I've been busy lately... it's cooler to say you're quitting your job than actually doing it.
I mean... I could just walk away and not give a fuck, but that's not my style. I try to do things properly.
Even if people hate me... I like it when they hate me properly, not just plain old, mediocre hate...
...as I know that certain readers do.
But what are you going to do? This is the net, and I prefer to avoid any emo-kiddo or wannaby artsy fartsy pretentious self portrait with camera gear, or books... as if I were masturbating to the thought of being something I am not.
---this is all; what you see is what you get.
Pictures don't lie.
Unless Photoshopped... but that ain't happening here... I couldn't care less about modifying my frames for stuff other than tones and balance.
...as if I could remove in Photoshop someone's being an asshole...
As I told N the other day... I like to make frames of things that catch my eye... but some individuals will never be photographed (again) through my lens just because they are not worthy of it.
And so-fucking-what? My camera; my point of view.
This also brings to mind some other thoughts... like school and growing up.
There's only so much you can do on school, then you have to grow-the-fuck-up.
My limit is Master's Degree. Yes, like... I want to have theoretical expertise in a given field that I am truly interested in (Information Technology - I'm a computer guy according to my university degree). But the problem is not about getting perfect grades, it's actually what you do in the real world.
...and unless you are not doing real world research, if you are still in school, after university, you suck.
"I feel good in this comfort circle that harbors no responsibilities other than doing my homework, and teaching some undergrad kids" definitely does not count as Real World. Puhleeeeease... unless you can actually make it happen outside, then you are using up valuable resources like oxygen.
Anyway... I don't usee a blog to make you think I am a thinker, a philosopher, or someone who actually cares about making himself look interesting. My friends know who I am, and how much I would do for them.
But come on... this is too much bla bla and no photos. My photos.
On a side note, I think it's caring too much to put a copyright notice on each photo, but my good friend Nuno (who is a kick ass concert photographer) told me to always do that.
First, let's get digital out of the way:
My ex-roommate asked me to drop by his live presentation at Café Iguana.
He's an amazing DJ... and this was his night.
It's twice the fun to watch him wink you, just before he puts your favorite mixed song.
We both worked at the same company once... and just like that, life goes on:
As I walked in...
Preparing the next song... his own creation
Up - close - and personal
People grabbing their own cameras...
From the DJ's point of view
Spacing out
Check out his site: http://www.myspace.com/djferh
He's also working as a producer with some other guy: http://www.myspace.com/loudroomrec
T'was a fun night...
Film already!!!
These are some old scans from a Portra160NC:
Sleeping man in a department store.
Late night--- 7-eleven
A repair shop door. f1.4 Vignetting
Ice-cream - In this place "Brownie" is spelled "Brawny"; Brawny ice-cream here is delicious
Reala 100. Do they even make that film anymore? In the lovely store where they scratch the film sans extra fee, they sell it... and it's dated, so I'm going with a "yes, they still make it".
I hate banks. You give them money that produces them more profits, and t hey charge you for so doing.
Dusk... 100 asa is not that friendly handheld with a Tessar f3.5
drumrolls
Yes! A lovely brick wall. Please note coma, chromatic aberration, pincushion and vignetting.
Ha!
Gotcha!
Nah, just for the fun of it, here is a brick wall:
A tool for evaluating lenses... or so many claim
This one serves to illustrate two things:
- Car accidents in Monterrey happen a-fucking-lot... most of the people drive like shit
- If you batch scan color film with automatic dust and scratch removal, you might end up with shadows like those here shown:
There are no dark areas... look how the software ate the bottom shadows into weird pixelated blocks
Martist after being photographed with his 15yr old fans
...and now... a commercial break...
I like the rolleiflex, but working out the square neg is quite challenging for me.
I can't wait to see how my b/w homemade developing works with MF... so far with 35mm it's going fairly well.
Now, starting with some images from my first attempts to develop Tri-x myself:
Xtol stock - me likey blacks... not much detail in shadows, tho'
Xtol 1:1 - My personal fav for trix
Xtol 1:3 - Grrrraaainyyyy. Don't know... not really like this one...
Xtol 1:3 - In this case I liked the result.
This individual's stereo is probably double the cost of the old car he's driving
I'm loving Xtol, and learning how not to mess up the Fixer (two practice rolls screwed, one good one screwed, but somewhat scanneable).
This is where the mixing and pouring take place - Leftmost: Stop, Fix, Hypo, Flo, Cooking Oil
And all that mixing, pouring, and shaking produces this:
Delta 100
(Xtol 1:3)
I dig the 1.4 DOF on this frame
f2 + strong light source = flaring. I still like this one, though.
E and I used to get our late night fix of tacos here. We would laugh at drunken juniors losing their dignity in public.
Monterrey upscale nightlife: Park the Mercedes or Jag, and get a hot dog or some tacos somewhere
Apodaca is up North from this place... Wtf were they doing in downtown Monterrey?
Now Delta 400:
Bus station. One way ticket. Sherezade is done with this place. This is her last picture here. Godspeed.
Shooting into the sun. I loved the detail on the ticket taped to the windshield
This is typical Monterrey: wanker parks on a reserved space and does not care. Shotgun, please!!!
N couldn't resist a glass of pineapple-flavored water
Street in Barrio Antiguo - downtown Monterrey
... and now Tmax 400 (Xtol 1:3):
I don't know why cameras are prohibited in super markets. Is it because someone may photograph their layout? You could write it on a notepad. Are you documenting what they have in stock... well... you can write it down as well.
Anyway...
N choosing I don't remember what - 1/500 f1.4
Yours truly in the milk aisle - 1/500 f2
I went to the movies with N, and as we got out of the car, I saw this man sitting in a bucket. I've seen him around since I first came to this cinemas, about six years ago. It took me all this time, and the experience I've built until now to approach and ask for a portrait.
I was very happy to see he was was willing to sit for a moment and let me make a few frames.
1/250 f4
He told me that he looked after this car for a friend who owned it.
1/250 f4
He asked for a print, which I will be making next weekend.
1/250 f4
This was a reminder to never leave the camera at home, or somewhere else... you never know where you'll find something that makes you feel that rush pressing the shutter.
Strange how at certain angles, the flare is different; this is Monterrey traffic FYI
I like the detail in the shadows... like my glasses - 1/500 f1.4
Vignetting at f1.4 (1/500) - Sun coming down...
I see this guy every other day when going home from school; I think he collects aluminium cans and stuff.
Small social differences pictured.
This is Diego. Migue and Laura's baby. Grandpa is holding him here
N and I got to visit the new parents in the hospital the day after he was born
As you can see, I was not the only one papping Diego
Finally...Trix 400 (Xtol 1:1):
Teachers' night at the contemporary art museum
A dancer surrounded by people
Her act was strange... she reminded us of Ophelia (daughter of Polonius)
Ophelia playing with the water
Loved the details in this contre-jour; N's hair is awesome...
"Careful sonny, they'll grab your attention and drive you nuts to get what they want" - haha
Bad Idea: Open all the fridge doors during mid-summer.
We had sushi that day
Last frame. N prepping the Motor for the next film.
I generally don't trust "the world" as a group of strangers, and honestly, have no faith in mankind. Still, sometimes I see details that prove how incoherent we humans usually are. For example, I find it amusing when people who know you, can't look you straight in the eyes. It is a feeling that makes you know how you still mean a lot to them.
In certain cases it sucks... like when they try overly hard to get over you, but... simply can't.
But in the end, it's not my fucking problem.
---not that I try to picture the stupid details in my life as awe-inspiring as some others.
Details no-one cares about.
This thing you read is my life.
As simple as I want you to know it is.
...the exact measure of what I want you to know.
...when I want you to know.
Thanks for making it through; drop me a line sometime... I'll hear whatever you want to tell me - photo-related, or not.
Hope life catches you well,
J
