Gas pump at an abandoned gas station in Wallis, TX. This is a small town I pass through each time I drive to visit my dad in Sugar Land. Those are my favorite shoes during the summer.

Another taken at work. I might print one of these just as a straight image. Again, I’ve provided the straight version (above) and a reversed version. But no big versions this time.

Spent some time testing out my (hopefully) new Voigtlander 6×13 stereo camera yesterday. This was one of the shots we took in the archive room (also known as Rebecca’s [the archivist] office). Obviously the focus was lost in the process, but I think that’s the least of my problems with this camera. I like it a lot, but it’s going to take some work to get it in a reliable state.

In case you weren’t aware, I’ve been infatuated with stereo photography since I was a kid. It started with those Magic Eye posters and books. Once I figured out how to see them, I couldn’t get enough. So I ended up spending WAY too much money on the books, and essentially training my eyes to be able to see things like this completely unassisted by any kind of viewer. I can look at a stereo pair that’s in the correct order, or reversed (by crossing my eyes) with relative ease.

So that’s why I’ve made a few different versions of this image. Those of you who are able to see these unassisted can choose the easiest for you:

• Small Stereo Pair (shown above)
• Small Reversed Stereo Pair
• Large Stereo Pair
• Large Reversed Stereo Pair

This is one of the better links I found on how to view these images in 3D.

This is Van. Technically I think he’s like my 2nd cousin. He’s my grandfather’s nephew, though my grandfather was only 17 years older than him. My grandfather died around 12 years ago, and oddly enough, Van is nearly the spitting image of him in a lot of ways. This was taken at the end of the 19th Annual Pickering Family Reunion this past weekend in Ruston, LA at the Holiday Inn Express there.

I believe this is cross-processed Provia 100F.

My little brother, Carter, could be the next member of Kiss.

Carter insisted on having his photo taken with his bat. This is our compromise.

Also, I won a 5×7 Beseler enlarger on eBay yesterday afternoon. I got it really cheap because it was an auction where they wanted you to pick up rather than have it delivered (because of the weight). The seller is located in Keller, which is in the DFW metroplex. My in-laws live South of Dallas, so my mother-in-law is going to pick it up soon for me. I’m kind of tempted to pick out a 5×7 camera from the collection now, but it’s not the most available format. This will just be really nice for enlarging 4×5 negatives because I can do Polaroid 55 with no border cropping issues.

This is my little brother.

A bit contrasty. This was actually shot as the sun went down, but it sure looks like it’s the middle of the day.

Things I am currently borrowing, but might be purchasing by the end of the month with money from my sales to the Wittliff Collection:

1. Rolleiflex Automat Camera
2. 6×13cm Stereoflektoskop Stereo Camera
3. Leica IIIA 35mm Outfit
4. Premo Standard Reversible Back 8×10 View Camera (!!)
5. R.B. Auto-Graflex 4×5 Press Style Camera

I probably won’t keep the 4×5. It’s really a neat design and is essentially a 4×5 SLR with built-in focusing hood, but it’s something that can wait. The Rolleiflex is in pretty decent shape. The stereo camera will require me to cut up rolls of 120 film, but that’s fine. The Leica outfit is, well, a Leica. I’m excited about that. And of course, the pièce de résistance is the 8×10 view camera with what seems to be a normal length lens. I could forsake all the other cameras for just this one.

I also might have the opportunity to get a Hasselblad 1600F (the original Hasselblad model) but it appears the shutter is damaged. There are also a number of smaller things I might be acquiring, but that remains to be seen. You’ll probably see some new formats over the next month as I try each camera out.