Now Showing at the Boulder Photo Center

Getting back on track with the North Boulder Artists (NoBo).  Now showing at the Boulder Photo Center.

The Image that Keeps on Giving............

Ha Ha, That Same Old Feeling!

I don't think that I have posted this Photo Here, although it has appeared many times on my other Blog:

But I got that same old feeling when I entered it in a recent Online Arts Contest:  Special Recognition. Egads, either like it or throw it away.........Read My Thoughts on Art Contests Here.  Spending less and less time on this...........Probably my only entry for the 2020 season.

2019 Year End Wrap Up: Films Test Results

I tested 8  'new' (to me at least) films this Spring and Summer:  CineStill 800,  Silberra (100, 160), Rollei Retro 80S, Ilford FP4, Lomochrome Purple and of course the long awaited Kodak E100 (I'll talk about that one last).  Let me start with a film sent to me by my EMULSIVE Secret Santa: Ilford FP4 and Washi Z 400.

Ilford FP4 isn't a film I've ever thought of trying.  But that's what Secret Santas are for; to push us out of our comfort zone.......More Results Here.

Roosevelt Bridge and Dam along the Salt River, AZ

Washi Z 400 is another IR Sensitive film  I had not heard of it until my Secret Santa gave it to me last year.  Definitely need to try another roll, but I wish it came in 120 size:

My Results from both Silberra Films were Pretty good.  This was an Indiegogo Project that I supported in 2018:

Silberra Pan 100

Silberra Pan 160

Rollei Retro 80S is an IR sensitive film (like Ilford SFX-200).  I read about it on one of the blogs that I follow and decided to try it.  It's not going to replace SFX-200 for me, but worth a try:

I jumped on the Lomography band wagon and ordered the Lomochrome Purple.  I've never been drawn to special effects films before, but this one intrigued me.  Of course it finally arrived months behind schedule, but oh well......

CineStill has been around for a while.  I have several rolls that I never seemed to shoot.  In the Spring we visited the Biosphere2 and I loaded up my Fuji GA645Zi with CineStill 800.  It's a Tungsten film but performed OK in the muted day lit interior of the Bioshere:

And Finally the Kodak E100 Transparency Film.  The Link is to my summary experience.  For me personally, the film ran too cold:

ISO 125 Metered

ISO 125: true Color

Pushed to ISO 200

So I am going to give Fuji Velvia 50 another try in 2020.  

And if they come out with a 120 version of E100, we'll have a true shoot out!

Biosphere2: Structures

It's really a Giant Terrarium!

Biosphere2: Experiments in Progress

Above: They are rebuilding the Ocean Laboratory; starting with Algae and 

building the new environment from the ground up.

Above: a new Climate Lab (this shows one of three isolated labs).  They are starting with crushed rock of volcanic origin and varying the climate conditions to see how it affects soil development and

eventually the growth of crop plants.  These areas were originally used to grow food for the Biosphere inhabitants.

Above: An ongoing experiment testing techniques for growing food on

another Planet.

Biosphere2: Living Quarters

Original Biosphere Living Quarters for the original 1991 Project.

Biosphere2: Passages

Pathway leading to the Rainforest.

Biosphere2: Rainforest

The Biosphere started as an experiment in living in 1991, aimed at testing 

system for living on other Planets.  The original project failed in the end, but the University of Arizona has turned it into an Environmental Experimentation Lab and Conference Center.  Here we see two scenes from the Rainforest Section of the Lab.

Biosphere2

This week we will start exploring the Biosphere2 as I wrap up my time in Arizona......I made this Photomerge of two images to capture the entire structure.  Still working on a good color balance as I was shooting Tungsten Film (CineStill 800):

I didn't have a Tungsten filter so I used my 81C Warming Filter which worked well in full sunlight, but not as well in this overcast shot.......

Good Friday

Silberra PAN 100 Part III

Trails Around Phoenix:

Silberra PAN 100 Part II

Taking a Drive in and around the Superstition Mountains:

Not April Foolin': Silberra PAN 100 Results Part I

Similar contrast problems as I reported for Silberra PAN160.  So no need to repeat that here, just follow the link.

I did encounter a different problem here.  Maybe it was just a bad roll with soft emulsion.  But I had tons of scratches.  I did not have this problem with the PAN 160. And my film lab (old School Labs) has never scratched my film like this before.  So we'll assume it was a bad/extra soft emulsion:

Tomorrow we'll look at what turned out better.......

Results for Silberra PAN 160 Film: Part II

We'll finish looking at Silberra PAN 160.  All images have Photoshop enhanced Levels, Contrast and Brightness.  The first three images are from the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic Nature Trail:

Below, three images from Hwy 87 approaching 4 Peaks:

Those of you that have followed me for a while, realize that T-MAX 400 is my film because I lean towards high contrast.  When I want lower contrast I use Ilford Delta 400.  In both cases I use contrast filters.

I have my favorite films and I ask myself whether it is worth the time to learn about new films?  My favorite B&W: Kodak T-MAX 400, Ilford SFX-200 and Ilford Delta 400;  I also want to spend some more tie with Ilford Delta 3200.  My Favorite Color film for now is Kodak Portra 400;  I am presently testing the new Kodak E100.  

Results for Silberra PAN 160 Film: Part I

So for part I, I'm just going to share some personal impressions.  In Part II. I'll finalize by showing more examples.

For the Silberra PAN 160 I experienced some of the same problems as I had with Ferrania P30:  apparent under exposure and very low contrast.  But this time with a totally different camera (here the X-700 and with the P30 an XD-11).  So I'm wondering if my problem is trying to use my typical T-MAX settings.  Also the raw examples I did use a dark orage filter with filter factor dialed in.



Example #1: Raw Image; to me somewhat flat......

Example #1: Levels, Contrast & Brightness enhanced in PhotoShop

Examples #2: Raw Image; to me also somewhat flat

Example #1: Levels, Contrast & Brightness enhanced in PhotoShop

Next We'll just take a look around Arizona, with all of the Silberra PAN 160 film enhanced using PhotoShop as discussed above.

Film Test: Taking Ilford FP4 Out for a Spin

My Emulsive Secret Santa gave me some Ilford FP4, a film that I've never tried.  Got some exposure tips online from the Phoblograper, and I'll post me results shortly:

End of Year Wrap-Up Part III: My Photo Successes

I'm posting images that earned special recognition in 2018. For the details Click Here.