The 52 Project, Week 37: UF Animal Day

Less than one week from the events of Week 36, the University of Findlay hosted its annual, badly advertised "Animal Day". Each year, the day it's held on seems to change, so this week's roll was reactive, to the degree of, "Oh shit, exotic animals! Better get some snaps in."

Chinchillas, so soft they'll make your head explode.

There's not too much to say about cute, cuddly chinchillas that hasn't already been said. Their softness knows no bounds, they're fantastic pets, and within our generation will most likely become extinct in the wild. But millions of fluffy domesticated chinchillas are still ok too, right?

Now we're getting slightly more uncommon...

 Next up, we find the always-ready-for-a-picture-girlfriend, Lauren, carefully holding onto this little sneezing ball of spines we call the hedgehog. This little guy was great for holding one on one, but really starting whining and crying out when he realized there were a lot of other people around him. Not sure how much I like the out of focus background in this picture, it's a little too painterly for me, especially in the tones surrounding the hedgehog. Cute shot, none-the-less.

Everybody loved staring at this guy's sharp teeth.

Not often will you come across a tiny crocodile without some sort of protective band around its mouth. This little guy was being held by a large number of students, with no incidents to boot! Don't be fooled by his happy smile and kind eye, give him a split second of an opening and he'll go for it. Photographically, this also meant catching him with a fast shutter speed. 1/250th of a second can often be too slow for these guys.

Loving the silvery tones on this armored armadillo.

Another high-speed handful in this bunch of visiting animals was this playful little armadillo. When not being calm and protected in ball-form in his cage, he was skitterring about all over the plastic tables he was being "demo'd" on. In this shot, I had to use the close-up filter attachment to the Hasselblad's 80mm f/2.8 T* lens, meaning focusing his high-strungness was a nightmare. This was the "sharpest" shot I ended up with.

Kids, don't try perching a Great Hornbill at home!

If this week's portraits are starting to remind you of last week's Toledo Cat Show, there's a good reason for that! Same nasty lighting situation, same need for high shutter speeds, same film emulsion, same exact processing regimen. The only thing different is that this week, Lauren is holding a 45 year old endangered bird on her jacket. Luckily, this bird was a very docile female, who was a complete attention whore, denoted by it's "smug" look seen to the right. As if Lauren needed another reason to get excited about the upcoming animated feature, "Rio". >__>

Something Good: I've really dialed in how to shoot TMax 400 @ ISO 3200 and get predictable results while pushing in diluted D-76.

Something Bad: The background was a little busy in many of the shots, and also the heavy "bokeh" or out of focus areas really highlight the grain of this 3-stop push.

Something Learned: From now on, I'm always carrying an emergency pro-pack, 5 rolls, of Kodak Tmax 400 with the Hasselblad kit!

Next Week: An epic road trip to NJ and NYC with Lauren.

The 52 Project, Weeks 17 & 18: Odds & Ends

Little explanation needed here. Ever since the beginning of summer when I started cranking through roll after roll of film, this set of photos has been slowly building up. I’ll do my best to explain them as I go.

I wonder how the meter-man read these?

Scan 1: Urban Decay

I love the juxstaposition between man-made and nature, and how natue almost always seems to overcome and take back what we've taken from it.

Posing is easy when they're passed out.  

Scan 2: Lazy Exchange Student

In this Japanese girl's defense, the KAKE trip is a very tiring month long exchange program which has you running place to place about twelve hours per day. I know, I went on the opposite version of the trip.

Film + Heat + Time = Old Look 

Scan 3: Hancock County Fair 2010

No, this picture wasn't taken before I was born, but now I know how to get expired film to shoot like this. ^__^

The Aflac duck is very, very jealous. 

Scan 4: County Fair Duck

Just check out that killer "hairdo". This duck is awesome, period.

Corgis get pageviews, enough said. 

Scan 5: Corgi and Boy Closeup

While making a trip on Cleveland along I80/90, the Exit 135 rest stop had a surprise in store for me, and adorable fluffy corgi! Now EVERY time I see a corgi, I must have their picture.

Yeah, she's just a little patriotic. 

Scan 6: Lauren and Mom with Quilt

My mother is a crazy quilting lady. Since I was born, my mom has made over 175 quilts and continues week in and week out to churn out even more quilts. She's on track to break 200 before Xmas 2010.

Usually he runs and hides from the camera. 

Scan 7: Reluctant Coy

Probably the best shot I'll end up with of my own father, Coy, the hardass farmer. In other news, Fuji Pro400H plus barndoor/window light is always a winning combination. See Weeks 4&5. ^__^

Something Good: There was a whole lot more than two rolls of film to choose from for this segment

Something Bad: I can’t use leftover shots as an excuse anymore during the project.

Something Learned: That stray frame from every set/roll/shoot may come in handy some day. And since it’s not like there’s a million of them, *cough* digital *cough*, feel to keep these stray frames around.

Next Week: A BIG upgrade.

The 52 Project, Week 16: The National Dachshund Races, No Seriously

Okay, it’s story time. Three years ago, I was informed through the majesty of the Internet that each year Findlay, OH hosts the National Dachshund Races. \_o__0_/ WHAT?! I can’t make something this awesome up: http://www.weinerrace.com

Naturally, I’ve made yearly attendance to this ridiculous race something of high holiday priority.

Cute in the name of justice.
 

Scan 1: Cops and Robbers

Yes, it is wrong to put animals in any sort of costume, but I couldn't help myself. In my three years of coming to this event, this was the first year they held a costume contest. You can't fight this level of cute!

This guy finished the contest with 2nd.

Scan 2: Tractor Dachshund

This little guy has lost the function of his back two legs, but not the ability to make everyone around him go "Aww". ^__^

Even her owner is saying "Aww".

Scan 3: Adorable Dachshund

This was just one of many dachsies that was too adorable for words at this event. The eyes really draw you into the frame; too bad he's centered... >__<

A touching family moment. ^__^

Scan 4: Old Folks and Their Dachshund

These guys LOVE their dachshund, and were elated to hear that I wanted to take his picture with "Such a nice film camera." Only thing better than dachsies are pet owners who are appreciative of film.

He needs to be followed by a tuba.

Scan 5: Dudley the Massive Dachshund

This standard dachshund is huge, weighing in at a whopping 46lbs.! Click the photo to goto his Flickr description, detailing all the awards he cleaned up. >__>

Something Good: I couldn’t put the Hasselblad down. Pending better preparation, I would have brought more film. >__<

Something Bad: These little dogs move fast, and my hands are no Canon 1D Mark IV. Oh yeah, and keeping the ASA high was also a key. All the black and white was pushed 1/2 a stop with slightly less agitation in an attempt to pull a bit more shadow detail out.

Something Learned: Standard dachshunds are horrifyingly huge when compared to miniature dachshunds, and even golden retrievers. Dudley and his massive-ness managed to make my day.

Next Week: All the other “crap” that didn’t make it into one cohesive theme. There’s so much of it that it spans two whole weeks and about six rolls of assorted expired film.