Category Archives: neat stuff

03-16-2010

BLACKBIRD FLY CAMERA REVIEW

Blackbird Fly camera, image copyright http://www.japantrends.com

My Blackbird, Fly 35mm toy camera is orange.  And you all know I’m a sucker for orange.  I received it as a gift a few months ago and haven’t yet blogged about how much I love it!

The twin reflex Blackbird, Fly allows me to shoot at waist level, maintaining eye contact with my subject or pretending to be fiddling with that orange contraption in my hands while firing away.  The camera’s use of 35mm film makes it easy to find photo processing services that ring in at less than $20 per roll, and the turnaround time for 35mm photo processing is typically less than twenty-four hours.  I can have my CD of Blackbird, Fly camera output back and blogged all impatient-like.

The camera is reasonably well-constructed; I have no doubt that if I drop this bad boy, it will stay together.  There’s no need for batteries — another bonus — and rewinding film is easy-peasy.  Loading the film is a bit of a beast, as it’s unlike the standard 35mm camera construction, so you’ll need your instruction manual.

The Blackbird, Fly retails for $119.99 USD.  Its use of 35mm film will quickly offset the expensive-for-a-toy-camera cost, and you WILL be stopped by strangers to ask about its unusual qualities and color.

These images were shot on the Blackbird, Fly inside Terrain at Styer’s.  If you haven’t yet visited this gorgeous local nursery, go!  Go now!

1/125 shutter speed, 400 ISO Kodak film. Soft greenhouse light from above.

The final images were shot on a visit to the Bamboo photography studio in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania.

1/125 shutter speed, 400 ISO Kodak film. Outdoors with cloud cover.

The Blackbird is akin to a jaunt around town in a vintage convertible: fun, memorable, and retro all in one.  It’s worth it if you intend to shoot vertical 35mm images and want to indulge in the look of film without the heavy vignetting or unpredictable focus of other toy models like Diana or Holga.

03-15-2010

INSPIRED

When I took this picture, I was in San Diego about to attend a photography workshop.  I was nervous, excited, elated, and so happy to be by the sea.  These sea baubles had washed up and were literally glittering in the sun.  I was inspired.

That’s the way I feel after spending the past week in Las Vegas for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Convention, soaking up classes and meeting new friends.  I’m so happy to have met people I admire, people I adore, and artists who inspire me during my travels.

My travels will continue as I journey to New York City this week and to Phoenix next week, so phone and e-mail returning will take longer than usual.  I promise to share images and perhaps video along the way.  (Oh, and I bought a new film camera — for the reason, see the Totally Rad Actions blog entry about it.)

03-06-2010

TRYING MY HAND AT VIDEO.

Photojojo was kind enough to provide me with a Zumi digital camera for review, and I played with it on a trip to New York City this week.  I spent the day capturing snippets of the city’s hustle and bustle in snippets of twenty seconds or less, then edited scads of tiny pieces of video and a few still frames into a little over a minute of ‘finished’ video.  Ever mindful of copyright laws and artist’s rights, I used Paulette Dixon’s Bite of the Sky for the video soundtrack.  I was with Paulette Dixon, exploring New York and flipping over her gorgeous loft whilst running around town while shooting this little diddy, so it seemed appropriate.

I’m saving my technical review of the Zumi Digital Camera for the Totally Rad Actions blog after WPPI, but the artistic aspects of this little video camera are outstanding.  The Zumi is ultra lightweight — about the size of a roll of old-school 110 film — and made me feel like a spy on a super video mission.

The Zumi’s macro function captures fabulous out-of-focus crowd scenes and lights when used improperly, which I love.  The slight vignetting also trips my trigger, and the old-school color shift the Zumi provides is delightful.  Any video camera capable of hitting me with a wave of artsy excitement is ok with me!  You can pick up a copy of the Zumi Digital Camera in the Photojojo store, where it retails for $170 USD. (I recommend adding the battery and MicroSD card for an additional $20.)

Wait, there’s more!  The Zumi camera can also capture stills!  I didn’t use this feature too terribly much, since I was in video capture stealth mode, but the ability to switch between ISO 100 and 800 will come in handy.  (Oh, for an iPhone camera function that would do the same thing.)

Since life as a family photographer means it’s Moms who read my blog: yes, the Zumi will survive unharmed if your three-year-old drops it.  Yes, it’s simple enough for your five-year-old.  (You can have your iPhone back.  You’re welcome.)  And yes, your seven-year-old can help you upload the videos to YouTube if you’re having trouble.

02-25-2010

CONKERR CANCER MILLION PILLOWCASE CHALLENGE

ConKerr Cancer is an organization near and dear to my heart.  Based in Wayne, PA, the organization has chapters all over the world.  Each chapter is dedicated to providing pillowcases to kids with cancer, causing a case for smiles time and again.

Over the past few years, Essential Imagery has donated photography services, Photoshop lessons, tech support, and a few badly-stitched pillowcases to the organization. (Founder Cindy Kerr made me sew a few pillowcases…let’s just say it isn’t my strong point.)

Now, Conkerr Cancer is proud to announce the 1-Million Pillowcase Challenge, which has the goal of donating one million pillowcases to children suffering in hospitals all over the world.  The Challenge is featured in American Patchwork & Quilting with a few of my photos (3 of the 4 in the strip shown), and I hope you’ll participate if you’re a crafty person who enjoys sewing.  Or a quilter.  Or an average joe who has access to a sewing machine.

The organization brings smiles to kids, whether they’re receiving a pillowcase or making one for someone they love.  I’ve seen it happen over and over again.  To donate to ConKerr Cancer, click here. To pledge pillowcases for the 1-Million Pillowcase Challenge, click here.  And thanks for your support of ConKerr!

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Photographers!  If you would like to donate your photographic services to ConKerr Cancer, simply contact the chapter coordinator closest to you.  The chapter coordinator can fill you in on when the next sewing events will take place, supply you with the appropriate release forms necessary for ConKerr to use your photographs, and generally prepare you for the sewing day’s events.  Your donation of your time and talent is tax-deductible, but it’s also a rewarding and fun experience that helps to spread the nonprofit’s mission far and wide.

02-22-2010

MONDAY LOVE

This Monday, I’m loving…

#1.) Ingrid Michaelson.

I’m a big fan of listening to CDs on repeat until they simply sink into my brain and become a part of my psyche…I never understand people who constantly download new music without letting the old songs sink in.  Ingrid is totally soak-in worthy…gorgeous lyrics, a gorgeous voice…just…gorgeous.  Below, ‘The Way I Am’ complete with super-sweet animation.

#2.) Zack Arias’ 365 project.

Great mind, great read, great photos.  Apparently it’s ‘use the same adjective to describe things I like’ day.  Zack’s work is refreshing, always striving to outdo itself, and to have a photo DAILY is so inspirational…

Go see DedPxl!

#3.) Summer.

Rather, the thought of it, not the reality of it, since that’s obviously not happening.

#4.) Ace of Cakes

Somehow, watching peeps roll fondant and otherwise get crazy with baked goods gets my creative juices flowing.  Mary Alice is my favorite, but she’s the manager…ah, irony.

#5.) Haiti relief in the form of muffins.

This month, buy the fresh batter for a dozen muffins to bake at home for $15, and you’ll have donated $15 to Haiti whilst, you know, getting to eat Sweet Potato Muffins. Visit Sweet Jazmines Bakery at 15 Bridge Avenue, Berwyn, PA to get the goods…and pick up the new Essential Imagery brochure while you’re there!

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