 negs while still carrying only a small and light medium format camera. As long as this thing lasts, does not break and has wonderful bokeh, I will be happy! Hopefully I will get at least 5 years of solid shooting from it.

I wish I could make my fathers picture with this new/used camera, but that time has passed.

Plaubel Makina 67 with lens retracted.

My New Plaubel Makina 67

I bought a Plaubel Makina 67. The camera I bought is older than the Plaubel Makina 670 that was in Edmonton but it does not have the 1mm NICK defect on the front element. The camera was also cheaper, I paid $1300 USD plus $40 USD for shipping. There is quite a price difference between the 2 cameras, the first was $1850 CAD plus (I would have paid more as I was in a bidding war with one other person) versus $1666.83 CAD for the second camera. I still might have to pay some duty and GST once the cheaper camera arrives in Canada from Korea but we are still looking at about a $200-$300 CAD savings (and no lens NICK!).

I will use this camera with the Leica's and the Linhof 5x7 next trip to Thai. I plan on making head and shoulder portraits for the vow "Forgotten Laughter" book I promised my father. Looking forward to the Plaubel's small size which will allow me to carry the camera in my 35mm camera bag. I am also hoping the great bokeh it is reputed to have is not a myth. I did searches online and saw some good looking blur examples when this camera is set at wider f-stops.

What was the clincher for me on this deal was I asked the seller to lower the price from $1380 USD to $1300 USD and they did. Hope this is not a mistake. I will know the first time I see a portrait made at f2.8, if I get one very good picture out of it, in my mind it's worth the cost.

So now I have 3 cameras flying in, a damaged Nikonas III (for the lens) from Quebec Canada, a Nikonas V body from Japan and a Plaubel Makina 67 from South Korea.

Double Workshop Possibility

I think I need to post my workshops on a wider variety of Kijiji sites. I have a lady from Calgary who is probably going to take both the view camera and darkroom workshops in June or July. I had hit a bit of a dry spell with new workshops so these latest 2 should hopefully open the student flood gates a tad. There is also a possibility of a BC couple taking some workshops, but I have not heard from them for a while.

These 2 possible workshops will bring in $220, not bad for a 6 or 7 hours of instruction plus a bit of film/paper and chemistry. Spending time teaching photography and making money at it is a win win for me. I might raise my rates by another $20 per workshop soon. If these workshops do happen this will be my second student from Calgary, I also had one from Saskatoon who took 2 courses. I need to look into advertising wider outside the Edmonton areas, non Edmontonians seem interested in these things.

Camera: Nikonas V

I put in a $105 USD offer for  this Nikonas V which is in great shape and located in Japan.  I am bidding on a damaged Nikonas III as well but the body is damaged as it only shoots at 1/60 of a second. My plan is to take the 28mm lens off the Nikonas III which I should get at a great price and then attach it to a higher end Nikonas V body.

I have no underwater cameras in my vast camera collection. I always wanted one of these and they are going dirt cheap so why not buy one. This camera and lens works out to the same price as a box of 11x14 fibre photo paper. I want to try shooting figures underwater and also possibly use this camera in very bad weather conditions where I am scared to take out my more expensive and sensitive equipment. Another cheap formerly expensive photo toy to play with!!

Update: Won both auctions, the total cost was $275 CAD including shipping (maybe some duty/GST yet). So that's not to bad, a bit more than a box of 11x14, probably about the cost of a box of 16x20 paper. I wonder what I can do with the damaged Nikkonas III body, it is not really worth repairing, could try selling it on Ebay. The 28mm lens and the Nikkonas V should make a nice addition to my camera collection. I might take it with me on my next trip to Thai, lots of water there!

Nikonas V Underwater Camera

Buying A Plaubel Makina 670 Rationals And Other Thoughts

Well am still undecided on whether I should bid heavily on the Plaubel 6x7 camera. The bokeh and the small size are the main things I love about this tool.

On the plus side:
- A compact and light 6x7 camera I can place in my small camera bag along side my M6 Leica's.
- The bokeh (blurred background) you get at f2.8 with the 80mm Nikkor lens is supposed to be amazing.
- I could use the camera in the field along with the 5x7 to create the "Forgotten Laughter" photos
- There are repair shops for the camera.
- The camera I am most interested in is located in my city. Which means no shipping costs, no duty, no GST tax and I am getting a 5% discount from the seller.
- The camera I am most interested in was bought new and the seller claims only 8 rolls of film have gone through it.

On the negative side:
- The camera sometimes has electrical and film advance problems, you need to be careful when opening and closing the lens (cables sometimes get caught in the bellows).
- You need to make sure you do not use intermediate shutter speeds as this can lead to electrical issues.
- The camera may cost up to $2000 CAD.

Update: I was outbid on the camera in the last 5 seconds of the auction. My max bid was $1501 USD the winning bid was $1526 USD (around $1850 CAD). I was a bit unsure with this camera as there was a 1mm NICK on the front element. Not sure what a NICK is but I did not like the sound of that word or the look of the itty bitty damage in the product photo.

Camera: Nikonos III Underwater Camera w/UW-Nikkor 28mm f3.5

This might be a hell of a fun camera to shoot underwater, or in enviromental situations that are brutal and dangerous to other more expensive cameras like blads and leica rangefinders. I believe it uses zone focusing which is a pain but probably more practical when wearing a divers mask. Might be fun camera to get as they are very cheap, running $175USD or less on eBay. A tool like this would be very good to have if I was shooting the sea gypsies in Thailand and went diving with them as they worked.

Nikonos III with 28mm F3.5

Quote: Pablo Picasso

“Art is a lie that tells the truth.” 

The Workouts, Working Out!

Well I am about 3 weeks into watching my diet and working out some. I am starting to feel some positive effects. I think my weight is down a bit and I feel a bit more nimble than I used to. I have moved from 1 chin up to 3, so that has improved. I want to eventually do 5 at a time.

My main goals in all of this are two fold. I want to lose weight and build strength and endurance to help my photography. The second goal is much simpler "Do not hurt myself!!" I am 51 years old and often what happens is older guys get too gung ho and end up damaging their bodies when they all of a sudden decide to get into shape. I need to do this slowly and carefully, make small improvements over a long period of time. I have 6 months before I return to Thailand, no use hurting myself or rushing things. Bit by bit, month by month I will slowly get into better shape. The las thing I want to do is hurt myself which could endanger my abilities to make pictures.

Here is my current routine during work week (7 nights):

1) watch my diet, few or no useless calories
2) push ups 2 sets of 20
3) sit ups 2 sets of 30
4) chin ups 3
5) 2 sets of 10 squats
6) stretching
7) doubling up my stairs each security round (every building I climb stairs in I do an extra stair climb).

That's not that much but like I said, am trying not to hurt myself. On my week offs I have been doing lots of biking, and golf. I plan on starting up swimming and general fitness rooms soon. As times the work numbers will go up. In past years (before I was so old and fat) I was doing 5 sets of 50 push ups each time, but I need to work myself back up to that number slowly.

By the time I go to Thai if I can keep things going I should be in much better shape. In Thai I always lose weight on my longer trips. If I go for 3-6 months to work on "Forgotten Laughter" by the time I come back to Canada I should be in much better shape, and at a much lower weight.

The Pose

Found this photo online, if I buy a Plaubel Makina I can get some tattoos, raise my eyebrow, look tough and pose with my camera! : )) Actually this photo is useful just to see the size of the camera, it's a bit bigger in this guys hands than it looks sitting on table. To buy it or not?

The tough guy camera pose, "Don't f-ck with me!"

Moving To Cape Breton?

On the East coast of Canada the housing market is quite cheap in places. I have been working with a guard here in security who hails from Cape Breton Nova Scotia. The guard has been telling me about how cheap housing is there and how beautiful nature is, milder weather, open ocean, lobsters and the like. Who knows some day I might buy a place their, maybe to stay full time or to hide from the Edmonton winters. The cheaper houses are older but many are completely renovated, new plumbing, roofs, hard wood floors etc.

Check out a sample listing below. It might be fun to do landscape and portrait work in that area. I have never been to that part of Canada. Strange that I have been to Thai I think 13 times, Cambodia maybe 6 times now but I have never been to the maritime provinces in Canada my own country.

I could never give up my darkroom so will probably keep my house in Edmonton for the rest of my life but having a place down East to spend 3 or 4 months a year in might be fun. My draw is always to Thailand but maybe I should also start looking elsewhere to spend my winters.

I checked the average temps for the coldest time of the year in Cape Breton and it only drops down to an average of -8C, in Edmonton the average temps are much colder with some days going down into the -30C. If I bought something I would look for a home in a small town area of Cape Breton with an ocean view.

$52000 CAD

$55000 CAD

Tilt Rejection

Another rejection, not even sure who this is from, do not remember submitting work there. They were nice and polite, and at least I am in their review system now.

​Gerry

,

Thank you for your 

​submission, and sorry for the delay in responding.​

​

 Although we enjoyed looking at your work, we are not currently in a position to add new artists at this time. We are a very small gallery, so our first priority is to the artists that we currently represent and to our current exhibition schedule. We will, however, retain your materials on file for possible opportunities in the future.

We appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in Tilt,

Best regards,

​Tilt Team​

TEMPTATION!

Gosh I am being temped by a wonderful camera I have thought of buying for a while. The Camera is a Plaubel Makina 670 Medium Format with 80mm Lens "Mint". The camera was bought new and has had only 8 rolls of film shot through it. The hook for me is two fold, the Plaubel Makina is small and light (easy to carry in Asia) and at it's 2.8 setting it is supposed to have a GREAT bokeh (soft out of focus background). I want to use that bokeh to do up close portraits of my subjects.

What is extra tempting about this possible buy is that the camera is located in my city of Edmonton. The seller who seems like a good person has offered me an additional 5% off if I pay in Canadian dollars to him direct after the auction is over. What to do? I am trying not to buy more gear and over the last 5 years or so I have cut way way down on my camera buying. I keep on thinking of the portraits I can make with this tool, all over South East Asia. Boy is it difficult to resist bidding on this camera. Do I really need it? Would it not be better to just put the money in the bank and use it to make pictures in Asia when I return in November? The camera will probably eventually sell around the $1500 USD mark. What to do? I have just over 2 days to figure this out.

Plaubel Makina 670, current bid $1325 USD

Update* I found out today I am getting a raise here at work. Will be getting a bit more money to do my security job. Maybe I can rationalize it that way, sort of a bonus gift! I also got an OT shift next Saturday, I could use that money towards the camera also.

Quote: Louis Zamperini (Olympic Athlete, WWII Veteran And Prisoner Of War)

"The hardest thing in life is to forgive. But hate is self-destructive. If you hate somebody you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. Forgiveness is healing."

Photo Idea: Sea Gypsy's Of Asia

Found out about a new group of people today, a unique culture that might lead to a photography project, the sea gypsies of Thailand and Asia. The main ethnic group of these people who exist in Thailand and Burma are the Moken people. Need to do lots of research but here are a couple of snaps and their Wikipedia page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moken_people

Sea Gypsy's of Thailand

Full Figure Portraits

Today as I was looking through a book on Edouard Manet I remembered the influence painter Diego Velazquez had on his work. Manet was influenced by Velazquez to do full body portraiture. I have been thinking a lot of how I want to do my "Forgotten Laughter" (children living in poverty) series of portraits. I think my main portrait style will be a full body shot like Velazquez and Manet. There is such a beauty and simplicity to this style of imagery. I love the look of a person standing in their environment or standing against a neutral background. That sense of space and seeing the persons whole body works well for me.

My thinking is to use a 5x7 camera with the long vertical. I will shoot in vertical format with a wider lens a 120mm which should give me a bit of distortion when I compose up close to get the full figure. The boxer photo made below was made with a 90mm and 4x5 camera, the 120mm and 5x7 should give me a similar look, just with a longer vertical.

I could photograph children living in poverty in their worlds. Doo-Aye full figure standing in the dump. A child living in Klong Toey full figure standing in front of her slum home. A young boxer in the gym full figure with boxing gloves. All could be strong portraits. We can all learn form the great artists of the past, studying their work and improving our own is both fun and exciting!

Self Portrait Diego Velazquez (1599-1660)

Self Portrait Edouard Manet (1532-1883)

Muay Thai Boxer, Bangkok 2012 by  Gerry Yaum

Thinking Of Pook

I keep thinking of Pook, the girl from the bar in Bangkok who was murdered in November. Here is her photo and the earlier story of her murder. She looks like such a good and kind person.  When I was photographing in that world, I knew dozens of girls like her. I need to continue to make pictures and and tell those important stories. I want to do a series of portraits away from the bars in the workers private rooms, with their belongings beside them, maybe even make pics up country with their families. This idea was suggested to me by a documentary photographer I met in New Orleans at my opening back in December of 2013.

Maybe the 3 part sex worker series I could work on would be "Lost Innocence", the at home portraits and a still undecided third project.

http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2015/04/link-bar-worker-murder-case.html

Laxami 'Pook' Manochat 31

It's Alive!

Went into the darkroom to set up for film development. While I was in there I dumped out yesterdays tray of Dectol paper developer. Inside the tray was a large centipede which somehow was still alive, when I dumped out the chemistry into my sink the insect started moving. Usually I squish these things, ugly creatures, make my skin crawl, just like finding cockroaches in Thailand (cockroaches are worse!). Some how today that seemed wrong this time. After surviving that lethal chemical bath of developer, killing it in a tissue seemed the wrong thing to do. I went and grabbed the tissue, picked up the squirming disgusting centipede, took him over to the water bath, gave him a quick rinse, then took him out front and put him outside on the night sidewalk. Not sure the dude will survive but maybe after the water bath he can live through this. He is a lucky fella, yesterday when I was setting up the trays I found a drowned spider, that's a common occurrence. This centipede lucked out, I came in to work in the dark and saved him from drowning.