Over the last few years I’ve noticed more and more “human statues” at Yonge and Dundas in downtown Toronto. I’d say this is a pretty tough way to make a living: it requires a lot of concentration, and I am sure some passersby will do their best to break their pose.
(Nikon F2, 105mm/f2.5, Tri-X developed in Xtol 1:1)
I thought this citizen of Toronto had an interesting look, and the Nikon 105mm/2.5 allowed for just the right degree of isolation in the framing.
One of the reasons I still like shooting film is exemplified by this image of model and dancer Kaitlin taking using my Rolleicord IIIa twin lens reflex camera. The Xenar lens has a unique character, not tack sharp unless you really stop down. It is easy to get a lot of sameness with digital cameras; each of my film cameras has own voice, its own signature, and I have a love affair with each of them.
Today’s image is of tulips in High Park, Toronto. I took the image using my Rolleicord III Twin-lens Reflex, on Fuji Reala colour negative film. I’ve mentioned before how the Xenar lens on this camera has nice swirlies in the out of focus areas when shot fairly wide open, and I think that effect suited the flowers.
It took a few steps to arrive at the image below (again featuring the lovely Jenna). The original was shot on Fuji Reala ISO 100 colour negative film, using my Rolleicord III twin-lens reflex camera. I had to shoot pretty wide open, and with my eyesight I find this beast a trick to focus at the best of times. her face was not tack sharp, but I liked the image so much I was not prepared to give up. I converted it into black and white, added the antique look and I felt instantly transported back a century.
I am seriously liking the combination of the 105mm/f2.5 Nikkor portrait lens, and Polypan F film (developed in Tmax developer 1:9 for 8.5 minutes at 20 degrees). It seems made for subjects such as the lovely Jenna (taken yesterday in High Park in Toronto)
Today’s image is from my 6-3-1 project. I had a shoot yesterday with rapper/Hip Hop artist Saint Vybz.He’s busy recording an album, which is being produced by my friend Stevie Z. I used my Mamiya Universal Press camera, 127mm f4.7 lens with red 25A filter, on Fuji FP3000B instant film. This is a scan of the negative. I thought the grit suited the mood we were going for.
Today’s photo is an image of my elder daughter Julia, beside a window in our house that seems to guarantee great light all the time :-). I had a roll of Ilford HP5+ kicking around so I loaded it into my Baby Speed Graphic, using a 6×7 120 roll film adapter from a Mamiya RB67 which just happens to fit 🙂 I’ve never had great luck with that film in 35mm (always too grainy), but in 120 I’m blown away!
I’ve been meaning to take some images of this old building in Toronto for some time, so when I was out with my Baby Speed Graphic last weekend I made a stop. I just love the Kodak Ektar lens on this camera!
(Baby Speed Graphic with 120 roll film holder, 101mm Kodak Ektar lens, Tri-X developed in Xtol 1:1 for 9 minutes)
Today’s image was taken about a week ago; I was at Downsview subway station, waiting to meet someone from whom I was buying some film (and got a great deal on 20 rolls of some medium format Fuji colour negative film!). With me I had my “Baby” Speed Graphic (originally designed to shoot 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ sheet film, I was shooting 6 x 7 cm images on 120 roll film, via a film holder from an Mamiya RB 67). It has a 101mm Kodak Ektar lens, which I just love!
My Third Eye 