Incompetence As Artistic Expression

"Unintentional Grunge" March 2012, Chicago, IL
(Canon F1, 24mm 2.8, Ilford FP4+, home developed and scanned)

Some photographers spend a lot of time and effort getting that "grunge" look for their photographs. They apply layers, filters and textures to make their pristine, perfectly exposed images look dingy, scratchy and poorly handled. I wonder if they know they can save themselves all that trouble with the application of traditional analog processes.

For example, to achieve the image above was simple three-step process: 1) don't open the gate on your bulk loader while rolling up a cartridge of film, thereby scratching the bloody $#!^% out of the film emulsion; 2) after developing the the roll at home, drop the still damp strip of film onto some carpet near the cats' litter box; and 3) scan as normal. Voila! Scratches aplenty; muck and "texture" galore all over the image.

And to think that if I had tried to emulate this look digitally, it might have taken me hours to get that "screwed up negative" look just right. All this took was a couple of moments of being an idiot.

Soup Time!

Film developing tanks full and ready for processing (Panasonic GF-1 w/20mm f/1.7)

I think there might be something a little wrong with me that the above image makes me smile with anticipation. This plus almost a dozen more rolls of color negatives on their way back from Dwayne's Photo, means a whole lot of scanning and hopefully some good images to post.

While I've recently finished up scanning several rolls of negatives that were shot to test a couple of new emulsions, the resulting images are kind of disappointing and a lot of them were scratched to kingdom come due to my own ineptitude. (Pro tip - read the instructions for using a daylight loader before spooling up several rolls of film incorrectly.) Better hopes for the new group.

As Changeable As The Weather

Easy to make a commitment to shooting mostly black and white in the middle of a gray, Chicago winter. But then Spring arrives early and you begin to rethink all your plans . . .

"Too Early Magnolias" - March 2012, Chicago, IL (Panasonic GF-1, Lumix 20mm f/1.7)

Winter Pines

February 2012, Chicago, IL (Holga 120N, Ilford 3200, home developed and scanned)

So I got relatively caught up on the processing, scanning and editing of a bunch of photography that had been languishing away . . . and then promptly fell behind all over again. Not quite as much time on my hands in recent weeks as earlier this year, which is a good thing actually, but posting might get somewhat thinner. Will continue to put stuff up as as can - and will perhaps get around to finishing up some non-photography related posts that I have been kicking around for awhile.

Still loving doing my own black & white film developing. Lots more of that to come. Maybe a little Spring color as well.

OOF (Out of Focus Fridays) - "Mood Ring"

March 2012, Chicago, IL (Polaroid Land 250 camera, Fuji FP-100C film)

This is the window storefront portion of a local greenhouse. Image was taken on a very cold night, through the fogged window glass. I like this shot, even though I don't think it is actually a very "pleasing" image and I'm actually not sure it really "works." The colors, while technically warm tones, come across to me as a bit sickly and cold. And the forms of the plants in the window are completely unidentifiable as such. A fouled aquarium? Alien viscera? A generally poor photographic execution of a bad idea? Your call.

Secret Garden (More Kodak Ektar 100 Shots)

All images: 35mm Kodak Ektar 100, Canon Elan 7ne, Canon 17-40mm f/4L.
(October 2011, Benicia, California)

Okay, maybe not so secret. These are all images taken at K's parents' home. They have this wonderfully eclectic backyard that I always take time to photograph whenever I am there. It also was another great opportunity to do additional testing of the Kodak Ektar film. As I've mentioned previously, once you figure out how to scan it the results are really spectacular - bright, saturated colors and good contrast. As long as this film is available, I'm afraid my Velvia 50 slide film will not be seeing much love. Looking forward to trying out this film in medium format once Spring hits and there is a little color in the landscape again.