Seniors Enjoy the View from Southport N.C.

I took this shot of a couple of seniors making the most of their retirement in Southport, North Carolina.  They are soaking in the sun, watching the action on the Cape Fear River, and enjoying the crisp breeze on the day after Thanksgiving.

A Golden Day on the Cape Fear River in Southport N.C.

Here are some interesting books on Southport and the Cape Fear River.

More Fall Photos - Atlanta

Here is another fall photo! The leaves are falling from the trees here in Atlanta, Georgia. I hope I captured that fall feeling well in this photo of almost bare tree limbs.

Bare Limbs on a Breezy Day

Fall Photo: A Fallen Leaf

Fall colors have recently peaked in our part of the country.  We ranged far and wide looking for pretty leaves and colorful fall foliage.  It was a gray day that didn't make for great photos.  But, when we got back home, here's what I found in our parking lot.  A perfect leaf . . .

Autumn Leaf

Basic Gear for Film Photography

There are a million cool accessories for film photography.  On online auction sites, many film photography items are available at a fraction of their original cost.  But, what do you really need to take up film photography?  Not much.  You can get the essentials - a camera, lenses, and film bag - very inexpensively.

The Basic Equipment You Need for 35mm Film Photography

Camera, Case, and Film

[In 2024, I'm revisiting this post.  Film photography is a bit more expensive now.  Film and developing costs money and there aren't as many places that develop film.  However, you can save money by simply pacing yourself and only buying and developing film at a pace you can afford.  Camera prices can vary widely.  But, I bought an SLR film camera for less than $10 at a thrift store just last year.  If you are a young person, you might also talk about your hobby with grandparents and other older relatives.  You never know what kinds of cool camera gear lurk in closets, attics, and basements.]

Including Film Photography in Your Wedding

Film has always played an important role in wedding photography.  Vintage film camera images simply have a staying power that transcends Instagram, Photoshop, and the latest digital camera.  While many wedding photographers use digital cameras today, there are still many ways to informally include film photography in your wedding. 

By Fred C. Palmer (died 1936-1939) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Photo

Here's an interesting shot that I took with my Kodak Z950 back in early September 2012.  It's a shot of a butterfly that had just landed on a flower.  His wings are blurry because they were still moving.  But, his face and the flower are very clear.  I have other shots that are perfectly and uniformly focused.  However, I find this one intriguing.  I believe this butterfly is called a Gulf Fritillary.

Do you think this is an effective photo or a blurry mess?

Brushfoot - Gulf Fritillary Butterfly in Smyrna, Georgia

Metal Frog Statues at Smyrna Town Center in Georgia

They say that frogs are important indicators of the health of an ecosystem.  If that is true, then I wonder what it says when your frogs a giant, mutated, and made of metal!  Here's one that I spotted doing some thinking near the Smyrna, Georgia, village center.

Frog Scuplture Near Smyrna Village in Georgia

Atlanta Water Works (AWW) - An old building!

Here's a quick shot that I took one evening before ducking into our Atlanta IKEA to do a little shopping.  This old landmark is the AWW.  The sun was just setting so this shot is a bit of a silhouette.

Atlanta Water Works

Bell Clock Tower in Cobb County, Georgia

I saw this interesting clock tower in a local office complex (Cobb Galleria Centre) here in Atlanta.  Set in a beautiful waterfall, I thought it looked interesting when framed by buildings.

Carillon near Galleria Garden

Returning to this post in 2024, I have additional photos of a site that continues to captivate me.

Carillon at Cobb Galleria Garden

The carillon and the surrounding office buildings take on lots of different shades and hews as the sun rises and sets on this office park.

Carillon at Cobb Galleria Garden

At night time, this piece of sculpture takes on a glow from nearby street lights.

Carillon at Cobb Galleria Garden

The Rusting Relics of Wakulla County

When we were living in Florida, I came to appreciate a minor roadside curiosity that locals called the Rusting Cars of Crawfordville or Rusting Cars of Wakulla.  They were orderly rows of retired farm cars that were left in a clearing to quietly rust, decay, and rejoin the earth.  It's not often that you see DeSotos and Dodges left in a field to fade away.  But, they certainly catch the light and attract the eye.

An Old DeSoto left to decay decades ago. . .

Florida's Forgotten Coast

Florida's Forgotten Coast is an area of the Gulf Coast stretching from Steinhatchee around the Big Bend and west through Saint George Island, Apalachicola, and to the outskirts of Panama City.  It's a quiet coastal area dominated by natural beaches, marshes, swamps, and protected forest land.  The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are deceptively calm until a tropical storm or hurricane approaches.  My wife and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to ride out the worst of the recession in Tallahassee, Florida, and explore the area on weekends.  I've published our best pictures in a calendar for 2013.

Remnants of a Sand Castle at Cape San Blas

  

Polaroid 300 Pictures

Here are two more shots from my Polaroid 300.  They illustrate the challenges posed by different lighting conditions.

The covered bridge in Smyrna, Georgia

A Mini Eiffel Tower

For a complete review of the Polaroid 300, check out my article: 

Camera Review:  Polaroid 300 Instant Camera.

Buy my Florida's Forgotten Coast 2013 - Calendar

Once again, I've assembled some of my most beautiful photographs of Florida's Forgotten Coast and made them available in a calendar from Lulu.com.

If you love sunsets, beaches, and natural beauty, you'll love this 12-month calendar for 2013. It makes a great Christmas Gift. Buy it soon!

Trying my hand at Polaroid Instant Photography

I recently bought a Polaroid 300 Instant Camera which uses Fuji Instax film.  It was fun to start shooting film photographs with instant film.  It's magical to see the image develop and mature before my eyes moments after taking the picture.

Hey Dog! It's a $1 a shot!

[Returning to revise this post in 2024, I have great memories of this dog.  He was smart, always up for adventure, and always one to bring spontaneity to photography.  He was a great pup.]

It's the Millenium Gate Museum in Atlanta

Every big city has to have an arch somewhere and Atlanta is no different.  This arch is located in Atlantic Station and contains a Georgia history and art museum with one of the most comprehensive collections in the state.

An inviting swing in Smyrna, GA

It can be a challenge to shoot instant film with a relatively primitive camera, but it's fun.

Fly Into the Light - Inside a B-17

Inside the Cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress

I took this shot a long time ago at an air show using a pretty basic film camera.  I like the way the sunlight totally masks anything going on outside the aircraft.

Dodge Challenger Waiting . . .

I took this picture in the parking garage at my office last week.  I like it because it captures the sporting potential of this Dodge Challenger muscle car.  I seems like its just lurking in the shade of the garage awaiting the return of its owner.  The darkness of garage gives the car an almost black and ominous look . . .

Dodge Challenger Waiting . . .

Brawner Hall in Smyrna, GA

When composing a photograph, try to use paths or trails to lead people into the photo.  In this picture of Brawner Hall in Smyra, I use the angled sidewalk to lead the viewer into the photo and frame the historic building with trees.

Framing Roger Rabbit - Photo of a Rabbit

One way to compose a picture is to frame the subject in the center.  Last week, I was able to do that with this quick shot through our car windshield.  It's a good thing I had a camera with me.

Cobb County Covered Bridge

I took this quick shot of a covered bridge today as we were about to drive through it.  It's located in the Atlanta suburb of Cobb County, Georgia.

Rainy Day Photography

Sometimes you can catch some interesting images on a rainy day.  I was amazed that my Kodak Z950 could get details like the raindrops collected on the petals of this flower.

My Latest Camera - A Polaroid J33 Land Camera

A few weeks ago, I found an interesting camera in a thrift store for less than $5.  It's a Polaroid J33 Land Camera from Polaroid.  Unfortunately, film is no longer made for it.  But, it is a cool looking old artifact.
You can read more about it here - Vintage Camera Review:  Polaroid J33 Land Camera.

Memorial Day

Take time to reflect and remember . . .

Magnolia Blossom

I saw this Magnolia Blossom while walking our dog the other day.  It was perfectly formed and didn't have a lot of debris within the bloom.

Magnolia Blossom - Taken with Kodak Z950

Wildlife Photography Tip of the Day

 If you can't afford to go on an expensive safari, you can always try wildlife photography with whatever wildlife you have at hand.  This young rabbit cooperated for a little while, but bounded off to bushes when our dog got a little too close.

Knight takes Shopper

Sometimes you see some creepy looking stuff on store shelves.  Take this giant Knight at Target for example!

It looks a little evil to me!  I think it's from the evil genius bent on world domination collection.  Buyer beware!

My Olympus Infinity Junior 35mm Point & Shoot Film Camera

I've found another cool point and shoot film camera:  the Olympus Infinity Junior 35mm Film Camera.  It's a pocket-sized, fully automated, film camera.  It takes excellent pictures with a minimum of fuss.  Best of all, if you are lucky, you can find one for less than $10 at your local thriftstore.  Here is a more complete review:

Vintage Camera Review:  Olympus Infinity Junior 35mm Film Camera

 I've been very pleased by the photos that I've taken with this little beauty.  It's done well handling light and dark situations!

 Here is a picture of a highly reflective building:

Here is a silhouette shot at sunset:

More tulips!

Here are more tulips from the front of our complex.  They always crank up the landscaping for spring in hopes of attracting more tenants.

Spring is almost Sprung!

This blooming tulip tells us that spring is almost sprung in this part of the country!

Religious Statues

No matter what you think about the organized religions of the world, you have to admit they've been a boon for photographers.  I took this shot with my Kodak Z950 Digital Camera at a local TJ Maxx store.

The Apotheosis of St. Louis

This statue on Art Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, is the symbol of the city.  I took this picture with a fixed focus camera many years ago.  This picture might have taken with a cheapo camera like the one reviewed here:  Camera Review:  Walgreens Re-Usable 35mm Film Camera.  If you shoot up the film and take it in for development, they reload it for you for free.

Anyway, this shot makes me wonder if I was an early Lomographer!

Cobb Energy Center

Syndney, Australia, has nothing on Georgia's Cobb County.  They can have their Opera House, we have the Cobb Energy Center.

Seven Magnificent Cameras To Save Film Photography

While I love all my vintage cameras like this Kodak Retinette 1A, there are still a few new film cameras in the market.  I've distilled them down into a list that I call:

Seven Magnificent Cameras to Save Film Photography

Fotodiox Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) 35mm Camera Kit

If you are looking for a new photography challenge, you might try building your own camera.  I recently tried my hand at building a toy camera - the Fotodiox Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) 35mm Camera.  It's a nifty plastic rendition of an old-fashioned TLR camera.  The kit started out packed in styrofoam like this -

My first challenge - finding a suitable small Phillips head screwdriver for the assembly project.  The directions said one was included, but it was no where to be found.

Assembling the side panels was pretty easy.  But the real challenges lay ahead.  Installing the shutter (above) was also pretty straightforward. 

Of course, making the shutter work was a much more difficult challenge.  Fortunately, Emily's Blog from Hoefler Imaging, had a picture of the very similar Gakkenflex camera and I was able to figure out my next steps.  If you are building a Fotodiox TLR yourself, check out the orientation of the long end of each spring.  My directions also had Springs C & D mislabeled.  When you look at the pieces, you'll see where the small spring goes and where the large spring goes.

It didn't take long to have the major components and ready for assembly.

 

Once the camera was put together, there were lots of little things to squeeze in like the film spool and the mirror.  The moral of that story is don't tighten things up too much.  You may need to untighten some of the screws, and squeeze the camera open a tad to get some of the other parts to fit.

Once the camera was all together, it looked pretty good.  I was amazed that the top lens and mirror actually worked and reflected the image onto the translucent view finder screen.  The camera does have one problem that may be a bit of the show-stopper.  The film counter does not grab the film well enough to meter the advance of the film consistently.  Hopefully, the photo lab will be able to develop my film and  make sense of the spacing between shots!  I will put markings on the advance knob, the rewind knob, and the advance meter so that I can do a better job of monitoring the movement of my film.

Despite the film advance problem, I certainly feel like I got some thing accomplished building this camera.  It will be interesting to see what the pictures look like.