Canon AE-1 During A Model Shoot

You may or may not know I'm an editorial fashion and beauty photographer for 90% of my photography.  However, whenever I'm not in studio I do street photography mainly with various film cameras.   Guess what, this past weekend during a shoot I actually used this cool Canon AE-1 with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens during a model shoot.  After each clothing change I took 2-3 photos with film.

Can't wait to get the film back and see if any came out.  The camera is easily older than any of the models I was working with.  Got to have film fun...right?  

BTW, this is the first AE-1 I've ever used.  Not sure if this is normal but the shutter release action sounds JUST like a Star Wars light saber being swung.  Its a cool sound.

Kodak Pony IV Rangefinder

I'm currently shooting with a Kodak Pony IV camera.  I picked it up a few weeks ago at a local antique mall.  It has a cool look and feel.  Very hipsterish.  It even has a little red dot with Kodak in the middle...hmm, maybe trying to copy Leica?  

It shoots 35mm film and is 90% manual which is perfect.  I had to go online and check the manual to figure out how to use it. What's interesting is you meter the camera by looking at the lighting pictures on the back which translate to numbers (like Bright Sun = 13).  You then move the aperture & shutter speed dials on the lens so the total of the 2 moveable numbers equals the lighting number.  Very interesting.   The bottom of the lens barrel actually shows what those numbers mean ("lens opening" number 6 equals f/8, and so on).  Same thing for shutter speed. You'll have to see it for yourself, but it makes sense when you work it a few times.   Focus is manual but there are distance marks on the focus ring.

There is no film advance armature.  You simply turn the film advance knob until it clicks stop between each shot.  Also, advancing the film doesn't cock the shutter, you have to cock the shutter with the small lever on the side of the lens.  I have almost finished my first roll of film through it and almost every time I forgot to cock the shutter.  

This is a super fun camera and I hope the photos come out.

Inspiration Everywhere

Sometimes photographers get into a rut.  Admit it, we all do.  But Steve, what can I do to get out of my photography rut?  Well I'm glad you asked.  I do it in a bunch of ways, but primarily by shooting film.  As you might know I'm primarily a studio based digital editorial & beauty photographer for most of my photography.  That's my "professional" photography gig.

But to answer the question, to keep fresh I take my photography in other areas, genre's, themes, etc. to stay out of the rut.  That's really the easiest thing to do.  You can shoot a personal project, you can stick to a consistent theme for a shoot, shoot with a single lens, stick to 36 shots, shoot only the color blue for a project, copy a magazine editorial, shoot the same image every day for a month, etc. etc.  You get the idea.

Well, like I mentioned, to keep fresh when I'm not in studio I shoot street photography and I shoot with film cameras.  Except for a few film cameras that I like to shoot regularly, my "stay out of a rut" gig is to shoot a different film camera every time I go out.  

But wait Steve, isn't that expensive?  Not really.  There are literally thousands of film cameras out there no one is using.  You can ask a friend to donate their unused cameras, you can buy them online for little $$$.  Of course most quality film cameras hold their value and can be pricy.  I'm not talking about those.  I'm talking about stopping off at Goodwill and picking up 3 cameras for $10 type of bargain.

As an example, here's my current inventory of film cameras.  I have 35mm, 110mm, 120mm, & Polaroid film cameras.  Most of these cameras (almost all of the point & shoots) were picked up at Goodwill.  The rest were given to me, purchased online, or purchased at flea-markets.  Bottom-line, if you are a smart buyer you can get good value.

So that's my "get my hiney out of a photography rut" solution, I shoot film and different cameras.  

So what have you got???

OK, some of these are pricey, but not overpriced

All of these cameras were given to me, purchased at Goodwill or at flea markets

My Polaroids were all purchased at Goodwill, except for 2 SX-70's on the top row & 1 Spectra

A bin of cameras ready to be used!

2 more bins of cameras that would loved to be used

I totally dig Polaroids

More cameras!!

Disney Princess

"Why" you ask, "Why not" I say.  I found this pink beauty at Goodwill for 50 cents and I had to have it.  The Disney Princess camera.  Toy film camera extreme.  I have zero clue as to the camera specs.  But here is what I do know.  It has a manual flash with a simple on/off switch.  Rangefinder slightly off of the lens axis.  Lens cap switch (you know so you don't scratch the lens), and it shoots 35mm film.

I loaded her up with a roll of FujiColor Superia Xtra 400 color film and shot a few pictures around the studio, and a few photos as behind the scenes during a recent model shoot.  True to it's toy camera status the quality stinks, focus not all that sharp and the flash was a bit of a hit & miss.  But hey, I got a few stares.

A few photos.

Inside the Circle City Industrial Complex where my studio is located

Hey look it's me!

A professional photographer has the best cameras!

Vivitar Ultra - So Sleek It's Fancy

It's been a month or so since I visited a Goodwill to look for film cameras.  Well this evening I decided to stop by a local Goodwill on my way home from the office.  I scored this cute little Vivitar Ultra for a sweet $0.99.  Also, there was a 3x24 box of Kodak color film for $0.25 so I scored that as well.  I loaded one roll into the Ultra and am ready to go.

There is absolutely nothing to this camera.  Just load & point & shoot.  No battery, nothing to adjust, and check it a 22mm lens, although it says f=22mm..strange.  Bottomline, EVERYTHING will be in focus. 

As always, just for giggles.

This Week in Photo - Street Focus - Episode 49 with Valerie Jardin

Sunning in Los Angeles - Canon AF35F with Kodak BW400CN

I had the honor of being street photographer Valerie Jardin's guest on her Street Focus podcast this week. I've known Valerie for about 3 years through social media & workshops. Even though I primarily do studio based editorial / commercial fashion and portrait work, readers of this blog know I also do street photography, primarily with a Sony A6000 and film cameras. We spent about 45 minutes talking about street photography, percent of usable photos, how to get into a street photography meet up group & an appropriate starting aperture for street photography.  

When I was on her workshops I've used multiple film cameras when I wasn't using digital.  Something about film is just right.

Being on the podcast was a blast.

Here's a link to the podcast and Valerie's links:  

Street Focus Ep. 49 with Valerie Jardin

Street Photography - Various Film Cameras

OK, for fun I shoot street photography.  Most of this work is with film cameras.  Here are photos with various film cameras.

Canon A35F - In Los Angeles

Nikon FN - Plainfield, IN

Olympus MJU-1 - Indianapolis, IN

Olympus XA - Paris

Prinz Alternative - Plainfield, IN

Vivitar PZ3090 - Indianapolis

Yashica Mat124G - Cincinnati, OH

It's super fun to shoot street photography with film.  I forces you to slow down and think about your shot.