The Humble Lensman

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." ~ Aaron Siskind

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namaste. It's been a hot minute since I've posted anything photography related and I'm sure I'm going to get plenty of weird looks from non-photographers on why many of us actual photographers actually place 35mm or 120mm film in the refrigerator or freezer. I don't care what anyone says and I find it annoying having to explain exactly why photographers keep film in the fridge. For now I have to take it easy and rest my knee since I have Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, according to my orthopedic in Great Neck earlier this month. Don't ask how I've injured my knee and will go back to watching 'Birth of the Dragon' on Netflix shortly. At this point, I hope this particular blog is informative in a way that it clears things up for the non-photographers with zero experience in handling photography so actual photographers aren't trying to "educate" the non-photographers on why we actually put film in the fridge out of sheer frustration and don't make me pimp slap you through the computer screen!!! Sit down and take some notes, if not, grab some chop sticks and catch some flies. Yeah, I'm using a Karate Kid movie reference, if you don't know how to use chop sticks, I don't know what to tell you non-Asians and you're lucky I'm unable to stab you in the eye with a chop stick at this point. I'm feeling very Bruce Lee mixed with Daniel LaRusso (the tournament scene from The Karate Kid - Daniel Vs Johnny in the tournament). I'm going to list several YouTube videos to view at your own leisure: What's in my Film Photography Fridge - How to Store film for film photography; What Film I Keep In My Fridge - Vlog What film is in my fridge (YouTube Cribs Edition); and How to store your photography film safely! Here are several blogs for you to read at your own leisure: Everything you need to know about refrigerating and freezing film; How to store film properly, and what happens when you don't; and Film Storage 101: How to store film before and after development for brilliant images. Nonetheless, I hope everyone understands why I've posted these articles and as well as several videos so you, the reader can have some type of understanding on why people in the photography field store film either in the freezer or refrigerator. No, we're not weird or odd or whatever term you wish to utilize.

-This May Sound Strange-

"A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said, 'I love your pictures - they're wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.' He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: 'That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.'" ~ Sam Haskins (🤣)

I'm so looking forward in going on my photography walks and generally when I go on my photography walks, I enjoy my own company so to speak and I hope people aren't offended when I say things like that. It helps clear my head from the stress and everyday life. Yet, I don't mind the company but I prefer going solo on my photography walks. Since my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370 is currently out of commission, I'd have to find a camera to adopt and I usually treat my camera as if it was my own child because there is no asshole baby daddy involved with excuse after excuse or if you wish to use the term sperm donor with mental health issues and bullshit excuses or showing lack of interest in fatherhood whatsoever. The only time your camera "talks" back is when your camera refuses to cooperate so to speak and I still love my camera as if it were my child! At least I don't have to worry or stress myself out when it comes down to child support or anything of that sort. Anyway, I hope this blog is so far helpful with why many photographers who place their film [both used and not yet used] in the fridge and no, it's not film abuse (think child abuse) and like with writing, photography is my form of artistic therapy, artistic freedom, artistic expression or whatever you want to call it. I am very protective of my camera and the only people to handle my camera are fellow photographers. We're not weird just because the only we look at the world is different than how you view the world and maybe we look at the world from an artistic standpoint. Here is another article for you to read at your own leisure: Tips for storing photographic film... and it is not always in the refrigerator and as mentioned in a previous blog, I enjoy shooting film more so than digital. However, it would be much more economical to shoot digital verses shooting film. I have this Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case (Black, Holds 10 Rolls) in black and I also have an extra Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case but in red! Who knows, I may go back and purchase two additional film hard cases when I'm back at B&H for more film. Adorama have an awesome deal where you can buy in bulk, depending on what your budget is and which type of film you enjoy using. When I go on my photography walks, I already have an idea on where to go with my trusty sidekick and it's very soothing going on photography walks. It really is and if photography was never your thing, maybe you should try it sometime! 😉 I'm good in the hood with my Bose headset; good music from my Spotify playlist (depending on my mood at the moment); walking shoes; and plenty of film to last me for the day.

-Dreams or a Bust-

"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson, The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers

In regards of my plans of going back to LaGuardia Community College, for the moment, it seems like my plans of going back to college anytime soon will have to be placed on the back burner for now because I am not inoculated and I'd rather do the whole COVID-19 testing each week. Yes, it'll be annoying as fuck having to get tested each week but I refuse to get the vaccine and let me make mention of this, I don't trust the vaccine. If I have to, I'd have to review the information that Pinball Preparedness had sent me once when I had contacted him just before New Year's (2021) for the Religious Exemption that I needed for work since my job wanted everyone to get the arm ticket (vaccine). Check out Pinball Preparedness video titled: NO entitiy can LEAGALLY mandate the jab and OSHA says Employers who mandate the jab may be held liable for "any adverse reaction". I still have some hope left for being able to go back to college and when I graduate from LaGuardia Community College with an Associate's Degree, I am deciding which college to transfer to: Fashion Institute of Technology; The New School Parsons; International Center of Photography or New York Film Academy for a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in photography. While I'm a student at LaGuardia Community College (once when they lift the vaccine mandate), I want to give myself time to carefully decide which college to attend for photography and my goal is to go for a Bachelor's of Fine Arts as an undergraduate. At this point of where I'm at, I feel like college is my only ticket out of a minimum wage, dead end job and who knows if I could be wrong because I've heard people studying whatever they're studying in college, whether if it's engineering or whatever people are majoring in and when they graduate from college and they can't seem to find a job in their chosen field and then they're forced to go back to school and start from scratch. I'm hoping I wouldn't have this experience and I honestly have no other backup plans. Before the pandemic, I was considering in going to school to obtain a degree in photography; go back and study to be a teacher so I can teach photography in a high school (hopefully Intro to Photography or the history of photography) until I'm able to go back to study business so I can eventually open my own business. Sadly, there's a lot of math involved for this particular major and math is my kryptonite (I have a fourth grade math level). Nah, I'm going to skip the idea of business and I'm considering anything to do with crime scenes, something I've always had a fascination with for the last several years. Anything morbid I'm happy with. I'm sure there must be a coat school that offers photography courses here in New York City!

"A great photograph is a full of expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense and is thereby a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety." ~ Ansel Adams

Blessed be,

Jennifer

Film vs. Digitial [Photography]

"If I didn't have my camera to remind me constantly, I am here to do this, I would eventually have slipped away, I think. I would have forgotten my reason to exist." ~ Annie Leibovitz

Happy New Year and first blog of the year! Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans out in the world taking care of business or sitting down reading this during their spare time. As the year is just beginning and I would like to give my review on [35mm] film and digital photography. I may not own a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera but a proud camera mom to a lovely Minolta X-370, a 35mm film camera and have a point and shoot camera. Since the spring semester of 2013, I have not used a point and shoot camera since, I've gone with a 35mm film camera and have invested hundreds and thousands of dollars investing in film since then. Yes, shooting film can be cost effective between purchasing film and dropping them off at B&H, well, whenever I use colour film. Since I haven't been in a classroom environment at LaGuardia Community College since the fall semester of 2014; I'd have to be a current student in order to use their darkroom to develop my own black and white film such as Ilford Delta 100; Ilford Delta 400; Ilford Delta 3200; Ilford HP5; Kodak Tri-X and just to name a few [36 exposure]. That's the struggle of using film for street photography or any event. Have no fear, I'll eventually upgrade to a DSLR camera once when I've furthered my educational in Commercial Photography and have enough funds to transition to a DSLR camera.

-Film Photography-

"I fell in love with the darkroom, and that was part of being a photographer of the time. The darkroom was unbelievably sexy. I would spend all night in the darkroom." ~ Annie Leibovitz

Since shooting film from the spring semester of 2013 until present day, I enjoy shooting film despite the financial cost of buying and dropping the film off at B&H. I do intend on buying the fifty pack of the Ilford HP5 and/or Ilford XP2 films from B&H or Adorama when I've paid off my two charge cards and begin paying off my [Nelnet] student loans from when I was attending TCI: College of Technology (from 2007 - 2008 for three semesters) then purchase film. What I like about using film is the contrast and it doesn't lack what digital photography brings to the table. The colours are bright and not looking distorted the way digital photography looks or looking all crazy in megapixels. Either way, film and digital both still produces lovely pictures, however, I fancy film over digital due to contrast and the grain of it. Film brings out the colour more brightly than digital which I like and in favor of at the moment. I love the photography aspect of film but not so much the cost of buying and dropping the film off at B&H for film processing. All in all, I do enjoy the outcome of what I've taken thus far. I do feel like film photography can be the best or the worst teacher if you're on your own, starting out. There's that level of gratification when it comes down to film photography and there's that silent satisfaction of shooting film. There's that joy, satisfaction and that instant gratification when shooting film and being able to view them; to me, it feels like Christmas morning once when I've spent the amount of money on buying and dropping off the film. In the end, it is worth it because you can ultimately learn from film of what to do; what to avoid; and what not to do on your next photography adventure; what to avoid; and what not to do in the future. Again, in the end, it may be worth it (despite the cost) and as much as you're tempted to "delete" a picture which is impossible to do with film photography. At least you can somehow learn from it and it is a learning experience for those who have zero experience of using film photography. I do feel like people rely too much on digital photography because there is that instant gratification involved that film may not have and I do love that gratification of film photography.

-Digital Photography-

"I never have taken a picture I've intended. They're always better or worse." ~ Diane Arbus

Onto digital photography of pros and cons of what I like, enjoy and dislike when it comes down to using digital photography. I personally find digital photography lacks in contrast, that same contrast that you'd find in film photography. In regards of black and white photography, to me it's not the same as using films such as Ilford HP5 or Ilford XP2 and the Kodak brands of black and white films. That same gratification doesn't feel the same but there's that instant gratification whenever you take pictures but so very easy to delete these very photos due to your own dislike for that particular picture. Yes, digital photography is very cost effective but doesn't share the same common feature but then at the same token, it's annoying when you have to empty your memory card then transfer your pictures and/or videos onto CD's/DVD's. If in the distant future, I'll invest in a DSLR camera and use the camera for YouTube and concert purposes while I continue to use my 35mm film camera [Minolta X-370]. I hope to feature a photography challenge in my next blog and will make sure it's posted by the end of the month. The pros of digital photography is its cost effectiveness and instant gratification but the con is that you don't feel like a kid on Christmas morning opening gifts and your parents seeing your facial expression. Digital photography has its own self/instant gratification. In the end if you ask me which I have more an appreciation for in regards of digital photography or film, I would say I now have more of an appreciation for film than I do for digital but both are equally similar in their own way and both offer the same outcome regarding photography.

Warm blessings,

Jennifer

Photography Hiatus

Namaste everyone!

Hope everyone is doing well on this day! I realize it's been a hot minute since I've posted  anything on here and have been missing in action for a while. Since August of 2017, I've held down a part-time job at Panera Bread as a dining room attendant and that job was more of a short term gig until the manager at the time, Luis had terminated me due to "lack of hours" and for some blah, blah, blah excuse he had given me. I feel like there's more to the story than meets the eye at Panera Bread and I'm not going to speak badly about my employment at Panera Bread because it won't look too cool on my end. So, I had to temporarily abandon ship when it came down to my photography since then... No, I wasn't so much thinking about this blog until recently and had gone on several photography walks in the last several months which by all means were very exciting. I very much looking forward in going on future photography walks and the one thing I intend on doing once when I find employment, I plan on going to B&H to drop off some film before I use any of my other rolls of film I currently hold in my possession. I am itching to go on photography walks and obtaining employment as a photographer or find someone in the photography field that would take me under their wing until I am confident enough to go out there on my own. Due to financial reasons, I am going to be on a photography hiatus until further notice (indefinitely so to speak) and when I am back on my feet with employment, I plan on stocking up on film (such as Ilford HP5 Plus, Ilford XP2, Ilford Delta 100, Ilford Delta 400, Ilford Delta 3200 if needed, and FujiFilm Fujicolor Pro 400H Professional Color Negative films) to last me for a bit. I miss being behind the camera because photography for me is very therapeutic, very relaxing, and it allows me to purge artistically and the freedom to express myself (on how I perceive the world in an artistic way). However, you can follow me on DeviantArt, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (although I'm rarely on Facebook). It's best to search for me at Scorpion Images on Facebook and don't forget to like my pare so I can add you to my personal Facebook page. In the mean time, I need to focus my time and energy into my job search and once when I am fully established work wise, I intend on dropping off some film that a friend of mine had given me several years ago when I had last seen him and I have several rolls of film that needs to be processed. I apologize for any inconveniences that this may cause for those who are currently searching for a local New York City photographer and as mentioned before, once when I'm on my feet with a steady income, I will inform everyone that I'm officially back in business! If you know of any photography studios, please feel free to contact me with any information for any job listings for the Queens and Midtown Manhattan (anywhere from Times Square down to Grand Central Terminal or from Times Square down to Penn Station and Herald Square) areas and I just want to make this clear, I do not have a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Commercial Photography or any professional experience to share on my resume but I do have this as a side hustle. I unfortunately don't have the available funds to go back to LaGuardia Community College to finish up my studies. If my situation had been different since 2009, I'd be back in college pursuing an education and not wasting my time working at one job after another feeling unhappy with what I do for a living (a job is a job, right?). Additionally, I know what I need to do in order to change my current situation and I know what is expected of me, so you are not telling me anything different than what I've always known. Please, don't think that I am explaining myself because I'm not explaining myself, thank you very much.

It's been a challenge wanting to continue on with any current photography projects such 'New York City: Five Borough Tour' I've been working on since the spring semester of 2013 and I regularly visit Professor Jaimie Gordon's Wordpress page for the most recent syllabus for that semester.

As of late, I’ve been going on YouTube and have been checking out videos on MKUltra and the Illuminati, many videos I’ve watched on YouTube are informative. Plus, I’ve been watching how celebrities such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z are apart of the Illuminati cult and wipe out any other artist who they feel that are considered “threats”. I like their music but I’m not all out a huge fan of Beyoncé and Jay-Z. I know I sound like I’ve lost my mind but had to get it out there. But will leave this entry short and sweet until I have more to update you all on. Just to name a few of the YouTubers I've been watching are: The Truth Show, The Contingency Plan, Visual, and just to name a few.

Warm blessings,

Jennifer

That Awkward Moment

If you've used 35mm film before (past and present) and if you do not own a flash attachment for your film camera, I would heavily suggest for those to purchase one from your local photography store because of an experience that has happened to me a year ago when I was asked to do a candid photo opt. I wasn't prepared with a flash attachment for my camera when I went to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square at this one restaurant called The View and it was my mistake of not asking questions on the lighting situation, as well as checking the place out in advance. The film I used was a Kodak Tri-X (400 ISO) and luckily I was able to develop the film at school (the roll of film I used was Black & White). That night, I was really concerned about the quality of the film because of the very low lighting situation and another mistake was not buying a flash attachment from B&H. When I developed the roll of film at school, the roll of film was garbage because many of the frames were too dark and unusable to scan and edit. It became that awkward but an uncomfortable moment and how do you tell someone that the whole roll of film was/is unusable?

Several months later, I was looking up flash attachments on the B&H website, printed out potential copies of flash attachments and I had gone to B&H. AN employee at B&H had suggested a Sunpak Auto 422D Thryistor Flash attachment for my Minolta X-370 camera which costs $29.95 just for the flash attachment alone and I loved it because I've had the opportunity of using the flash attachment on two different occasions since I bought it from B&H almost a year ago. From the two times I've used my flash attachment, many of the photos came out fabulous! I hope to use my flash attachment again in the near future and I want to put my flash attachment to good use for as long as I can! My next item I plan on saving up for are Induro Adventure AKB2 Tripod Kit, reflectors, a Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Backpack (two or three, one bag for a photo shoot, one for travel purposes and a third just for leisure), an Apple laptop, an extra low lighting lens and whatever else that may come to mind at a later date. I have a lot of saving up to do and limiting my spending habits only to taking care of my son and saving up for photography equipment. If I could do what I can in terms of finding employment than I would be all set once when I'm established with work and save my money wisely (I hope). Just use some magick and I hope using some magick would help my money grow!

If you're new to the photography field and if the only camera that you that is within your budget, go for it. Yes, even if you're one of the few people that you actually own a 35 mm film camera when the rest of society owns a DSLR camera nowadays and I realize film cameras are mainly from the dinosaur ages but I think film photography is worth the experience (more than digital photography). But always be prepared with plenty of film, a flash attachment, and spare batteries for both your flash attachment and camera (in case if you forget to recharge your batteries over night to avoid that whole awkward moment of "How do I tell this person that the roll of film is no good so (s)he doesn't that I am a fraud?" It's always important to be prepared for such occasions if you're ever asked to do a pre-candid engagement photo shoot at a restaurant with low lighting.

Warm blessings,

Jennifer