What The Film

Took my first shot at pinhole photography this past weekend.  I took about 20 exposures before getting to the end of a 24 exposure roll.  Out of those, only 4 were able to be developed.  A few things I learned:

1) Never open the camera to check if the film is in place before you've finished the roll.

2) Never turn the Advance knob in the opposite direction.  If you do, don't open the camera to check if the film is in place before you've finished the roll.

3) Always bring extra rolls...just in case you open the camera to check if the film is in place before you've finished the roll.

It will take some time to get used to shooting pictures like this.  The biggest difference is not having the luxury of immediate feedback via digital playback.  I found myself greatly missing my DSLR...especially when the sunset started to explode in colors after I had finished my only roll.  The photographer 50 yards down shore was recording it all with his massive lens, while I basically had a cereal box attached to a tripod.

At least the Holga was a bit easier to use.  All the square format images were taken using the Holga.

The obligatory shot of Rain.

There it is.  The cereal box.

One of the four pinhole shots that came out.  I think the exposure was probably around 15 seconds.  I didn't do a good job of documenting...too busy trying to keep Rain from running into the water.

Pinhole Camera Assembly

My D7000 is off to the repair shop for the next 3-6 weeks.  The D3100 is being lent to a friend for his photography class.  I guess its just a good a time as any to test out my new cameras.

Putting together the pinhole camera (pics taken by my webcam):

$17.68 on Amazon.

Reminds me of the days I used to put together Gundam models.  Yep, still a geek.

Everything is  made up of really stiff cardstock-like paper, tape, and a few plastic parts.  It's crazy to think that this thing actually might take a picture.

It took a little over an hour to assemble.  First roll of film in place.  Not sure if I did it right...just have to wait and see.

Holga and pinhole camera.

Putting in a roll of film for the first time was kind of exhilarating (in a very subdued sort of way).  Now I know why I was never  allowed to touch the rolls as a child.

All that's left is to go out and take some shots.  Here's hoping for good conditions, good lighting, and a whole lot of dumb luck.

First Exposure

The mail arrived today.

I don't have the slightest clue on how to use film.  As a child, it was forbidden to touch the roll of film.

Gonna touch the rolls. 

Philography (Philosophy + Photography)

Nikon D3100 18-55mm.  July 2011.

Ansel Adams is credited to have said "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it".  The words are easy enough to understand but believing it is a different matter.  I've thought to myself "If only I had a better camera or a faster lens..." more times than I care to count.  I still do.  Like right now, I'm wishing I had a better camera...and a faster lens.  I could easily compile a wishlist of camera gear that would take me a good part of my life to pay off.

Better equipment will absolutely make a difference.  But in a very real way, how much of a difference is limited to the person using it. A great photographer will make that difference very apparent.  I'd like to be a great photographer.

It is easy to assume that learning everything there is to know about cameras and how they work will make my photography great.  It definitely won't hurt.  But knowing this does not necessarily mean I'll capture the images I hope to.  The more time I spend on photography, the more I realize that photography is a mix of many ingredients.  Framing, focus, balance, light, color, creativity, vision, timing, emotion, me.

I won't be ignoring my wishlist anytime soon. Sooner or later I'll get better gear.  But in the meantime the most cost effective option is to focus on the twelve inches behind my camera.

At the moment I don't have any particular photography course work I plan to follow.  A good portion of what I've learned up to this point has been the result of just getting out and taking pictures.  Most of what I learn and do I'll try to document here.  I hope it will help you in some way.

This week as part of my photography education I put in an order for a Holga, a DIY Pinhole camera, and some film  (I'll be honest, it's mostly just because I thought it would be fun).

For those that are curious, I currently shoot with a Nikon D7000 and mainly with a 35mm f/1.8 lens.  I switched over from the Nikon D3100 at the end of 2011.

Nikon D7000 35mm 1.8.  August 2012.