Two more photos of my friend, Charles, in his friend Henry’s garden.
Charles, in the GardenCharles, at the Garden Gate
Sometimes a portrait doesn’t even have to include the person it’s about. In this case, the design of the garden, including the whimsies and follies, speak volumes about the garden’s designer.
Iron Gate, Henry’s GardenRusted Toy, Henry’s Garden
All taken with my Rolleiflex 2.8E, on Fuji Reala film. The film is easily 11 years out of date, but still produces excellent results. I wish I had a couple of bricks more of it in cold storage, but Fuji discontinued the emulsion in all but 35mm size a couple years ago.
Here are a few portraits of a friend of mine in his natural element. Charles is extremely fond of gardens and gardening, and this is one of his favorite gardens that belongs to a friend of his. I hadn’t seen him in several years, and so the other weekend I drove up to Baltimore to visit, and brought along the Rollei to shoot his portrait. I’m so glad I used some of my last remaining rolls of Fuji Reala – they did him justice. It was the least I could do to honor him as he’s been such a good and devoted friend over the years.
Charles, In Henry’s Garden, #1Charles, In Henry’s Garden, #2Charles, Rule Britannia, Henry’s Garden, #3Charles, Architectural Element, Henry’s Garden, #4
Here are a couple from my ongoing Food Truck series – the cashier and the head chef of Pepe, the Jose Andrés-helmed gourmet food truck here in DC. I THINK the young man giving the interview in the second photo may be Jose Andrés’ son.
Cashier, Pepe Spanish Cuisine Food TruckPepe Food Truck Chef Interview, Franklin Square Park
The following two are shots of a friend of mine who is thinking of getting into modeling, so we did a couple test portfolio pieces out at Glen Echo a month ago. I think he’s got the face for it, for certain. The trick will be to figure out if he can move and pose, and if he can get his body conformed to modeling industry standards.
James, Glen Echo Park #1James, Glen Echo Park #2
And last but not least, here’s one from the vaults of another very dear friend from Singapore. We went to Fort Canning and went up on the roof of the remnants of the fortifications to shoot some photos of him and some of his friends, and I grabbed this one between poses. It captures his personality absolutely, although he foreswears this photo now because he has quit smoking. But it still reflects his inner sparkle and cheek.
Mirza, Fort Canning, Singapore
I’m trying to get better at photographing strangers, and photographing unposed portraits. I find it incredibly easy to photograph people I know well because I can perceive little gestures and nuances that reflect their personality. The trick will be to get better at that kind of perception with total strangers, without imposing preconceived notions of what I THINK they are on them. Perhaps it’s an impossible chase, but it’s one I’m going to hazard.
Glen Echo Carousel in Motion, #1Glen Echo Carousel in Motion, #2Glen Echo Carousel in Motion, #3Glen Echo Carousel in Motion, #4
Just some more playing with movement studies using the Rolleiflex. This was shot with 11 year old expired film – Fuji NPS 160. It has held up remarkably well. Otherwise I don’t have a lot to say, as the pictures speak for themselves I think.
A street scene in my neighborhood. This mural was created on the side of an art gallery/community center/performance space a few blocks from my home. I was on my way to meet a friend for dinner when I spotted it, and the way the light angled across the surface just begged to be photographed. Shot with my Rolleiflex 2.8E, Fuji NPH 400.
Futbol, Sunset, 11th Street
Why Futbol and not soccer? Well, there is a very large hispanic population in my neighborhood, and as such, it deserves to be called by its proper name, futbol! Y Hernandez está corriendo…y tire…GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! This is the neighborhood elementary school where many amateur teams play league games or just get together for a little pick-up round or two. I was inspired by the setting sun and the long shadows being cast by the players on the field. Still the same camera, same film.
11th Street Cyclist, Dusk
Actually, the caption for this is somewhat misleading, as the original thought was as much about the red emergency call box post as it was about anything else going on in the scene. But as I was composing, the cyclist came along and I waited until they presented an ideal composition.
Juggler, Bethesda, Barnes & Noble window
This doesn’t quite fit the neighborhood theme as it isn’t in my current neighborhood. But downtown Bethesda USED to be my ‘hood when I was a teenager. This was a “freeze the action” test for the Rollei. It worked remarkably well, wouldn’t you say?
More of my twilight/nighttime exposures. The subject is Glen Echo Park, again. I love shooting in the park because of the wonderful neon lights, and the fact that while it’s never BUSY at that time of day, it’s never empty either. The park is always changing with the seasons, and it has a very secluded feel despite the proximity to the nation’s capitol and two very busy highways.
My beautiful Rolleiflex, all kitted out with a proper strap and lens hood now. The strap arrived maybe two weeks ago and the lens hood, an after-market metal hood with a lovely black crackle finish, arrived yesterday from Amazon.com. I was a tad worried about the lens hood because third-party Rollei accessories have a bad reputation, but this seems every bit as nice as the Rollei hoods and it’s a fraction of the price. $30 +/-, versus $200+ for genuine Rollei branded hoods. I’m using the thing, not collecting it!
Dentzel Carousel HorseFaces of the Dentzel CarouselMirror and roof vaulting, Glen Echo Dentzel CarouselThe Dentzel Carousel in motion
Here are some images I took over Labor Day weekend at Glen Echo Park of the original Dentzel carousel. The Carousel is from the first decade of the 20th century, and is original to the park. It has been restored and is fully operational as you can see. One of the horses on the carousel is actually 100% original paint and as such it is roped off so you can’t ride it. The pipe organ/calliope is also fully functional and it has nearly an hours worth of music before it repeats.
National Archives and the Navy Memorial, Young Couple, NightfallThe Verizon Center, from 7th and F Streets
More fun with the Rolleiflex. All of this series was shot with Kodak Portra 160 NC, which is a fantastic film for night photography because of the way it handles color in mixed lighting conditions. In my opinion, it’s probably the best color film for this kind of shooting, ever. Others may disagree.
Cyclist returning his Bikeshare, National Portrait Gallery, SunsetEpiscopal Church, 13th and G StreetsThe Fairmount Market, 11th and FairmountMorning Bus Ride, 11th Street Bus
Fruit Shopper, Whole Foods P StreetFlower stall, Whole Foods Market, P StreetLamp, overhead view, Whole Foods P StreetProduce Department, Whole Foods P StreetTomatoes, Penn Quarter Farmers Market
The last image was taken at the Farmers’ Market and NOT at Whole Foods, but it’s food themed, and I wanted to include it but had to re-scan it from last time, so here is the revised scan.
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