One-Eyed Jack

I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. 

The surroundings were quiet and comfortable. I was reclined and still wearing street clothes, although they had to remove my shoes because the blue fabric booties would not fit over them.

The conversations with passer-bys were brief. Topics focused on comfort, timing, and the magical Villanova win over North Carolina in the NCAA men's basketball final.

And then it was time.

Eyesight is important to everyone. And doing what I do, my job is more difficult when it's compromised. It's not just the inconvenience of diffused lights while trying to drive at night. It's actually harder to write, and to photograph, when my God-given optics aren't at full capacity.

I drifted off for a moment. Then came back to a dazzling light show playing in my left eye. I heard voices. Some were human, and one was robotic calling out various tasks. The colors twisted and turned. Some discussion. The colors changed again. They were clearer this time, better defined.

I was neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable. My body was non-existent. There was only consciousness and the colored lights.

I don't remember much about the ride back. There was movement, yes. But the path was only defined by a progression of rectangular fluorescent lights above me. Then we parked, and I was raised up to an angle more suitable for conversation.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel good."

"Would you like something to drink? Maybe some juice? You haven't eaten for a long time."

"Some juice would be nice. Cranberry if you have it."

"We do."

We all know about interchangeable lens cameras. But this was my first experience as an interchangeable lens human. My new optic is UV coated. Now that I've had a chance to test it, my review is positive. 

Its color temperature is a bit cooler than the previous lens it replaced. I entertain myself by closing one eye, then the other, to see how they render scenes differently. My left eye is about 5800K, while my right is a warmer 5000K. These are only approximations, of course.

I marvel at a lot of things in life. But replacing a damaged lens and having me back to work within 24 hours just topped my list for the week. Incredible.

I'm no longer a one-eyed Jack. Thanks Doc. You're one helluva a repairman.

-Derrick

Choosing to Go It Alone

A while back, it was a Monday morning I believe, I was on a conference call with four people on the other end of the line. They were sitting at a conference table far away in a room with bad acoustics.

This meeting took place after the decision to close c't Digital Photography Magazine in North America. I had an idea for us to move forward. My thinking was this: we had put a lot of work into building www.ct-digiphoto.com, and maybe we could redirect it instead of closing it all together.

I wanted to make it a site that focused on film photography. My preliminary research showed that there was a small, but dedicated audience who might be interested in such a resource. And for a lot less money than printing a magazine, we could continue to build the Heise brand in the U.S.

The meeting went horribly, at least from my point of view. They listened quietly while I presented my ideas. Then there was silence. After that, one of the participants  started talking. The bottom line this: they didn't believe in the idea, but if I was willing to provide enough detailed research and business plan that would guarantee profit, they would consider it.

At first I though I might do it. Then I changed my mind. "Thanks guys for you time. I think I'm going to go it alone."

There were no hard feelings. We parted ways. And I haven't had contact with them since.

A few days later I was making coffee in the kitchen at the studio. While staring out the window as the water bubbled and dripped, I had a thought. "I wonder if www.theanalogstory.com is available?" It would be the perfect companion to www.thedigitalstory.com. (I was impressed with such a clever idea so early in the morning.)

I went to my laptop and searched. The domain was available. I bought it immediately. And so began the journey.

I'm going to launch TheAnalogStory on April 11, 2016. It's going to feature a Camera Shop with really wonderful and affordable film cameras and lenses, personal stories (with images) from photographers who love film, digitized spec sheets and brochures from the 80s and 90s, tips and techniques, and of course lots of pictures and how they were made.

(If you want to contribute, write me at: TheAnalogStory@gmail.com)

I'm telling you this story now, before I know if the project will be a success or not. Why? Because I think there are a lot of great ideas out there that never see the light of day. You might have one of them. And I honestly believe that it's the doing it that really counts.

And a table of stone faces is no way to judge its validity. If you have faith in it, and if it makes sense to you, then why not? Really... Why Not?!

The Nimble Photographer logo is a lanky guy walking alone. It always seems to start that way. But the interesting thing is, as he goes forward, he finds others who want to travel the same direction.

And those who want to block his path... are left behind.

-Derrick

Outside the Frame

Having just spent a week with my boys home on Spring break, I'm reminded of just how precious time is. 

We were lucky because the Warriors were in town. So on Wednesday Zach and I drove to Oracle Arena to see them play the Clippers. Then on Friday, it was Max's turn to join me for a tilt against the Mavericks, and to see David Lee receive his championship ring.

I go with each boy separately on purpose. The seven hours we spend together on these adventures are like dog years for dads. It's so much more than just an evening.

When Zach and I reached the arena on Wednesday, I wanted to photograph him in front of Oracle for The Film Project. I had a Contax SLR with me, and the light was perfect. He's a great kid and humored his dad. 

Then, one of the Warriors fans walking by offered to take a shot of the both of us. I set the lens to just inside infinity focus and handed the camera to him. I have no idea yet how that shot turned out. That's the thing about film. You have to wait a bit.

Cameras are odd creatures. They're time machines. With the press of a button you freeze a moment forever. And it's not a perfect representation. I like that.  Because memories aren't perfect either. They're always a little fuzzy around the edges and the color is slightly askew. 

That's when it dawned on me. I like that. I don't want my photography to always be perfect. But I want it to have meaning. 

There's another shot I captured on Friday with Max. We're not in this one, but he's such a part of it. We were talking about how things have changed at the arena since the Warriors won the NBA championship. The crowds arrive earlier and the spotlight is always on.

I took a picture of how long the line was outside the doors before they opened. We never saw that a couple years ago. Max stood there as I recorded the shot, then we walked up the hill together.

Years from now, when the Warriors are no longer the NBA champs, I'll look at that shot and remember when they were the talk of the town. But I'll also remember what was outside the frame. My boys indulging their dad the journalist. Even at their young age, they have a sense of history.

Zach is heading back to school today. Max leaves tomorrow. And the film is at the lab.

-Derrick

The Great Ice Breaker

I relied on my mirrorless gear for a 3-day assignment covering the Artisan Cheese Festival in Petaluma, CA. It's a terrific event for a lot of reasons, of which finely-crafted cheese, wine, beer, and food are at the top of the list.

The OM-D E-M5 Mark II was my primary camera. I packed the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO and Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 zooms for the bulk of the work. And pulled out the 17mm f/1.8 as needed for low light venues. Everything fit comfortably in my Lowepro shoulder bag. 

Like any other event, there are very busy moments and times when things are quiet. Once I capture the images on the shot list for a particular venue, I usually hang around for a while, just in case something interesting happens, or to try a creative shot if one presents itself.

I'm used to working alone and traveling by myself. So if I'm sitting at a table with no one else, I don't think much about it. But I like it when people come up to me and strike up a conversation. And the impetus is often photography.

I'll have my camera sitting on the table ready for action, someone will notice it, and I'll smile and wave them over.

"Is that a digital camera?"

"Yeah, it is. But it has retro styling. So it's classic on the outside, but high tech under the hood."

"Oh, that's an Olympus. I used to shoot with one of those..."

And it goes on from there. I probably made 3 or 4 new friends this weekend. One of them even started following me on Instagram. So I hope there are more conversations up the road.

I think photography is the great ice breaker, second only to puppies in the park. Shooters love taking about their gear and experiences. And it's a wonderful way to pass the time during lulls in an event. Set your gear on the table and see for yourself. 

Everyone has a smart phone these days. But a photographer with a camera. Now, that's conversation worthy.

-Derrick

The Demise of c't Digital Photography Magazine

When I was in Junior High, we spent our weekends playing pickup football or basketball on the school playground. I remember one Saturday in particular when I was chosen to play quarterback on a team that had no chance to win. 

A sense of doom gripped me as I squatted behind the center before the snap. Then, just as the ball reached my hands, I was buried beneath a wave of flesh and curses, knocking me to the ground. 

After that, I stuck with basketball.

Two years ago I accepted an associate editor's position with c't Digital Photography Magazine. I met with the managing editor at a Marriott in Santa Monica for my interview. He had flown in from Germany to attend a workshop.

The magazine was successful in Europe, but was floundering in the U.S. In the two years before me, there were still only 1,000 subscriptions. Their feeling was that an American writer with platform and connections could bolster interest in the publication. I thought I could help.

But I soon learned that c't had many things working against it. There was no credible web presence, it was only published 4 times a year, subscriptions were $49 annually, and no one knew what the name meant. And I mean no one.

I also learned that I wouldn't be writing for the actual magazine. My role was limited to online publishing. I took the job anyway, because I really liked the publication. In my estimation, c't was one of the best photography magazines I'd ever read. It was technically rich, the articles had depth, and the topics covered both gear and technique. It belonged in a bookshelf as much as on a desk.

I've had success with The Digital Story and with The Nimble Photographer. I think they've survived because they had vision with a personality behind them.  I kept my overhead low so advertising and modest store sales could support the sites.

c't was different. The costs were high. And people didn't understand the product. It rarely survived a first impression.

Two years after I started working with them, they pulled the plug in North America. More than two months later, I've yet to receive one email about its closing. No one even bothered to come to the funeral. 

I learned, once again, that success in the U.S. requires attention to detail at every level. You can't make a great product with a lousy name and expect to succeed. Everything has to be aligned.

And if it isn't, you're buried by the count of three, with mud in your mouth and legs twisted in pain.

How could I have forgotten that?

-Derrick