This weekend I’ve barely fired a frame. We’ve been busy scouting wedding locations. The moment we think we’ve found the perfect place, there’s always a factor pointing up in another direction. However last weekend I was a regular shutterbug. Face constantly behind the camera. The main reason was that I acquired a new Olympus OM2. You may be asking why I would get a new Olympus OM SLR when I just got one last month? Well, this one is black you see. Also, I can stop up and down with the OM2 at 3rd stop intervals. So there!

The films I used this weekend were Arista Premium 400 (which is rebadged Tri-X) and Adox 25. Yes, iso 25 film. Super slow, super fine grained. I think I’ve come to the conclusion, when it comes to 35mm at least, that I’d refer using a higher speed film like Tri-X (which is a versatile film that I feel captures the essence of 35mm photography) or a super fine grained film like Adox/Efke or Ilford Pan F plus (which is suitable for big enlargements and detailed work). ISO 125 films like Plus-X just seems so mendium-grained and nothing special in this small format. I also don’t think I should bother shooting color in 35mm any more either - I’m always much more satisfied with color results in medium format.

As for the content of these test shots: Last weekend the coast of Orange County was hit by a deluge of killer waves. Life guards were extra busy and when I was there they were compelled to close the beach. That didn’t stop spectators from looking at the giant waves as you’ll see. The biggest of the waves occured at the jetty in Newport Beach called “The Wedge”. Which was a great locale for people-watching and street (or in this case beach) photography.

The second set is from a local traile called Santiago Oaks canyon where I used the Adox 25. I kept my tripod in tow when I used filters which wasn’t exactly a succesful endeavor because the camera’s meter doesn’t seem to respond to it correctly. I’ll have to compensate the exposure by a full stop next time.

And the last set was a shoot with my favorite model - my fiance. I’m such a lucky guy.

[Show as slideshow]

 

August 2010... The ULTIMATE Wedding!

This past weekend I proposed to my girlfriend of two years. We had talked about getting married and last Saturday we went to look at rings. Well, Kelly saw one she fell in love with that fit her pefectly. Seeing how excited she was, I realized I had to propose that night. So while she studied in the bedroom I prepared a nice meal, set up the table and the wine, and when the time was right I asked her to marry me. She nearly knocked over the table shouting YES!YES!YES! We’re planning for August of 2010. This gives me plenty of time to make ultra-romantic photos.

I spent the greater part of the past week in Las Vegas. I had planned a weekend jaunt in April for a nerdy internet meetup, and then had to go back a couple of days later for the PCGS Las Vegas Invitational Coin Show. I stayed at Treasure Island, then at The Venetian, walked along the strip, gambled, saw the Blue Man Group, etc, etc. All in all, it was fun… but I’m really, really glad to be home.

For the first leg of my journey I brought my DIGITAL camera! I haven’t used it in a while. But I feel that digital has a leg up on film when it comes to low light, plus my Canon 40D with my Æ’1.4 50mm lens takes the perfect party pics.

[Show as slideshow]

 

These were shot over maybe an hour. After that I was in no condition to be taking photographs. I’m not saying why.

The following were snaps with my new favorite, the Olympus 35RC. The RC is getting a lot of attention lately from a notorious photography blogger, but I’ll just say that I loved the camera before it was cool. Or uncool… depending on your opinion on this particular blogger.

[Show as slideshow]

 

Every year I have to renew my TN status in the US. To do that I have to leave the country in order to do so. This gives me an opportunity to go home and spend time with the family. Photographing family is great, especially my brother’s kids because they’re the only children I can photograph without fear of somebody thinking I’m some sort of pervert.

I brought only my Olympus 35RC and a few rolls of film. In order they’re Kodak’s new Ektar 100, Reala 100, Portra 160NC, and T-Max 100. See if you can spot which is which.

With the T-Max I used a yellow filter I got online. It was made of cheap plastic much to my disappointment, and I think it shows in how it kind of blurred the shots to some degree. I’ll have to find a better one but getting a 43.5mm filter is tough to come by.

All in all I was most impressed with the Portra, I saw the scans come out and I said to myself that this is what film is all about.

Next stop: Las Vegas. What film shall I stuff into my RC this weekend?

[Show as slideshow]

 

Here’s a shot from Saturday night, more more accurately… Sunday morning. I suppose this is what blogging is all about, updating all the new things that go on in your life and so on and so forth. I just happened to like how this shot turned out. After a night of Karaoke in Los Angles’ Little Tokyo, the ladies take a break underneath a giant plastic Hello Kitty sign.

1/85, Æ’3.5, iso 800, 50mm, Canon 40D