library weekend

Last weekend, I visited two unusually fancy libraries. The first was the Peabody Library in Baltimore. The second was the Library of Congress, here in D.C. The Peabody is absolutely beautiful and one day I will convince someone to let me bring a large camera rig in and do some proper photos. Until then, there's this, which I still like.

As for the Library of Congress, it was an open house day, where the public could visit every wing of the building, including the reading room, for which you otherwise need permission. The grayscale mural is from that room.

Camera: Fuji X100T with wide-angle conversion lens. Processed using VSCO for iOS.

Processed with VSCO with kp8 preset

Processed with VSCO with kx4 preset

Processed with VSCO with kx4 preset

the open path

This is the main path to the Albany Bulb park mentioned in an earlier post. I waited here for about 10 minutes as people passed by to take this photo, and about 10 seconds after I hit the shutter release, a gaggle of dogs came walking by (they had owners, don't worry).

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

sundial

I don't know else there is to say. This is a very large sundial.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

docked

Docked at the Berkeley pier.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

albany bulb

I was in Berkley, California for a hot minute last month (read: 24 hours), just enough time to finish a couple rolls of film with my 6x9 Fuji rangefinder. I spent a chunk of the afternoon north of the city, in Albany, where there is a former construction materials dump turned homeless encampment turned installation space for artists, graffiti and sculptural. Called “The Bulb,” it’s located next to a commercial race track, on the bay itself.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

a man and his dog

This was taken looking out from the Albany Bulb. I like how the guy and his dog subtly break up the rocks and textures that otherwise dominate the landscape.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

berkeley pier

Unfortunately, the main gain to the pier was closed since—apparently—the whole thing has lost its structural integrity. I couldn't take the photo I wanted, but I think this one captures the expanse of the pier.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

the mermaid of albany bulb

The "Albany Bulb" is this weird little park in Albany, California where artists build structures out of debris and other items. This mermaid (I think it's a mermaid) is one of the showcase pieces. I find it vaguely unsettling, but that's just me.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-Max 400, lab developed.

lafayette square

Sometimes I hang around here to take photos and otherwise see what's going on with the tourist crowd. Occasionally, I get a decent shot out of it.

Camera: Leica M5 with Canon LTM 35mm f/2 lens. Film: Fuji Provia 100f.

cesar chavez park

I spent a few days in Berkeley, California last month, and had a chance to walk-around and explore the general area. I went over to the pier, where I took some photos and enjoyed the pleasant weather. Here are two shots from Cesar Chavez park.

Camera: Fuji GSW690III. Film: Kodak T-MAX 400, lab developed.