World Wide Pinhole Photography Day 2015

There's something special about the photographic community in the northwest United States, and on April 26, 2015, World Wide Pinhole Photography Day, a bunch of people from across the globe came together in Portland to share stories, ideas, inspiration, and make some interesting photos.

Boring Biographical Stuff

I got interested in photography in 2007, and connected with some amazing people in the Seattle Flickr group, generous with feedback, encouragement, equipment, but most importantly, generous with their passion for making pictures and sharing the magic so many of us find in capturing a moment in time. 

Since then, I've continued to experiment -- digital and analog; pinhole; film, instant, large-format, medium-format, 35mm, and smaller(!) -- but only because I met someone who was making amazing images in interesting ways, and who was willing to share their knowledge.

I didn't know any photographers in Portland when I moved down, but within months had connected with a community of passionate shooters, many of whom were already friends with my Seattle friends.

The fact that Portland is home to one of my favorite camera shops in the world, Blue Moon Camera and Machine (they also feature typewriters!) should have been a clue that I would find kindred spirits here in Stumptown.

WWPPD 2015

Folks responsible for The Pinhole Podcast include my friend Jana, who connected me to Nate Matos, a fellow Portlander, photographer, and all-around great guy. 

They organized a WWPPD event here in Portland, that drew in all their fellow Podcasters, as well as fans and enthusiasts. In addition to shooters from all around the region the crowd included photographers from the U.K., France, Boston, Nashville, and more.

The worldwide event organizers have a gallery where they will collect shots from this year's event, and our WWPPD GitTogether group (apparently "git" is a UK term that means "well-groomed, classy person"). Photos will be trickling in up to May 31. 

• GitTogether Gallery
• WWPPDD 2015 Worldwide

It was great to meet so many passionate photographers, and walk around my new hometown and take some pictures. 

My Photos

Here are my photos from the day (click to see the full image. All were shot on a Harman Titan pinhol camera with 4x5 sheet film (Ilford Delta 100 and Fujichrome 100):

Morning over Burnside Bridge

The Warren Crypt

The Warren Crypt, in Color

Steel Bridge, Portland

Willamette River Early Morning

Looking North from the Steel Bridge

Grave Marker with Blurry Photographers 

Mistake - Opened Film Holder in Light

"I Trust the Look of You"

I was in 60-Minute Photo getting my first bulk-rolled 35mm canisters developed (success!), and the old gentleman ahead of me had some family pictures to be printed.

Trouble is, his negatives were an old format (126 maybe) and the lab couldn't do them.

"We COULD cut them to the same size as 35mm and print from that ..."

No. You. Can't.

So I offered to scan them on my flatbed, which is able to scan 4x5 and so should be able to do these as well.

"You CAN'T cut these negatives ... they're precious! Let me -- I'll do it for cheap -- or even free."

I don't have time for this.

I lost my job a week ago and should be hunting for a new one...

I have a storage unit to empty out before they repo my stuff ...

I have hundreds of digital shots from France, Spain, Greece, and Turkey to process myself...

I have boxes full of dark room equipment to organize so I can begin processing my own b/w film ...
"I'll do it for $25."

He looked me over.

"I understand if you don't want to entrust me with your negatives. They're priceless."

He smiled.

"I trust the look of you. Take care of them."

Here are a few. I had to resist the temptation to spend *any* time editing them ... he needed the prints the same day and I only had a couple of hours to get the negatives and CD back to the lab.

The Genius of Photography, Episode 1

I'm watching the BBC series "The Genius of Photography" and am blown away by the first 35 minutes.

So far, from Episode 1:
- I want to make a Camera Obscura
- I NEED to find a way to make a Daguerreotype with my Crown Graphic 4x5
- Great quotes from Chuck Close:

"Here's the dilemma and the strength of photography: It's the easiest medium in which to be competent, but it's the hardest medium in which to have personal vision that is readily identifiable."

"There are no accidental masterpieces of painting. But there ARE accidental masterpieces of photography."

Photosynthing Istanbul

I was lucky enough to have a business trip to Istanbul last week, and was able to spend a couple of days seeing the AMAZING sights of this ancient and wonderful city.

The Sultanahment Mosque:


Hagia Sofia:


The Basilica Cistern:

A New Tradition: Christmas Coffee

I woke up without my daughters for the first Christmas in 16 years on Dec. 25, 2008. I was missing their company -- and their delight at the day and the season.

There had been (unusually) snow that week, and I was setting out on the 90-minute drive to get them from their mother's home.

Stopping at Starbucks on the way, I ordered my usual, and was told by the barista there was no charge.

A previous customer, it turned out, had bought a gift card, handed it back to the barista, and told her to buy coffee for everyone until it was used up.

I was inexplicably moved. I took my coffee and sat outside the store for a few minutes, watching light snow fall, sipping my coffee, and silently thanking the stranger who had just turned a tough Christmas morning into a tender and special one.

Before leaving, I went back inside, pulled out a much-needed $20 bill, bought a gift card, and asked the barista to use it up on the next few customers.

As I get ready to drive north for my daughters this year, I am ridiculously excited about the $20 in my wallet, set aside to buy coffee for strangers, and feel -- however briefly -- like an excited young father once more, anticipating the delight of a Christmas morning surprise.

Round 52 - Arts at Fremont Abbey

September 16, 2009 -- an amazing gathering of musicians, a poet, and couple of painters for a night of collective arts.

View static version here.

Photography Phunny: Making a Baby

A friend at work shared this with me and I LMAO! Has the feel of an old Internet joke, but what the heck:
----
The Smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife goodbye and said, "Well, I'm off now. The man should be here soon."

Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer happened to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning, Ma'am", he said, "I've come to..."

"Oh, no need to explain," Mrs. Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I've been expecting you."

"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that's good. Did you know babies are my specialty?"

"Well that's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat".

After a moment she asked, blushing, "Well, where do we start?"

"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room floor is fun. You can really spread out there."

"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work out for Harry and me!"

"Well, Ma'am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."

"My, that's a lot!", gasped Mrs. Smith.

"Ma'am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I'd love to be In and out in five minutes, but I'm sure you'd be disappointed with that."

"Don't I know it," said Mrs. Smith quietly.

The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.

"Oh, my word!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.

"And these twins turned out exceptionally well - when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with."

"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. I finally had to take her to the park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep to get a good look"

"Four and five deep?" said Mrs. Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Yes", the photographer replied. "And for more than three hours, too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling - I could hardly concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had to pack it all in."

Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your, uh...equipment?"

"It's true, Ma'am, yes.. Well, if you're ready, I'll set-up my tripod and we can get to work right away."

"Tripod?"

"Oh yes, Ma'am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much too big to be held in the hand very long."

Mrs. Smith fainted.

Hey Marseilles - Capitol Hill Block Party 2009 - Day 2

View static version here.

Seattle - View from a Ferry Deck

Larry and I rode the ferry back to Seattle via Bremerton. Here's a view of the city from the deck of the boat. I need to ride the ferries more often -- such a great way to see the state!

View static version here.

Larry on Mt. Walker

My friend Larry and I jumped on our motorcycles and spent Saturday riding around the peninsula, enjoying two wheels and the fine spring we've been having.

Stitch of Larry at the Mt. Walker viewpoint, Kitsap Peninsula, Washington state.

You can also view the static version of the image here

Hong Kong's Fantastic Star Ferries

Hong Kong is connected to Kowloon by a number of bridges and tunnels, but the most fun and efficient way to cross is via the Star Ferry System.

I never waited more than five minutes to cross, and these old boats have incredible character. No better way to get across.

You can also view the static version of the image here

Hong Kong Waterfront Construction

Hong Kong is already a huge city of more than 7 million. The waterfront on the Hong Kong Island side is undergoing massive construction now, with a major new motorway just approved as well.

You can also view the static version of the image here

Hong Kong Harbor from Kowloon

I was in Hong Kong last week on business and while I had limited opportunities to shoot, I was able to grab this quick 360-degree-view of Hong Kong Harbor with my amazing little Canon G10.

Concept to reality in about four months

PART 1:

After my first visit in December 2007 to the grounds of the old Northern State Hospital near Sedro-Woolley, Washington, I was struck by how amazing the contrast would in a series of shots with a pretty, young woman in this decaying, abused, and dying setting.

Initial selections from the shoot

A series of fateful coincidences occurred to make the shoot -- done on Sunday, 18 May -- a reality. We finished late on Sunday, and it's going to take me a few days to go through the shots (599 frames initially short-listed to 207 ...).


The People
First -- I made the acquaintance of a fellow photographer -- Jan Klier -- at the location during my second scouting trip. This time, I invited shooters from my photo club at work and from my amazing Seattle Flickr Meetup group on Flickr.

It was clear from the outset that Jan saw the potential of the place, and he and I stayed late, trying different lighting setups all over the grounds of the abandoned dairy (here's my favorite - a shot of me taken by Jan). He also had the technical lighting skills I am only now starting to acquire, and has been generous sharing his learning with me.

Second -- I learned that one of my favorite baristas, Kymi Jo, -- pretty, clever, with a great sense of humor -- had experience as a child model. I mentioned the asylum concept to her, and she was immediately eager to pose.

That was in February.

Developing the Concept
The more I thought about the shoot, I began to realize it needed to be a little more edgy. I thought about the dirt and the graffiti and the litter, and considered what else could enhance Kymi's natural freshness and beauty ...

A wedding dress.

Pure, white, delicate and clean ... the opposite of these old structures.

Talked over the idea with Jan and started searching Flickr and other sites for images of wedding dresses ... found a reference to a site called "Trash the Dress" that had some similar bridal shots in contrasting environments.

The Dress
So, inspired by the location and by Kymi, I needed to find a dress. A size 2. That would fit within my meager budget.

Started scouring Craigslist and posting around. I stopped in every thrift store between Mount Vernon and Bellevue almost weekly.

Even asked my Flickr friends about a dress ... ( and now a group are heading to the asylum soon to do a group event ... I am certain to be humbled, as always, by their results).

I found lots of dresses -- but in the size 12 -14 size range -- rarely anything smaller (not sure what to make of that observation, but there's a photo story in there I think).

Then, a week ago, as I was giving up hope and considering a Plan B (hospital scrubs maybe?) I found THE DRESS. A beautiful satin skirted, lace sleeve and neck ... and Kymi's size.

More later ... out of time!

First Image Captured with the D300

First Image Captured with the D300
Originally uploaded by HonuPhoto

New member of the family today.

Super fast, and not noisy at all.

Acquired in preparation for a long-planned shoot coming soon.

Utterly speechless.

Shooter at Work

Shooter at Work
Originally uploaded by HonuPhoto

Thanks to my new Mount Vernon-based photo buddy Peter Verschoor, http://pixelpainter.smugmug.com/ -- I have a few interesting shots of myself doing whatever it takes to get the shot!

I did plan ahead a bit and had a cap (good) and gloves AND a cheap plastic blue tarp, to help keep the mud off me and my gear.

Peter's an amazing shooter -- I do hope you check out his work.

He lately returned from a trip to China with his teen-age son, and I can't wait to see those shots.

Spring Snow

Tulip Festival 2008 (28 of 30)
Originally uploaded by HonuPhoto

I lived the beautiful Skagit Valley of Washington State for nearly 20 years, but last year (2007) was the first time I ever tried to capture tulips.

This year, with the help of my D80, I was hoping to do even more, but the weather and my schedule is against me.

I had one more day to try for some tulip shots this year, and as we were heading to the fields ... it started snowing.

And snowing.

And SNOWING.

On April 20. And no, I do not live in Alaska.

Spring in the Pacific Northwest can be a little unusual, and as odd as it can be, you wait 10 minutes, and it changes.

So, we scouted some fields, and waited for the snow to stop.

It didn't, but snowed more.

After 20 minutes, some of the group headed for the fields. 10 minutes later, I joined them, and the snow started to diminish.

It snowed off and on -- with breaks of bright sunshine -- until about 1000, when the snow stopped for the day.

Later, as I looked at the shots on my PC, I was pleased -- no, THRILLED, with a few of the shots I captured.

Thanks to my friend John, and the amazing people in the Seattle Flickr Meetups group and the photography club at Microsoft, who have inspired me, and been so generous with their expertise and advice.

And Now for Something a Little Different

With apologies to the late genius Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and music fans everywhere, I have decided to subject the world to my attempt at music.

I have loved "Bruddah Iz's" music for years, and in November picked up a used ukelele from a co-worker.

Never having played a string instrument (except for the piano), it was (is) tough, but I've gotten this song to the point where I am OK sharing. Just wish I was singing in tune!

Getting Back to Work

As you may have gathered from:

1. The somber tone of my previous posts, and


2. The long gap between posts

I am in the midst of a significant transition in my life.

My wife has wanted a divorce for a long time, but hasn't been willing to take the step -- probably because of the financial challenge. Neither of us has been happy for a several years now, but it got to the point where I was avoiding time at home -- with my incredible daughters -- to avoid being around their mother.

After wrestling with the decision for 6 months, I finally mustered up the resolve to take action.

So, I moved out. And have spent the past couple of months in a myasma of self-pity, regret, lonliness, and depression.

Done with that. Get busy living, or get busy dying -- and I'm not ready for death yet.

Day 35 of 366: The End of the Beginning

Day 35 of 366: The End of the Beginning
Originally uploaded by Honu Photo

Feb 3 35/366
The worst day of my life. The hardest thing I've ever done. As I knew it would be. So as painful as it is, the ache and anguish are seasoned with a pinch of relief.

I have imagined the events a thousand times before today, and every time, they were worse -- far worse -- than the actuality.

Still, the actuality is still so bad, I feel physical pain. My intellect is telling me to get up and go, and set this aside for a while, but my spirit wants to wallow in self-pity a bit longer.

The brain is going to win, and I'm off to watch the Super Bowl with my brothers, and see if New England can overcome the Giants for a perfect 19-0 season.

But who really gives a shit?