Mission San Jose: In the Desert Sun

Posted on by

Arches, Mission San Jose

This is quite a different view of Mission San Jose from Mission San Jose at Midnight.  After wandering the grounds at in the depths of the night, I returned at midday to explore the wonderfully-preserved (and still active) chapel and walled grounds.  Normally, one avoids the harsh noonday sun, with its dense shadows and color-bleaching light, but in this setting, the heat and light which had bathed this old mission for centuries seemed appropriate.  I was struck by the interplay of light and shadow with the weathered stone and curving arches of this corridor, and captured it with the 1914 Kodak at f/22 on XP-2.

Later, I wandered the grounds and found these weathered doors with their grey pole shades that may once have been covered with grape arbors:

Doors, Mission San Jose

Once again, this image was taken with the 1914 Kodak with its Rapid Rectilinear Lens.  The camera is now 97 years old, and the lens design, first introduced by Dallmeyer in 1866, has been capturing wonderfully sharp images for 135 years.  Taken at f/22 on XP-2.

Through A Vintage Lens at Pearson College

Posted on by

At Pearson College

Many people are fascinated by vintage cameras. Not all people, but those that aren’t are ignoramuses* and don’t count.

You will find that a vintage camera can be your entry into the lives and work of others; not only will you be granted the gift of great images, you will make friends. If you pop open a shiny 1950 Voigtlander Bessa, with its lovely curved struts and Art Deco styling, you are clearly an artist. Or at least, someone interesting. Or maybe just odd. But still interesting. In the end, you are much more likely to be granted a photograph than if you wave a digital point-and-shoot under someone’s nose and look like another annoying tourist.

Conversely, if you have classic cameras, and people are kind enough to be your subjects, give something back. Do not, as the scriptures put it, hide your camera under a basket – bring it out and share it, particularly with young people who may have never seen a film camera before. Their enthusiasm will be your reward!

Lester B. Pearson College in Victoria, B.C. is one of thirteen United World Colleges.  The United World College movement was born from the bitter experience of World War II.  The founders believed that much could be done to overcome hostility and conflict if young people from different nations, races and religions could be brought together to learn from each other. Together they established a new concept of education that would become a powerful force for peace. The first United World College, the College of the Atlantic, was founded in Wales in 1962 and was followed by the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in 1974.

Pearson College is a unique two year pre-university school that brings 200 students from 100 countries to live and learn together in an idyllic seaside setting amongst the moss-covered bluffs and twisted arbutus trees of Pedder Bay west of Victoria. Students pursue the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Program while living in an intimate community with faculty, staff and their

families. A wide range of activities are offered, but innovation is welcome and students are encouraged to find, pursue and share what they are passionate about. All students attend on full scholarship and are selected based on promise and potential, regardless of race, religion, politics or financial means.

 

Through the kindness of Pearson’s Jim Freer, director of the college’s photography activities, I was able to bring vintage cameras to the students. The small group setting allowed the students to touch and work each of the cameras, seeing their evolution from the fixed-focus-and-rail of the 1914 Kodak to the sleek lines and front element focusing of the Voigtlander. They came to appreciate the mechanical challenges arising from the simple act of moving the shutter release from the lens to the top plate, and worked the lovely brass pistons of an early Bausch and Lomb pneumatic shutter. My enormous Mexican Noba (the subject of a future posting) was a hit, and introduced them to camera movements, large format, and the quirks of Turkish camera shops.

 

The enthusiasm of the students is infectious, and I certainly hope that I will be able to continue to share in the activities of this unique college.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

*Note: For those of you who are frustrated Latin scholars, the plural of “ignoramus” is not “ignorami”, but “ignoramuses”. The term “Ignoramus” was popularized by George Ruggle in 1615 in his play Ignoramus, or the Academical Lawyer (written in Latin) about a lawyer who knew nothing of the law, and Mr. Ruggle did use the Latin form of the plural. However, Fernando Parkhust cemented the English version of the plural into our language when he translated and popularized Ruggle’s play in 1660.

References:

“Ignoramus.” Wikipedia articles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignoramus.

“Pearson College.” http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/about.

“United World Colleges.” http://lbpcserver.net/pctest/uwc.

Christian Phillips, Master Luthier

Posted on by

Christian Phillips, Master Luthier

Craftspeople at work: one of the most fulfilling sources of rich and interesting images.  Walk and wander, and keep your eyes open for interesting shops and people at their jobs.  Carrying a vintage camera is a definite asset, setting you apart as an artist and interesting character in your own right.

On an afternoon walk down Denver’s Colfax Avenue, I wandered past the front of the Colfax Guitar Shop. Glancing inside, I saw rows of guitars adorning the walls, and Christian intently sanding the neck of a guitar. I was struck by his concentration as he bent over the instrument, illuminated by the lamp over his head and silhouetted against the racks of tools behind him.

In situations like this, conquering one’s shyness and reluctance to intrude is the greatest hurdle in making arresting images. Remember that most of us truly appreciate anyone who takes a genuine interest on our work. Went I finally entered their shop, both Christian and his partner Dave were interested and most willing subjects. I took both digital and film images; the latter are awaiting development, and will be posted when available.

Drinking With Your Camera: “At Delaney’s” Nos. 1 and 2

Posted on by

At Delaney's No. 1

Take your camera everywhere – even (or especially) to a night on the town. This is the place for a small camera (such as the Ensign 16-20) and a pocket-sized tripod. A miniature 35mm such as the Zeiss Contessa, or, if you wish to take a break from being vintage, a pocket-sized digital camera with the option for a fast lens and high effective ISO speeds, may make the difference between getting and missing a unique low-light image.

 

At Delaney's #2

Some years ago, my wife and I were in Denver’s LoDo District on the 16th Street Mall. and charming old-town district of pubs, bookstores, theaters, and restaurants. I took my 1928 No. 1 Kodak and tripod with me, and was fortunate to capture one of my first vintage night images of Janie outside the Tattered Cover bookstore (see “Lurking in the Churchyard“). We stopped for dinner at Delaney’s Irish Pub, and I was fascinated by its small indoor bowling alley.

Watching two young women sip beer at the alley, I unobtrusively propped my digital camera on the bar as one as one tried her hand with the ball while her partner, bottle in hand, watched. I captured one image as she lined up her shot, and one as she wound up with the ball in hand. The slow shutter speed and blurred image convey the sense of movement as she prepares to release the ball.

This is a shot that would have been essentially impossible under these lighting conditions using the Kodak, with its f/6.3 lens and tiny viewfinder, and is a good argument for combining both film and digital media.

Denver Rescue Mission, Five Points

Posted on by
Denver Rescue Mission, Five Points District

Here I am, on the hunt again. This time my search takes me to one of Denver’s most historic, yet most dangerous, neighborhoods at night. With 8,800 gang members in 78 gangs, Denver has significant gang problems, and the Five Points District is one of the worst.

In situations like this, one must balance images with safety. Seeing this group outside the mission as I drove down Park Avenue West after dark, I felt that I must at least try for a picture. With my car window open, I propped my tripod against the door with my knee, positioning my little Canon digital camera in the open window. As I came past this group at the mission, I pulled to the side of the street, took one frame, and left quickly. This was not a neighborhood where one could walk safely at night, with or without a camera and tripod.

Do I feel good about doing this? No.

It feels strange to drive by in my rented Honda, warm, safe, and well-dressed, and steal an image of people who live on the street and depend on missions for food and a warm place to sleep.

Is it a good and powerful image? Yes.

This is what I mean about being predatory for one’s art.

References:

Osher, C. N. “2.2 Million Federal Grant to Help Denver Combat Gang Violence.” Denver Post, December 3, 2010. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16765373.

Wikipedia Article, “Five Points, Denver.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Points_%28Denver%29.