Category Archives: Images

Mission San Jose: In the Desert Sun

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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.

Christian Phillips, Master Luthier

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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

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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

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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.

The Guitarist

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The Guitarist, Pike Place Market, Seattle

Every city has a special place for photography. Seattle has many, and spectacular natural scenery to boot. Yet one of the best places for a photographer to lurk in Seattle day or night is the Pike Place Market. The market itself is almost too much of a good thing, and it can be difficult to isolate a single subject among the crowds of visitors.

I saw this busker setting up in a quiet corner outside a flower shop near the Market, and caught his image with my Ensign 16-20 on XP-2. I then thanked him with a dollar in his guitar case, which I try to do with all of the street musicians who are my subjects.

Processing in Photoshop was a challenge because of the extended tonal range in the original scan. The walkway to the right of the busker was in shadow, requiring that the darker values  be raised to bring out detail. The lightest values of the hat and books, as well as the miniature toilet for contributions, were an equal challenge in the opposite direction, and there is some loss of detail in these areas. However, the overall image is nicely balanced and the final print balances these competing elements fairly well.

This image appeared in the Fall 2010 issue of Canadian Camera magazine.