The First Roll Back

It's been over a week since I dropped off the first roll of film at Jeremiah's Photo Corner. It was ready for pickup Thursday afternoon. I finally had some time today to go get it.

There were two items inside the plastic bag that was handed to me. The first was what looked like a small takeout box from a Chinese restaurant. It would hold a couple of leftover pot stickers at most. Inside the opened flaps were the processed negatives, glassine-wrapped and uncut.

The second item was an unmarked, white CD accompanied by a mini contact sheet. These were the scans from the film. I had requested large Tiffs without color adjustments. The files measured 3088 x 2048 pixels.

Once I got back to the studio, I had to dig up an external optical drive so I could access the scans. The images looked better than I had hoped. They displayed the film quality that I was counting on, but were fairly accurate in their color rendering. Not bad for 35mm spools that had expired in 2007.

I liked the indoor existing light shots better than the stuff I had captured outside. This is the direction I'm going to pursue. The shot of Dibs keeping me company at the computer is a great example. The mixed lighting is rendered naturally, the contrasts are very film like, and the subtle gain is wonderful.

The Contax T2 has a maximum aperture of f/2.8. I have a feeling that I'm going to be spending a lot of time right there.

-Derrick

PS: If you don't know about The Film Project, here's how it all got started.

Not Sure Why I'm Doing This

What is it about film?

For those of us who have been shooting for a while, is analog photography some sort of nostalgic thing? If we open up a 35mm canister and breath in that unique blend of gelatin and silver, will we will somehow regain our youth?

And for those just starting out: film can be seen as a revolt against the current trend of mass production technology and cookie-cutter art. Lugging around a dented Pentax K1000 in a soiled JanSport backpack signals one's disdain for the imaging establishment.

Oh, I don't know. It's probably none of those things. Yet the allure of film still calls to me.

I've been shooting with a 35mm Contax T2 all week as part of The Film Project. And I've noticed a couple things. First, batteries aren't really an issue, are they? There's a Lithium cell inside the T2 that will probably last well into 2016. No rechargers required.

Also, there really isn't much to think about. I spend some time framing the shot, take a stab at the correct exposure, then press the shutter. I can't change the ISO or adjust the white balance. And there's no obsessing over the image on the LCD. I find myself wondering what to do next. So I take another picture.

This morning I set the camera on the table, stared at it for a moment, then asked, "Why am I doing this?"

I came up with a few reasons. First, I really like the Contax T2, and I feel it's too early for it to be put to pasture. This was my first nimble camera. Also, I've been storing a box of Fujicolor Pro 400H in the fridge since 2007. I think its aged enough to produce something interesting. And 16 rolls is plenty for a project.

And I guess there's a part of me that doesn't want film to die. Not that I'm going to perish with it, or anything. But certainly neither of us is ready for the retirement home.

So we're going to do something together. Me and my 16 rolls of Fujicolor Pro 400H.

So, what do you think of that, Father Time?

-Derrick

The Latest May Not Be the Greatest (Value)

No doubt about it: there are some great deals for photographers this time of year.

Long before black Friday and cyber Monday, I typically made an equipment purchase in November or December. Prices came down as retailers try to thin out inventory anticipating new models on the horizon. I could take advantage of substantial savings and improve my toolset at the same time.

I still have this practice, but with a lot more fanfare. And quite honestly, a lot more help too. Online browsing is efficient, plus there are a plethora of blogs pointing out their favorite deals. And since I don't mind purchasing a model that will be discontinued, I can take full advantage of this consumer friendly time of year.

Which leads me to my real point. How new does your gear need to be? In other words, is state of the art always the best way to go?

In the early stages of the innovation, I would say yes. Take mirrorless cameras for example. When they first burst on to the scene, improvements came fast. We saw better low light performance, faster autofocusing, better resolution, and added features from one month to the next. Having the latest model was important.

Now that mirrorless cameras are settling in, their refinements are more subtle. The litmus test I currently use is: if it has built-in WiFi, it's probably new enough for me. The great deals on the first generation OM-D E-M10 are a perfect example of a high value device at a low price. The Panasonic GM5 is another.

In some ways, cameras are like new cars. You pay a premium for the latest model. But to be honest, the better value is often with a 2013 or 2014 version.

You've probably been waiting for me to bash the commercialism surrounding the Thanksgiving holidays. I'm not going to. My advice: Just don't get sucked in to the hype. The end of the year has always been a great time to invest in new gear...

Especially if it's last year's model.

-Derrick

Is it too small?

I'm not talking about skirts or meal portions here. I'm talking about cameras.

And when it comes to my everyday picture takers, I think pint sized is perfect. Case in point: the camera that's always in my backpack is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II. I love it. And not once have I said to myself, "Gosh, I wish this thing was heavier"

I then scored a half-off deal on a Panasonic GM5 with 12-32mm zoom lens. Smaller yet. I was infatuated from the moment we first met. But I wasn't financially ready to take the next step, since the introductory price was double what I just paid. Deep discounts can do wonders for a relationship.

Some photographers think that cameras like the OM-D and GM5 are too small. They must have big meats. I wear XL gloves, and I don't have a problem with them. Maybe they don't want to invest in a new scaled-down shoulder bag. Could it be that a bulky DSLR with a long zoom lens is a confidence builder?

Nah.

And then it dawned on me: nimble photographers don't need luxury liners when they sail into port. We might motor in on a dinghy, but we do so stylishly, and without concern about rocking the boat.

"My camera might be compact, but I take big pictures."

Size does matter. And small is beautiful.

-Derrick

Move Along

"Thank you for your quick replay."

I get that a lot. Business folks are often shocked when they receive a response the same day. I guess it doesn't happen that often.

(Although I know some of them are dismayed too, because they just got rid of whatever it was, and now it's back. Sorry about that.)

For me, it's another aspect of nimbleosity. An unread letter sitting on the counter adds weight to my day. It's unfinished business. And it gets heavier as time goes on.

Same goes for email. Unopened correspondence is a tax on productivity. My approach is to reply as fast as possible sharing as much information as I have. I used to think that I needed all of the answers first. I was wrong. Most people are fine with my top of mind.

I tackle the mail three times a day. The rest of the time I'm working. But it's often enough to keep the piles to a minimum.

There's more to being nimble than carrying a light shoulder bag. A clean office makes for a fertile mind. When I go to the mailbox, I read each piece of mail, then either discard it or assign an action (such as a bill to be paid at the end of the month). Then back to work I go.

My second goal is to tackle mid-level queries by the end of the week. I don't need to start my Monday behind a pile of unanswered emails and letters.

Just move along.

I want to pedal through life fast enough to feel the wind on my face. And at the end of the day, rest my stocking feet on the couch while spending time with the family, 

possibly discussing a few of the items that used to be on my desk.

-Derrick