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, Week 26: Visiting My Sister

Westpoint Academy overlooking the river. This week's post will be short and sweet, pretty much like my mini-trip to Poughkeepsie, NY to visit my sister. The few days I spent with her I managed to snag some cool images both in medium and large format. But while scanning remains on hold, the Hasselblad negatives will have to do for now.

The only day I managed to shoot anything was the afternoon my sister used her military access, marine wife (^_^), to get us a fun little tour/hike around Westpoint. It was a very classy place with a very "Ivy League" feel around some of its older buildings. And considering my only previous knowledge of Westpoint came from watching Patrick Swayze in "North and South", I really had no idea what to expect.

I now present to you some pretty basic scenics, most of which were taken while waiting for the light to shape up a little bit more for the 8x10.

A pretty cool inscription, click for larger size.

There was a suprising amount of traffic on the river!

My sister (right) running 8x10 guard duty. ^__^

Just something about gnarly trees over the water.

Something Good: Well, Portra VC films are supposed to be "vivid", and even Portra that's 10+ years old managed to come out as saturated as ever.

Something Bad: I'm by no means wow'ed by any of these shots. I'm not sure if it's the very odd grain structure apparent in 160 speed film, or just the lack of a favorable subject matter.

Something Learned: Color negative film grows unpredictable each year it goes beyond its expiration date. This roll was a shining example, filled with unexpected grain and "wonky" shadows.

Next Week: Taking a look at the grainier side of life, Ilford Delta 3200 style. ^__^

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.