Doing it Analog
As a few of you know, I recently made the transition from shooting in digital to going back to shooting in film. I’ve sold all my digital equipment save for a Canon G10 that I recently picked up to use as a glorified light meter. In the last month, I picked up a Contax T2 from a seller in Hong Kong and a Nikon F100. The move has been short and sweet and it’s felt good to go back to shooting negatives.
A lot of people have asked why I’m going back to film and I tell them it’s just a matter of preference. Like any Joe who likes to do things a certain way - like his coffee black or his eggs sunny side up - that’s just the way I flow. It’s different. It’s a tad old school. It takes time to develop film. But for the cons of film, there are pros and those reasons were good enough for me to make the switchback. My photography started by shooting in film and I guess that’s where I’m at my best.
This weekend I head down to LA for a friend’s wedding. A lot of friends that I haven’t talked to for years will be there so it’s going to be a good weekend of festivities. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve spent the last two weeks finding a decent suit without much luck. I resolved to go naked out of frustration but thankfully, I found something today (think black cardigan and some rad retro dress shoes). Good weekend to you all.
Say No to Smorkin’
Another day in the City, a good evening in Haight. My company: my good friend J and two smorkin’ labbits.
150 Words
Thanks to [EV +/-] for the link to Wordle. Some wordcloud goodness. The O/A in 150 words, black on white. Just the way I like it. Apparently the only thing I do on this blog is think about dollars and credit and write posts.
Getting Lean in this Economy
I am all for a bit of leaning. Robert Wright writes another post on how the current economy could impact emerging photographers. You know the drill, excerpt then link.
“… contrast this with the contraction in the industry experienced after 9-11, when lots of us didn’t work for a long time, and I believe we now have a definite oversupply of talent and paucity of work. Which can only go down further as the economy collapses.”
In the last two years, I’ve certainly noticed the swell of photographers amongst my friends and ranks. Some are good. Some are not. And everyone has of course entertained the idea of becoming a professional photographer, including myself. At the end of the day, I think reality will always kick in. You either have it or you don’t. Or want it badly enough (or don’t). At the end of the day, reality grounds us and I think that’s always a good thing. Like I said, I’m all for a bit of leaning and some truth/honesty when it comes to the pursuit of the things we love.
So back to Wright’s post, give it a read. Let me know what you think.
In Front of RVCA
The more time I spend in the City, the more I’m diggin’ it.
On Credit and Photography
Photographer Robert Wright writes an interesting post on the excess of credit/consumerism and how that has influenced the consumer transition to photography, where buying expensive SLR cameras has become the norm. An excerpt:
I think the easy credit (and by easy, I mean starting with web 1.0) of the last 10+ years, lets call it “moniness” which is like “truthiness,” has fueled the primary bubble in consumer photography, and this has had an impact in professional photography too. It makes little sense for an amateur to spend between three to five thousand dollars on a full frame dslr and a lens or two when 90% of their needs would be served at well under a thousand dollars. But easy credit makes this possible. My first real camera in 1981 was all of 350 dollars. It wasn’t until I left assisting in 1996 that I even contemplated spending several thousand on a camera that was meant to make money, not be a hobby. But today that kind of expenditure is “normal.”
I believe the entire transition from film to digital has mainly been possible because of the consumer credit bubble. In the pro ranks, the medium format digital manufacturers have supplied credit, trade in programs, almost anything including dancing bears to get you to pony up for a 35k capture device. Very often the cost was either diffused onto the client in the form of rental fees, or never fully paid in a leasing arrangement.
Read the rest of his post by going here. What he says is unfortunately true. Buying within budget/reason/need has been something completely lost in American society and the explosion of consumers buying SLRs is a perfect example.
September’s Busy
Khoi’s post reminds me of how I’ve been doing lately writing on Old Armstrong. I’m still alive. Alive and well. It’s just been nonstop crazy with my schedule this past month so blogging’s been at a minimum. There are features I want to add, content I want to publish, and a host of other things that I wish I had the time to implement.
For now, I’m writing short posts like this so that you all know - this blog hasn’t gone dead. It’s still very much alive. And lots of things are coming down the pipe.
My schedule the next three weeks: Friends in town this weekend, wedding in LA next weekend, and then a trip to Pismo Beach the following weekend. I’m looking forward to it.
My schedule the last three weeks: I took on a big project at home rebuilding the wood framing around our jacuzzi. Ever since we moved into this house, we have not used the jacuzzi once and I intend to change that this winter with a few get togethers. This Friday is what I hope is my last working day on this jacuzzi. I’m finally doing the staining.
Oh yes. If by chance you may have let it slip your mind, snowboarding season is upon us. Get ready.