My Introduction to Film

The husband brought home an adorable Diana Mini for me to play with Tuesday night, along with four types of film. I stuffed my nose into the manual, loaded up my camera, and patiently waited for the skies to brighten enough to take decent pictures.

I wandered around for several hours loading up my film with thoughtfully composed images. Wandered over to one of the largest camera shops in the Seattle area and presented my film. The guy took one look at it and informed me they don't process black and white.

What. The. Heck.

Black and white film is relatively easy to process- my brother used to process his own films in our basement. After three different stops in Seattle, we finally found a place to process it. And apparently they're so backlogged they won't have it ready until Saturday.

Hmmph.

I guess part of the joy of film is the development of patience. Each little click of the shutter has to be deliberate. I know my composition skills will improve because of this, but it doesn't meant that I have to enjoy that process.

Oh, and the husband bought me three rather pricey rolls of the wrong type of film- medium format film. I guess I'll have to buy the regular Diana now... It'd be such a shame to waste it.

Hungover.

How to have a good Monday:

Half a bottle of Jameson.
Three episodes of Madmen.
Shake and enjoy.

How to have a rough Tuesday:

Wake up after following previous recipe.

Ouch.

Lo-Fi Love

The hubs wants a new camera. Not that this is a surprise, as I knew his skills and his love of photography would propel him towards a more advanced camera. The sad thing is, he's having a heck of a time finding just the right one. As much as I love traveling to camera store to camera store, I do know that he's getting antsy finding his photographic soulmate.

And even sadder news, I managed to fall into a torrid little camera love triangle myself. So we've got two antsy photonerds under the same roof, both bemoaning our inabilities to find just the right camera.

He's going into a more technologically advanced direction. Software engineer, falling in love with something complicated and tricky? Yup, sounds like my husband (explains why he likes me, doesn't it?). Meanwhile, I fell in love with something simpler and artsy. Yup, sounds like a graphic design geek.

So, I know it's not Wishful Wednesdays... but I think these merit a bit of discussion, especially with trip next month.. I want to make a decision quickly so I can get a few rolls of practice in.

All three cameras are lo-tech, low fidelity cameras. They are valued because of their cheapness- the plastic lenses, bleeding light, and old school film technology- these traits cause magic to happen- beautiful vignetted, dreamlike photos. Sign me up!

So without further ado, let me introduce you to the ladies:

Camera #1: Holga.

Pros: Great name. Cheapest lady of the three. Beautiful vignetting. Medium format film. Cult following, lots of great and fun photo competitions.
Cons: Fixed lens. Because of shoddy construction, only one real aperture: f13. Kind of large. Have to tape it with electrical tape to prevent light flooding (in some cameras).

Camera #2: Diana +:

Pros: Sleek design. Softer, more dreamlike pictures. Also medium format. Lots of lenses to play with, including fish-eye.
Cons: Less vignetting. More expensive than the Holga.

Camera #3: Super sleek design, easy to pack. Uses normal 35mm film (easier to process)- can put two pictures side by side on one exposure- up to 72 pictures per roll of film!
Cons: No additional lenses. Less vignetting than the Holga. More expensive.

Sample photos of the three:

Holga:

Picture from Here

Diana +:

From Here

Diana Mini:

Picture found Here

So I'm kind of stuck. Yesterday afternoon I was adamant I wanted the Holga. Last night, the Diana. This morning, the Holga. Now, the Diana Mini.

My current thoughts on the matter are: I'll be packing my Canon DSLR as it is, so I want something small and light. The double frame option will allow more creative compositions: I can snap an establishing shot then something all artsy in the second frame... It'd be a nice way to capture our trip. Or attempt to capture our trip.

Urf.

Tough life, isn't it? Can't help but feel blessed that this is my major worry of the day.

Booked.

Just purchased round-trip tickets to Paris.

Gagasaurus Rex.

Bill Felty's Blog

Perez Hilton

I have to admit... I am ashamed I didn't think of this first.

Speechless..

Officially debt free.
Climbed into another financial bracket.
Found out I'm going to be an aunt.

I'm speechless. And thrilled. September 1, 2010, you've been a wonderful, delightful day.

Wishful Wednesdays #4

Damn, the hubs knows how to bargain. I'm not sure where he's picked it up from, but he knows just wait to say.

As he was leaving for work today, we were jovially talking about what to do with his bonus. He wants a new camera. We have nice cameras, but not REALLY nice ones. Knowing my neutral enthusiasm for his daydream, he casually throws out "You could get a Ghia.."

Ouch, right through the heart.

I've wanted a VW Karmann Ghia for a little over 10 years now. I still have a picture hanging on the wall from the very first Ghia I had ever seen. I remember taking that picture, getting it developed and running it to my dad. He held the picture gingerly, "I'll be damned... I used to have one of those.. I had to sell it to get a boat."

The heart wants what it wants... and despite being a very slow car, it's got a load of charm and would be a joy to haul groceries with.

It's a lovely daydream.