Photography...what an exciting topic!
Sep 13, 2018 13:48:55 #
As a new member I'd like to introduce myself. Now semi-retired (as so many in this group), a long time resident of San Francisco, I'm now able to consider more time experimenting in a field that not only kept me sane during formative years but helped pay the bills at different junctures. I've done everything from Mexico City Olympics film/paper processing, bowling league stills, weddings, print ads, 16mm 30 second commercials, S8mm feature film photography, film/video documentaries, live music/variety camera and directing, graphic art, bill-board pictorial murals... There have also been long periods of doing no photography and collecting/trading interesting AV equipment.
I look forward to such areas as using cafenol to develop film/paper...using paper negatives in large format cameras...using fine grain microfilm as continuous gray scale...shooting sections of large format 8x10 negatives with inexpensive mirrorless 4/3 cameras and nitting the sections to produce murals with extreme detail...instant analog (including the new just released Kodak). Because Fuji refused to consider allowing for shorter runs of the excellent peel-apart instant film I now boycott anything Fuji makes after having spent thousands on their cameras, lenses, PTZ systems, film... The least they could have done was to let a smaller firm continue production.
I'm by no means a purist and use digital depending on the subject (color/resolution requirements) and budget (time/money allowances).
Having collected some antique sheet film cameras (some dating to 1800's), I look forward to restoring these to full function. Unlike many who must have the latest model of anything, I see value in anything that still does the job! An example is the recent purchase of a Goodwill store Toshiba "point and shoot" 3 Mb camera. You'd think this would be completely unacceptable by most in this day of up to 50 Mb cameras. But this pocket size, through the lens reflex viewfinder camera with optical zoom has such brilliant and true to life color it has become a favorite...for documenting, web posts, and even anticipating post card size prints. A camera that once sold for over $600, purchased for $5. I prefer the finder to any of the mirror-less, though must admit these are getting better.
The same philosophy applies to video equipment considered obsolete by most. Lenses on many of these cameras are superb and sought after by pro-cinema and still users using mounting adapters now prevalent and inexpensive. Beyond the lenses, even at the old 400 (or less) line resolutions, these cameras have value since recordings can be upscaled or played back on older monitors. I'm reminded of classes decades ago where we had to use fake cameras to simulate live production techniques. What we would have given for actual cameras now found in debris boxes.
It's not always the resolution that's most important! A documentary I shot in Mexico on the first mini VHS-C format consumer camera ran on PBS after being bumped to 3/4 for editing, then 1 inch for broadcasting. Concentrating on color, closer ups, good lighting, GOOD AUDIO...the 60 minute piece was a success. This 250 line resolution camera is how many times less detailed than the latest cell phone cameras? (back up your sound with an old cassette tape recorder...)
Teach others to make art and music from what others might toss.
Do the best with what you've got and don't get bogged down in technical minutia, as we've all done at times.
Make each photo or project count! The last thing we need is a dead world with a lot of photos to remind no one left how great it was.
I look forward to such areas as using cafenol to develop film/paper...using paper negatives in large format cameras...using fine grain microfilm as continuous gray scale...shooting sections of large format 8x10 negatives with inexpensive mirrorless 4/3 cameras and nitting the sections to produce murals with extreme detail...instant analog (including the new just released Kodak). Because Fuji refused to consider allowing for shorter runs of the excellent peel-apart instant film I now boycott anything Fuji makes after having spent thousands on their cameras, lenses, PTZ systems, film... The least they could have done was to let a smaller firm continue production.
I'm by no means a purist and use digital depending on the subject (color/resolution requirements) and budget (time/money allowances).
Having collected some antique sheet film cameras (some dating to 1800's), I look forward to restoring these to full function. Unlike many who must have the latest model of anything, I see value in anything that still does the job! An example is the recent purchase of a Goodwill store Toshiba "point and shoot" 3 Mb camera. You'd think this would be completely unacceptable by most in this day of up to 50 Mb cameras. But this pocket size, through the lens reflex viewfinder camera with optical zoom has such brilliant and true to life color it has become a favorite...for documenting, web posts, and even anticipating post card size prints. A camera that once sold for over $600, purchased for $5. I prefer the finder to any of the mirror-less, though must admit these are getting better.
The same philosophy applies to video equipment considered obsolete by most. Lenses on many of these cameras are superb and sought after by pro-cinema and still users using mounting adapters now prevalent and inexpensive. Beyond the lenses, even at the old 400 (or less) line resolutions, these cameras have value since recordings can be upscaled or played back on older monitors. I'm reminded of classes decades ago where we had to use fake cameras to simulate live production techniques. What we would have given for actual cameras now found in debris boxes.
It's not always the resolution that's most important! A documentary I shot in Mexico on the first mini VHS-C format consumer camera ran on PBS after being bumped to 3/4 for editing, then 1 inch for broadcasting. Concentrating on color, closer ups, good lighting, GOOD AUDIO...the 60 minute piece was a success. This 250 line resolution camera is how many times less detailed than the latest cell phone cameras? (back up your sound with an old cassette tape recorder...)
Teach others to make art and music from what others might toss.
Do the best with what you've got and don't get bogged down in technical minutia, as we've all done at times.
Make each photo or project count! The last thing we need is a dead world with a lot of photos to remind no one left how great it was.
Sep 13, 2018 14:07:13 #
Sep 13, 2018 14:08:15 #
Sep 13, 2018 14:21:50 #
Sounds like you've got it going on. Welcome, I'm looking forward to your contributions to the HOG.
Sep 13, 2018 14:44:14 #
Sep 14, 2018 06:34:56 #
Sep 14, 2018 07:55:13 #
Sep 14, 2018 09:28:27 #
Sep 14, 2018 09:53:08 #
Sep 14, 2018 13:57:19 #
Sep 14, 2018 17:53:38 #
Sep 14, 2018 22:24:45 #
Aloha HSapien and welcome to UHH. Sounds like you have a whole lot going on. Hoping to see some of your products and photos.
Sep 15, 2018 01:24:39 #
Sep 15, 2018 09:03:10 #
Sep 17, 2018 20:20:57 #
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