Tough Decisions Towards Better Photography

Good morning, afternoon and evening everyone!

Hope all is well with you all

I have a very interesting circumstance to speak to you about

The first couple of months of this year have been a bit hectic for me

My birthday passed, i took a break from shooting film, i finally got settled in at my new home, moved some stuff around at job and worked on some things with family

And also….sold off all my digital photography gear..

Ever Feel Frustrated with your Photography?

How many people have truly been frustrated or annoyed when looking over their own works?..

I know I have

It seems as though the more I learn and explore, I keep chasing this unattainable goal of satisfaction within myself to get where I want to be in my photos

Every so often you’ll get the very kind and humbling responses from others that view your work but deep inside it doesn’t feel like enough

You know it can be so much better

Bulk Loading and Kentmere 400 Film

Lately I’ve been watching videos about bulk loading and how much it saves financially for those who shoot 35mm film heavily

I’ve always been interested in loading my own film cartridges, as well as trying out Kentmere 400 film.

I heard it’s very good in low light and can be pushed pretty well (i push to 1600 a lot so i wanted to see it in action)

I placed an order with B&H for a 100ft roll of Kentmere film and about 10 film cartridges. I purchased an AP Bulk Loader from Freestyle Photo, since the video here is using that similar model, and began shooting when i got outside

The Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5 VM Lens

Every Leica shooter (or M mount rangefinder shooter) often dreams of getting their hands on one of those Summilux or Noctilux lenses to put on their camera.

They are of the finest craftsmanship and are legendary for performance and durability. People literally spend insane amounts of money to get one, or even a couple!

Like this will all of a sudden put you in the league of Henri Cartier Bresson or Gary Winogrand or any of those Leica greats we often read about and study

I have even found myself trying to justify selling a limb or every thing I cherish to purchase one lol..

Should I Go Out in Crappy Weather?

I think we’ve all been there..

You wake up with a special bounce out of bed ready to hit the streets and put in WORK

As you prepare your camera, your film (and/or batteries and SD cards) and your clothing, you look out the window and you see something that will even make some professional photographers sigh in disbelief..BAD WEATHER

Whether it’s snow, rain, hail, etc..

This can suck the wind out of your sails as far as wanting to exit the house

I mean it can also depend on if your equipment has weather sealing as well!

This is exactly what happened to me today

Resolutions for the New Year

Happy New Year Everyone

Hope you had a good 2014, and are looking forward to a productive and successful 2015

These last couple months have been very inspirational for me not only from my own work, in my opinion, getting better but also my friend photographers

We push each other and study, we criticize and we practice, I’m actually thinking of starting a collective in Jersey City, where I’m from..but I’ll save that for another time

This new year I plan on working even harder on my work and hitting the streets as much as possible.

Developing C41 (Color Negative) Film at Home

Could it really be easier than developing Black and White film?

Ted Forbes from one of my favorite YouTube channels, The Art of Photography, definitely thinks so.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been thinking that the main reason why you don’t hear about more people developing color film at home is due to it being pretty complicated.

After watching this video Ted released recently on the steps taken to mix, make and develop with the chemicals it definitely does not look as difficult as I had first thought!

Film Stand Development

Recently during my studies on film photography and development techniques, i came across the technique of “stand development”

Apparently, doing this allows you to push your film (depending on which you use) much more easily and increases the sharpness and shadow details of the images taken.

So of course, i sought more info on this subject and came across a video done by Chuck Jines who runs a YouTube channel i frequent from time to time called Chuck Jines Photography

He calls his style “Grit Street Photography” and using his stand development technique, he gets the gritty look and feel of his film photography.

I love the type of photographers and photography that instantly make you get up and want to elevate yourself.

To me, this is what it’s all about

Keep seeking the knowledge where you can find it, and put it to practice.

You’ll find your way with hard work and dedication