Tuesday, April 22, 2014

These Faces! {Film} | Eaton Ohio Photographer

Yay! Its that time of month again! The awesome ladies at Film Mama get together and do this fun blog circle. Sharing our experiences with film - keep it alive people. After you catch up with me, go visit Maggie McLendon!

So many things are coming together for me and my business endeavor. However I must finish up my Final Portfolio Project for Black and White Darkroom Photography I first!  Semester ends May 5th and I'm so excited to be wrapping up such an awesome experience. Next month I will be able to bring you my finished Portfolio.

Until then... amid the 22 rolls of Black and White film I've shot, developed, printed and then tweaked out of desperation I purchased some Fuji Superia Xtra 400 Speed film because I was dying for that color film play! I took a break between rolls of black and white just to shoot my children doing their thing. Developed and scanned at Walgreens, where my sister conveniently just started her part time job :)

When viewing them after they were processed I discovered the wonderful faces our children love to make! They are some real characters!  :) :)







Again don't forget to check out what Maggie has been up to! And if you're interested in breaking into film or revisiting the medium let any of us know and we'd love to help!





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Friday, April 18, 2014

Why I don't buy school pictures :) | Eaton Ohio Photographer

I haven't purchased my children's school pictures since Brooklynn was in Kindergarten. I actually ended up redoing them because they were down right terrible. I worked for Lifetouch for 4 years. I loved every minute of it. I learned so much, plus had so many opportunities personally and professionally. I began doing their "school" pictures on my own after that terrible photo of Brooklynn in Kindergarten (in fact I have it stashed so deep in the picture box...)

This being Caliber's first year in school he didn't understand why he wasn't getting pictures to pass out to class. Finally one morning he decided to have it out with me, and with good reason! I had completely let that time pass by. Now I've fulfilled my promise and Caliber passed out his pictures at school and he's sublimely happy to be a part of that picture sharing club.

Just the other day Audrey and Thelma brought it to my attention as well. I was excited to have that opportunity too. I grabbed Audrey aside, let her pick out a shirt, and we posed!

Today we will play with Thelma to get the right picture that captures her exuberant and bashful personality. She will probably have a Volleyball in her hand...maybe we'll put on the YMCA shirt :) go #7 Thelma Weldy - one of the best VBall players on her team!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Film is Fun. Six Kids are More Fun | Eaton Ohio Photographer

Today was a wonderful Friday. We kept Edyn home, went and picked up Maria and sicky butt Thelma. It was so beautiful out today. We waited patiently for 3 o'clock to roll around so we could swing out to get Audrey from school and be home to catch the bus for Caliber and Brooklynn.

Everyone dispersed doing various children like activities while I poured over link after link looking into any medium format camera I might want to get a hold of. I started to realize that maybe I should work a little more with my Pentax before I take a leap into Medium Format. Ugh I swoon. Cameras are like shoes to me. 

Then we anxiously awaited the sunset (or at least not so high in the sky)....and by we, I mean I. I anxiously awaited the evening to creep in. I grabbed up the kids, the boo (Jared), my camera's, tripod, and gray card and we rolled out. Our destination - Union Hill Cemetery. I love the place. So peaceful and beautiful! But oh... not when you bring 6 rambunctious kids into it! Jared helped me wrangle and set up shots. I had fun. I hope the kids had fun... but I think Jared stressed a little bit. We have a very energetic collection of minions. Then he rolled his ankle on pavement :( Sorry boo! 

I shot two rolls of film. Kodak TriX400 and Tmax400. I love TriX, but I'm digging Tmax's grain. I can't wait to process these rolls!!!! My count is 4 rolls to be processed, 4 contact sheets to be developed, and one more roll in the camera. It's Ilford Delta 3200 and I have a fun idea for tomorrow. Indoor impromptu crazy bed head portraits. This is the life we live and the life we love :) Come Monday I'll be hella busy getting all of these rolls processed :)

But for now I leave you with : {square tree} [Kodak TMax 400]
Not a square tree - a square vignetted photo of a tree... duh.


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Venturing Back into Film | Eaton Ohio Photographer

I can't begin to explain how excited I was to take Black and white Darkroom Photography I. I'm on the path to obtaining a simple photographic technology certificate at Sinclair Community College here in Dayton, OH. I have this grand plan in mind, and it all starts with getting back to the roots. So I was really excited to start my B&W venture. From here I will have many more classes, film and digital. I hope to never lose sight of this fun and amazing craft {that is film photography :)}

I was lucky to find this community, Film Mama. They have a facebook group and also they are on Google+. I follow them both. We have all joined in a fun Blog Circle so please visit everyone!! After you've seen what I have been up to please move on to Jessica Svoboda and see what her Journey Into Film has been like for her!

I have my Pentax k1000 with a 50 mm lens still from High school. First there are my contact sheets. This is where I realize things are very hit or miss for me. This has been an eye opening realization! See below...
 
Eventually my processing of the film got better. I had a hard time using the reels from Adorama that had the clips. I finally got ahold of some Hewes reels that had the hooks to hold the film sprockets! But my images were wonky. Very hit or miss on my exposure. Being in the dark room is so much fun for me. It's relaxing, but honestly even this morning I've had a hard time coming to grips with the idea that I am still learning! This is WHY I'm in CLASS for this.

I've got the basics down pat. I can mix my chemicals, process my film, develop my prints... photographing in film is definitely more precise. I love that it slows me down and takes me back to the scientific side. It makes me photograph with INTENTION and visualizing shots and pulling everything together feels so great. The following images are from the contact sheet bottom. In the film they are overexposed and barely there, but when I scanned them I was able to bring them back and ended up with the following: 
{Taken with my Pentax K1000 - 50mm f/2 - Kodak TMax 400}
 








Please please visit everyone in our circle. They are an amazing group of ladies whose work speaks for itself! Jessica Svoboda - My Journey into Film

Some Spring Finally :)

It's been rather dreary! Finally in the last couple of weeks we have been graced with some spring air! I was able to get "Itty Bits" out for a few minutes to shoot a few cute photos. Quick because it was still pretty cool and this girl already was showing signs of a cold :(





I can't wait to marry this little girl's daddy :)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Maddie's Session

Here are FIVE of my favorites of Madeline's Session (My little sister!)









Friday, July 27, 2007

Amanda's Session

Here are photos from miss Amanda's session!