new hampshire
I spent a couple days in the state, and took a lot of pictures where I was there. Here are the good ones.
the oceanfront
I’m from Virginia Beach, but I rarely go back. And when I do, I rarely go to the oceanfront. But on my last visit, I did. Here are a few of the pictures. The rest are on film, waiting to be scanned. The first photo is available as a print, and you can get any of the others as prints as well if you want.
lobby day
I went to the big pro-gun protest in Richmond on Monday. I wrote about it in the context of the history of gun rights, and I also took pictures. Some of those photos are on film and I’ll share them once developed and scanned. But others were digital and I can share them now. These were taken outside the capitol grounds, on the streets and corners that were crowded with gun enthusiasts, most of them carrying weapons.
For most of the time I was there, I had my Yashica Mat 124G around my neck, and it was interesting (and funny) just how many attendees recognized the camera and wanted to chat about my photography gear. As someone very invested in cameras as tools and aesthetic objects, I can see the overlap between gun enthusiasm and camera enthusiasm, and in a weird way, talking to these guys about my camera helped me better understand their attachment to their guns.
Update! I shot a roll of film during the event finally developed and scanned it. Here are those shots, which I like quite a bit.
a few snapshots
The keepers from the last month or so of stuff on my iPhone Camera Roll.
The Landmark Hotel
A window display on the Downtown Mall somewhere.
The Rotunda at about 7:45am.
A long exposure of the block across the street.
Morning shadows at the gym.
just some stuff around charlottesville
Photographs from here and there.
drayton hall
From Wikipedia:
Drayton Hall is an 18th-century plantation located on the Ashley River about 15 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina, and directly across the Ashley River from North Charleston, west of the Ashley in the Lowcountry. An outstanding example of Palladian architecture in North America and the only plantation house on the Ashley River to survive intact through both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, it is a National Historic Landmark.
And here’s a little more from the Drayton Hall foundation website:
For more than 250 years, Drayton Hall has stood witness to the American South. Among the best and most complete examples of Southern colonial life open to the public today, the property holds a vital educational responsibility. It is also an active archaeological site with an extensive museum collection of rare 18th- and 19th-century objects and artifacts.
As far as South Carolina plantation tours go, this one is pretty decent.
recent snapshots
I bought the iPhone 11 Pro back when it was released and I have been trying to get more use out of it as a camera. These are shots from around town, both documentation and attempts to get as much as possible out of the camera and editing software. I used the regular camera app for taking photos and VSCO app for processing.
macro
I recently put a macro set together using some older equipment — a Pentax K-01 from 2012 and a manual focus macro lens from the 1970s. The sensor is a bit small and the lens is obviously quite old, but the combo produces some amazingly sharp images. I didn’t do much to these photos in Lightroom — just some basic tweaking — and I think they came out with a lot of punch.
Walnut creek
A few weeks ago, when the leaves were perfect, we went for a walk. I took a camera. These are the photos. I forgot to bring a shutter release, so they aren’t as sharp as they could be. We’ll have to take this walk again, next year, so I can try my hand at these scenes one more time.
For Sale
Update: The Leica and Canon have been sold, but the lens is still available.
Between my digital Leica and my medium format camera, I realized I don’t shoot much 35mm film anymore. So in the interest of only owning cameras I use, I’ve decided to sell my two 35mm cameras. The first is a Leica M5 that I purchased several years ago. It was completely overhauled before I got it and shoots perfectly, with a working shutter at all speeds.
During my time with the camera, it sustained mostly cosmetic injuries. Small pieces of vulcanite casing have come off, which I have filled in with liquid electrical tape. And a combination of a high, hot sun and a fully open lens led to a small hole in the shutter curtain, which I also repaired with liquid electrical tape. You can get a close look at all of this work in the photos.
All of this was three years ago, and I haven’t had any problems since. I understand that cosmetics are important, however, so I’ve adjusted the price of the camera to account for those blemishes. Also, the camera has been modified to take alkaline batteries, so you’ll have a fully-functioning spot meter, which is something of a rarity with this model.
The camera also comes with a lens. It’s the Zeiss C Biogon 35mm f/2.8. It’s a medium-speed, general purpose lens. It’s sharp, contrasty and has served me incredibly well.
The lens is in perfect working condition, with no dust or fungus or haze, and smooth aperture blades. It also comes with the official Zeiss lens hood as well as official Zeiss front and back caps. I’m selling the camera and lens as a package.
I also have another, cheaper camera to sell. It’s a Canon AE-1 Program. It also received an overhaul and is in absolutely perfect working condition. It comes with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. I haven’t used this nearly as much as I’ve used my Leica, but it’s a good, solid machine. Comes with a fresh battery. Also sold as a package.
If you are interested in either of these cameras, shoot me an email here. I’ll let you know pricing and you’ll let me know if you want to buy. From there, we’ll figure out payment and shipping.
Fair warning: the Leica and lens are going to be expensive; the Canon considerably less so.
I’ve had a lot of fun with both of these cameras and have made great images with both of them. Trust me when I say you won’t regret the purchase.