Category: Things

My old Hasselblad 500CM enters the digital age (for a few minutes)

Since the release of the Hasselblad CFV 39 back I’ve wondered how it would feel and function. Yesterday Steve Goldsmith, from Calumet, kindly drove 2/3rds of the way, through rain and beastly road construction traffic. A big thank you goes out to Steve. We met in Racine and put the back on my old CM and made a few shots with each of my lenses:

40 mm, (click images for larger view)

80 mm

and 150 mm.

(ISO 400)

(ISO 100)

A very interesting experience from the start right through to post processing. Drop in the supplied ground glass with crop indication. Attach the CFV back; just as simple as switching a film back. No cords or electronic connections. Very cool. Buttons and menus are clear and quick.

The view screen had plastic on it and the images looked horrible (hopefully better without the plastic).
Viewing angle is extremely critical on this view screen. Shooting is exactly like using a film back; including the cranking after each frame – which really felt wonderfully nostalgic. Pre-release of mirror and shutter release all work just as it did in the good old days.

Back at the computer: The large 45 MB RAW files take significantly longer to load into Lightroom; when compared to DMR, 5D and M8 files. The files look quite impressive at ISO 100. At ISO 400 a fine grain “noise” begins to emerge in shadows; however with a very tight film grain look. Exporting from these large files also takes a lot more time. In other words big sensors need big computers and hard drives.

Traveling back through the weeks that were

Traveling through the last few weeks with thoughts mostly of Ann and her upcoming birthday; which occurred on August 17th. It all began with a trip up the coast to Sheboygan, WI to introduce Jim Proue and David White. I’d thought it would be fun to have them sing and play at Ann’s little surprise family birthday celebration. They’d never played together yet hit the mark right from the get-go.
(click image for larger view – Slide show with more images from this get together)

(click images for larger view)

The night before the party we went to hear Tracy Chapman at the Pabst Theartre. Without doubt – the most incredible concert I’ve ever attended. Ms. Chapman (and her band) performed flawlessly; and actually “better than” the original studio recordings. (click image for larger view – Slide Show of a few “intermission” images)

Of course it took a few phone calls to invite the family; a bit tidying up, arranging for food and errands with Erin’s help;  and then – the party sort of just happened. (click image for larger view – Slide show of additional party images)

The day after the party Ann did her annual Irish Fest. Below we see one of Ann’s customers — not showing off his hair cut — but rather performing a fine Irish kick. (click image for larger view – Slide show of additional Irish Fest images)

Then it was getting ready for a four day road trip to the beautiful Mississippi River hills and valleys in Northwestern Illinois, Eastern Iowa and Southwestern Wisconsin. (click image for larger view – Slide show of additional river trip images)

Meditation — contemplate impermanence

Photographer, Richard Avedon, said, “I think all art is about control – the encounter between control and the uncontrollable.” In my experience we have much less control than we often believe. Change and impermanence rule — that thought — that feeling — that observation — try and hold one of them for even a moment. Memory distorts and fades. We photograph. We write, draw, paint, sculpt — none of these expressions end up quite as we “thought, saw or observed.” We, and our thoughts, all fade away as flowers in the fall; leaving meager evidence of our former states of consciousness. Deeply meditating on this cosmic joke brings a peaceful smile to our busy-ness. Best enjoy the ravishing, uncontrollable beauty as it visits.

(click images for larger view)

Leica M8, 50 mm Summilux Asph

Every other Wednesday’s for Sophia and me

This past Wednesday Sophia and I walked down to Doctor’s park beach on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Why do we all love to look for and pickup water-smoothed rocks and stones? What makes throwing stones into water so enjoyable? I understand the challenge of skipping; but the kids seem extraordinarily happy with a throw and kerplop.

(click images for larger view)

Transportation as sculpture

Stopped for a few groceries and found this in the market parking lot. Some vehicle designs simply take one’s breath away. The Shelby Cobra qualifies as one of them. And this Excalibur variation on that theme actually does better. Something about the the added length and width makes a classic even lovelier.

(click images for larger view)

Friday’s for contemplation of flowers

Sonny Carter, over on the Leica User Group (LUG), began a tradition some many years ago. He decided that Fridays were for flowers. And he’s provided flower photographs to the list every Friday ever since. Over time other members have added to the LUG’s Friday flower bouquet. Ric Carter contributes steadily; as does Philippe Amard.

Only occasionally do I contribute. Always thought dandelions quite lovely — don’t even know if weeds count as flowers; often I can’t tell the difference between a weed and flower. Maybe this one should be on Wednesday weeds rather than Friday flowers. A minute ago Ric Carter informed me that Mr. Pollock in agriculture class back in Gates County High School said “A rose is a weed, if it’s in your peanut patch.”

(click photos for larger view)

Last friday I also contemplated some flowers

with more views of these in a slide show here

Panning for gold in the stream: twitter 4 months later

(click image for larger view)

My friend, David White, introduced me to twitter. As a web designer and marketing consultant I felt a need to know; to keep up with trends. I began following people that David followed; and posted my first brief message on November 22nd, 2008. It took a lot of time to read what seemed banal and/or narcissistic 140 character messages from people I didn’t really know. Occasionally someone would post a link to a web site or blog which actually had value to me or my business. Mostly I read messages about the value of twittering and social media as marketing and PR tools. It seemed strange; sort of like people calling each other on their phones and constantly talking about how the telephone is a great tool for marketing and PR; or handing out flyers which state over and over again that flyers are great marketing and PR tools. Obviously I wasn’t following the right people. Another crazy thing: we’re only seeing one side of conversations. You have to follow the people that those you follow talk to in order to receive the whole conversation; such as it is. This all feels quite tedious. And for what? An occasional useful link or bit of knowledge.

Then there’s my little messages going out there with links to my work or blog posts. Most times I get no response. I have no idea if anyone found it useful or interesting. Feels quite weird. However, lately I’ve found myself finding and following filmmakers, designers, artists and musicians; as well as buddhists and zen practitioners. And things have become more interesting; at least for my sensibility. All of a sudden I began to receive some positive feedback and participate in conversations which I can actually relate to.

Last week I created a new web page-site poetographs.com to post work which puts words into a graphic context that, hopefully, enhances meaning. I put the link out on twitter and received a number of retweets (RT). Bing Futch, a beautiful and generous musician, responded and RT’d the link. I had some poetographs from back in 2004 which I wanted to resurrect as a series. I put them into a movie form and sent the link to Bing. Within 24 hours Bing returned a link with sound added to the movie. Now that’s gold my friends. Perhaps a small nugget. But solid gold nonetheless. Here’s our collaboration. Thank you Bing. Strange as it seems; thank you twitter; I get it.