Playing with digital cameras and film cameras. It was so frigging hot and humid yesterday that I’m amazed we managed to take any pictures at all!
First, let me show you a close-up of Don’s new baby:
It’s gorgeous. He practiced putting it together and taking it apart yesterday morning. Fortunately, he had taken a video of Louis showing him how to do it.
In the meantime, after writing a blog post, I started to unbox my new Canon 77D. I’d show you a picture, but it doesn’t look all that different from my Rebel T3i. But it’s definitely an upgrade and I can tell by the quality of my photos. It came with an 18-35mm lens, which can take wide angle shots like this one of the kitchen:
I’ve never been able to get this much of the kitchen in one shot. (For better or worse!)
I took a lot of pictures of this pink and cream moth I found on the lavender. I’ve never seen this kind of moth before. So pretty!
I took a lot of experimental photos, just to get an idea of what the camera can do. There’s a lot to learn and I’ve just started.
Don bit the bullet and started experimenting with his Crown Graphic. I was the model. Since the shots are polaroids, there’s much to learn about not only manually focusing the camera, but finding the right light and figuring out how long to wait until the photograph is revealed.
He’s texting Louis about his photos.
I took this with the new camera.
Considering this camera weighs a ton and that this kind of photography is new to him, he took some pretty good shots. The challenge is that the film is expensive, yet he needs to play around with it for a while, so we’ve just accepted the fact that this first week will be about using a lot of film.
So far, I’m loving my new camera. I’ll use both of my cameras, of course, but for now, I’ll concentrate on the 77D.
And speaking of cameras, if you follow Don on Instagram, you’ve probably seen some of his Holga photos. Holgas are made in Japan. They’re plastic and were manufactured for children as a way of teaching them photography. In the years since they first appeared, they’ve become popular with photographers and now they have a huge following. The fun thing about these film cameras is that each camera is different; they have their individual quirks. There’s often vignetting around the image. Sometimes, light does funny things to the film. My camera’s pictures look different than Don’s.
We take the film to be developed at B & H and then we have the negatives digitally scanned and emailed to us. I got my first batch back yesterday and I’ll be sharing them with you off and on for the next few days.
Taken on Ninth Avenue in NYC. This guy was taking a break, sitting next to his bike. I love black and white photography, though I also shot a roll in color.
Gosh, I love film! And the funkiness of the Holga makes me happy! You never know how the shot is going to come out.
Before I close – in the garden:
I didn’t plant white coneflowers here. They’re volunteers from the big garden bed.
Photography, Holgas and the garden are full of surprises.
Happy Tuesday.
I love all the photos but especially the one with the Holga. Happy experimenting the rest of this summer!
Thank you, Linda!
i am so happy for you and don to have these new/new-to-you cameras, for don to get to mentor with louis mendes and the excitement that comes with those things! enjoy the surprises … they all look great!
kathy in iowa
Thanks, Kathy!
I have enjoyed seeing Don’s photographs and watched as he used his Holga. Now the new camera is going to be amazing. What a learning curve but something to help him transition after ETM. I love your Holga photos also. I love how each camera is different. Film is fun as you just don’t know until it’s developed. I was curious as to what your new camera was since I’m thinking about a new one and hoping to get back into photography. I did so enjoy it for many years but seem to have lost some of my mojo. I’m really needing some creative outlets in my life right now. What a pretty moth and your flowers are always lovely.
Tremendous learning curve and today he’s frustrated. But I remind him that the first time he picked up a guitar, he didn’t do so well, either! Linda, get back to some photography if you can. It’s very satisfying. And you can – with digital – see the result right away!
Never have seen a pink moth! Now I’m hoping to see one in person! We are having a lot of swallowtail butterflies this week. (I’m loving the photo experiments you both are posting on instagram.)
I know! Such a pretty moth! I haven’t seen any swallowtails yet this year. Several monarchs and Great Spangled Fritillaries.
I’m happy to hear you two are having fun with your new toys. I have a question for you regarding the Holga. Does B & H actually give you the developed pictures…or just the digital scan?
The Holga pics are very interesting. There’s an element of surprise, too, if you don’t quite know what you are going to get. Have fun! ;)
They send them out to another facility. I suppose you can get the developed pictures, but we chose digital scans because we can share them online. We also get the negatives. (I’ll ask Don – he might know.)
Yes, you can get prints made per Don!
Thanks! ;)
So glad you both have something fun AND new AND interesting to do right now – I’m sure it’s a welcome distraction! Keeping busy is smart – helps prevent the “saddies” from moving in. Looking forward to seeing more as you discover what your new cameras can do & how they inspire you! Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Oh, sadness is here. We can manage both sadness and happiness – we’re just trying to find something positive to do.
What great photos. I never saw a pink and cream moth.
Marilyn
Thanks, Marilyn!
Claudia, I’m at a loss; I know nothing about photography!
You don’t need to know anything. Just enjoy the photos.
I like the pictures taken with your new camera Claudia…I also have never seen a moth like that one!…Mother Nature does give us such beautiful things!…Have you tried finding out about it online?…I know that Don will learn how to handle that big boy camera…(just imagine Jackie Kennedy with that huge heavy thing)…Don is a smart guy and I know all of his fans here believe in him!…I have seen his pics on Instagram and I know he is good!
It’s a Rosy Maple Moth. They live in and around maple trees.
Thanks, Nancy!
We have those moth’s here. They are so pretty. Dryocampa rubicunda is what they are. I hope you and Don do well in your photography.
Yes, Rosy Maple Moths. I looked them up yesterday. They’re so pretty!
Thanks, Kathy.