A Bit of Color...

On a grey day and out of a lump of soil on a chair…. life.

You lookin' at me ?

While scouting around for future photo shoots, I decided to take some pictures of this seagull.  After a few shots, this bird decided to look me square into the camera with that "you lookin' at me" stare.

Under Appreciated...

We all have our own opinions of our government agencies.  However, the US Coast Guard is one of those agencies that always seem to deliver a level of service to the public that is under appreciated.

All I ask is a tall ship...

Metal Crossing...

Considering all the security that is in place today.  Parts of the bridge is off limits.  I was surprised how there is a public trail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge with access to all the support structures.

Round Wheel...

The Old Guard...

Can you imagine what it must have been like at Fort Point before the bridge was ever built?

Lamp...

Started life as candle lamp perhaps.

Another Look...

Love those eyes...

Mouse at Night...

With only the glow of a computer screen.  

(Mamiya RB67, 90mm, f/4, 1/4s, NPC Polaroid Back, Fuji FP3000b film)

Mini Bridge...

It must just something wired into a guy's DNA.  Looking at models (including the human variety) is always a thrill.

If these seats can talk...

Imagine all the conversations that once occurred onboard this old ferry boat.  I expected to see a ghost wandering the deck.

Going Old School...

Ready to set sail once again.  I've been fortunate to have been able to try, play and even own and sold some really outstanding photographic equipment since this adventure that started again 3 years ago.

I've met a whole community of people who share the same love of photography from the Professionals to the Hobbyist.  My learning and growing curve wouldn't have been possible without all of you.

The advancements in photographic equipment technology is just amazing.  It's opened the door to the masses to be able to capture images.  However, all this technology and ability has also resulted in the erosion in the skill and art of making a photograph.

Having to not only create but to also put your mind to the test in order to make a photograph is what motivates and brings satsifaction to this author.  Don't get me wrong, I will always use the right tool for the right job and will never snub or dismiss technology to get the job done.

You've begun to see some work that comes from the old school - instant film.  You will soon see newer work coming from equipment that is even more old school.  It will be a test and adventure and hope you will enjoy the results.

The Photographer and Subject...

I met this group of young people visiting the United States while playing with my bag full of Polaroid Cameras.  I ended up taking their group photo after the guy with all the cameras was done.

One thing about using the Polaroid… I've had more people come up to me and have conversations with this camera.  To the people who ran Polaroid down and the current owner who seems to just want to use the name… you don't have any clue what you are missing !!

The Photographer...

Sometimes you just get volunteered to be the lucky guy to take all the pictures.

Dynamic Range and Technology...

Earlier in the week, I posted this same shot using the Polaroid 195 with the Fuji FP-3000b film.  This photo is shot with the Olympus OMD E-M5 w/ 20mm Lumix f/1.7 lens.

This image is far superior from the standpoint of the dynamic range of the shades of black and white when compared to the Polaroid.  Add to the fact that even using full manual controls on the Olympus took about 15 to 30 seconds to compose and shoot compared to about 10 minutes of spot meter readings, brain thinking (using Ansel Adams Zone system) , filter and camera adjustments, film development time.... modern technology is just a wonder.

However, the amount of human enjoyment of having to put all the effort to get the Polaroid to work is something technology can't offer.

So ends today's techie geek stuff rant.

Polacolor...

Well… sort of.  Fuji's version of Polaroid Type 669.

Iron and Wood...

From a time where this cannon was state of the art and the material of choice was just iron and wood.

From Another Time...

Being at Fort Point, I look at this and can imagine troops from the Civil War period walking around.

Lovin' It...

When a corner of your desk contains nothing but stuff related to photography... that's when you know you are lovin' it or have a serious addiction.       (Polaroid 195, Close-up Kit, FP-3000b)

Working in the Dark...

Considering that the only light in the room is the glow of the computer screen.  At 1/15 of a second, handheld.... I can't complain.

Foggy Harbor...

The glow of sun on a foggy day, the damp decks, the fog horn… the call of the sea.

Living Conditions...

From a time where if you served on a cargo ship, this is the type of accommodations you were going to get.

Valentines Day...

Although it's become more a commercial day - restaurants, flowers, candy, jewelry, etc....  Take this day a do something special for that important person in your life.  You don't need to go overboard and spend tons of money.  Do those little... personal things... and enjoy and spend time with those you are lucky to be in love with !!  Don't take things like this for granted.  Believe me, you'll miss it !!

From Sail to Steam...

The contrast at play

Dark Skies...

Considering the weather our fellow Americans are facing in the Northeast, I think I can live with the change of weather.   (Polaroid 195)

Ready to Set Sail and Instant Photography...

It's time for some changes.  Time to set sail to a different direction.

If you want "the rest of the story", click on the link and read the whole thing.  http://www.journey-into-photography.blogspot.com

The Big Dance...

Perhaps in a few short hours, the words - CHAMPIONS - can be added to this banner.

Angel...

Ship at dock...

Although this ship set sail long before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, you can just imagine that this scene could have been from yesteryear.  Take a look at http://www.magicallyinstant.blogspot.com to see the Polaroid version of this shot.    http://www.magicallyinstant.blogspot.com

Ready for a new season...

Go !

Shot 3 of 3 - The end.

Set...

Scene 2 of 3

Ready?

Scene 1 of 3

Your Majesty...

This statue of a pelican with a crown has some significance to the members of the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Also, a new posting at Magicially Instant http://www.magicallyinstant.blogspot.com

Old Boats...

These old boats that once served the Bay Area has a new role of educating people today.

By the way, if you want to compare this shot taken with a modern camera vs. old Instant Technology, go to the Magically Instant site at:   http://www.magicallyinstant.blogspot.com

Another Blog Site - MAGICALLY INSTANT

Welcome to a new site!  MAGICALLY INSTANT (http://www.magicallyinstant.blogspot.com)

The idea to do this comes from a renewed interest in Instant Photography.  

As you know, Instant Photography images are not perfect in terms of color accuracy, sharpness, etc... Instant images have a look that is all their own.

Since I now have a collection of instant cameras from Polaroid and Fuji, I plan on using them more and more.  

I've gotten more smiles and conversations from using these great old cameras. 

It's a piece of Americana... Yankee ingenuity

Steve Jobs even wrote that Edwin Land and Polaroid is one of the great inventions of all time.  Some have speculated that the original Apple logo with the rainbow colored Apple was done intentionally to honor Dr.Land

My desire is to share my images with you and to get them on the web so they will live on long after I am gone.

The image above is of my modified Polaroid 110a and shot with an Olympus OMD E-M5.  By the way, it's going to be the ONLY non-instant image posted here.

Your feedback, comments, complaints, critiques is important.

If you wish to receive updates to when this site is updated, please let me know.

I hope you'll enjoy this site and the future postings!

Just another shot...

Talk about being spoiled and getting dependent on technology.

A boring shot like this would take perhaps a second to shoot today.
As I get older, I find something very satisfying in having to do things myself.  The camera had NO automation.  No zoom or macro.  Fixed focal length.  Heck, not even any sort of light meter.  Used a handheld light meter to do several zone meter measurements.  Thought about what I wanted.  Figured out what aperture and shutter speed to use.  Had to take into account that I was stuck to just one film speed (ISO), physically cock the shutter, stand and breath correctly, squeeze the shutter release, pull out the film, wait and ta-da.... result.

Instead of 1 or 2 seconds.  5 minutes.... and it feels sooooo good!

Protected by above...

This band of light seem to have been following this woman.  Perhaps a bit of divine intervention or security??

Time to say goodbye...

As the Exploratorium moves to it's new home, the expression of sadness on one of the two original statues that stood inside the museum seems a fitting way to say goodbye.

The Last Image...

All through our lives, we witness and experience things where we know it's the last time.  Being somewhere, being with someone, etc... those memories are recorded in our minds and rarely is it captured on film.

Upon my departure on the Exploratorium's last day at the Palace of Fine Arts, I turned 180 degress when I approached the extrance (that's an entrance and exit) way.

Thought about everything that happened to me during my time there.

Got teary eyed, raised my camera, took this final shot, said Thank You under my breath and walked away.

Wow...

Higher Dad.... Higher...

This little one wanted to see the top of the vortex that was being created in the chamber.

Favorite Old Spot...

Everyone has a special place.   Most of us probably have many "favorite old spots".  A special table, a place to go, a secret fishing hole, etc... This is one of mine. I use to just hang over this rail at the mezzanine level to be able to see most of the museum floor.  The paint has started to wear down after 30 years.... including this author.

A World of Wonder...

Frank's dream was to create a place where people will have fun and will hopefully leave with a better understanding of the world around them.  Watching these kids, some of them were not only fascinated but wanted to know what and why.  The basis of learning.  Frank would have been proud.

Light Painting...

A skylight on the top of the building and a parabolic mirror focuses the white light towards a series of reflectors and prisms.  From there, the light waves are directed towards a sheet of nearly transparent plexiglass to create this image which changes freqently as the light in the sky changes.... looks like once an "Explainer", always an Explainer.

Explainers...

At the Exploratorium, orange vested people (Explainers) roam about helping visitors and answering questions.  A new exhibit is being tried and this Explainer is showing a staff member how this exhibit is going to work and how the Explainers were to.... explain it.  Don't know what science or human perception theory was being taught with this.

Frank J Oppenheimer

The creator of The Exploratorium, the 1st Hands On Science and Human Perception Museum.

Soft spoken but will seriously debate you over science was a kind and wonderful man.

He believed in having high school and college students (not necessarily science majors or even having an interest in science) to come in, get trained in various science and human perception topics and then turn them loose and "Explain", demonstrate and encourage the visitors to play with the exhibits.

He believed that science should be easily understood by the masses but has never been properly presented or taught.  That science and human perception is interesting, fun and important.

Frank has long since passed on but his legacy has touched thousands of former employee's - "Explainers"

By the way, Frank was not only an educator but was a world renowned physicist and is considered the  "Uncle of the Atomic Bomb".  You see, his older brother was Robert J Oppenheimer.

My final memory of Frank was seeing him walking his Black Labrador in on hand and a walking cane in the other as he observed everything around him.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

After 43 years, the Exploratorium is temporarily closing to move to their new home at Piers 15/17 on the waterfront.

What makes it so sad is that 33 years ago, a shy and awkard kid got his first job there. Meeting Frank Oppenheimer was a thrill and working for perhaps the best boss ever, Darlene, is more than any kid can hope for as their 1st real paying job.  Friends made and seeing old friends was touching.  To see it move away is emotional.

Take time and pay them a visit at their new home in April.  You be surprised how much fun and how much science you will learn.