The 52 Project, Week 25: PDN PPE in NYC with the FPP!

Duane explaining the Hasselblad NPC Polaroid back.

The acronyms, make them stop! >__<

Seriously now, this first week of my little trip out east was pretty freaking awesome. There were a lot of photos taken, and whole hell of a lot to scan; most of which are still being scanned, by the way. So all the following weeks you’re about to see will be completely in order of awesome and in no sense of chronological order. Enjoy.

FPP Hosts Mike Raso & Duane Polcou

First up is the main reason I made this trip, to go meet the makers of the Film Photography Podcast at Photo Distric News’ Photo Plus Expo 2010 in New York City. (see why I used the acronyms? :P) Before, during, and after my interview with them, I managed to snag some shots of Mike Raso (left) and Duane Polcou (right) at the registration/interview booth outside of the madness of the PPE showroom. Overall, the interview went very well, Mike and Duane were awesome guys who were as, if not more, enthusiastic about film than me. While I was snagging pictures of them, Mike was snagging pictures of me and the whole kit, with a Kodak Pocket Instamatic 110 camera and some Impossible PX 600 black and white.

With FPP’s more recent interest in large format, I’ll have to pay them a visit and let them play around with the 8x10. Good times for sure. ^__^

Impossible Project Space, NYCLater that same afternoon, I made the huge mistake of walking almost four miles from the Jacob Javits Expo Center all the way to the Impossible Project NYC Space. Thankfully, the long haul was worth it! All the way up on the fourth floor of this building, rested one of the last frontiers for instant film in the world! If you haven’t heard of The Impossible Project or tried out their awesome films, be sure to check them out.

Something Good: The scans are pretty clean, with a long tonal scale and chock-full of midtones. TMAX 400 in XTOL 1:1 never seems to go wrong.

Btw, the Pat Sansone show was also awesome!Something Bad: The light in the Javits Center was a tad low for ISO 400, but opening up the aperture and lowering my shutter speed to dangerous handheld levels, 1/15 and 1/30th were necessary for the final image.

Something Learned: The best way to meet new people in photography is to get out there and shoot. And when you’re sick of shooting, go on the internet and put yourself out there some more. Chances are you’ll run into cool guys like the FPP; heck, you might even score some new gear or film!

Next Week: More medium format scans from the trip, still trying to nail down these 8x10’s. >__<

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.