Shutter Therapy: My Minolta Returns

"Film forces you to be deliberate. There's no spray and pray - just patience and presence." ~ Nina Patel, film photographer

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namasté. 🧘🏽‍♀️ Before I attended this career fair at HRA Business Link in Lower Manhattan today and I decided to dust off my Minolta X-370 since I hadn't used my camera in a long time. Last time I used my Minolta X-370 was in 2021, the shutter had stopped working on me while I was on my photography walk in 2021, and I was more concerned about the cost to repair the shutter since I'm on a budget. If you're a film photographer with a full-time position, it helps being able to fund your film photography hobby or career. Part-time employment is alright but not the best but not the worse and it would sure as hell help having a full-time job after you're caught up with your expenses (bills), splurge on film. I was very giddy when the camera began working again and I gathered my camera, zoom lens, and Kodak Portra 400. You don't know how I've missed going on my photography walks and I'm very much looking forward to going on future photography walks over the summer. I still have film left over since my cousin's wedding and I'm still feeling giddy in a childlike way! I still need to stop by at B&H for the Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case, the one that holds ten rolls of film at a time or I may order Evergreen 35mm Film Storage Case | Holds 18 Rolls | Preserve and Protect Your Film | Waterproof, Crushproof, & Freezer-Safe from Amazon. Although it may make sense to purchase the case from Amazon, just saying and I highly doubt I will shoot all eighteen rolls of film within a single day but at the same time, it may make sense to purchase film that holds ten rolls of film. If I do order the one from Amazon, that case will just remain at home for any film that I've used during my photography walks. Next roll of Black and White film I'm looking to shoot is CineStill BwXX Double-X Black and White Negative Film | 35mm, ISO 250, 36 Exp. If I were still with the Parks Department since it is a full-time position with a guaranteed forty hours per week in comparison to working eight hours per week at my retail job which will remain nameless and I'd be able to drop the film off at B&H to develop the 29 or so rolls of film when it's more in my budget. I'm ready to rock and roll hitting the ground running with the intention of going on my photography walks! However, I'm aware that my wallet doesn't agree with dropping film off at B&H and I'm not sure when I'm able to drop off the film off at B&H. For the moment, the rolls of film will have to sit in the refrigerator until I'm ready to head to B&H. I hope it's soon!

"There's no instant gratification in film photography - only lasting joy." ~ Tina Rayburn

There is one roll of film I purchased at B&H just before Halloween (the day before) of 2023 that I haven't used yet, and it's been sitting in the fridge for nearly three years. I knew I had a roll of Kentmere Pan 400 Black and White Negative Film in the fridge but then at the same time, I kinda forgot about it since I still had the sales receipt wrapped around the film. I do need to go out by day while my son is in school and shoot (film). It'll be a challenge as the MTA had retired the MetroCards on New Year's Eve of 2025 (I still disagree with the MTA's poor decision to unfortunately retire the MetroCards when at a time MetroCards worked out in certain people's favor such as mine because it gave a handful of us the ability to do more and get more done without having to be a slave to the idea of refilling our OMNY cards weekly instead of giving us the freedom to do more if we still had the monthly pass without talking out of my ass as a direct way of doing things but that's just my opinion at the end of the day). I'm still exploring different types of 35mm film and in a world of digital photography, nothing compares to film. Everyone may have an opinion of photography, and which is better. Yes, it is cheaper (cost effective) to shoot digital versus using film where it drains your wallet per film and where you drop your film off, but it is cost effective if you have your own darkroom at home. My only knowledge of developing film is black and white film. I do miss being in the darkroom developing my own film or working on prints with my Ilford paper. I miss being in the dark room and how therapeutic it truly is. If I could turn my bedroom into a dark room, I definitely would in a heartbeat without a second thought! As long as I have my Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts drink on hand but hold the ice. I need my therapeutic fix of going on photography walks solo and spending time in the dark room, you may never see me, ever.

"I never know if I've got the shot until days later. That's what makes it thrilling." ~ Sam Yu

For those who are old enough to know about film photography and yes, film still exist in the world. Yes, there are places that still develop and sell film. Just do your own research and heck, even Amazon sells film, so you're not limited to your local photography store near you. Here in New York City, I will recommend three photography stores, whether if you're from out of town or visiting the New York City area or whatever your situation is, there's B&H Photo, Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Computers which is my main go to store by the way, Adorama, and K&M Camera. Nonetheless, be mindful for when B&H and Adorama are closed for Jewish holidays and early store closing. I'm very much looking forward to going on future photography walks in the unforeseeable future for as long as my camera cooperates! At the end of the day, I am very much looking forward to seeing how the pictures came out once when I drop off the film to be developed at B&H and I'll be sure to find a way to scan, save and upload to Flicker (not sure exactly when). I currently do not own a scanner and I'm not sure when I'm able to find time to use the scanner at LaGuardia Community College in the photography lab. I'm still planning on going back to college to earn an associate's degree in Commercial Photography or I may end up doing Commercial Photography Certificate.

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." ~ B.B. King

Since I haven't completed my studies at LaGuardia Community College, I still have positive intentions of going back to college and earn my associate's degree in photography. I have my own personal goals before going back to school and I'm looking to pay off an existing student loan from when I was a student at TCI: College of Technology before they had closed down on September 01, 2017. Feel free to jump down the rabbit hole on why the college closed down. In time, I will make it into a reality of graduating from LaGuardia Community College with an associate's degree and not sure as of now whether if I'm looking to earn my bachelor's degree, we shall see when the time comes! I don't want to rush into anything, and I personally would feel it would be a waste of money if I'm not going to follow through (not throw or threw since a majority of you confuse the two words when you're using them in a text message, yes, they sound similar but they have different spellings and different definitions of each word, a little grammar knowledge for the ones who weren't paying any attention in English class during your formative years in school when it comes to proper grammar usage and I am trying to save you from pure embarrassment and humiliation for your lack of proper grammar) on going for a bachelorette degree but it is something I am taking into light consideration since I'm not anywhere near completing my studies at LaGuardia Community College. My time will soon arrive to officially decide what my next move will be. As the saying goes, reading is fundamental and it does help you become a better writer! Let that sink in because the more books you read, the better of a writer you will become and even if you're one of those people that hate reading books. I'm a prolific reader since elementary school with those free Pizza Hut rewards when I was younger. For the time being, I need to focus more on my health during this time and knock out these upcoming medical appointments, specifically dental! I'm not certain if it's a suspected root canal or a possible infection on my right side of my jaw which feels very uncomfortable yet swollen and especially when I'm looking forward to my beauty sleep at night.

I've had my Minolta X-370 since the spring semester of 2013, and this is my baby! Be well, stay hydrated, and be safe out there.

Blessed be,

Jennifer

The Photography Life

"It's about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy." ~ Elliott Erwitt

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namaste. It's been a year, three months and twenty-four hours since I've been on a photography walk. I miss going on photography walks because it's so very therapeutic and relaxing! Last time I've gone on a photography walk was in Long Island City here in Queens (October 2021) and a long story short, I got to see Blue Bloods being filmed not far from the Pepsi Cola sign. Several years ago, I had a dream I met Donnie Wahlberg but it was on a school bus. In this particular scene, Donnie Wahlberg was in a scene with Steve Schirripa (he played Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos). Michael Imperioli (he played Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos) was also from The Sopranos, and I believe he's had three episodes on Blue Bloods as Robert Lewis. Anyway, it was a pretty cool experience, and it was my second time seeing a scene being filmed. In 2009, I got to see Nicolas Cage film a scene with Alfred Molina in The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Nicolas Cage looks the same in person as he does on television and movies. At the time I seen The Sorcerer's Apprentice being filmed around Worth Street near the birth certificate office. My camera is currently out of commission and if I'm unable to have my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370 repaired, then I may as well invest in another Minolta [35mm] camera so the 50mm and Minolta 70-210/4 MD zoom lens won't go to waste. I had purchased the Minolta 70-210/4 MD zoom lens at Adorama in 2014 for $49 bucks instead of $59 dollars and it's a pretty cool lens. I'm looking to find a prime lens for film photography. When I've finally paid off any [and all] debt, I'd have to take a trip to K&M Camera on Orchard Street and browse around for a bit and I'm that kind of shopper who will take my time who will take my time because I don't want to go home then realize I forgot something! Going on photography walks can be very therapeutic if gone alone and I'm not afraid to do things alone such as going on photography walks, however, I don't mind the company but would prefer to go alone to clear my mind. Again, I'm not afraid to go alone on photography walks and a great way for me to recharge my mind. Yet, I don't mind extending the invitation but on the other hand, I enjoy my own company a majority of the time. Expect random snapshots of you and I will ask you if you're cool with the idea of me adding you to my project, no one will know who you are if you make the cut. The invitation is only extended to those who are interested in going with me.

"If you photograph for a long time, you get to understand such things such as body language. I often do not look at people I photograph, especially afterwards. Also when I want a photo, I become somewhat fearless, and this helps a lot. There will always be someone who objects to being photographed, and when this happens you move on." ~ Martin Parr

I would love to get back into photography as soon as possible because other than photography; writing is my escape from this reality. Away from my own mother because of how she is and it's impossible for me to have an active social life. I feel like it's one of those: "If I can't have you around than no one can!" so, she tells me: "Who's going to watch your son?" or she'll say "You find a babysitter" when I recently told her that a colleague, Camille and I are planning to go to Atlantic City, New Jersey for several days. I told her I can save up from now until April when she asked me where I was going to get the money and it's a challenge being a single mom with a single income (no support system from anyone), no encouragement from my mother and no financial help from my son's father. I can't do much in a social setting such as having a girl's weekend at Atlantic City for several days. For sanity's sake, if I have to, I'll give my mother some bullshit excuses that I'm going to do live in home health attendant so I can spend several (three to four) days at the casinos. This is a blog for another time.

"If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up." ~ Robert Mapplethorpe

When time permits itself, I'll search for a Minolta camera so the 50mm and 70-210/4 MD zoom lens wouldn't go to waste. I know it's not the right timing to go shopping for a camera and for the moment I'd research which locations to check out. My main intention is to finally finish my project I began spring semester 2013 and I can't wait to finally finish my project. At least (in hopes) that this will give me the head start on where I'd want to go, and this is providing if the vaccine mandate is ever lifted. I've found this article from B&H, by all means, this article is from 2016 titled: Five Great Photography Location In New York City. Another article is 29 Best Photography Locations in NYC; 60+ Best Photography Locations in NYC: Tourist Classics & Hidden Spots. I'm open to checking out Calvary and Green Wood Cemeteries since I have this morbid fascination with cemeteries for the longest. I do want to hold down a photo shoot in a cemetery and hopefully in time I can stop by at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn so I can visit my grandparents' graves. Speaking of my grandparents, there's something I need to do and light some tea light candles in order for spiritual work to manifest into reality. Maybe the universe is saying "Be patient, your time will come..." and hopefully with time I get to shop around for a Minolta camera so I can resume with photography walks. I'm very much looking forward in going on photography walks for therapeutic reasons and I honestly enjoy spending time alone. I've found a website for a group street photography workshop on Shoot New York City and for those residing outside of New York City and would like to come to New York City for a day or a week to go work on your photography, best to Google search where to go. My favorite place is Manhattan because there's so many places to check out if you're curious and adventurous enough to check out various different places, second is Queens than Brooklyn and the Bronx.

"There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eyes must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative. Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

Hopefully by the time I've paid off any of my existing debt, I'll be able to buy a blender so I can make my green smoothies, as well as dropping off the film I've already used at B&H. I also want to focus on other photography projects as well and being able to self-publish on Blurb Books. I have several projects lined up and one of them is music themed book of where I go to several different music venues in the Lower East Side. As I always do, before I check out these places and before I invest my time and energy into going to these music venues, I check these bands on YouTube to see if they're worth my time [and amount of money spent on buying film]. I like the vibe at Rockwood Music Hall on Allen Street and there is another music venue of interest, Arlene's Grocery on Stanton Street. For this particular photography project, it'll be five different music with five different live performances, and it'll be similar but different than my first two projects. It'll be two projects each, meaning two street photography books and two live performances each, two books will be in black and white and two will be in color. Another place I haven't been to in a very long time is Madame Tussauds New York and I've been there once in 2003 (by the way, it was pretty fun).

"The golden rule is work fast. As for framing, composition, focus - this is no time to start asking yourself questions: you just have to trust your intuition and the sharpness of your reflexes." ~ Jacques-Henri Lartigue

With my project I've started during my spring semester of 2013 at LaGuardia Community College and it's going on ten years in March, something I'd want to finish my project. My current issue is that I need a scanner of interest is very expensive but will take several months to roughly set money on the side for and at the time of this blog, the Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner costs $1,299 before tax and before manufacturer warranty. If I were to get the Allstate protection plan for three years, it would be an extra $129.99 for three years and not sure about the protection plan. Since I don't have the appropriate space in my bedroom, it'll have to wait until I have a place of my own and for the time being, I can live without the scanner because it's not a national emergency. For now, I'd have to learn Photoshop and best way is to go on YouTube and learn! Until I feel confident enough to take it to the next level which would be booking for photo shoots [as well as looking for employment opportunities in the photography field] and at this point, I'm ready but then at the same time I'm not ready. For now, I'd have to go to Bushwick Community Darkroom to use their scanner and they've relocated from Troutman Street and their new home is on Melrose Street.

 

Blessed be,

Jennifer

'New York City: Five Borough Tour' Part II

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment. This kind of photography is realism. But realism is not enough - there has to be vision, and the two together can make a good photograph.” ~ Robert Frank

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namasté. 🧘🏽‍♀️ As many of you already know, I'm still working on my 'New York City: Five Borough Tour' book and I still haven't come up with a subtitle for my book which will be on Blurb Books. I hope to self publish several books on street photography, as well as music and fashion. Don't get me wrong, I have an idea on what I want to do as I can eventually turn my ideas into reality and these are places I want to go within New York City. Since my camera is currently out of commission at the moment but feel free to refer to Photo Plus Expo 2018 blog and since it costs money to have my camera serviced but I'm itching to go on my photography walks again whenever time permits. Once when I find a place that would fix up my Minolta X-370 and it's going to be a challenge because I'm not sure how many places still repair Minolta cameras. I'd have to research more into the backstory of Minolta and nowadays people are proud camera parents of Canon, Nikon or Sony cameras. Sony cameras takes decent pictures but I heard they aren't the best. I hope to complete my project within the next three years and I hope it'll be worth it but to say the least, I hope to get back to school with what I have so far. Don't get me wrong, I have ideas on which films to use for each borough. For example: Staten Island Ilford Delta 400 Professional Black and White Film; Brooklyn I plan on using Ilford FP4 35mm Plus Black and White Negative Film (50 pack); Queens, I plan to use Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film; Manhattan: Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Film; and the Bronx: Kodak Professioal Tri-X Black and White Negative Film. Who knows I may throw in a random Ilford Delta 100 Professional Black and White Negative Film for any five of the boroughs. I have ideas of how I want to set up my book and I do want to have enough pictures for roughly two books, perhaps if I'm lucky, three books at most. Once when I've completed my project, I'll do a final blog based on my 'New York City: Five Borough Tour' book and I still have to come up with a catchy subtitle [that stands out from the rest] for my book that will get people curious to purchase the book!

• Staten Island: Ilford Delta 400 Professional Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures)
  
• Brooklyn: Ilford FP4 Plus Black and White Film, ISO 125, 35mm, 35 Exposures, Propack 50
  
• Queens: Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film (35mm film Roll Film, 36 Exposures, 50 Pack)
  
• Manhattan: Ilford XP2 Super Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll FIlm, 36 Exposures, 50 Pack)
  
• The Bronx: Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative Roll Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures)
  

As an update to my project I've started during my spring semester at LaGuardia Community College for Intro to Photography in 2013. I'm still working on my project and yes, I've already passed the class but want to complete my book. It's mainly street photography themed for the moment and have three other book ideas in mind, one of which will include a second street photography book but in color. There's a professor I had during my first semester at LaGuardia Community College that I continue to follow on her WordPress account and have been downloading her syllabus and have been saving them onto my flash drive each semester, yes, I realize I've already passed Intro to Photography but figured I'd keep up with the class for the most part to keep my sanity. Yet, I hope to complete my project and due to unfortunate circumstances, I've postponed my project due to shutter issues with my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370. It's making me a bit frustrated because I don't have the available funds to have my camera serviced and nor do I have the funds to upgrade to a digital camera. However, if I had a choice of digital cameras, I'm leaning towards Nikon and in the beginning, I was leaning towards Canon since at the time I wasn't a fan of Ashton Kutcher because I thought he was obnoxious (to say the least, I'm still not a fan of his). Since I haven't seen many commercials featuring Ashton Kutcher being spokesperson for Nikon much these days but you can find these Nikon commercials on YouTube from various YouTube channels. I've found a link in regards of a debate on choosing a camera: Canon or Nikon and I will post 'The Great Debate: Canon Vs. Nikon' but however, I'm an avid [35mm] film user and have found another link for Expert Photography titled: 'The Complete Guide to Film Photography: 94 tips' but will continue on with my research both internet and going to B&H asking questions in regards to the cameras and testing them out.

I'm very excited about my book because I feel like I can learn about on how I can improve my photography skills and I also want to share my gift with the world, especially those who have doubted my talents!!! However, I'm aware that I may not "look" like much until people either see me in action and as well seeing my work. I pray that my photography will receive some positive recognition for my talents and I am so used to people speaking negatively about me or to me. For example: my stepfather's bible hugging sister, Mary Ellen had told me that I'd never make it very far as a photographer, and the same goes for my former ACCESS - VR counselor and a random Asian woman. I've had three different people telling me that I'd never make it as a photographer. Truth be told, I don't know why I've even listened to them. Don't get me wrong, I have the talent and two things that work against me are: Lack of employment opportunity and not having a college degree but specifically a Bachelor's Degree. I'll eventually have both under my belt so to speak and the talent is a piece of cake for me.

I have ideas on what I want to do with my project and figured I'd get a head start on this project then at least I can begin scanning my negatives for each borough. There are places of interest that I want to go to and I know Citi Field and Forest Hills Stadium are two of those places here in Queens to visit. There are several places in Brooklyn of interest that I want to go to: Downtown Brooklyn near the Brooklyn Bridge area; Dumbo; along the G line; Coney Island/Luna Park; New York Transit Museum; and all those awesome places. I'm not familiar with the Bronx other than Yankee Stadium (Let's go Yankees!) and Bronx Zoo or Staten Island. I'm more in favor of going to the Bronx over Staten Island any day, any time or unless if there's a family gathering such as a wedding, or a birthday celebration, whatever went for that day. Only place I can think of are the Staten Island Ferry and the Staten Island Mall but other than that I'm drawing up a blank. A third place is the Alice Austen House also in Staten Island. Since I have friends who reside in the Bronx and Staten Island, hopefully we can all meet up at some point and I could use some time to hang out with some friends, whether it's out to lunch or dinner. If need be, there's always Google search and do as much research as possible for different locations for my project and I realize this is a bit time consuming but I don't mind the research... I hope to find some possible leads on where to go in the Bronx and Staten Island.

I have selected three different reading materials to read at your own leisure and a fourth link for my upcoming project I've originally started as a class assignment! It'll eventually be somewhere in the Blurb Books portion of the site.

• Blurb Books 
• A Street Photographer's Guide to New York City for further reading materials.
• Top 35 Spots to Photograph New York City: Voted by the Locals!
• An 8-Hour Photo Walk Around New York City.
  

Blessed be,

Jennifer

Photo Plus Expo 2018

Hello all!

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! I had recently gone to the 2018 Photo Plus Expo and had a great time there when I had attended the expo with my friend, Jason for the first two days (October 25 - 27, 2018 and I went the third day solo). We had gone around entering different contests from different exhibitors and getting free items from the Photo Plus Expo, I had gotten seven pens from B&H, one pen from another exhibitor, two Nikon lanyards, two B&H lanyards, an Olympus lens cloth, four grey Hoya and a black Hoya Filter USA lens cloth, a T-Mobile hat, three t-shirts, Focus 12" Flexible Tripod, a Decisions: Party's Over (Homido: VR glasses) just for trying the Virtual Reality, and several pins that were at the photography convention. If you're an avid photographer such as myself, it's totally worth attending and there were many different exhibitors at the Expo along with models who were there at the convention. After the convention was over (October 28, 2018), I decided to drop the six rolls of film at B&H for processing and made a deposit so I'm not stuck paying the entire amount at time of pickup. I realized after dropping off the film for processing, I had this weird vibe that I had mixed up one of the rolls of film since I had used the Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H Professional Color Negative film for a majority of the convention and I had also purchased one roll of Kodak Color film. When I picked up the contact sheets and CD from B&H yesterday, the pictures did not come out at all. Fortunately, I had found out from a B&H employee in the Used Department had mentioned that the reason why the pictures didn't come out was because of a shutter issue and suggested that I'd have my camera serviced. I was hoping that a lot of the pictures with Kalmon Stokes, Jessica Leigh Ford, Analia Marecos, and the young lady who was painted up as an Avatar would have been something I'd show off. Approximately three pictures had came out of the four rolls of film and I'm going to drop off this one roll of film at B&H. Unfortunately, I've gotten several pictures of Kalmon Stokes, a single picture of Analia and three other pictures of another model. I'm disappointed that my camera decided to give out on me but overall, I'm grateful I had gone to the Photo Plus Expo and I am looking forward in attending the 2019 Photo Plus Expo! Once when I have available funds to service my trusty sidekick, Minolta X-370 and zoom lens serviced then I should be good in the hood and I have a strategy for next year's Photo Plus Expo! When funds become available, I plan on going to Camera Doctor NYC and have both my camera and zoom lens serviced but hopefully I won't be overcharge me. I had gotten a free roll of Ilford HP5 as well out of this and it's a good thing I had stuck around for a bit!

Fortunately, I have a Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case from B&H and this bad boy comes in handy (just to save yourself from frustration when you know you've packed several rolls of film and with this item, all your film is in one place). I had brought this with me to the convention and it came in handy! Okay, enough talk about the Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case and I do love  this item, best investment if you're currently shooting film (I'm just saying and I recommend this item). In regards to coming up with a strategy for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo, my best intention is to use one roll of film per model as I make my way around the convention over the course of three days (hopefully, it will equal to thirty rolls of colour film and at least five - ten rolls of films, give or take by the end of the convention) and I hope the convention will have at least four items of interest,  Benro TAD18AIB1 Series 1 Adventure Aluminum Tripod with B1 Ball Head, Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod, Sirui 3T-35K Table Top Tripod, and a Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR on hand at the convention! Free is always good, depending on what you're looking for and hopefully it's worth stocking up on to avoid heading to the stores later on or when you're short on cash, whatever your situation may be. That's how I'd do it and you'll never know when you'll need certain items for a photography assignment. Yet, I hope I can form a small squad of like-minded individuals who share the same common interest and passion in photography. I hope to at least capture a group picture both outside the Jacob Javits Center and several more under the Photo Plus Expo banner just before we begin our nerd, camera drooling journey (well, after we've gotten our badges at least). Since I had such an awesome time, I hope I can attend again and I doubt I'd be able to form a small squad for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo since I'm sure I'd be given any excuse: "I'm broke!", "I've already made plans, sorry." "I'd have to work" or whatever. I understand people have their own lives to live and not always available to attend certain things with me (in some ways I ask people less and less nowadays but if people choose to tag along, I have no issues.

I'm hoping the exhibitors don't have the items mentioned above at the Photo Plus Expo, I hope B&H will have them at a discount price. It's still too early for sure on what or who the exhibitors/vendors will be and what they have to offer. I'm looking forward for the 2019 Photo Plus Expo and will make I take those days off once when I've found employment as I'd have money that I've worked hard for.

(I'm hoping to save up for a Hasselbald film camera.)

Blessed be,

Jennifer