More Indie Whatever

It's fun to see old photos I took years ago. Scanned images and text play.

I can be so corny sometimes, huh?

Just a Quote

I was catching up with some photo features I'd missed on a site I normally keep track of, only to see "the shower series" return again. After seeing it in class very early last semester, I wanted to look at some more of the series again and did so. I found this quote at the end of one of her answers when replying to many of the people that had commented on her essay.

Moral of the story for me is that people are sometimes are just waiting to be asked. You need to have questions to get answers. And to never stop questioning is certainly the key.

- Manjari Sharma.

I liked that answer.

American Civil

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Shoot from a few weeks ago in Far Hills. Went for something a little more... serious I guess. I know the title probably isn't correct grammar at all but I had it in mind when I shot the whole thing, and for some reason, I like the sound of it. I think the second is still my favorite. Thanks for viewing!

Back to My Poor, Neglected Cameras

During the school year, I was too busy to even bother taking pictures with anything that wasn't instantaneous. With only a few film shots here and there from the cameras I occasionally stuffed in my purse, most of this past year has been digital. To be fair, so has a lot of this summer so far.

Yet, I want to return to all the cameras I've neglected - from new to old, plastic to metal.

My first measure was to dig around for fresh film, which I promptly found and put in all my little cameras. I place these plastic toys in various purses and tote them around with me, snapping shots in the car or out and about when the digital is not in reach, or when I don't have it. For days out with friends, all of these are really fun to have. Recently, the Golden Half camera has gotten a lot of love from me and I have developed my first role of film (as you guys saw a few entries ago), but my other ones haven't seen action since summer after high school. I would love to use the Holga again, since it's last exposures were from winter last year. I am in love with double exposures now and would like to do more.

Another camera I love is the polaroid. In fear that the film was indeed being stopped, I bought boxes and boxes of film, and even received many for Christmas that year. Thankfully since, someone has bought them out, and I have all the more of a stock now, but I haven't touched the box in months. I love the homey feel of this camera, and rediscovered it in the closet after my parents had put it to rest. Still alive and kicking from the eighties, this friend is soon to be back in my hand.

The other camera that has been missing in action is dad's old Pentax from the eighties. I primarily started using it when A, he didn't, and B, when I discovered Infrared film. Back then, I was aware after doing that remote test that my digital was incapable of taking infrared shots - but with a red lens and some special film, I could use my dad's old camera. Much to my disappointment, infrared film stopped production a few years ago just after my discovery, leaving me with just two roles left. I do want to take some more up north where the trees are plentiful - the white snowy look is one of my favorites. But the difference is, now every shot will count!

Though I have several more cameras, one that I have been itching to use was a Christmas gift from a few years back. I have had the type of film I needed to buy written on a sticky for ages - and only today looked it up to buy. Well, goodbye almost forty dollars! The foldable A-3 Kodak 122 film was not cheap, and not only does every shot count now, it's probably a several dollar shot! I will have to brush up on my skills and make sure everything goes right. I am sure the camera will work, but the pictures will only turn out if I can meter my light well and focus up, so wish me luck!

Things I Must Have Missed

Waiting in line at Adam Lambert, my friend and I spotted a new polaroid camera we'd never seen before. Determined to look it up when we got home (since the only models I know are the traditional models from the 80's like I have and the indie kids' favorite), we found several technology inventions since then that are quite awesome -all polaroid related, of course.

According to this site, in late 2005 we both missed this phone that prints polaroids, plays music, and hopefully calls people:

Though I think that would be kind of cool, I'd lean towards something more like the following - a digital camera that saves pictures on a memory card, but also prints little pictures straight for the camera - even in sticker form! As someone who loves both polaroids AND stickers, this sounds like a dream. Unfortunately, it's 200 bucks, and I haven't got that to blow.

But with that all said and done, looks like I should be looking out for these things!

Fashion: 06.07

A little Glam for Glambert.

Remember ladies, leggings are not pants. This was for the picture/all I had to go with it (my ass was mostly covered!).

Adam Lambert Summer Tour

Just last night in the Starland Ballroom, Adam Lambert (or should I say Glambert) performed for a crowd of people ranging from teenaged fangirls to middle aged women. With pictures that boast the likes of a modern day Bowie, he appeared on stage several hours after the raging line filled into the building. With two openers, he had quite the welcoming committee, and fittingly put on a fabulous show practically dipped in glitter and psychedelia.

The man sang for almost an hour and a half, including nearly every song from his album For Your Entertainment along with two of his idol performances "Ring of Fire" and an encore of "Mad World". Though he neglected his biggest hit, the actual song "For Your Entertainment", the rest of his show was ordered in a great alignment of upbeat songs and melodies about heartbreak. Both my friend Maddi and I sang along to every song, and despite my growing cough, I had voice enough to last me through all the cheering and singing at the top of my lungs (including the drive home).

Standing on a ledge inside the ballroom, we had a great view of the stage most of the entire time. Despite the constant pushing of security trying to get to the people who passed out, and the pushy fangirls at our backs, we had no clue we'd get a good view. The line to get in was incredibly disheartening upon our arrival, and when we parked, we almost debating just waiting in the car. Boy, would that have been wrong. Though we were three quarters wrapped around the ballroom's parking lot, the line continued to grow and snake as we stood for nearly two hours outside in the humidity talking to other concert goers about why we were still in the heat after the given start time on the tickets.

By the time we got to the doors, I was told I couldn't bring my camera in. Little did I know, by the time we got inside, there would be many others taking shots with point and shoots they must have hidden in purses. My camera is to say much larger and no, I didn't have any sort of photo pass. I was disappointed I got no shots of Orianthi's purple mohawked drummer, or Adam and his bassist Tommy sharing the love (though Adam promised no kissing this time - haha, damn). At any rate, for the fangirls, I'll leave a little shot one from one of those sneaky point and shoots must have captured last night, found online:

So, no pictures aside, I can share the few taken in the line during our wait with my camera. Photo credits go to Maddi - who is much taller than I, and snuck a few shots of the long line of concert goers she spied and some others with... well, crazy hair.

With more to share, I stole a shot from Maddi of her shirt, which both of us bought before the show, knowing crowd would storm the merchandise afterwards. We loved how Adam looks like some sort of glamorous mix between Elvis and Michael Jackson here - so the shirt was a must grab.

Though the tickets were marked the price of 35 dollars for original purchase, most people there were sure to have paid more from buyers who re-sold their tickets on the internet - my friend and I included. However, I conclude that it was worth every dollar, even if someone out there did profit off me. Adam is a true performer - through all his songs, talks, and outfit changes - he knows how to run the show!

New Camera: The Golden Half

Ok, so it's not really new. I've had it last summer, but it's been sitting mostly neglected in my purse over the school year. With a mixture of shots from last summer all the way until this spring, I have just gotten my first role developed! With light leaks and driving adventures galore, here's a big thumb share of some of what came right off my role.

Analog Gets a bit Cheaper

And a bit easier! I say this in the fond way, of course!

I bought my Kodak Duraflex II last summer in a little antiques store in Lake Placid complete with the intention of buying film for it, and experimenting. However, months later, before I'd ever had the chance to use it, someone sent me an article on how to use it cheaper, easier, and faster.

Each individual photo for old cameras like these cost about two bucks a shot these days, on a roll of only anywhere between eight and twelve. I've only ever been able to find one company who sells the right role of film for all my old cameras, formats which are almost extinct these days (except to collectors and hobbyists like myself) - a place based solely in Chicago. Costing me about sixteen dollars for a small roll in comparison to modern cameras, I've only ever shot about three or four roles amongst my five old cameras.

Though I was prepared to buy some old film, Lifehacker's article has showed me how to shoot with the instant gratification digital photography gives you. Using the terminology I'm now familiar with as TTV (through the viewfinder), it's as simple as shooting your digital camera through the view finder of the old Duraflex. It gives an old grainy look to your photos, and makes even boring tourist shots look a little more nostalgic.

Though the article explains how to build a simple light-blocking lens to connect your digital to the Duraflex, I've so far managed to be successful without making one. I intend to when I get the time, but for now I've simply shot through the view finder for fun, retro results. Some of them end up looking quite dream-like, and I've had a lot of fun with the low quality, and of course my favorite - the square format.

In the past few days, I started with my back yard, but managed to bring along the Duraflex to our touristy trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. While we showed my little cousin the history of the island, I tailed somewhere in the back snapping shots with the old camera around my neck hanging at my stomach, and the other digital pointed at the viewfinder. I'm sure I got looks from all the gangly middle schoolers hopping about the tours, but it came out with some fun shots.

To share, here are a few of my favorites:

More Rediscoveries

Depressing features aside, I have been doing actual things, but just lacking motivation in posting activities. Wow, that must be really lazy - I know that's what you're saying. I've been sitting on the computer since I got home from dinner, and just now, am managing to re-cap a few things from this past weekend. However, I'll clue you in on what me (and the rest of my dandy family) have been up to.

With the visit of some relatives from Illinois, we did the honors of taking my eleven year old cousin to his first Yankee's game - and mine too. Though I am not normally a baseball fan (it's a bit slow for my taste), this first game this past Saturday held a special rediscovery for me - falling back in love with my telephoto lens. It has been sitting in my camera bag for probably at least a year, most likely two, untouched. It's such a sin, but I forgot to bring it up with me to school this past year, and I haven't had time to lug around lens changes for the past while. My digital camera is already weight enough, but a bag with other lenses and cameras sounded like even more work.

However, I had no idea just how close we'd be to the actual field. So, donning the lens, I put it on my camera with the hopes I'd be able to snap some good photos. If I had anything to keep me entertained, it would be my camera. And within the first half hour, I was already snapping fun action shots of running, hitting, and pitching. Though the speedy ball is hard to capture, and sports shots are considered corny to a lot, it was a fun rediscovery. I managed to make it look like I was sitting in the first row, when I was actually quite far from it.

Though it looked like a normal game, it didn't end without a serious injury this time - which all six of us managed to miss until we spotted the Indian's pitcher laying motionless on the mound. Of course I was busy snapping away pics (which dad is telling me to sell to sports illustrated, but I know I'm a bit late on the curve).

However, to share both corny action shots and some documentary captures of said poor pitcher (who is supposedly ok and recovering), here they are: