Why Japan Rules

There are obviously MANY MANY reasons why Japan is THE SHIZZLE (sushi, ninjas, capsule machines, Nintendo, maid cafes... er, wait, those are lame), but this one probably tops the list for the photogeek in me: Magazines with giveaways - specifically, this magazine that gave away a DIY Twin Lens Reflex camera. How freaking awesome is that? And apparently, it only cost like 2500 yen (less than 30 bucks). GAWD I wish I was in Japan right now.

Hit up this link for photos of the camera being assembled by some blogger.

Meanwhile, my own TLR, the Super Ricohflex, is out of commission because of an as yet undiagnosed focusing issue (the focus of the viewing lens appears to be off from the taking lens)... woe is me.


Double exposure, taken back when the Ricohflex was still a healthy 50+ year old body. I miss those days.

Photowalk

A few weeks back, I went on a photowalk with a fellow flickrite, Cody, through the streets of downtown Calgary after work, each of us armed with a TLR and a 35mm Rangefinder. I only shot one roll through each camera, and here are the first scans and edits of those from my Ricohflex. The processing is a bit over the top, but I wanted to emphasize what I saw as a common thread on this roll - isolation and alienation despite being in a normally crowded urban setting.























Alright, I'm hacking up a lung from this swine-flu or whatever virus has befallen me. For the 3rd night in a row, I'm going to bed before 11. CRAZY!

-G

Weapon of Choice

Poser, originally uploaded by iHeartDimSum.

I'm flying out to Vancouver tomorrow, and we're planning to drive down to Seattle for a couple days over the long weekend. I'm quite looking forward to this trip, as I haven't been to either city in a while. The only thing I hate about travelling is having to pick and choose your weaponry. Do I carry the D300, and a toy camera? Or how about a TLR? Will I use a tripod? Speedlight? How much film should I bring? If only I could lug it all with me... but alas, weight considerations trump, and I'm going with just the D300 and 17-55mm lens, a box of 120 and my Ricohflex TLR. It sounds ridiculous, but making that decision took me the last hour.

We've become so spoiled this year, literally travelling anywhere we want at will. If you count back to our honeymoon last October, we've done a month in Spain, 5 days in New York City, 3 weeks in Japan/ Hong Kong, and starting tomorrow 5 days in Vancouver/ Seattle. And then in November, we're undecided about where to go, but it's between Argentina, Chile, or Peru for 14 days. So many people sigh and snicker when they talk about married life. Me? Married life is treating me fantastic, and I couldn't ask for more.

Back in 5 days!
-G

Digital Penetration

Aaaaah FACK!! For the 2nd time in a month, film takes it in the ass yet again. At a time when I've been shooting more and more film, digital photography is on a hyperbolic murder curve, killing even analog film geared towards pros. Fuji has apparently announced that they will cease production of Fujicolor Pro 800Z, a pro grade, fast colour film in September, with stocks set to run out by next November.

If you own a film camera, go shoot some film please. And then buy more. Repeat. Thanks. Or the likes of the images below will cease to be:







-G