Steve's blog

I've been living at Torbreck for two months ( tiny.cc/rQ31H ). I'd been looking for a place for five weeks, and serendiptiy arose when a single bedroom apartment came up in my list.

I called the agent and was told the occupant was away on holidays and that I should call back the following week. An inspection was arranged, and I and another lady turned up. On entry it was apparent that rushed packing was taking place with stuff spilled onto the floors, flowing from suitcases. I tried visualising the place without the mess, which seemed kind of confined. It was clearly going to be a challenge to fit stuff in, but there was an abundance of cupboard space.

At first I was put off, but decided to lodge an application...and within two hours of lodgement was told I had the place. Eight floors above Dornoch Terrace with uninterrupted views south, and straight across to Queensland University.

My move in day was complicated by the rental agency needing to organise carpet cleaning, which meant no keys until the arvo..so not much moving that day. And the surprise interview by the building management; to check out that I was suitable. Seemed that the agency had missed this requirement when assessing applicants, but in the end not a problem for me. I got to move in that afternoon - a few boxes and an inflatable mattress. The real move had to wait for early the following week.

Yikes, my mobile went missing.

My pre-ordered copy arrived from Amazon earlier in the week, and I've waited for a suitable time to open and inspect this book.

Printed in Germany by Steidl it comes with a red paper ribbon that mentions the introduction by Jack Kerouac below a quote from the New York Times, "FEW BOOKS IN THE HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY HAVE HAD AS POWERFUL AN IMPACT AS THE AMERICANS".

Inside is loose multi-fold sheet that has cover images of Frank's other books, and outlines the differences between this and other editions of the "The Americans".

Unlike other editions Frank has been involved in the production of the Steidl re-print.  "The 83 photographs were scanned in tritone from vintage prints in Frank's collection, which revealed that many images in past editions were actually crops of the originals."

Photographic memories, I used to peruse Life magazine in the school library, so I'm sure that I've seen some of these before.  And having grown up in that arc of photography through the sixties and seventies it's interesting to think what ghosts we carry around in our heads.  I know that Frank's work inspires me.

I've loaded my OM4 Ti with thirty six frames of Velvia.

The morning's winter fog was hard to resist and I got a shot coming up the stairs at Indooroopilly station.  Now for the other thirty-five frames.

Last night Lateline www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2242621.htm ran an interview with Richard Heinberg on the effects of increasing oil prices, and the prospect that world is now in the period of peak oil.  Given that oil extends to every facet of our lives slight declines in supply will have significant impact across a range of activities.  It got me thinking along a new line - what will happen to photography?

Would the world of "Mad Max" be documented digitally, or would photography revert to some analog means of recording.  The value of existing, printed images of the old world may acquire some currency and represent valued memories and sentiments.  My Canon, an electronic wonder would likely become an inert piece of polycarbonate.  The few remaining fully manual cameras would be lovingly maintained and perhaps only be used furtively.

I guess that even my OM4 would have problems, so perhaps it's time to seek out an OM1!  Oh yeah, and stock up on all that film.  Mind you I don't expect I'll be able to exhibit here.

camera strap at crumpler

I frame.

I focus.

I stop down.

The curtain glides.

An image formed,

And gratification may be obtained.

I recently caught the last three episodes of this series and was impressed, but disappointed at missing the first three.  It seems to have made an initial screening on ABC2 through Feb, and then made its way to ABC1 over March/Apr.

I bought the book, and managed to record the last episode on my mac.  So far no DVD which I'd buy if and when it becomes available.

Anyone else see it?  Opinions?

I infrequently browse the pages of a Sydney dealer of second hand equipment and came upon an a black OM4 Ti.  I've been very happy with the results from my OM2 N and love the big bright viewfinder and compact camera dimensions.  So I'm now happily snapping with this wonderful little camera.

The OMs have been described as the SLR version of a range finder.  With a wide angle or normal lens the OM is unobtrusive and ideal for street photography.  The OM4 Ti has also been described as the apex of manual focus SLR technology.  The spot metering system is a marvel and a key factor in the camera's greatness.

There's an interesting "torture" test that the OM was subjected to - www.zuikoholic.com/omlibrary/review_pdfs/om4ti_crash_test.pdf

It makes fascinating reading.  I hope my example never experiences this kind of treatment! 

I dropped some film off at my local shopping centre last Saturday.  The few people working in the shop were rushed off their feet and I was waiting at the counter for what seemed an age.  People buying digital cameras; checking out DSLRs and compacts.  Not a film camera in sight.

In fact a diminishing range of film stock had been shifted to another less prominent set of shelves, making way for compact flash, various SD, and other memory cards.  The digital revolution is well underway with many more DSLR choices sub 1000AUD.  And from what I saw the punters are buying as quickly as the shelves can be stocked!

I'm offering these observations because even though digital results are immediate, and can be shared easily via computer and network I've been impressed with the results from even cheap film.  I've been shooting consumer grade Fuji colour and its printed up with wonderful lush colours.  So, digital still needs to make progress if it's going to beat the pro grade film, let alone some of the consumer grade stuff.

But now for the interesting part.  The workflow routine of transfering my film creation to the digital realm via scanning of my negs and capturing all that wonderful detail and colour.  My first attempts were less than impressive with a dedicated and disused Nikon 35mm film and slide scanner.  The scan attempt sure captured some dust, luckily there were no stray fibres or hairs!  Ok, they passed through photoshop, but without my added manipulation.  The ones I processed were negatives only, and didn't come with companion prints (which only cost me a few dollars for processing!!).

My most recent cannisters cover images taken from a second roll out Dalby way with the OM2, and  my recent acquisition (a Bessa R3a with 40mm f1.4 Nokton).  The detail from the Nokton is superb, the film just sucked in the detail.  And I say more!  Once I get the hang of a decent scanning process I'll lash out on some Velvia.

My first serious camera was an OM1 MD which I had for many years, but was stolen from my home on Melbourne Cup day back in 1989.  The loss of all the gear, and post grad studies ended my hobby photography.

But the desire to start shooting film again set me to looking for a suitable camera.  After researching range finders I settled on getting an Olympus SLR for some street photography shooting.  Ordered on Monday morning the camera turned up at my post box this arvo, yay!  I'm itching to run a roll of film - tomorrow.

One of the first things I wanted to check out was the viewfinder.  OMG, I'd forgotton how bright and expansive the OM finder was.  Yes, I really can't wait to put that roll of film in and hear that shutter tripping!  What a sweet sound. 

Thanks to Team Ipernity for selecting my bike race photo, "velocity"!

At the time my Sigma 10-20mm was a newish acquisition and was attached to my camera for a few months - everything w-i-d-e. The discovery of the bike race was an opportunity to practice panning shots with the lens. And being pretty close to the riders it worked out as a pretty good lens choice.

At the time my Sigma 10-20mm was a newish acquisition and was attached to my camera for a few months - everything w-i-d-e. The discovery of the bike race was an opportunity to practice panning shots with the lens. And being pretty close to the riders it worked out as a pretty good lens choice.

For the first time in a while I went out of my way for a photo.  Driving down the side lane at Indooroopilly station I saw an abandoned shopping trolley.  I parked and walked back.  At first it was just the trolley and then I saw a solitary figure on the distant platform and decided to incorporate that into the image.

My interest in taking photos seems to be reviving.

For the past three days I've been suffering the effects of a cold, so I haven't been very motivated or active.  Lemsips, panadol, boxes of tissues, and fitful sleep.  I'm sure to be good by the weekend.

I've reposted some of my old photos, but I've also added one which was taken at last Sunday's sound extravaganza at the sub-station.

Well, I'm new to Ipernity. I've created my profile, uploaded an avatar image (c'est moi), and posted my first photo. I promise to try using French when I can (I did one year beginning French at IML, Qld Uni)

I came here from Flickr, my id changed to ".steve. say no to Flickr censorship" should be enough clue to my presence here.  The use of filters and how they're being applied according to your state of origin was enough to put me off.  Today it's Germany, Korea, Singapore; tomorrow it could be anyone, you, or me. Even if you don't produce controvesial images whos to say that picture of blue sky, or flowers and trees won't at sometime becoming threatening reminders of a world heating up.

I haven't completely given up. I spent two and half years posting images, commenting and faving other peoples work, and am part of a local community of photographers in my town.  I see this as an opportunity to grow and form new relationships, and perhaps some of my Flickr friends will join in here at Ipernity.

salut.