Three more in my DC at night series. These were all shot with the Canham 5×7 wood field, and if memory serves, all were taken with the Kodak 12″ Commercial Ektar lens.
The Colors of Night – more Washington DC and environs shots
Category Archives: Cameras
Some of my remaining 5×7 color negative film
Here’s another in my DC at Night photos – the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street, under the Whitehurst Freeway in Georgetown. I was down there shooting some other scenes, trying to finish off my 5×7 color negative film stock (I bought a 50 sheet box when it was only $150 a box…now, over $400!!!!). This was taken with my 12″ Kodak Commercial Ektar lens. A roughly 30 second exposure. I was a bit nervous during the shoot as I was out in the rain, with a carbon-fiber tripod, and sheltering under a gigantic steel overpass. I think the lightning was a few miles away though, and nothing happened. I was a little bummed that none of the lightning recorded in the sky as anything other than general fog, but hey… the headlamps and tail lights of the cars recorded very nicely, don’t you think?
Glen Echo National Park – the Dentzel Carousel
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.
Two from the RenFest
Fun with the Rollei – Part 4 – more DC, some at night and other random stuff
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.
Fun with the Rollei part 3 – more food
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.
Fun with the Rollei – Part 2 – DC Chinatown at night
Fun with the Rollei, Part 1 – DC Food Scene
Some images from the Penn Quarter farmers’ market (7th and D streets NW), and one of the organic food trucks – Cirque Cuisine.
There’s a growing organic and whole/natural food scene here in DC and they have a number of farmers’ markets in various neighborhoods throughout the city. The one at Penn Quarter is special because every vendor there actually grows or makes everything they sell, even the flower vendors and the soap sellers. The beef and bison is raised and butchered by the folks who sell it there, and the bread is sold by the baker. Many other farmers’ markets have vendors who buy their products wholesale and are not responsible for their production.
Although the Cirque Cuisine truck doesn’t work the farmers’ markets, (I usually find them at Franklin Square Park) they do use natural, organic ingredients in their food, and as such they’re part of the healthy organic food movement here. And they also have some really tasty sandwiches!
These shots were part of a test run from my newly renovated Rolleiflex. I’d say it is working great, wouldn’t you? I had a great chat with the bread man about the Rollei – it brought out a bout of nostalgia for him as he remembered people using them in his childhood. I caught him in a candid moment – he’s actually quite animated and friendly, and not depressed like he seems in this shot.
The Rollei is a great conversation-starter because it attracts a lot of attention and people respond positively to it. I don’t know why per se- maybe it is that nostalgia factor, or because it just has that classic look to it.
Busy photo day
Today was a very busy day. This morning I went out to Glen Echo Photoworks to help out with the open house. We had a lot of folks come through asking about my upcoming classes and about the prints I brought along.
Then I went to dinner with my parents for their 50th anniversary at Blacksalt, which is a fancy fish and seafood restaurant here in DC. I had made the reservations and told the restaurant about the anniversary in advance, so they prepared special menus that said Happy 50th Anniversary on them, and when dessert came out, they specially decorated the plate with chocolate sauce.
The photo relevance here is that I brought the Rollei along to take their photo at the table. I’ll have the film dropped off Tuesday and get it back later this week.
On the way home, I detoured back to Glen Echo and waited for the neon lights to come on so I could burn through some more of that 5×7 Portra I have sitting around. And burn through it I did. I also stopped off in Georgetown and shot some more on the waterfront, and even grabbed a couple of sheets in the rain. I’m really looking forward to seeing those!
Rolleiflex back from repair!
Here’s my Rollei – back from the shop. I had the shutter mechanism overhauled and the whole camera cleaned, lubed and adjusted. The front panel was aligned as well, so now it will focus accurately at close range and wide open. Can’t wait to shoot with it!
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