Blogs Are Like Belly-Buttons

Everybody has one. 

My first blog was about my experiences in the Fire Service, which morphed into an autobiographical writing project. Later, I started another blog to share my tech projects, but lost interest in both. I am currently involved in the 52rolls photography project, which is a photo blog.  I'm a little bit behind in my posts, but I have ample fodder in the thirty rolls of film I shot in Spain recently.

Since my first blog, I have expanded my social media use, particularly Twitter, but recently also Instagram, sharing photography and science/tech projects and interests.  There is a lot of cross-pollination in the Internets of schlem, with various and duplicated content, but this blog is about my photography, especially pinhole film photography. Despite a lifetime of photography and other artistic creativity, only recently have I really begun to self-identify as an "artist".

So I humbly offer this, my latest bloggy project, with best intentions and a realistic understanding of my abilities, goals, and commitment. 

What are my goals for this blog? Glad you asked - 

My pinhole camera designs have been widely featured and discussed in various media, always with my photos supporting the capabilities of my cameras.  I'm at a point where I want to discuss my photography as much, if not more, than the cameras I make.  I also want to promote film photography, and provide technical data on exposure where possible. If I use a photo created with a digital camera, I will label it as such. Otherwise, expect the specific film used, at a minimum. Additionally, film photos will be uncropped and as scanned, unless otherwise noted.

I have committed to the Flickr platform, and there I upload all my pinhole and other film. I don't, however, use Flickr to share much context or narrative on my photos. One thing I really appreciate about making pinhole photographs is the intimate engagement with the subject matter during the deliberate processes of composing and exposing. This forum can provide for some detailed story-telling in ways that Flickr, Instagram, and Twitter cannot.

I plan to work on some print-related projects, including a photo zine. I print stickers and postcards, and this can serve as a portal to my other graphic design, as well as information on the terraPin pinhole cameras I make. 

Pinhole cameras, of course, can be expected, and I have an idea for an inexpensive light digital meter for pinhole or manual exposure use. I may even try a crowd-funding campaign after I get a working prototype.  Stay tuned.

I said this would be a photo blog, and here, for your perusal, are a couple of photos:

Velvia50, 2HT 3Dprinted stereo pinhole camera, f/167, 00:02

This is a pinhole stereo pair that I shot last November in New Orleans at the Saint Louis No. 1 Cemetery, the tomb of Voodoo Priestess, Marie Laveau.  This is a "crossed" stereo pair, and you can best view the stereo effect by hacking your vision. Crossed stereo is easy to "free-view" in larger sizes, too. You can view this full-size HERE.

These simultaneous exposures were made through two pinholes, 61mm apart. I made the 0.30mm pinholes by hand, and checked their shape and diameter with a digital microscope before mounting them in the "terraPin 2-Headed Turtle". I used Fujifilm Velvia 50 slide film and exposed it for 2 seconds in the bright (EV15) Louisiana sunlight. The shutters in the camera move in opposite directions to balance any induced movement when making an exposure. I am very satisfied with how evenly matched these two frames came out. Even the flaring from the sun on the edges of the pinholes is very similar in size and effect! In fact, I find all the stereo pairs I have made with this camera have come out well. I have several rolls of stereo pinhole from my trip to Spain that I plan to share soon.

I will post updates to twitter, or you can subscribe to my blog. Thanks for your interest, and remember to always move to the right for lights and sirens!