[Pope_Larry_II]

Good job everyone. I really like this weeks (and last weeks) contest.

I haven’t entered in a few weeks, I’ve been busy with ‘life’ and have been fairly unmotivated. I’ll be back next week for sure, I’ve got a few ideas for shots.

Elsinore, I really like the Optimus Prime shot. I laughed when I saw it.

Silver Stag, love the story. I was in Amsterdam when Episode I came out, I was going to see it until I realized it would be in Dutch and I don’t speak Dutch.

Ranger Joe, amazing shots. I’m always impressed with what you enter.

[Pope_Larry_II]

Ok, the further adventures of my new camera.

I just got back from the camera store and they suggested that I try shooting a roll of film first. So I now have a new battery and a roll of B&W film to play with. Apparently they should be able to tell if there is light leakage by that.

I also asked about getting it fixed. It will cost $40 for an estimate (for shipping and handling) and take about a week, then the time for repairs. Hopefully I can hold off until the new year, I’d like to take it to my in-laws for the holidays.

The did say that the mechanics of the camera are sound.

[Pope_Larry_II]

I’ve got to say, shooting film is…well, hell, it’s special. It takes time, patience, practice. When you put it together with home developing, it’s a craft. It is slow, time consuming, but rewarding. Perhaps it’s just me, but if you love photography, then go back in time once in a while and savor it how it was. It will also make you appreciate how it is.

Enjoy!

I doubt I’ll ever get into home developing, I just don’t have the space. I am really looking forward to going out with it soon.

Curious, the case seems to be custom fit, everything fits snugly into its spot. I think I’ll have to replace the strap with something a little more comfortable if I’m going to carry it around.

[Pope_Larry_II]

The entire kit, with travel case.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5234700807/in/photostream/

The camera

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/523

From my Google research it appears this is one of the Hong Kong built units as it has the all metal body.

[Pope_Larry_II]

Thanks you all for the advice.

I picked it up last night and it is a K1000, with a 50mm Pentax lens, a 28mm Takumar lens, and a 80-200mm Takumar lens and a Hanimex flash. I also have the original instruction manual.

I noticed that the seal along the bottom of the door is sticky, so it looks like I’ll be taking it in for a tune up before I can start shooting.

I’ll post pictures later today.

[Pope_Larry_II]

All of mine are from this years Rockton World’s Fair (yes it’s actually called that http://www.rocktonworldsfair.com/). It’s a small town outside Toronto and near where I grew up. Yzziefrog and I went to this year, we go almost every year, mostly because I like demolition derby.

The demolition derby shot is thanks to the advice I got here, thanks guys and girls.

[Pope_Larry_II]

This will defiinately be an archive dive for me, but I have a good selection of photos to choose from. Between work, school and family obligations I have not been able ‘safari’ as much as I’d like to in recent weeks.

[Pope_Larry_II]

Looking at CauseISaidSo’s stats, it appears that most of the voting takes place during the day on Thursday, which is what I’ve always suspected.

On a personal note, two of my photos this week set personal bests for place and vote totals. I’ve very happy with my results.

Mopsy, I really liked the telephone pic.

[Pope_Larry_II]

And I’m learning to be happy with the votes I get, win or fail. So long as I have just one that does well, I can be a happy camper. This week I’m doing pretty well with all three, which has never happened before. I’m hoping at least one ends up in the top ten, but ya never know.

I usually hope for one or two in the top 25%. This week I’m doing awesome, 12th and 18th, for me at least.

I think part of it is tayloring it to the audience. I selected those tapes for a reason. I could have had CCR or the some mixed tapes, but I figured that more people would vote for what’s there. I usually try for one of these types of shots, then the other two are what make me happy and what I like. Sometimes it pays off sometimes it does not.

[Pope_Larry_II]

I hope you don’t mind me offering unsolicited advice on one of your contest entries, but I think your zip drive photo could’ve been enhanced with a solid background. You’ve got a nice selection of color there and I think it would’ve popped more against a white backdrop.

I don’t mind at all. I took several pics of the zip drive a week or so ago. I wanted to try again because I wasn’t happy with the lighting, flash, etc. But then last night arrived and I didn’t have the time.

I bought one of those white three-sided cardboard things that kids use for science fair exhibits at Target. Probably should have tried using it for the zip pics.

I liked this one too. The foreground colours are eye catching,

For me, I went to a fabric store and bought remnants of various colours and patterns. The golf club is on one of the purchases. It was cheap and covers the ‘studio’ aka the washing machine.

[Pope_Larry_II]

I have a similar problem, for work I need to take record shots for use later on and for photographic analysis. It really does not allow for any creativity, I really need to record a part of a building accurately and with maximum detail. Now photographing for the weekly contests forces me to do things differently. For me it is a difficult transition between the two, but I try to get ‘in the mood’ before going out taking pictures for pleasure. I consciously think about not shooting ‘record’ shots. I’ve actually stopped myself mid-shot because it feels too much like a ‘record’ shot. I try odd angles, shooting things other than buildings, change conditions, etc.

I also try to set aside time specifically for shooting, usually a Saturday or Sunday morning before the wife gets up. I try to go somewhere new each time, but I will return to places that I know have good shots that I did not get the first time.

I was also given the advice of “shoot a roll of film a day”.

[Pope_Larry_II]

I’m not sure what that is or what the words refer to? They aren’t Fark-filterable, so I’d think they’d be ok.

I think they were referring to the fact that is says coon. racist slang, but most people probably won’t even notice

Yes, it is a racist term; however at the time when this was recorded it was not considered offensive.

I think I’ll risk it.

[Pope_Larry_II]

Elsinore, I need a bit of a ruling on this photo, there is some potentially offensive language in it. It’s not the photo I plan on using, but the same language appears in both.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5140745491/

[Pope_Larry_II]

Here’s my b-side. I took it last spring, well before I know about this contest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/4360844638/in/set-72157623318055537/

the one with the grass, I took when I got home from work, it was just sitting in the front yard….almost asking to be photographed. Talk about cutting it close.

[Pope_Larry_II]

Wow, I’ve taken 8k in 10 months. Granted I have taken about 1500 for work, and took 1000 in Mexico in 10 days. Not everything is good, a lot will never see the light of day.

At my last job, I took 30GB of photos in 5 years. I averaged 400-500 pics a month with a P&S.

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