"film"

mmmm... FILMMm

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©wendy whitesell, new york city 2011

I got my first shots back from my test roll with the Hasselblad 500c/m. I have a ways to go, but here is my start. There are so many things to think about, like handling and loading the film properly, which film to use, juggling exposures, and being very selective about what to place on those 12 frames. Being just a test roll, I mainly wanted to see if the camera works. Some of the fractured light makes me wonder if there's a leak, but it could also be some awkwardness in my first time loading or unloading the film-- it has to be manually rolled and I may have fumbled a bit there. My second roll was in color and shows no signs of this issue, so, it's all good. Just a matter of having the process become second nature!

Photo Geekend

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It was a geeky weekend. Learned how to set up the Hasselblad this morning after perusing various manuals and youtube videos. Once it was loaded with some black & white film, I took it for a spin through Prospect Park. Very interesting after shooting digitally for the past several years to take over 2 hours to shoot 8 pictures! I did a lot of walking, looking, and hunting for things that merited a spot on one of the 12 frames I had available to me on the 120 film. I had a back up roll thinking 12 would go fast, but it really didn't as my 'economy' sensibilities set in. I perched at places waiting for the right moment, light, or silhouette to pass by and make the shot a keeper. It was a good reminder to think in terms of exposures to visualize what may result ahead of time. The proof will be in the developing. I'm both excited and a little nervous to see what comes of this first roll. With digital, we can take 20 shots of the same subject or moment very quickly checking (often called 'chimping') the LCD each time to check the results of the exposure and changing if desired. Had I taken my DSLR to the park, I easily would have come back with 200+ shots. Going analog was a trip. When I got home, I tried one shot with my strobes to make sure the sync cord worked and found that the lights fired just fine on the first attempt.  Trying to learn as quickly as possible, while at that same time taking it slow and methodical :)

Lomography Gallery Store

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Lomography Gallery Store
New York is the city where you are supposed to be able to get anything at any time, unless that 'anything' happens to be camera supplies. Anyone living in New York who is afflicted with the photography bug knows that having a last minute need for a canister of film or a memory card on a Friday afternoon or Saturday can be a bit of a puzzle. The main stores and many of the smaller ones close as early as 1pm on Friday, and are not reopened until Sunday due to the Jewish sabbath. So, yesterday when the Hasselblad arrived and my film did not, I was stuck once again not only wondering what was open, but wondering where can one get 120/medium format film in NYC on a Friday at 6pm? The answer, I quickly found out, is the  Lomography Gallery Store in the West Village. While Lomography is not exactly what I am doing, the Lomo enthusiasts often shoot in 120/medium format... The store has every type of film one could want, including their own brand. There's a mesmerizing gallery of lomo photographs and endless supply of whimsical plastic cameras, Dianes in all colors, frames, and more. The staff was friendly and helpful setting me up with the film I needed as well as literature to various workshops they have, and developing services for quirky films sizes and processing. I love lomography and think it could be an inspiring side project during my re-entry into the film world. I may check it out. For now, they are a great source for film and inspiration on a Friday night in NYC, and open until 9pm! They are located on 41 W. 8th Street and are open Mon-Sat: 10:30am–9:00pm; Sun: 11:00am–7:00pm

41 W. 8th Street

 

The Lomography Gallery Store New York City is located in the city’s historic Greenwich Village neighborhood. Featuring the complete line of Lomographic products, accessories, and film, it’s the one-stop shop to fulfill all your Lomographic cravings! Not only is the full line of Lomographic goodies available for perusal, there is a myriad of workshops, LomoJourneys, and Lomography gatherings to attend every month. All products are on display for a hands-on experience, and knowledgeable shop staff are always there to guide you if you need assistance. 

The store offers the opportunity to touch, smell, hold, and lovingly gaze upon the object of your Lomographic desire. The extensive Lomographic product line is not the only sight to see; the Lomography Gallery Store NYC has been designed with flair by the Lomography architecture team. Vintage furniture is available for all to lounge upon while browsing through a carefully curated selection of reading material. We’ve made store displays from replicas of the original crates that the LOMO LC-A was shipped in from Russia. The store also features North America’s largest LomoWall, complete with 35,000 Lomographs on display.

Hassy Arrives!

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Got the Hasselblad today as promised by the seller. It's cleaner and more pristine than I could have imagined. It really does look like it's never been used. At all. Someone got a really nice gift once upon a time and barely took it out of the box. Would love to know the back story, but the new story is this baby will finally have a life. I feel like I've adopted a rescue dog that was kept in a basement or attic....  Every original thing is in the box; all the packing, wrapping, etc. It's a beautiful. It will take some getting use to, but I'm excited to have it home and test it out. My sync cords to my Alien bees work; all my peripherals fit; monopods, tripods, etc. I just need to learn to compose backwards; in mirror image, but that's ok... There are many little do's and don'ts on handling, loading film, changing magazines, etc, which I'm learning from youtube. Glad there are other people geeking out harder on this than me, and that those generous souls have taken the time to document their geekdom on youtube :) It's amazing what I've learned in 3 days.. Looking forward to more.

Hassy

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My new baby- A vintage Hasselblad 500c/m! I ordered it yesterday and have yet to receive it. When I went through the decision process, I weighed out the financial aspects and realized I wasn't breathing- not at the thought of the money, but at the site of the picture and vision of the photos I could make. I got little chills as I put the order through and haven't breathed normally since. The camera is vintage (of course), but mint and in the box with everything in tact. I'm guessing there will be a learning curve, some trial and error, and some investment in film and processing, but I'm trusting it will be worth it. I figure a few shots every shoot with this -after warming up and testing exposures digitally- will build, over time, an interesting portfolio of medium format work. Looking forward to working on the square, and getting those dense blacks and rich colors...