A visual survey of Suburban American material culture
This is an initial proposal and call for participants.
The garage is an important space in a modern American home. It is the entrance and exit. It is where we keep our playthings and workthings.
The Case for Film
December 17th, 2009 § 0
This image made me think about how I go about making an image. It is from about 2 years ago. I wish I could say that it was an intentional shot, but I messed up. I double exposed one side of a film holder. It happens. Working with a 4×5 requires a slow methodical pace, each exposure begs to have deliberate consideration before it is made. At about $5.00 a shot, there is not choice but to think it through.
Image Featured on JPG Magazine blog
December 2nd, 2009 § 0
My image titled mowing shoes is featured on JPG Magazines photo challenge blog.
http://jpgmag.com/blog/2009/11/best-of-photo-challenge-sustainability.html
Dags…. an anachrontistic adventure
November 10th, 2009 § 0
About two years ago, I set out to figure out the Becquerel process of making a daguerreotype. I read, googled and crafted. I haven’t really made any in over a year, but I plan to change that. This gallery show cases some of my successes and my equipment.
Exploded
October 1st, 2009 § 0
I know I am not the only person that enjoys taking things apart. I am equally fascinated by exploded views that I come across in manuals and old books. I picked up book titled “Graphic Graflex Photography” My edition of the book is from 1947, so it has an interesting cross section of common photo techniques. There are essays and tutorials from some big names in the book, like Bernice Abbott, and Ansel Adams. It covers a lot of material, from darkroom technique, to micro-photography. One chapter stood out.
Back to the basics
September 12th, 2009 § 2
After a summer of transitions and craziness, I finally have my darkroom fully functional. I have been collecting bits and pieces for years, and last spring I finally got the most important piece from one of my professors, a sink. So I carved out a space in the back of the storage spot in our house. A friend of mine was taking down a video installation and graciously gave me 26 studs, which I used to frame up the walls, I scrounged some wire from a pile on trash day. The rest has been picked up from Craigslist, home depot and Menards. It’s light tight, it has a vent and running water, what more do I need?
As with anything related to photography, there is always something. The enlarger in the photo sucks. It was free, but I was determined to find one that was post WWII. I snagged a Omega D2 from Craigslist and I have been locating extra lens boards and negative carriers. I am trying to keep it simple, but it helps to have the right parts. I have make a few things out of styrene and duct tape, but I also know the value of a good tool.
Last night I filled some trays and printed for a couple of hours. I realized I am out of practice, but now I have a place to get back into the swing of things. I have a lot of negatives that have not been printed.
Philanthropy (repost)
July 24th, 2009 § 0
I originally posted this on my old blog on March 3rd, 2008. I donated a pint today and thought I might as well re-post it.
I’m never rolling in excess cash. As a matter of fact after after 5 years of undergraduate, and 2 years of graduate studies, my financial portfolio is a nice round negative number. I don’t have money to give, I am spending my next several years worth of paychecks as it is. I am living the American dream: Debt, liberty and prosperity.
So, when it comes to giving, I look inside myself. Actually the nurse looks at my left arm and stabs me with a sizable needle. I make it a point to give blood to the Red Cross whenever I can. It’s easy and fairly harmless. I am type O positive, which means I am a universal donor. That also means the red cross wants me to bleed whenever possible. The Red Cross always seems to be in the middle of a blood shortage. When my date comes they call me like a stalker ex-girlfriend until I finally come in and let them tap my vein.
Blood giving, or letting was something I feared. I hate needles and I have been known to get woozy when I see people bleeding. My first time made me incredibly anxious and I was desperate to get it over with. It made me feel ill, I was weak but I went back 2 months later and did it again. A gallon of blood later, I am almost competitive. I try to fill the plastic pint bag in record time. Nine minutes from start to finish is my average. I ask my fellow donors in the collection site if they want to race. Maybe being cocky about donating blood is dumb. But it makes me feel good, the whole process, well sort of. Think of it this way, your body makes this stuff, and if you take some out, it makes more. Giving up a kidney is noble too, but I can’t regrow them, and I don’t need more scars.
Helpful hints: Drink plenty of water before and after. Don’t go if you think you are sick. Eat a steak, they test for iron content (no one wants anemic blood). Despite the warnings of avoiding alcohol, after a donation, I’m a pretty cheap date. Sometimes they have pizza in their canteen.
If you haven’t donated blood, try it. If you can’t (it happens) don’t worry about it. You can always volunteer to help others donate. I’ll be hooking my left arm up every two months regardless. It’s only hour of your life every two months, but you can help save lives.
Reel Mowing
July 12th, 2009 § 0
Push reel mowing has been one of my little missions in the neighborhood. No one else has adopted the practice. I can see why, it makes you sweat, and it doesn’t look as manicured. I really don’t care. I like to work a little, and honestly it’s not that bad. I have been doing my share of yard work, and I put together this little video of a mowing session.
For three years I have been mowing my yard this way. It takes me about an hour, but I do it in bits and pieces. The mower itself takes of very little garage space, and it’s easy to take care of. It’s a really good workout, so if you hate mowing and hate the gym – kill two birds with one stone. It’s also quiet, and although not recommended by the manufacturer, I mow bare foot. I don’t need to spout off to many facts, either you like the idea or you don’t. On a modest sized lot it makes sense. I am not saving a ton of money on gas, and that’s not the entirely the point. If it was more common, there would be less air and noise pollution. I will step off my soap box, I need to mow.
“Brand” New
June 19th, 2009 § 0
I love finding what I want. I came across this grilling brand that has movable type while I was at Harbor Freight yesterday. I can’t wait to try it out. I have been shopping steak brands for a while but I hadn’t found one like this yet. It was 8 bucks so I pretty much had to buy it.
On a side note, this was shot with a Canon Powershot G10, which is quickly becoming the first camera I grab for everyday photos. It is pretty fantastic for most anything.
Work in Progress – Yard Work
June 10th, 2009 § 0
I have left my academic safety net. No more critiques, no more guidance. I am free to do what I want, for better or worse. I have been getting reconnected with my own work flow. I just got some film scanned and I have been editing down some shots. i figured I might as well post a set of them here. It’s my site, so I do what I want.