Raina Mermaid

                                                                                           ©Peter N Parsons

I was phographing my friend Stephanie (aka Raina the Mermaid) holding one of my C220's  for my blog header (Shanghai 100).


We then move to the other side of the beach which is all stones. The light was brutally contrasty but this shot with Tri-X using the 65mm and developed in D-76 (1:1) turned out okay.

A Mama Mamiya Observation on Good Pictures and Current Photography Practice

Analog - This word crept into photography at the start of the digital era,  attached by non-photographers who did not know 140 years of tradition photography was based on light-sensitive emulsions. An incorrect word in current photography practice more suitable for ancient electronic products. Just an observation from poor Pete, trying to make good pictures on the cheap.

Boy on Path

                                                                                                ©Peter N Parsons

This picture of my two-year-old grandson Jonah was made on a  path near my home in Nova Scotia last week.  I used a Zeiss Nettar folding camera with Tri-X film exposed at 1/75 second at f 11.0

Film was developed  in D-76  1:1 for 10 minutes. I lightly used the burn tool in Photoshop to darken down the path in foreground.

South Park Street

                                                                                                ©Peter N Parsons

Here is another shot taken in Halifax using Shanghai GPS 100 film. Zeiss Nettar folding camera, 1/75 sec. at f8.0

Victoria Park

                                                                                                ©Peter N Parsons

Another shot with the Nettar and Seagull GP3 100. 1/75 second, f 8, Film developed in D76 (1:1)

Victoria Park, Halifax

                                                                                                ©Peter N Parsons

Test roll of Shanghai GP3 100. Man on bench photographed with Zeiss Nettar 1/75 sec. f8.0. Film developed in D76 (1:1)

Lobster Boat

                                                                                               ©Peter N Parsons

Here's another photo from last week's outing to Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. Mamiya C220, 65mm, HP5, D76 (1:1

Vogler's Cove

                                                                                               ©Peter N Parsons

Rowboat and shed at Vogler's Cove, Nova Scotia. Bronica ETR-S, 150mm. Tri-X

Waterwheel

                                                                                             ©Peter N Parsons

A waterwheel at Sherbrooke Village historic site in Nova Scotia. Photographed with a '50s era Zeiss Nettar folding camera. Tri-X

Old Wharf Pilings

                                                                                                     ©Pete Parsons

Old wharf pilings at MacCormacks Beach, Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia photographed with Mamiya C220, 65mm. HP5, D76 (1:1)

Lobster Pot Buoys

Lobster pot buoys photographed on a wharf in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia with Mamiya C220, 65mm lens. I held the camera straight out in front of me pointing down. Cumbersome, but worked. HP5, D76 1:1

Christine

Christine was photographed on Agfa 400 with natural interior light on a sunny day giving a sculptured effect to her skin. This is one of my favorite lighting looks where the subject is placed in the shade near bright sunlight.

Mama Mamiya!

Pine Cone and Driftwood

Another shot from the beach near my cottage. A red pine cone had lodged itself in a driftwood log.  Mamiya C220, 80mm, Agfa100, T-Max developer.

Driftwood Detail

A piece of driftwood washed ashore at the beach near my cottage several years ago. Although the shape of the piece was in itself not eye-catching, there were several details that created interesting designs. Mamiya C220, 80mm, tripod, paramender, Agfa 400, T-Max developer.

Nuttby Mountain Farmhouse, Nova Scotia

A deserted farmhouse on Nuttby Mountain, near Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. 1998. Tri-X, D-76

Sable Island

Sable Island is a weather-swept sand dune 300 km. southeast of mainland Nova Scotia. It is most well known for its population of feral ponies, desendants of shipwrecked survivors of long ago. Although I have been to the island on several occasions these two pictures are my favorites. Taken in winter, they capture the loneliness and isolation of one of the most lovely places in Nova Scotia. (Agfapan 400 (35mm), T-Max developer)

Old Homestead, Nova Scotia

Mamiya C220 , 80mm,  Tri-X, D-70

Two Horses

              

I used a yellow filter to darken the blue sky with this shot of two horses in a field. Tri-X, D-76

Three Old School Chairs

One of my favorite subjects are the old fishing sheds, wharfs, boats and related equipment used by fisherman. These three old school chairs afforded a nice view of a cove and had nicely weathered to a gray patina matching the old boards of a fishing shed. Tri-X, D-76

Picture of the Week - May 29, 2011

Old House, Nova Scotia                                                         ©Peter N. Parsons

I am planning to post one new picture a week, either new photography or one from my collection.If my memory is correct this picture was taken somewhere on the Aspotogan Peninsula in Nova Scotia in the '80's
Kodak Safety Film 6043 (Tri-X 120) D-76

Moisture in 135mm Viewing Lens

The 135mm with viewing lens removed

My recently purchased 135mm lens had moisture in the viewing lens on the inside of the rear element. To my surprise by unscrewing the front retaining ring the viewing lens can be removed from the assembly. The rear lens element also comes off just as easily. The moisture was quickly cleaned. The whole procedure taking less than five minutes.Notice the moisture on the small element.

Double Exposures

Multi exposures, accidental or creative, often leads to visual interesting images. In this picture I had forgotten to advance film on my Zeiss Nettar when shooting a seascape mural on a storage shed in a local park. The previous frames were mostly trees against a overcast sky. The Mamiya TLR's, like older folders such as the Zeiss, are great cameras for multi exposures, especially when subject matter is commonplace. Underexpose to avoid a dense negative.

Shanghai GP3 100

Just purchased 3 rolls of  ISO 100 Shanghai GP3 film on ebay. Planning to test if for a future post. The online reviews and comments are neutral to positive.  I paid  $10.99 with free shipping. Quantity purchases as low as $2.00 per roll.

The price is right!

Mama Mamiya !

Introduction

My first professional camera was a Mamiya C220 bought in 1969 during a Labour Day Weekend trip to Boston. Just two months before I had graduated from the one-year photography course at the Halifax Vocational School in Nova Scotia and this was my first real camera. I do not recall the exact amount but it was around $200 US, a lot of money for a 20-year-old at the time. My girlfriend, who was from Boston but going to school in Halifax, helped me pay for the beast. I still have that old Mamiya, on a tripod in my living room.

I loved shooting with the Mamiya, even though it would be cumbersome by today's standards. Last week  a C220 system with 3 lenses (65, 80, 135) on Kijiji got the better of me and I bought it for $200 CDN. Not bad  for a camera for which I am emotionally attached.

A test shoot with a roll of HP-5 developed in the laundry room confirmed all  shutters mostly accurate at higher speeds (1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 second) with four shots on each lens. Film is slightly over agitated in 120 stainless steel tank (notice sides of negatives in example are a little darker)

Anyhow, its a enough to get me started in my first photography love and to start this blog. Mama Mamiya wish me luck!