Hi everyone. Although not much into social media, a blog page came with this site, so I might as well use it. Although likely tempted to present thoughts and opinions about all sorts of things, I'll try to stick to photography, sharing my related thoughts and activities.
A new year, on the first day of which I have added "Lyrical" as a menu item. Although not adverse to capturing esthetically pleasing images, attractive landscapes for instance, I'm experiencing a desire, even a need, to also produce less conventional photographs. In part, this is a desire for more self-expression but also is motivated by study of Walker Evans and what he termed a "lyrical documentary" method. His photos from the rural southern U.S. in 1935 and 1936 are among my most admired of any photographer. Dorothea Lange, and other Farm Service Administration photographers of the 30's, is another favorite.
As to the "self expression" part, I often simply find myself photographing subjects that don't seem to match well with what people commonly admire or appreciate in a photograph. For me, it takes courage, at least a little courage, to continue pursuing such subjects, but I'm trying to let go of my pre-conceived notions and to follow my interest. David duChemin's The Soul of the Camera, which I recommend to others also seeking more photographic freedom for creativity, recently has provided encouragement and inspiration.
In a 1964 lecture at Yale University, Walker Evans stated that "documentary lyricism" was "usually produced unconsciously and even unintentionally and accidentally by the cameraman." For me, "lyrical" thus implies an invitation for the viewer to interpret, or to look beyond, the initial or literal presentation of an image. For this endeavor I favor monochrome, but you'll notice that I'm also giving it a try with a smattering of color. Of course, I hope this shift in emphasis is worth the while of viewers.
Happy New Year. - Don
Health problems this summer, unfortunately, prevented much image capturing. Now doing better, most recent newly added images (Landscapes) feature only a handful of those captured on film over the past two years. Before more digital capture, I yet want to run celluloid through a Mamiya M645 and a recently acquired Kodak Retina IIIc, the later a surprisingly pleasant little gem. And, film has a certain attraction and pleasure, indeed.
Ironically, over my life having collected a nice array camera and other photo equipment, I have come to realize that at my age - unless I become a manic photographer - I likely will not make adequate use of a lot of this hardware. After some thought, selling much of it for a Leica Monochrom seemed to make sense, until realizing that the hassle and time needed to do so would be unreasonable. So, with forethought and planning, I hope yet to enjoy as much of my gear as possible.
Once again I am revealing my attraction, against my better judgement, to the importance of cameras over the images themselves. But like Mick Jagger sings, "it's only Rock'n Roll but I like it."
Blessed are those who let go of their beloved equipment and limit their cameras to one or two nice pieces at a time.
Don
Additional images this year were two folios, "Durango" and "Bar Harbor," along with the more extensive (86 photos) "Peru" in the Locales menu. Introductions are included with each. The older I become, it seems the more I prefer to stay home and edit images rather than getting out to capture them. In 2020, I want to make more effort for the latter.
The past couple of years, my interest in black and white monochromes, either by digital editing or by film, has increased. In a display case, I have a fully functional vintage 5x7 Korona View camera, with a 210mm Rodenstock lens, that I carefully and beautifully restored some years ago. Its use is time consuming and requires a careful step by step approach, but the results can be exceptionally satisfying. In 2020, here's hoping it produces at least a few monochrome images for this site.
Other candidates for monochromes are a recently acquired Canon P and a Lecia M2, each also in very nice condition. Film is in the refrigerator. Now, if I can just get off my duff and get out there . . .
~ Don Fahrenbrink
Not having tended to this site for some time, just added are folios from an LG G4 cell phone and a February visit to Kauai. And, coming soon in black and white Landscapes - assuming I follow through - are images from a 1997 visit to Chaco Canyon, a long desired addition. My homepage has been refreshed a bit too.
Frankly, editing images gives me as much satisfaction as capturing them. However, with spring here and summer at hand, I hope to get out for more shooting, additionally motivated by the recent acquisition of a new compact mirrorless camera, the menu for which I've spent hours learning to use, much of the problem being that I've not previously used a camera from this manufacturer. At the same time, for their relative simplicity and hands-on gratification, I would like to use, at least for a few captures, a couple of my vintage film cameras.
As someone in The White House keeps saying, "We'll see what happens." Even in retirement, there does not seem to be enough hours in the day. Reading, the cello, exercise, home maintenance and improvement, plus the rest of it - all good stuff, also beckon.
Good wishes to you and for your own endeavors. - Don F.
Several months with no additions, recently added are color and monochrome folios of Taos, New Mexico and Filipino Portraits. The former images were captured in May, whereas the portraits are a selective collection from the 1970s taken, of course, with film.
Perhaps inspired by Zen, or at least by an effort for simplicity, I want to pursue more abstract images. This requires opening one's eyes to overlooked surroundings. And, an August trip to the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington, is likely to be productive.
Finally, although I try not to focus on equipment, I recently purchased my first smart phone with a camera, the discontinued LG G4 manufactured in 2015. Am yet still becoming acquainted with it but, among other surprising features, much like its manual option, 16MBs and RAW files. Maybe some of its ioutput will show up here too. Stay tuned. - Don