Day Trip To Moms Childhood Farm

The day with mom visiting her old farm (nothing much left) and her old high school, the church she married dad at, graveyards etc was fun but more tiring than I thought. I only had about 4 hours sleep and drove around 5-6 hours during the day, plus was photographing, so was quite worn down by the end. I took way to much gear which was a mistake but I ended up using all the cameras at least a bit. I am still in the process of figuring out what I want to take with me to Asia, so that was the reason for all the cameras.

The 5x7 was a bitch to carry, I hope I have not waited to long to use it. Am I too old now to shoot 5x7 in Asia? I need to improve my overall condition even more if I expect to lug around this very heavy camera, plus meter, lens, holders, tripod and reflector in the very difficult and trying conditions of South East Asia.

My list of gear yesterday included:

- 5x7 Linhof (and extras)
- 4x5 Graflex (and extras)
- Rolleiflex Automat
- 35mm Leica
- Canon Demi

Living In Small Worlds

So many people live in such small worlds. Sometimes that small world is a result of economics, if you do not have the money to feed your family you certainly do not have the funds to broaden your horizons and life experiences. I understand that many do not have the luck I have experienced in life, the luck that allows me the money to enter all these different worlds. The thing I do not understand is those that are financially independent, much richer than I am who choose to remain in their small worlds. They have the finances but not the drive to expand into new realms. It is like they lack the curiosity to see what's on the other side of the highway. They live day in day out in the same situations, having the same experiences, the same ho hum routines. I have never been able to understand that mentality.

One of the great joys in life for me is the doors that have been opened for me. I think back over my life experiences mostly as a direct result of my photography and I feel so happy. I would never give up those memories, those learning situations, those lives I have shared, the laughter, the tears, the sorrows and joys. Gosh if I had stayed in Edmonton, never made photographs and did the average Joe life thing, I would have missed out on so so much.

I cannot wait till I am back in Asia again soon, finding new adventures, meeting new people, creating and experiencing new worlds. The wonder and sheer joy of living continues.

What A Waste

Cameras are meant to make pictures not sit on a shelf and handled with COTTON GLOVES. Found this advert today locally, what a waste. Whether it is an old design or new, whether it is a Leica, Haselblad, or Rolleiflex. Whether it is state of the art or a simple point and shoot, get it off the fricking shelf and get it making pictures. A camera is made to make pictures, let it fulfill its destiny.

Leica - limited edition Camera

Leica - limited edition Oskar Barnack 1879-2004 "Mint". This camera has never been used, and has only been handled 4x, always using white cotton gloves when It's been out of the box.

Wonderful New Book

Received a wonderfully printed book of Josef Koudelka's work today from Amazon. The book is called Exiles and contains many strong photographs some that I have never seen before.
"Exiles" By Josef Koudelka

I love the books design, just the image on the right side of the page with a small page number and blank white page on the left. They also allow for white space around the image so it is like a print in over mat on a gallery wall. There are no titles with the photos which allow you to look at each picture and judge it on its own merit, as an individual piece, without written distractions. They also have a page in the front of the book titles "Captions" that has the page numbers along with a simple location and date for each photograph.

For my next blurb book design I will use this design. I think if I ever get a real book published I will also follow this simple and effective scheme. 

Here are 2 sample page layouts from the book.

1/2 Frame Singles

A few single 1/2 frame negs, with the contrast bumped up substantially.

1/2 Frame Doubles

Here are some double images taken frame/frame on a roll of film, then scanned as 1 combined piece. The idea being that they communicate more together than they do apart. They sort of have a dream like quality that I enjoy. These pictures were made yesterday with the Canon Demi EE17. I plan on shooting this camera tons in coming months.

Dads graveyard #1, machine gun style shooting

Dads graveyard #2, machine gun style shooting

Dads graveyard #3

Machine Gun Shooting

Not doing as much darkroom room as I should. Developed 3ish rolls of 1/2 frame stuff, some shot last night at dads graveyard. I tried something new I am calling MACHINE GUN shooting, it is where I shoot dozens of frames in quick succession (often blind) adjusting focus and composition quickly using the Canon Demi. I did a bunch of photos around dads grave using that style of shooting. The idea being that the final finished work will be a number of consecutive frames shot side by side. Weird angles, different degrees of sharpness, movement and then you combine them in a final fibre print of 2 or 3 or 4 negs side by side, giving a more complete creative statement. Not sure if this method of shooting will work but it is fun to try these things.

Well its off to do some yard work for mom, then to the Alberta Gallery of Art to see the latest shows. I will ride my bike today to work on the fitness thing as well, two birds with one stone. Later tonight I need to try and start up some printing of the dad work for the coming shows. Tomorrow I am going with mom to her old abandoned childhood farm, will take some pics.

Update* Just looked at some scans of the machine gun method of shooting, it is very intriguing! I like it!. I might try to shoot portraits and nudes in the same way in the future. Eventually combining 2 or 3 frames in a single work, a single exhibition print.

Burmese Folk Story

From the book "Burmese Spring"

"A dragon terrorized a village and demanded the sacrifice of a virgin each year. Every year a brave young warrior would scale the mountains to fight the dragon and prevent the sacrifice. But each time, the warrior would perish. Then one year, a young man was able to get a glimpse of the dragon's lair, which was stocked with piles of gems and gold. Inspired and inflamed the warrior marshalled the wherewithal to slay the dragon with his sword and claim the treasure. But as he sat on the corpse, admiring his spoils of victory, the young warrior noticed he was beginning to grow scales and then horns and a tail. He hat turned into a dragon himself.

Quote: Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese Resistance Leader, And True Prime Minister)

From the wonderful book by Rena Pederson "The Burma Spring".
"The Burma Spring"

"If you have a positive feeling towards other people, they can't do anything to you---they can't frighten you. You cannot really be frightened of people you do not hate. Hate and fear go hand and hand."

Now's My Time

On my first bike ride of the week (been lazy), I was thinking over the future of my photography. I feel now is my time. I am a better photographer than I was years ago, I have more experience more knowledge more time and more money now. This is my time.

Year s of practise and hard work have allowed me to improve my photographic skills. The help of people in my life like Rob, Larry, Jim etc have also helped me. Experiences I have had around the world whether it is drug use in West Oakland, sex workers in Thailand or refugees scavenging in dumps have taught me many things. Now that dad has gone that part of my life has passed. Because of my father I have more money now that I did before, now is my time.

This coming 7 weeks I will go all in followed by the 5 weeks in February, then next year or early in 2017 I will leave my job (if I cannot get a leave of absence) and pursue my photographs for 1 or 2 years straight.

I need to get the photos made, important meaningful photos. I need get this done while I have this small window of time left. Sometimes in life you need to take chances, you need to go for it, you cannot play it safe all the time.

I would rather live with the failure of not succeeding, compared to the regret of not trying.

Fun With 1/2 Frame

The 1/2 frame format is allowing me to make pictures different than I have ever done before. Boy is it fun to play with cameras like these, discovering new ways to see.

Human abstract #1

Brass Lens, Graflex Super D, Bag Mag Combo

Here are some shots of trees in sunlight I did today at dads graveyard. The light was quite beautiful and I really enjoyed composing my images in the SLR mirror of the Graflex through that big ass brass lens. The Graflex is such a joy to use it just seems so natural, so traditional, so exciting. Sometimes buying too many cameras is a bad thingy but I am so so so happy I got the Graflex, this buy could have a profound effect on my photography going forward.

The bag mag was also simple and easy to use, oh so functional and relatively light weight. 12 shots on the camera and it just takes a few seconds to shuffle through them. I could see having 3 or 4 of these in the future if I continue to shoot the Graflex. No need for traditional film holders (thou I do own 8) with this camera anymore. Bag Mag and Grafamatic holders is where it's at!

Exposures were at f5.6 and 1/60 of a second with the camera mounted on a monopod for added stability and to support the camera weight. It is much easier on the arms to carry it around with the monopod, it should also eliminate the need for a camera strap (screwing holes into the body of the Graflex!).

Development was in a Yankee tank for 10 minutes at 20C, 2/1 D-76/water, HP5 film (using up my old stock, am saving the Tri-x for Asia).

Note* I plan on trying the Graflex on a tripod soon, that is the way Paul Strand shot his 5x7 version, it might be worth a try, especially for portraiture.

Here are the scans from today.

Off To The Farm

I am going to go with mom on Saturday to the old abandoned farm she lived on as a young girl. Mom wants to see her old home, my uncle her brother might also be there along with my cousin. It should be a good photo op, might do some portraits and also some old building pictures with my 5x7 Linhof, Graflex Super D, Rolleiflex Tessar Automat and Canon Demi 1/2 frame. I am considering taking all these cameras with me next trip so needed more shooting time. It should be a fun day. Any day I make pictures is a fun day! As always will post the results here.

Whew!!! It Worked

Today I went all out old style photography using a bunch of used equipment for the first time. I was not sure if all this gear would work but it all game through. You got to love the old days where they made everything with such quality. Today

- I used my old brass lens for the first time and guessed at its one aperture being f5.6.
- I used my bag mag for the first time with 12 sheets of HPF.
- I used my Yankee tank for the first time, guessing at the development time (usually I use a Jobo machine with constant agitation. Today was the first time in my life I have ever developed 4x5 sheet film in a tank. It worked very well thou uses up a fair amount of chemistry (use the 1800ml developer chemistry 2-3 times?). I need to get better at loading the 4x5 sheet film holder-reel, I was only able to get 10 sheets into the 12 sheet tank.

Everything performed flawlessly. I guess thats a a combination of old school craftminship, 37 years of photography experience on my part, and a bit of luck. The negs look good, they have a softish shallow depth of field from the old lens. I will scan them and post them next.

The development was D-76 2/1 for 10 minutes at 20C. I agitated for the first 30 seconds and ever 30 seconds after that for 5 seconds. Agitation consisted of moving the tank left and right, left and right as indicated by the agitation arrows on the top cover. You cannot invert the tank or the chemistry will flow out, so I guess thats the only way to do agitation. It seems to have worked with a nice even development. The lens do not look overly contrasty, they should print well.

Anyway am glad the bag mag does not leak light, that the Yankee tank is solid, and that the brass lens looks so cool. I could see buying and experimenting with more of these ancient lens in the future, they are a joy to use.

Got My Yankee Tank Today

I got my 4x5 Yankee tank today, $20 USD plus shipping ( I got combined shipping on a number of items). This tank allows me to hand develop 4x5 in room light. I have never used a tank like the before so it will be a bit of an adventure but I assume it will be very similar in use as my other film tanks.

Yankee 4x5 film developing tank, holds 12 sheets of 4x5

Double Pic Potraits And Double Pics

I think I like this idea best with the 1/2 frame camera. Two images side by side that tell a story together. I have never done this kind of work in the past but I think I will try this next trip. Do a series of these double pic portraits, continuity shots, storyboards, whatever you want to call them. Have the subject moving in the frame, near and far changes, out of focus blur and high contrast combinations. I think this dual portrait or dual picture idea might work to make powerful visuals that can communicate on multiple levels. Lets call them "Decisive Moments".

Lisa Times Two

Backyard Shrubs #1

The Canon Demi EE17 1/2 frame gives me far more control plus choices compared to the Olympus Pen EE3. The Pen is a nice camera and I am happy with the wedding photos I made with. I will continue to use the Pen but the Canon Demi is now my 1/2 frame camera of choice. I now understand why this camera is in such demand online and I am quite happy I paid a bit more and got a model in such prime condition. I will use this tool for many years to come.

Update* I have been thinking why stop at 2? Why not 3 or 4 images side by side? Heck if 20  pictures work, put 20 or 30 side by side. More thought needed on this, it will be a fun idea to explore further. Lets start out with groups of two first and see where that leads us.

Mr Old School

Some people think of me as a photographer in old school terms because I still shoot film, but get this. Tomorrow I plan on shooting outdated HP5, in a 1940-50s Graflex Super D, using a early 1900s brass 10 inch lens and a gizmo called a bag mag for the old film. Gosh now that's OLD SCHOOL! I I need to check the lens for its look, and check the bag mag for light leaks. These tools might be coming with me to Asia got to run some film through them first thou. This is going to be fun! I have a doctors appointment tomorrow but I will sneak in the shoot sometime before for after, and develop the film tomorrow night. My subjects here in Canada are not very inspiring, but it is still always fun to photograph, tomorrow I will have some OLD SCHOOL FUN!

Note* The bag mag was very fast and easy to load. These things handle very well I could see getting a couple more in the future if I go all in on the Graflex. I wonder why they do not make something like this for regular 4x5 cameras, seems an excellent design to cut back on weight.

Video: Exposure Photography Show Interviews From "Living In The Margins"

This video was made by Larry Wong of the Edmonton Journal newspaper. The video consists of interviews with photographer Larry Louie and myself and some of the work from our joint show. This clip was on several newspaper sites across Canada since February. The links to those videos no longer work as it is old news so has been taken down. I saved a file to place on my blog. For me this is an important piece of my photographic career, and I wanted to keep it alive on the blog. More importantly the video tells the stories of our subjects in the Philippines and  Thailand.

Thank you to Larry Wong and the Edmonton Journal for creating and promoting this piece. I would also like to thank Larry Louie and his wife Joanna for allowing me to be part of this venture with them.

Shot The Canon Half Frame

Ran a quick roll through the Canon Demi EE17 tonight. When I say quick it was actually not that quick on a roll of 36-35mm you actually get 72 shots! Try taking 72 photos quickly to test out a camera, it ain't that easy. Anyway, got the battery tonight and sort of quickly shot a roll of ancient Tri-x I had sitting in my darkroom for years. This camera is FUN to shoot. It has a auto setting a meter, you can change both f-stops and shutter speeds and a fast 30mm f1.7 lens.

I paid a bit more for my EE17 but this thing is in great condition, if it takes anywhere near decent negs it is coming with me to Thailand. Fun, small, well built, cool looking design. So far it has been great little camera. The only thing I do not like is the zone focusing (no rangefinder focusing) but I am starting to get used to that. In the viewfinder you can see the meter reading for f stop and also see the area your focused on. Also visible in the viewfinder are 3 symbols for focusing distances, near (persons head) mid range (group of 3 people) and infinity (mountain). The camera focuses from 2.6 feet to infinity.

Update: Bought a lower quality Chinese 34mm  UV filter to help protect the lens. Will give it a try, not sure I will use it.

Canon Demi Scans

Here are some scans from my first attempts with this new camera. It should be fun to shoot on the fly all over Asia. I shot on old Tri-x rated at 200 with shutter speeds from 30th to 125th, the f stops were on automatic and varied from f5.6 to 11. Some of the inside stuff was shot at 1/30 and f1.7. Using this camera will be about a different type of shooting. More pure emotion type work, feelings, exemplified by grain, contrast, lack of sharpness. This camera is quite a different approach for me. Sometimes its fun to try new stuff, to try and think and see in new ways.

Quote: Vivian Maier

"Well I suppose nothing is meant to last forever, we have to make room for other people, it's a wheel. You get on you have to go to the end and then someone else takes your place."

Canon Demi EE17 And Bag Mag

Got my Canon Demi EE17  half frame camera and my bag mag this afternoon, no extra taxes on either.

The Canon Demi looks in great shape, came in the original old box and with an instruction manual. I love the fact you can zone focus and adjust both the f-stops and shutter speeds. It seems very well made, will provide me with more creative options and is still relatively small.

The bag mag has one small chip in it that I do not think will affect or fog the film. The unit seems to be in good working order especially for something so old? 60 years? more? I was able to figure out how to work it based on what I read. I think this will be a bit of an awkward unit to work at first but might eventually turn into a nice little gem for me. Heck I might even try to get another one in the future as they are not that expensive and save a lot on space and weight. They are very common and it should not be tough to find another on eBay. First things first lets use these for a while. I now have the 12 sheet bag mag, the 6 sheet Grafmatic back (the bag mag successor) and 8 normal Graflex type holders.

2 more photo tools I can play with on my week off. Gosh I love photography!

Graflex With Monopod?

Am thinking of using the Graflex Super D in combination with either the normal 190mm lens or my 10 inch brass lens and a monopod. The monopod is not as bulky to work with  as a tripod and should allow me to do exposures down to the slowest shutter available on the camera 1/30 of a seconds. I was able to hand hold some shots at 1/30 with the 190mm lens but others were blurry. By using the monopod I should have a higher percentage of non shaky shots. It makes the camera more awkward to use but the 10 inch is the equivalent of a 254mm lens, how can you hold that steady at 1/30 without an aid of some kind. Will experiment this week off with the combination in the photo, Graflex, brass 10 inch lens and the monopod.

Graflex Super D, brass lens, monopod and white feet

Email To A Friend, Subject Photographer Vivian Maier

L....

We both have been watching Vivian lately...I saw clips of that movie on YouTube yesterday (the whole movie is not online yet)...and have been looking at her photographs. I think I like her photography more than you do. I would not say she is an all time great but her work is strong varied and compelling. There are lots of comments on people in her photographs lots of views into their lives.

I also love the fact she did it for herself, she did not do it for fame, to get her name on a wall, for the galleries or for any other reasons...She did it just for herself, just because she had to. There is a certain beauty in that.

Your right thou her story is VERY compelling. Being a private nobody nanny with all that material hidden away is a great story. Hmm... I wonder if that compelling story thingy works with security guards as well!

Gerry

Note* The movie we were discussing is the new oscar nominated "Finding Vivian Maier".
"Finding Vivian Maier"

Rolleiflex With Direct Flash

I have been thinking of using the Rollieflex's with flash as well as in availble light. Today I rigged up my smallest auto nikon flash with a very small light weight flash bracket and my Rolleiflex Automat. I will probably be using this set up with one of my slightly large lens F 2.8 Rollies, maybe with close up lens attachements.

This flash bracket did not work with my larger cameras but with the small rolleiflex it works great. Sometimes its good to have lots of photo STUFF, if your stuff does not work with one camera now, it will work with a different camera in the future!

Rolleiflex Automat with Tessar 75mm lens and Nikon SB-27 flash

15% Back For Damage

I am going to get a 15% refund for the Rolleiflex F with the damaged/missing meter plastic. I was going to repair the camera on my own at my own cost but it never hurts to ask for some money in these situations! The seller misrepresented the condition of the camera, so is willing to refund some money. The 15% should cover some of my shipping repair costs for the camera. I would have been more than happy with 10%, 15% works out to about $140 USD.

Gerry Yaum Daybooks

I am planing to do my version of Edward Weston's daybooks for the coming projects. The book will be a collage of information (like a scrap book) similar two wonderful books I have Diane Arbus's "Revelations" and Bill Burke's "Mine Fields". The daybook making of idea would be for both the "Forgotten Laughter" and "Lost Innocence" projects. I would do them concurrently then when the time comes divide them into 2 very different books, as the projects are very different in subject matter and would necessarily work as one unit.  These photographic projects will take many years to complete, probably 5 or more, so who knows where this will lead. I think thou that it is important to try!

The eventual books will be a collage of information spliced together from various sources. With the current desktop publishing abilities available to me I can do up a sample book myself. If the work created for the projects is strong, maybe the making of those photographs, the back story so to speak will be of interest to some. If not, f-ck it! I will do it for the joy of doing it! It will just be fun!

I plan on collaging this daybook like project from a number of sources.

- a detailed hand written diary of the creation of the work (photograph and insert the look of the written pages in the eventual book). I can be more totally honest and heartfelt writing in this form as compared to an online blog. I want to detail the create process, the physical and mental difficulties, joys, etc. I want to let everything hang out, open up in every way.

- online blog entries

- the names ages and background information of my subjects

- historical and background info where necessary

- emails

- film and digi photos

- video still captures

- receipts from the creation, boat/plane/buss tickets, passport stuff and artifacts of all kinds, from newspaper clippings, found objects, to money, to whatever is fun and adds to visual excitement of the book. Sort of all the behind scenes fragments.

- copied audio files

- quotations

- contact sheets, printing of the work stuff.

-post production stuff

-back story stuff

-self portraits and photos shot from other observers of the process

-show opening stuff, things from the galleries

I want this proposed creative process scrap/day book to be very intimate, to show all that is involved with the making of the photographs. Show the difficulties, the joys, the traumas, the creative impulses, the failures and successes. I want to show my subjects, the people, tell their personal stories my relationships/connections to them. Getting ready to start producing these volumes, less than 4 months until I will be in Thai starting work on "Forgotten Laughter".

Note* Will have to think of a different name than DAY BOOKS, that belongs to Mr Weston!

Brass Lens On Graflex

Well I got my old brass lens mounted onto the eBay lens board and it is now in my camera. I plan on experimenting and shooting with it this coming week off. The lens is a bit longer (10 inch) than the normal 190mm F5.6 that comes with the camera. With the focusing extension that is part of my lens and the long bellows I can still focus pretty close to my subject. I should be able to use this lens camera combination to do reasonably tight head shots just as I can with the 190mm.

I have no idea what the 1 f-stop this lens has is (think its a magic lantern projection lens). I am assuming the widest aperture is f5.6 or so, maybe f4. In this weeks experiments I will see. So far as I look through the Graflex's SLR mirror I find the lens quite sharp. I hope it is not too sharp!! I wanted some weird ass looks from this old old tech. The lens is over 100 years old maybe 120 or so. We will see what happens. Tonight I plan on doing a bit of sanding on the board to make it fit easier into the camera. Right now the lens feels tight, and is difficult to put in and out.

Update: Did a bit of sanding on the edge of one side of the new lens board and now it fits snug as a bug! Pops in and out with no problems and it is secure. It took less than 5 minutes, you to love sand paper!

Stock 190mm Kodak Ektar lens beside my new brass lens on eBay board

Graflex with 10 inch brass lens

Close up of 10 inche lens

Quote: Mary Ellen Mark

"There is nothing more extraordinary than reality."

Rolleiflex Automat

Here is a exposure made at night using the Rolleiflex Automat (75mm F3.5). It was fun to make this, no light meter, guessing the exposure and counting 1-1 thousand, 2-1 thousand. I did 30 to 60 secs at f22 on Tri-x and used a small carbon fibre tripod. Dead of night photos. Very basic and fun photography. Made me want to do the "Edmonton at Night" series I thought of years ago.

Fixed And Updated X 2

Well it looks like my new Rolleiflex Fs will be brought up to snuff by the prime Rolleiflex repairman Harry Fleenor. I have exchanged a few emails with Mr Fleenor over the last few days and will send out the 2 cameras on Tuesday, for estimates and repairs. Getting the cameras up to speed and working at 100% is going to be expensive but these things go for a mint on eBay. I only paid a portion of the 100% working Rolleiflex F price, so after I pay for these repairs I might break even or cost me a bit extra to get everything working properly. With the Maxwell screens plus a CLA and repair by Harry Fleenor who has a very good online reputation I should be able to resell the cameras easily at a high price. First thou I need to use them for a few years : )

I am just happy the glass is good on both Fs, that was my main worry. With good lens in place everything else can be fixed up. I am also going to upgrade both focusing screens to the super bright Maxwell version screens. When these cameras get back to me after a 8 week repair, they should be prime tools of endlessly possible creativity. I will choose one of the two to take with me to Thailand, and possibly the Philippines/Cambodia in February. I think the Rolleiflex Fs are more rugged than my GX which already has some kind of meter problem (battery?). I am trying to rectify the issue with the seller in Japan.

It Is All Coming Together.

It is all coming together now. I have 2 different shows to prepare prints for. The single print of dad in barred sunlight for the Alberta Open and the multi print show of around 30 photographs for the Rosebud exhibition. In less than 4 months I will be in Thailand again making photographs for 7 weeks. In February of 2016 I will be in Asia yet again, possibly the Philippines where I will continue the work on the "Forgotten Laughter"project for another 5 weeks.

Everything is lining up, the drive to create, the gear, the money, the workouts, and the holiday time from work (even without the leave!). It is all rushing forward at me, it will all be happening within a short period of time. I will very many photography related experiences over the next 8 months.

When I return to Canada from the second trip in March I will have time to develop all my film, choose the strongest work and then design the book. First I will make everything up in Blurb magazine form, I need to have a hard copy sample version I can send to potential publishers.

Over the coming months I will pay off my silly camera purchase debts, continue to work on my physical conditioning and complete the preparations for the exhibitions. I also need to get my traveling paperwork in order, a new passport, visa etc. The suitcases also need to come down from the attic, it is almost time to start packing!

Many Possible Students

There are lots of possibilities for new workshops in the coming weeks. I will need to get them in before I have to be away doing the Rosebud exhibition stuff in mid September and late October. Teaching the workshops will become more difficult as the season wears on as I will have less and less time to do them. In November I am off to Asia to start working on the "Forgotten Laughter" project.

Today I got another email from an interested party. I now have Julia, Todd, Stu (a returning friend) and now Caroline as possible future workshop students.

Hopefully I can teach all 4 of them, spread the word on film photography and make a few extra dollars. I am also getting a 12 hour OT shift next Thursday so that is a nice money bonus as well. I need to pay my camera bill (unfortunately) and also save some funds to use in Asia.

A Second Look

A second look at the good Rolleiflex F has been favourable. I sent the seller a message asking for a partial refund for meter plastic cover repair (not sure they will go for it). I think this camera eventually will be a very good working unit. The glass looks very nice, the camera fires at all shutters accurately to the ear/eye. The F looks a little more stout and well built as compared to my GX. I think once I get the plastic meter piece fixed and CLA the whole unit I will have a great working tool. I might get a new bright Maxwell focusing screen put in as well. This could become my working camera in places in Asia, especially the more dangerous theft prone regions. I will run a roll of film through it tonight.

The other F I received today is in rough shape, do not know what I can do with it. I might have to just sell it for what I can get, or do a major overhaul to get it working again. I cannot send it back to the seller because in the advert for the sale he mentions the camera needing maintenance. My fault, let the buyer beware!

I might be able to sell some of the Rolleiflex accessories for some doe. I have a very nice every ready case in very good condition ($60-$220 USD on eBay). I have a shitty every ready case in 4 separate pieces and I have the eye level Rollie finder ($80 USD on eBay). If I sold all those pieces I would probably get a good chunk of any CLA and repairs needed on the camera(s) back.

I love the eye level finder, outside of its weight this is a great little item to use in the field to do portraits. I doubt I would sell it. I can see using this finder with either the good F or the GX along with the close up lens I bought yesterday to do portraits in the field.

Update* Quickly shot a roll of old Agfa 400 b/w film in the good F camera. I like shooting it, it has a nice friendly feel, the shutter button is more sensitive than the GX. I also like using the eye level view finder a lot. This looks like a keeper! I need to get the meter plastic fixed and to clean and lube the camera. I hope I can get it back by November. As long as the negs are sharp and the shot spacing OK this will probably be my first choice Rolleiflex to take with me next trip.

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Received my 2 Rolleiflex 2.8 cameras todays.

The good:
One of the Rollies looks in good working order, the glass seems clean, the shutter and f stops work, the camera seems ready to shoot. The only thing wrong I can find with the camera is the small plastic clear housing on the meter is missing. The meter seems to be functioning but not for long without the clear plastic housing.

The bad:
The second camera from the WWII vet is in poor shape. The glass seems good, clear etc which is the most important thing. The shutter and f-stops are not functioning. This could be a $938USD paper weight!

The ugly: 
I will need to send one, possibly both cameras in for repair and CLA to Harry Fleenar (Rollie expert repairman) in California. I already sent Harry an email with links asking for advice and a repair estimate. I might be sending both cameras out next week to him.

I might manage to repair both cameras or at worst get Harry to take the best from both cameras to make one super F Rolleiflex. Buying these 2 Fs is costing me to much money and was probably a bad mistake on my part. How can I quit my job and photograph in Asia when I am doing stupid shit like this?

What is weird is that the 2nd Rollie the one that is not working had a perfectly beautiful ever ready leather case. I was able to put the case on the working Rolleiflex F.

These things are quite valuable on eBay, if I can get them both up to snuff again. If Harry Fleenar can work some magic on them, I still might be able to sell them and break even or get a good portion of my money back. I paid about 1/2 of the fully working price for these Rolleiflex F 2.8 cameras, so if they can be repaired I might still be OK.

I would like to get the WWII Alzheimer suffering veterans camera back online, it seems right to do that. It seems right to use his tool to do documentary photography. At least the glass on both cameras seem OK, that is the most important part. I feel disappointed but this is also a good lesson for me. Something I might still recover from.

A fool and his money are soon parted:
I am being foolish on eBay again. Time to shut it down, it gets shutdown tonight, no more buying. I will work and pay off these cameras and start saving again for November. I will try to repair what I bought, try to get at least 1, 100% working Rolleiflex F 2.8 and move on.

Note* I also got a eye level style viewfinder from the better camera purchase. It is a heavy unit but 100% authentic Rollie product that seems to be in great working order without damage. I think I will be able to use this finder on my GX or on 1 of the working Fs.

Rolleiflex GX Film

Shot a roll of film with the Rolleiflex GX 2.8 yesterday. There are no frame advance problems the negs look sharp, exposures accurate. I might have an issue with the meter, it does not seem to want to turnoff. Contacted the seller in Japan last night to get his feedback.

Poem: Memories By Walt Whitman

Memories
How sweet the silent backward tracings!
The wanderings as in dreams—the meditation of old times resumed
        —their loves, joys, persons, voyages.

Possible 7 Week Kit

I am very excited about the date being set for my departure back to Asia. I have been thinking about the gear I might take on this short journey.

I need to take my 5x7 camera as I plan on working on my "Forgotten Laughter" project, The Linhof is a big heavy camera, the biggest I have ever shot in the field in Asia (did a 8x10 Masterview in studio). I have a ton of outdated 5x7 film I need to shoot, and this project is perfect for it.

Here is a possible gear kit for my 7 week trip.

-5x7 Linhof camera
-120mm Nikon lens for the Linhof
-150-250 sheets of 5x7 Tri-x
- Gitzo tripod with small lighter head
- Reflector
- Pentax spot meter or handheld Gossen Luna Pro

-Rolleiflex 80mm  f2.8 camera
- Close up lens
- 50-75 rolls of 120 Tri-x

- Leica M6 body with 35mm f1.4 lens
- 21mm f2.8 lens
- 75-100 rolls of Tri-x 35mm

Plaubel Makina 67?
Canon Digital?
Leica R6?
Graflex RB Super D?
A 1/2 frame camera?
2nd M6 Leica body?
Small carbon fibre tripod for the Rollie?

Note* The film numbers might also come down.

Bought Rolleiflex Rolleinar Close Up Lens

I bought 2 good condition close up lens for my 2.8 Rollies. These close up lens allow for close focus and are supposed to be amazing in their quality and sharpness. There are 3 different sizes (Bay models 1, 2 and 3) and 3 different styles of lens for closer and closer focusing. These packages are made up of 2 lens, one for the taking lens and one for the viewing lens (to correct for parallax issues).

With the Rolleinar 1 on my 80mm lens I can focus from 40 inches to 20 inches.
With my Roleinar 2 on my 80mm lens I can focus from 20 inches to 13 inches.

Now I can do the noble heads I have been thinking of doing in asia. Square format heads from low angles with neutral (sky?) backgrounds. I can focus as close as I want to, will probably use the Rolleinar 1.

Cost of these items was $395 USD plus shipping, far from cheap but much cheaper than any of the other similar close up lens packages on eBay. I hope this purchase will lead to some strong portrait work. I might be able to use it extensively for the "Lost Innocence"project.

Rolleinar 2 Rollei Bay-III

Rolleinar 1 Rollei Bay-III

The Master Battle Plan

With the rejection of my leave, I have gone into big time planning mode. I need to figure out how to work on my fathers dedication book idea "Forgotten Laughter" (portraits of children living in poverty) project. My current plan is as follows.

1) Take my regular 2015 holidays, my 3 weeks off work at the beginning of November. My 3 weeks off along with my regular 4 weeks off (I work 1 week on, 1 week off) will allow me 7 weeks in a row. With that 7 weeks I will make a start on my project.

2) Take the first 2 weeks of 2016 holidays in February of 2016. The 2 weeks plus my regular 3 weeks off will give me 5 weeks total. I will travel to Cambodia or the Philippines to continue the "Forgotten Laughter" (portraits of children living in poverty) project.

3) In July 2016, I might have a chance to visit Africa for the first time. I would take my last week of 2016 holidays at that time.

4) At work we have a plant shutdown in September of 2016. I will fulfill my commitment to my company and work through that period. After the shutdown is over I will request a 3 month/ 6 month leave again. If that request is accepted I will take the time to continue my work on the project. If that leave request is rejected, I will quit my job and go to Asia long term, possibly 6 months to 1 year. I would then have absolute freedom to create for a long period of time without any pressure to return. I started at my current security site in 1996, if I do leave in 2016 that would be a 20 year period. A nice number!

Note* I just sent an email vacation request for the above times off work. Hopefully there will be no kinks. I need to start working on this very important photo project. Now I have a start date in mind! The count down begins! I better work out harder!

The Plan

I got some very disappointing news today after my night shift. it looks like the 3 month or 6 month leaves are both no goes. I did not get the support of my on site boss so as a result no leave. Now all I will be able to do is to take my regular 3 weeks off work, which will allow me a total of 7 consecutive weeks when I combine them with my normal weeks off (I work a 1 week on, 1 week off schedule).

As a result of this major setback I have devised a plan for my future that at present seems the way to go. I will take the 7 week trip this year starting in November after the Rosebud exhibition. In September 2016 we have a plant wide shutdown at work so it is important I live up to my responsibilities and work through that period. After the shutdown is over I will ask for a leave again. I will have a new site boss at that time who may offer his/her support, if not, if it's a no go a second time then I will most likely quit my job. At that time I would have worked this one security site for 20 years, from 1996 to 2016. Leaving after 20 years would be tough but 20 is a good number. That's what dad said about the length of his lifespan "82 is a good number." 82 years of living is a good number and 20 years at the same job is a good number.

I would hate to leave where I work now as I have a comfortable job, and I work with good people but there are times in life thou when you have to make difficult choices. I want to do some important photography before I die, time is running out on me. I am 51 and counting, by then I will be 52 almost 53.

If I cannot get time off work my only other option is to quit. I will then have all the freedom I desire to make my pictures, and in between photo opportunities I can work odd security jobs here and there at various sites for less pay. If I have the freedom to make photographs, then I can take working a shitty security job at lower pay for 5 or 6 months until the next photo trip arrives. If I am working lousy sites I can start up and quit at my leisure without feeling any guilt or losing anything that is important. I can work when I want and photograph when I want. It could turn into a very creative and productive period of my life.

There are many reasons to go forward with this plan, most importantly I owe it to my father to fulfil my vow, to try to do the book and the dedication. I am not going to break my word. I might not succeed in this book dedication attempt but I sure as fuck am going to give it my all. I am going to swing for the fences, if I strike out, fine, I strike out, at least I was not a coward, I went for it.

I would rather live with the failure than the regret of not trying.

2 of 4

Here are the first 2 of my 4 (yes 4) Rolleiflex purchases.

Rolleiflex Automat, Rolleiflex GX

Got 1/2 Frame Camera #2 Today, My Pen F

I got my second half frame camera today, a Olympus Pen F. This camera allows me to change shutter speeds and focus the lens (still have to buy a lens). The Olympus Pen-EE 3 does not allow changes in shutterspeeds or focuse, so that is a plus for this camera. On the negative side this camera is bigger and heavuier than the Pen-EE3. I have a 3rd 1/2 frame camera coming the Canon, it should arrive in the next couple of weeks as it is flying in from Austrailia. Which ever one I like best I will shoot with extensively, the other 2 will no doubt sit on shelf possibly forgotten. No biggy these are all cheap fun cameras. Even the ones I put away I will probably eventually get back to using.

Cameras need to be used!

My Olympus Pen F

Got The Rolleiflex Camera #2 Today, My Rolleiflex GX

Got my Rolleiflex GX in the mail today, no extra charges which is great. My first impression of the camera is that it is a bit more plasticky than my Automat. I do not like the plastic pieces as much as I do the metal versions. The clip closing system for the film back is also of cheaper design, it is made of medal but with less quality than before. Most everything else feels and looks the same. I love the metering system and the glass of this newer GX version. The lens are multi coated so should be of better quality than the older camera. The camera has TTL flash as well, that might come in handy someday. Another feature that is quite wonderful is the bright bright focusing screen. The screen on the Automat is a tad dark, especially indoors. I am going to get and read the GX manual online tonight and shoot a roll of HP5 in the coming days. I will post some sample scans here.

Here are stats I found on my camera from the wonderful historical Rolleiclub site.
Rolleiclub.com

Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Model 1 - Model K7GX
	August 1987 - March 1994,10,200 pieces. Serials:2.985.501 - later coded Taking lens:Rollei Planar HFT 2.8/80, bayonet 3. Viewing lens:Rollei Heidosmat 2.8/80, bayonet 3 Shutter: Synchro Compur X, 1 - 1/500 sec., B, X-sync., self timer.	Film: 120 for 12 exp. 6x6 Film Transportation: winding lever with auto stop on first exposure, exposure counter for exposures 1-12. Blank film pressure plate. Built in TTL exposure metering with additional flash control via SCA 356 adapter. Dimensions:10.9x10.8x14.7cm. Weight: 1,235 grams.
46

My Rolleiflex GX

A Nice Note

I got a nice note today from Kat, the student I did the 2 workshops with this past weekend. She was happy with the workshops and felt they helped her. I am starting to really enjoy teaching photography students. Initially when I started these workshops 4 years or so ago, I was a bit worried that I was doing the wrong thing. Since then I have completely changed my mind. The classes help students, they are generally quite fun to do for me (what is more fun than talking photography?) and as a bonus I made a bit of change that I put directly back into my photography. The money from last weeks workshops went directly into the bank, into my Asia photography savings account.

Panoramic Hasselblad X-Pan Shots

Shot this film for the student to develop, did it at dads graveyard. The photos were made with my Hasselblad X-pan.

First Rolleiflex Roll

Just developed my first roll of film from the Rolleiflex Automat 75mm. The spacing between frames is perfect, the exposures bang on and the negs sharp within the negative depth of focus. Next time I will try shooting the camera at smaller apertures in better light.

I am excited about the possibilities these cameras present. I will probably buy some of the Rolleinar close up lens (they come in sets of 1, 2 and 3 for each bayonet size) for my two camera types, bayonet 1 for the Automat and bayonet 3 for the F and GX  Planar 2.8 Rollei's. I have visions of square tight head shots with limited focus and good bokeh. Maybe the heads can be shot from low angles with white sky backgrounds, giving a nobility to the subject (Edward Weston like).

Rolleiflex Automat at F5.6 or F8

Quote: Patrick Ilagan

 This quote is from the Uncreative website:
Uncreative.com

Don’t just click the shutter; photograph with a purpose even if people dislike your photo. The problem with photography nowadays is that many people would just do it just so they can have something to share on social media and garner brownie points. Most of these photographs are safe, easy, and oftentimes redundant. To Irving Penn, a good photograph has something to offer. It has to leave something behind for the viewer — regardless of whether the viewer liked it or not. What’s important is that it made them (the viewers) feel something. It is important to not only challenge ourselves as photographers but also to challenge the views and beliefs of our viewers because conforming to the trend and norm would just lead to stagnation.

Quote: Irving Penn

“I can get obsessed by anything if I look at it long enough. That’s the curse of being a photographer”

Ultimate Small Camera Kit

I was thinking on my rounds today of an ultimate small camera kit to use overseas. If I am taking a very short trip or if I am too old to carry to much gear I might try this size kit.

- Small camera bag
- Leica M6 with 35mm f1.4 lens
- Rollieflex 80mm f2.8
- Tri-x 120 and 35mm film

Thats it! A very small kit of 2 world class cameras with world class glass and the best film ever made Tri-x. All you need to make great pictures! That and the drive to push yourself to the create.

Imagine that doing 120mm and 35mm with 2 of the best tools every created for film photography, all in one very small and relatively light package. If I go to Uganda next year for a week or 10 days the kit might be something simple and effective like this. I could walk and shoot for days carrying such light gear.

Note* I would use the light meter in the M6 to establish exposures for the Rolleiflex.