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

Photo Plus Expo 2019

"Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution." ~ Ansel Adams.

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Wow, it's been months since I've posted anything on here in months and I realize I haven't been posting anything in relation to photography, but I should begin doing that.

Where to begin, where to begin. For the past year since my last adventure to the Photo Plus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan, I haven't been active in my photography adventures until recently when I had gone to Panorama Camera on West 29 Street to have my Minolta X-370 serviced when several other places no longer service all things Minolta [lack to no parts]. As a heads up, they ask for a $25 estimate and whatever the price may be for your line of Minolta camera in use. My camera works well since having my camera serviced a month ago. Onto business of my update at the Photo Plus Expo... Shall we begin?

I had a great time at the Photo Plus Expo this past year and I am very much looking forward in attending next years Photo Plus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center. I was able to accomplish what I had in mind from last year but will stick with my plan for next year and will add Mr. Louis Mendes, a street photographer, to a full roll of film for next year's Photo Plus Expo. For those interested in attending next year's Expo, feel free to register for the Expo and in my opinion, it's best to register at least in advance rather than having to register on the day of the Expo or message me so I can add you to my package or I'll send you an invite. There's a lot to do at the Expo, depending on what you're looking to accomplish, may it be improving your photography skills, create a portfolio in hopes of being able to create a book on Blurb and in which will be one of my book projects that may be in the works, and in some ways network with fellow photographers. Yet in my own way, I don't know where to begin with my adventure at the Photo Plus Expo and I didn't get to attend all three days but did attend two out of three days this year. First things first, I did purchase three five packs of Kodak Portra 400 from B&H before heading to the Expo and I did use five out of ten rolls of film but with a minor mess up... I've accidentally developed five unused rolls of film and thought that my camera had decided to some how call it quits after having my camera [recently] serviced due to shutter issues from a year ago. To say the least, I will use my Japan Camera Hunter 35mm Film Hard Case purchased at B&H a little over a year ago to keep my film organized for photography walks or photography assignments (such as for school or for work, whichever). Secondly, I'd have to focus on my finances to lower my charge card balances so I can continue to save up for film in the New Year (film such as: FUJIFILM Fujicolor Pro 400H Professional Color Negative; Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative; and Ilford XP Super Black and White Negative Film). Third, I'm looking to do the Lunar New Year photography project in hopes of reconnecting with family on my mother's side of the family.

This year at the Photo Plus Expo, there were puppies at the Expo for those who are into pet photography, I felt like this would have been up your alley so to speak and I like most animals (except for birds, I'm not a fan of birds at all, don't ask why but I do like guinea pigs; dogs; cats and as long as they're not sharing my sleeping arrangements with me) but thought the dog photography was fun but quite interesting. Some of the puppies were napping at the time of my arrival mid morning and it was worth it. In the end, I hope the puppies will be back next year and I'm looking forward for that level of adventure in the photography world. I just mainly went around to nearly every model and used at least one roll off 36 exposure film on each model. My day two, which would be considered day three for those who had attended all three days of the Expo. Yet, I was still able to pull off last three rolls of film. I didn't get to stick around long enough to see if I would be able to get free items like I had last year on where I was able to manage to get several rolls of Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative films and the guy had the Ilford booth had recognized me from last year. I suppose I have that recognizable face. One of the models who was there last year had recognized me as she had done the safari theme a year ago and we were talking for several minutes but only to find out that she lives somewhere in my neighborhood near Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. So on the last day of the Expo when I was done with my final roll of Kodak Portra 400 film for the day, just as I was about to turn and leave, I hear someone calling my name, I look up and see Barbra, whom I've met at the Expo several years ago with her husband (I forget her husband's name). We chatted for a bit and in a way, I know was there because of her Instagram pictures but wasn't sure if she was still there until that moment. Hopefully we can meet up at a future Photo Plus Expo events.

The next day, I had gone to B&H since certain items were discounted price until that Tuesday (October 29, 2019) and I honestly wanted to purchase a Sirui 3T-35K Table Tripod or even a Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod but instead purchased a Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR but didn't have enough cash on hand to make such purchase due to owing charge cards a high amount. I hope to begin saving up for a regular tripod, a monopod, and a table tripod. One thing I need to focus on is paying off my three charge cards and begin saving up for what's needed, such as buying additional Kodak Portra 400; Ilford HP5 400; Ilford XP2; and a Sirui P-306 Aluminum Monopod and a Sirui 3T-35K Table Tripod (Black)/Sirui 3T-35K Plus Tripod with C10S Ball Head (Black) For the moment I'm going to focus on what I need to focus on and my main focus is to find another job so I can financially support my photography and eventually save up for a digital camera. I'm a bit hesitant when it comes down to Digital photography and I have nothing against digital photography at all, but I do in the end feel that digital photography lacks something that film may have. Yes, I do realize there's that instant gratification in digital photography that film photography lacks in and there's that quite instant gratification in film photography that you can't get in digital photography. More about this in another blog for another time. The next day, that Sunday (the day after the Expo), I had gone back to B&H to drop off my ten rolls of film apart on me. Sadly, my old Lowepro camera bag is falling apart on me and may want to set the bag on fire at some point. To top it off, my new Manfrotto Windsor Camera Reporter Bag for DSLR (Gray) is my own birthday present!

Warm regards,

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