Film Photography Podcast Listeners MEET-UP in NYC!

blog by Michael Raso

The first Film Photography Podcast (FPP) meet-up was held in New York City on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Grey skies and wind didn’t stop avid FPPers and FPP founder and host Michael Raso (That's me!) from coming out to meet and get to know each other.



Meet-Up organizer Dan Domme along with Michael Calleia and Mat Marrash mapped a walking route from 23rd Steet to Canal that included stops at Lomography Store, Leica Gallery and The Impossible Project. The day ended at Impossible where the enthusiastic group posed for an 8x10 portrait shot on Mat Marrash’s Eastman Commercial B camera.


FPP Co-Host Mat Marrash tries out the Lomography 360 Spinner 35mm camera






above shots: FPP group leader Dan Domme leads from 24th Street through Chelsea to the Lomography Store on 8th Avenue.

Below: Lomography Store manager Hans Hendley welcomes Film Photography Podcast! Hans gives a lecture on the Lomo CLA camera, chats with fellow FPPers and takes a group shot in front of the shop.









LOMOGRAPHY: What is it?

Lomography is a Magazine, a Shop, and a Community dedicated to analogue photography.

It began with a fateful encounter in the early 1990s, when two students in Vienna, Austria, stumbled upon the Lomo Kompakt Automat – a small, enigmatic Russian camera. Mindlessly taking shots from the hip, and sometimes looking through the viewfinder, they were astounded with the mindblowing photos that it produced – the colours were vibrant, with deep saturation and vignettes that framed the shot – it was nothing like they had seen before! Upon returning home, friends wanted their own Lomo LC-A, igniting a new style of artistic experimental photography that we now know as Lomography!

http://www.lomography.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The 10 Golden Rules of Lomographyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

below: FPP Group members took a lunch pitstop at New York’s famous TWO BOOTS PIZZA



The group stopped briefly at the Leica Gallery where I shot a portrait of group member Jordan Starr. (I didn’t know photography wasn’t allowed until a guard quietly murmered to me “No photography in the gallery.”)



Last stop – The Impossible Project on Broadway at Canal Street. The Impossible Project is responsible for manufacturing brand new film for vintage Polaroid cameras. Impossible guy Frank Love and staff gave us their full attention as “FPP Mat” set up his 8x10 camera for our group shot.









A terrific day. Amazing thanks to the kind folks at Lomography, The Impossible Project, Dan Domme, Mat Marrash, Michael Calleia and the FPP listeners who attended. FPP listener support has been overwhelming in 2011. I’m looking forward to future meet-ups!

Write to me at FilmPhotographyPodcast (at) gmail.com



What is FPP?
The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Filmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Photography Project Store.

Film Photography Pod Cast www.filmphotographypodcast.com/

Film Photography Podcast's FLICKR GROUP!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/filmphotographypodcast/


Photos by Michael Raso / Copyright 2011 Film Photography Project

Episode 9 - June 15, 2010 – SHOW NOTES

The gang reviews the new Polaroid 300 Instant Film Camera, Ukulele rocker Henrique Couto’s 35mm project, Lomo-Like results with a vintage Kodak cameras, 35mm film and Polaroid 600 camera giveaway and more!!! Hosted by Michael Raso and Duane Polcou and special guest John Fedele.

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On June 15th, we shot our First-Ever video of my Polaroid 300 camera review.



Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVTgYTQsyVk

Here’s a Flickr Set of some Polaroid 300 images taken in the last 30 days



More at
http://www.polaroid.com/

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Duane Polcou chatted a bit about Marty Forscher.
“His best-known invention, patented in 1982, was the Pro-Back, a Polaroid attachment for a 35-millimeter camera that gave photographers an immediate proof print, letting them test a shot without having to wait for the film to be developed. Mr. Forscher also created an early compact motor drive for still cameras.”

Sadly, Mr. Forscher passed away in 2009.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/nyregion/11forscher.html

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Podcast listener Clifford Davis suggested the Black Cat Exposure Guide for picking your exposure without using a meter.
http://www.blackcatphotoproducts.com/guide.html

Here is another exposure guide at WikiBooks
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Photographic_Exposure_Guide/Exposure_tables

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Ukulele rocker Henrique Couto was our extra special guest. He just released his first CD. Folks who purchase his deluxe album get an exposed “mystery roll” of 35mm film. Henrique discussed his music and this odd film project.



http://ukeordie.com/

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Brian Duffy, whose photographs helped define the mood of the Swinging Sixties, has died aged 76. Together with David Bailey and Terence Donovan, Duffy formed part of the trinity of photographers who became as famous as the models, musicians and film stars they worked with.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/jun/05/photographer-brian-duffy-dies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Duffy_%28photographer%29

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The Trackman called in to see if his Dad’s Ansco Clipper arrived at the FPP studio. The Anco Clipper camera was made in the 1940s in the UD and uses type 616 film.



I was able to locate an additional 616 spool, so I rolled 120 film to the 616 spool in a film changing bag.

More on the Clipper at Camerapedia.
www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Ansco_Clipper

below: Image shot with the Trackman’s Ansco Clipper



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Get Lomo-Like images at a fraction of the cost of a Holga with a vintage Kodak – the Kodak Holiday Flash



These cameras are very, very inexpensive on e-bay and if you’re lucky, you’ll get one with a “lagging” shutter – which will produce this dreamy effect. (Image Below)



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We’re giving away a Polaroid 600 One Step Close-Up Camera this month! Winner announced on the July 15, 2010 Film Photography Podcast.

To enter send an e-mail to FilmPhotographyPodcast@gmail.com
Give us your name, address and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Please get entries in by July 5, 2010

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We’re GIVING AWAY film too!



Matt Haines / http://www.camerasandfilm.com/
donated 18 rolls of gently expired Kodak Portra 400 35mm film
Send us an e-mail if you’d like to try one! (Good while supply lasts)
Send an e-mail to FilmPhotographyPodcast@gmail.com

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Only 6 months left to shoot and develop Kodak Kodachrome film



12/31/2010 is the last day that Dwayne’s (the only Kodachrome processor in the world) will process this discontinued stock. If you are committed to shooting a roll of 35mm Kodachrome, please send me an e-mail. If I have any left in my private vault, I’ll shoot a roll out to you.

http://filmphotographypodcast.com/

Episode 10 is just two weeks away!

The LUBITEL 166u and The Case of the Sticky Shutter

It is painful joy testing a newly acquired vintage camera to discover that its quirky goodness is tainted by a mechanical defect. Such is the case with "new to me" 1980s model Lubitel 166u 6x6 Lomo camera.

I “got it” on e-bay for a very reasonable $35.us only to discover that the shutter “sticks” at 1/30th second (and below). Bummer...since it was advertised as “shutter works all speeds.”

The Lubitel 166U was made by Lomo in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. I suspect that the model I own was made sometime in the 1980s. Lens says Made in the USSR.

It's plastic, lightweight and almost impossible to focus. I repeat…Impossible to Focus. So, I guessed the focal distance and used the top viewfinder to compose my shots only. Once I got past the focus issue, it was smooth sailing.

I’m pleased with the shots. Damn that sticky shutter though! (Trying to return to the e-bay seller…will keep you posted).


Rudy's Bar & Grill
"A New York City Landmark. Cheap Booze & Free Hot Dogs!" so says a newspaper review taped to the window.


Two Boots Pizza - Hell's Kitchen
New York's famous (and delicious) Two Boots Pizza recently opened a store on 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen (NYC). Unknown man maniacally grins as he looks in.


Coffee Break!
That sticky shutter at 1/30thsec (and flash) delivered this COFFEE nightmare!
Pictured: Jeff Faoro at my Pop Cinema Studio

All images © 2010 Michael L. Raso

Lubitel 166u image
shot using Rolleicord III camera
Kodak Portra 100 Tungsten 120 film
(film expired 10/2001 – cold stored).

All additional shots using the Lubitel 166 Universal camera with Kodak Portra 400nc 120 film
(film expired 6/2006 – cold stored).

I host the Film Photography Internet Radio Show
With pals Duane Polcou and John Fedele
www.filmphotographypodcast.com/

Film Photography Podcast Flickr Group
www.flickr.com/groups/filmphotographypodcast/

e-mail me at MichaelRaso@ymail.com

Love for the Ultra Wide & Slim Camera

James Butler from Hertfordshire, UK loves the Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim 35mm camera so much that he created a gallery of his favorites on Flickr.

I couldn’t agree more. An amazing set of images. Feast your eyes!


Image by Marcus Butler, London
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusandian/


Image by Joanna, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjlook/


Image by Natalie, Iowa, USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naskren/

The all mechanical / all plastic Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim camera has no electronics or need for a battery to function. With a fixed f11 aperture and a w-i-d-e 22mm lens, the camera delivers gorgeous lo-fi pictures. Current price tag on e-bay: $50. (if your lucky to find one). Demand is great enough that a company called SuperHeadz has manufactured a worthy “knock-off.”



Links:

MORE great shots at James Butler’s Ultra Wide and Slim Gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slimjim/galleries/72157622744673371

James offers some amazing shots of his own!


View James Butler’s photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slimjim/

Search the Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim on e-bay.
www.ebay.com

Purchase the Super Headz “knock-off” at Four Corners Store
http://www.fourcornerstore.com/collections/frontpage/products/white-slim-angel

We chat about the Wide & Slim on this month’s Film Photography Podcast. Listen in!

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I’m a lomographer and didn’t even know it!

Since digging my 35mm cameras out of storage last November, I’ve been spending most of my spare time shooting…and shooting….and shooting.

While always striving to make perfect images, I’ve achieved (for the most part) the complete opposite. Yes, a few images in my on-line “Flickr” photo gallery are, in my opinion, pretty good. Most however, are a bit off-kilter, making me (to my surprise) - a lomographer!

According to the Wikipedia:
“Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot, photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, ‘happy accidents,’ and alternative film processing are often considered part of the ‘Lomographic Technique.’ Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life.”



What a laugh I got (and am still having) knowing how “hip” I am without even knowing it (still laughing). Most of the “lomo” credit really goes to the processing lab I use - Clark Color Labs. I’ve been sending 90% of my film there because they are the cheapest lab on the planet earth. They will process, print and scan a 24-exposure roll of film for $4.85us postage paid. We’re not talking fast service here, either. A minimum 5-day turnaround to get your scans on-line and another 4 days to get your prints. If you have any interest in the “lomo” trend, please do send your film to the fine folks at Clark Color Labs. They’ll screw it up…making you a “lomo” king.



Sadly, I’ve realized too late how “hip” I was as I recently switched my processing to my local Target photo center. I’m not a lomographer at all…my new stuff is…picture perfect.

Visit me on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelraso/

Clark Color Labs:
http://www.clarkcolor.com

More on Lomography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomography
http://www.lomography.com/