Hot Girls with film cameras!

"Porsche and Gazebo" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

Okay, so some of you are about to be disappointed by this post.  (You know who you are!)  No, you will not see any photos of hot girls with film cameras.  Read on, if you can forgive me, and you’ll see where I’m going with this.

Of course there are females who prefer film photography, but the male percentage is definitely much higher.  I believe this is true for photography in general, although the gap is slowly closing.  My position is that if film companies really wanted to do something to increase their film sales they’d run advertising campaigns featuring hothotHOT girls using film cameras, reclining with film cameras, etc…  Hey, it worked for the automobile industry!

The other day I wandered around with one of my vintage film cameras and took note of the reactions I drew, and while I wasn’t surprised at the results I still found them kinda interesting.  The women hardly gave me or my camera a second glance.  The guys were a different story!  There wasn’t a single one that didn’t at least do a double-take at what was cradled in my hands, and most of them stopped for a closer look.  Patrons enjoying the patio seating at a local grill ended up grouping around me to ask questions and get a better look.  These guys ranged from those who’d obviously seen better days to well-dressed corporate types.  As I approached the grill they were separated in their own little social islands, but they all shared what must be an inherent male love for gizmos, and even after I moved on they continued the discussion with each other–no longer separated.

I’ve joked about this before, but obviously there’s also something to it!  I’ll continue in the same light-hearted vein and admit that I wonder how many guys use this as a built-in excuse to talk to cute girls.  “Hey, no, I’m not a desperate perv!  I find your camera very interesting!”

Female photographers get ready to throw bricks at my head in 3…2…1…

Libraries–The Overlooked

I just submitted my first grant application, and in a sad twist of irony it just so happens that my theme of libraries being members of The Overlooked (included below) will have even more meaning than usual.  I’d had this idea for the grant for months, and then right before it was due I learned that New York City had proposed budget cuts for the library in the neighborhood of $37 million.  I’m not happy to be proven right–not in this instance.

I’m originally from the South, and have worked in four different Southern public libraries over the years.  Unfortunately budget cuts to Southern libraries are as inevitable as breathing.  One town I worked for re-directed funds meant for the public library to the high school football team instead.  No, I an NOT kidding!  :O

So we library personnel tended to look up to Northern libraries as examples of how things should be.  We talked about how they made their money go further and made learning and their communities a priority.  Needless to say I’m seriously disappointed in NY’s proposal.  Yep, times are hard and money is an issue, but I’m afraid they might also not be trying very hard to find another solution.

Even more ironic is that I’d just returned from a trip to NYC a couple of months ago and not only took some wonderful shots in a couple of the libraries, but out of the eight photos I submitted for the grant three of them were from that trip.  I’ve included the NY Public Library’s link on the subject.  What’s cool is that you don’t have to be a resident to write a letter on their behalf.  You know I did!  http://dontclosethebook.nypl.org/

Project Statement

“I find that I tend to appoint myself as Photographic Champion for the Overlooked; highlighting a subject’s strengths with silver halide crystals is the highest tribute I can pay.  Having practically grown up in and also worked for various public libraries over the years, recent threats of impending budget cuts see me riding to the rescue, camera in hand.

Always taken for granted until yet another financial crisis looms, the public library has been in constant danger for decades.  Our communities rally each time because libraries and people are dependent on each other, and it’s not just about books or academics.  They provide a chance to take refuge in a peaceful reading area such as “Collierville Curved Window”, or an opportunity to find a good deal on the “Sale Cart”.

In the early part of the 20th century, people felt pride and wonder for their Carnegie-funded libraries, and while edifices such as“Main Library Facade” or “Eagle-Guarded Entrance” were graceful and dignified, the buildings were also accessible and welcoming.  I hope those viewing my images will feel this connection, too.  Times and technology may have changed drastically since architectural details like “Cervantes and Company” or “STW Window and Stacks” were the norm, but if anything, that has given me an even greater appreciation for these elements.  The fact that these beautiful places are so often disregarded inspires me to celebrate them while they’re still here.  I want viewers to feel both a sense of recognition and surprise at seeing details they wouldn’t catch otherwise.  Perhaps they will make a point to slow down on their next library visit (or even plan a special trip) and notice what makes theirs special, whether it’s due to aesthetic details or helpful services.”

"Collierville Curved Window" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"Sale Cart" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"Main Library Facade" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"Cervantes and Company" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"STW Window and Stacks" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

Ack! Someone’s pointing a camera at me!

I REALLY hate having my picture taken.  I hate it so much that my cunning ability to avoid being photographed has reached almost legendary status.  (At least with my extremely frustrated family and friends.)  Go ahead and try it yourself–I dare you!  If I’m even in the frame at all you’ll be faced with my backside, or maybe a big camera right in front of my face pointing back at you!

Around the time we got our little digital P&S camera I made the mistake of telling my husband about some of the photographers who documented skyscraper construction in New York.  The photos of men balancing on narrow beams waaay out and above the city are fascinating enough, but what a lot of people haven’t seen are the pictures of the photographer who’s out there shooting them.  These were guys (and the occasional gal) who were NOT used to a high-wire act like their subjects, and those cameras were bulky and awkward.  I’ve always been fascinated by these images.

So my husband decided that he’s going to risk my wrath on vacations by photographing me doing my camera thang.  Great.  He’s been impervious to pleading, and after the first day learned to hide the camera from me so I can’t delete the shots.  My point is that he shouldn’t waste card space on a bunch of goofy shots of me when we’re seeing some amazing place for the first time, but he doesn’t agree.  He’s recording me at my craft for posterity, and while aggravating, it’s kinda sweet.  So I’m going along with it for now, and while I hate to admit it, it’s starting to grow on me.  Who knows?  Perhaps he’s right and one day people will want to see the behind-the-scenes of a particular photograph of mine.

"Castillo Tree" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"Lightner Museum Towers" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

"Grand Central Terminal Window and Arch" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

Back from NYC

I’ve built a little step-pyramid out of the film I shot in NYC.  This way it looks cute and much less like work:

NYC was awesome.  That wouldn’t surprise most people, but it did surprise me.  It wasn’t nearly as crowded and obnoxious as I’d expected, although closeness and bumping into people is a given.  A couple of times I looked back to apologize to someone I’d collided with, only to find they were long gone.  Apparently people don’t mind unless you knock them flat and tread the length of their body.  I was never worried about being carried off by a swarm–the solid weight of the Mamiya kept me anchored in the crowds and the huge camera backpack acted as a buffer.

Various portions of my anatomy need a massage desperately, but I still don’t regret taking the gear I did.  23 rolls of 120 film shot, 1 and 3/4 rolls of 35mm HIE infrared shot–I’ll be busy processing for quite awhile!

Silver halide nesting

A couple more additions for the basement darkroom-to-be have arrived.  The drum print washer is the same model I used in college and loved.  (And fought over!  I’ve always been a photo control freak.)

The print dryer is a baby version of one I used before, and it’s bee-yoo-tiful!

I’ve been hit by allergies this week (note the ragged tissue in the upper right-hand corner of the print dryer pic), but as soon as I’ve recuperated I plan to unearth the corner of the basement where I want to build the darkroom.  I need to take pics to send to my dad so we can plot out the electrical and plumbing.  I don’t have the first clue of I’m doing and I’d kinda like to know what it is I need to be asking the electricians and plumbers when I get quotes!

It looks like I won’t have time for my dad to come help me do the actual building and set up until June.  I’ve been thinking about and planning for this darkroom for so long that I feel like I’m giving birth.  Of course, considering the time frame we’re really looking at an elephant’s gestational period.  Do elephants nest?  Well, this one does! 

Photo-stalking NYC architecture

In just two short weeks my husband and I head to NYC for the first time.  We’re lucky enough to go with friends who make the trip every three months or so and thus are familiar with the city.  The friends are also photographers so it’s the perfect arrangement!  Our list of must-see/shoot architecture is growing rapidly, and a retired architect friend of mine keeps tantalizing me with recent shots of the 42nd St library and Grand Central Terminal.

I’d been waffling on the camera decision and have finally decided on the Mamiya 645 Pro TL with its three lenses, extra inserts, and donkey pack–errr, backpack.  But then I wanted something a little less conspicuous.  The Mamiya draws a lot of attention and last summer when shooting in a Chicago library its massive mirror-slap and whine of the motor drive woke up a sleeping homeless man.  I felt bad.  This puppy is LOUD!

So I dug out my old Kodak Retina IIa rangefinder and decided to run a few test rolls through it.  I ran into user-error with the first roll, but the second one looked fine so off the camera went for a spa week (otherwise known as a CLA) to make sure I hadn’t overlooked anything.  The Retina will be perfect for street photography and instances where subtlety would be a plus.

"One Hour Cleaning" by Jamie Powell Sheppard

Shot from the 1st test roll run through the Retina.

But I couldn’t shake the desire to also shoot some Kodak HIE b&w infrared film while in the city.  I was definite about taking the Mamiya and the Retina, and while shooting IR was really tempting I just couldn’t see also bringing the Canon AE-1 Program, its three lenses, and donkey pack.  Even if my husband did volunteer to be the donkey.

Then a brilliant idea struck me:  Why not try to find a #25 red filter for the Retina and shoot IR with it as well as Tri-X??  That way I could compromise by getting some city IR shots in while not having to deal with all the lenses, etc…  I have a variety of different filters, including color ones, specifically for the Retina but no red.  I don’t know if they’re just that hard to find or weren’t made altogether, but thanks to the interwebz I discovered I could get a Kodak Series VI 29.5mm screw-in adapter and #25 red drop-in filter that works perfectly with the Retina.  You have to be mindful of adapter step-up width with the Retina because of the door in the front.

View of the Retina from above showing the step-up adapter attached to the lens barrel.

Retina with the step-up adapter and drop-in red filter attached.  You can see the smaller Retina lens through the filter.

So in the next couple of weeks before the trip I’ll be testing a roll of HIE in the Retina.  I doubt I’ll have much trouble loading the film in the changing bag (HIE has to be loaded in complete darkness) or shooting with it.  However, since the Retina has no built-in meter I’ll have to experiment with my hand-held Sekonic meter.  I’ve never NOT metered HIE through the lens and red filter so this should be interesting.  There was a time in the not-too-distant past where I would have been unwilling to shoot with a non-metered camera, but my growing vintage camera lust had made it a necessity.

Here’s to synapses firing properly!

Darkroom equipment is appearing!

I’m finally doing something!  Hurrah!

I was fortunate enough to hear about a free darkroom sink that was up for grabs, and a friend was kind enough to go with me in his van to pick it up.  The guy even threw in a brand new, unused water temp. mixing valve–sweet!  This puppy is about 7.5 feet long by 3.5 feet long–in the above pic it’s propped up against the basement wall.  We’ll have to build a stand for it but that shouldn’t be too difficult.  My feline supervisor has thoroughly sniffed it over but has yet to let me know what he thinks.  This is a good thing, since he occasionally shows his disapproval by peeing on things.

A used Arkay drum print washer just like the one I used in college is on its way, and I’m still hunting for a print dryer.  I REALLY hate air-drying fiber based prints!  The issue I’m running into is that they’re pretty damn heavy and most ebay sellers want a local pickup.

My dad says he’s ready any time to bring the enlarger and other goodies from Dallas and help build my darkroom.  Unfortunately I may have to put that on hold ’til early summer due to other commitments.    But it’s happening folks, even if it is at the speed of a flying herd of turtles! 

Procrastination

I have GOT to start doing something other than bookmark art marketing articles for later reading.  My bookmark folder now looks like it not only ate Jabba the Hut but a handful of Vegas buffets as well.

I’m blog-challenged

But then I imagine that’s fairly obvious considering the content so far! 

All the art marketing info I come across tells me I need to keep a blog, which makes sense.  But what I struggle with is that these sources ALSO tell me that I shouldn’t treat it like a personal journal.  I get that I shouldn’t post gripes and groans or anything else that’s not directly related to my photography.  But if I’m supposed to be talking about my work it’s difficult to keep the too-personal bits from creeping in.  Trust me, I don’t really want to share all that with the world, and I’m just as certain that the world in turn doesn’t really want to hear it!    But certain feelings and thoughts inspire me to take a particular photo OR surface because of the photo.  I have a difficult time balancing things in my life and often end up with extremes of either all or nothing.  So now I’m stuck between waaay too much info and stilted words of fact.

How do artists find this balance?

Oh yeah, I started a blog!

Working, participating in weddings, shooting, processing film, slacking off, working even more…well, A LOT of that time has been spent slacking off!

I’ve been following Alyson Stanfield’s art marketing site, http://www.artbizblog.com/, for several months.  Last week I finally got around to ordering her book “I’d Rather Be in the Studio!”, and it’s been like a shot in the arm.  (Or more like a kick in the–well, YOU know.)  It’s so easy to read about all the things I need to do to promote my photography; it’s even easier to bookmark those articles for later.  (My “Promoting Art” bookmark folder looks like it ate Jabba the Hutt.)  But I’m frustrated with my lack of exposure, and I’m even more frustrated with myself for not doing everything in my power to make it happen.

And of course just one of those steps is keeping a blog, so here I am!

Ummm…now what??