Lazy Thoughts From a Boomer: Photography

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November Prints

Image by le0pard13 via Flickr

During a span in my life, I carried an 35mm SLR camera (Canon AE-1, and later, an A-1) just about everywhere I went. Photography filled a hole in whatever artistic bent I had in me. I shot color slide or black & white print film at whatever points in the city I traveled to, or at various sporting and musical events I attended. It seems I had to have at least one hobby/interest going on as an adult. [wife: "Substitute the word obsession."] And during the late-70's / 80's, this was it. Over the years, I had collected a number of slides and negatives--most of which I've likely now lost (if I'm lucky at today's yard sale, I might find some). Only some of the prints that were created years ago have found a way to remain with me into this century. So, I've decided that if I can't find the original film or slide sources, I might as well scan what I have to form an archive of sorts. The images in this post represent a prime example from that era, and they have a connection to the present.

This post has been moved and updated to my current blog, which can be found here.

Monday, June 22, 2009

RIP: Kodachrome

The reason today for posting some of the pictures we've taken while here in New York City (see below) was the announcement by Kodak that it was ceasing production of one of its most iconic products: A Tribute to KODACHROME: a Photography Icon. At one time in my life, way back when, I carried my 35mm SLR with me everywhere (on a strictly unpaid basis, mind you) in the hope I could at least get one interesting shot. In that brief span with my Canon AE-1 and A-1, I shuttered plenty of frames that never needed to see the light of day (or a light table, or any person's sight for that matter). But every so often, there would be a gem (even if it was just me that liked it) among all that crap. And if it was in color, it was Kodachrome. I learned long ago, nothing touched its warm color saturation (I found Fujichrome too cool for my tastes, poor as that was). I'd be the first to admit that its color was way better than this photographer's

Image via Wikipedia

composition, most every time. But, at least, it gave this poor amateur a sight to behold. And though my SLR's are somewhere back in a closet gathering dust, some of those good shots are on a wall in a couple of places at work, and in a few family/friend's homes. And when I walk by any of them, I recall with a mournful joy the days I shot some film (and not the digital cameras of today which I have little love for).

And yes, I'm going to do what everyone else is doing on this day. I'm going to quote Paul Simon:

Image by Getty Images via Daylife