Just a detail from the previous post. Actually, it’s a different image entirely, uncropped. But I must admit, after looking at it for two days, it was a lot more interesting in person. Perhaps color would have been better? Or maybe I’m just in need of a silver print.
I’ll post a close-up of one of these windows on Wednesday. But for now, this is the beginning of a series of images I shot in Orange, Texas. Though this doesn’t show it, the majority of the shots were portraits. But I’m getting these shots out of the way first. I still have 9 sheets of film to develop tomorrow, and I’ll be picking up two sheets of E-6 tomorrow as well.
As for the background on this shot… this is where I ate lunch every day for three years in junior high. For those of you not hip enough to be in the know, a “cafetorium” is a cafeteria with a stage. At least it was in this case. The condensation is from the ridiculously high level of humidity, as is usually the case in Orange. I’d say that’s the single biggest factor for why I wouldn’t want to live there anymore. As is probably the case in most small towns, there wasn’t a whole lot to do very late in the evening, but the trip was good because I was in during the week and people were actually out and about. I also got to catch up with quite a few folks.
Miss Laura has worked for the House of Representatives as a cook (among many other duties) for 33 years. She’s 82 years old, and a sweetheart of a lady. I met her several months back during an event held by the Speaker’s office. After talking for awhile, I asked if I could take a picture of her sometime soon, and she eagerly agreed. But as session raged on, we never had a chance to meet up.
Then, a week ago I ran into her while she was waiting for a cab to pick her up from work. We spoke a bit and she told me that she was still interested in posing. So today I walked over and asked if she was up for it. We shot this next to a window on the House Floor, and she was one of the best, most patient models I’ve ever had. Even with my Polaroid back malfunctioning and one of the Polaroids falling apart in front of my eyes, she pushed her schedule back to accomodate me. And I like how this shot turned out. I’m going to print it gigantic.
UPDATE: Thanks for all the kind comments, folks. I really appreciate it. However, I’d like to clear up any confusion, whether implied or not (and this is directed at no particular person… it’s more a pet peeve of mine). Laura seems to come across to people in this shot as very solemn, perhaps indignant, and downtrodden. I can’t say I know a whole lot about her background, but I do know that she is very upbeat, happy and an absolute joy to be around. She pretty much lights up a room. And our first take of this shot was her with a nice smile on her face. But smiles are hard to keep still during a long exposure and maintain a natural look. So I asked her to relax her face and try not to laugh. A more accurate portrait of her character would probably have to be taken with ISO 1600 film and a smaller format camera, because she seems to always be laughing and smiling. Still, you’re welcome to interpret the photo how you wish, but I felt that background was necessary for a little more accurate depth.
This is what our evenings consisted of in Colorado, for the most part.
I first shot this with some color Polaroid, but I underexposed the shot. So, having only that one sheet, I pulled out some Pola55. And while I wish the color shot had worked, I like this one quite a bit.
This shot (really two shots) took me two hours to set up. The scratches were the least of my problems. I had to wash them in river water. Man, I’m tired.
My wife probably couldn’t even stand within 10 feet of this toilet without gagging. It’s probably been out of commission for at least 50 years, but I’m not sure that’s kept people from using it. (No, not using using it.)
This is from my recent trip to a ghost town called Payton (Peyton?) Colony, Texas. It’s about 8 miles East of Blanco, and took quite awhile to set up all my shots. I shot 12 sheets of Tri-X 320 so I should have those up soon.
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:
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.
I drove out to Hutto last weekend and shot at what appeared to be a high school or junior high football/baseball complex. Some of these images came out ok, but I think I’d like to go reshoot some of these same shots in more appropriate light. The sun was already set at this point.
You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get my grandmother to let me take her picture.
The front door. The last image from the Wittliff House for awhile. At least until I shoot some more.
Upstairs office at the Wittliff House. I’m not particularly fond of this one, but I want you to see all of the images from this shoot.
This is what you see when you walk in the front door. I assume this is a foyer.
