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/

They closed my Saturn dealership!

The NY Times recently reported:

"Saturn, one of three brands that General Motors plans to drop, has been running ads that tell skittish car shoppers, 'We’re still here.' But Saturn is getting harder to find. One of the company’s largest dealers shut down four of his six Saturn stores in Wisconsin on Wednesday."

Yup, no kidding. Saturn shut down my local dealership here in North Jersey (laugh)...which was a big factor for me in leasing my '08 Saturn Vue. Convenience. Practically walking distance from my home, making car maintenance E-Z. Damn you, GM. I'm not happy!

More here:
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/business/16saturn.html

Goodbye, Analog Television

The United States Congress set June 12, 2009 as the final date that full power television stations can broadcast analog signals. As of June 13, 2009, full power television stations will only broadcast digital, over-the-air signals.

Assuming that you currently have Cable TV, this means that old black & white or color TV you have in the garage or basement will not pick up a signal without connection to your cable or a digital converter. I’ve had digital television for quite a few years now, delivered to my TV via my regional cable company. I’m no stranger to cable TV. I worked for Comcast Cable for six years and spent many a morning, coffee in hand, BS-ing with the engineers that monitored the signals going out over the wire. As far back as the early 1990s, this conversion was being planned.

Is the signal better? Not in my opinion. I find the digital signal to be “thin” – with digital break-up…often. How about HD signal or the new LCD TVs? Not impressed. Analog, I will miss you.

Pictured above: May 1971. My Uncle Mike installing a state-of-the-art analog TV antenna on the top of a house in Toms River, New Jersey. My dad took the shot.