Size Matters

April 6, 2012 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

I love shooting my medium format camera. It’s a Mamiya m645 1000S. It makes me think, I develop the film, and get giddy unrolling the negatives for the first time. I also have too many Polaroid cameras, and somehow acquired a huge stockpile of film and flashcubes. Now, I have a Polaroid Colorpack which is in an earlier blog. Plastic lens or not, that thing has a sweet spot which produces fantastic images. I know where it is, how to use it, and the results are great. But, that’s my limit. Yes, it was $5 well spent.

So, I’ve been eye-balling the 6×7 Mamiya models from some time now. One reason is they have Polaroid backs. Finally, I won (at a good price if my wife is reading) a Mamiya RB67 Pro S. It came with a Polaroid back, a 120 back, a waist level finder, and metered prism finder. It was every option I wanted. I figured it would be slightly bigger than my 645, but I was wrong. This thing is HUGE!!!

Now, I finally have a camera to shoot my peel apart film besides the Colorpack. Plus, this will handle my roll film needs so the 645 is going on the “auction block”. I’ll be posting a lot more about this “beast”, but here is a fun test shot.

This thing is SWEET!

Posted in film, gear, rambling

Sure it’s a sport!

March 22, 2012 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

Wow…my last blog post was a sudden blast of winter. Now, it’s March and…well…feels like mid summer. This is crazy. Now, I love warm weather. I usually won’t complain about extreme heat. But, I’m almost wishing this would go away, because I know it’s temporary. March, April, May…these should not be 80 degree months. Regardless, enough with the blah, blah, blah. This winter, the wifey and I hit Napa. We stayed at a place that had a croquet “court”. It was a LOT of fun, and working up to the dress code was a hoot. So…how about a photo?

Posted in family, rambling, vacation

How winter should be…

March 3, 2012 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

Last year, winter was brutal. It started with a lot of snow in December, and continued all the way to Snow-mageddon in February. Add a few -10F degree days, and there you have it. This year…not too bad. A little snow, mostly warmer, and when it did snow, it didn’t last long.

Here was a photo taken from my office a couple weeks ago. It looked really pretty and was melted the next day.

Posted in rambling

What’s Next

February 19, 2012 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

Life has been REALLY busy lately. I typically complain that when I get really busy, that I’m not doing anything fun with photography. Luckily, that hasn’t been the case for me. I’m actually doing more things that interest me. A big part of this is my huge stockpile of roll film, and Polaroid variants. I’ve pretty much mastered my $5 Colorpack II camera, and can get great photos day in and day out using it. I also have wonderful results with my Mamiya m645 1000s. I’m starting to get better shots with my other Polaroid variants using integral film. My folding SX-70 camera is great, but a challenge to use. When I get it right…the image is great.

So, my plan is to grab a pack, or roll of film at a time and shoot something I want to shoot. I told myself I can’t buy anymore film until I’ve used at least 75% of what I already have. Notice I said film. I’m considering a consolidation of gear again, and might replace my Mamiya 645 with a RZ67. I have two reasons for this. One, there are some broken parts inside. The only way I can see fixing it is buying another body and swapping it out. But, that will be about $100, or $50 for a “parts” version. The beauty of the RZ67 is I would be able to shoot instant pack film. I love the Fuji pack film, and would finally be able to use the black and white at it’s high ISO capabilities.

I also continue to use my Dial 35, and just shot about a third of a roll of Kodak Ektar 100. I love that film. Unfortunately, couldn’t finish it off, as San Francisco was too cloudy for the rest of the trip. My goal is to display more of my photography this year. I have a lot of great shots, and need to find creative ways to show it off. Stay tuned for an analog film-a-palooza!

Here are a few shots in the mean time. I love portraits with the Mamiya and Ilford Delta 3200 film.

Posted in film, gear, portraits, rambling

Challenge Each Exposure

January 10, 2012 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

I was going to title this post “It ain’t easy”. But…you might have thought I was talking about something else. But, it does apply. It ain’t easy. I keep finding myself regressing as far as photo technology goes. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE the new technology. A Canon 1 series that can darn near see in darkness. Removable lens, APS-C sensor consumer cameras. I can’t believe technology. It’s clearly not slowing down. But…it isn’t cheap either. I’d love the new 1D camera. The problem is, photographers used to push their gear to the limit. Now, the limit is something you “hit” every now and then. So, this is why I get drawn to the analog formats. I’ve been enamored with Polaroid and instant film formats. I have the coolest folding Polaroid which, if sold today, would be the hipster camera of the year. The problem is, I’m having a huge challenge getting interesting photos out of the Impossible Project film. Most suck. Really. The images just suck. If the light isn’t perfect, it’s difficult getting an image. But, I’ve started to get a little closer, and I’m enjoying the challenge. It’s not an inexpensive endeavor, but I still love the format.

So, I’ve recently purchased way too much film, flashcubes, and instant analog greatness. Now, I have a stock pile of film, and it’s time to shoot. I’ve been out of town a lot, and only have random things in my hotel room to shoot. So, I took a few “Polaroids”, and then snapped some point and shoot photos of the result. No scanner in my room, so bear with me.

The first is some still photography…the second is a shot of the overpriced movie I bought in my hotel room. I can go on and on about the details of how I shot this, but it’s just a little thinking about light. Everything else is boring. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the simplicity of these photos, and the fact that everything doesn’t have to be “great” to be a photo you like.

Posted in film, rambling

Mary and James

November 27, 2011 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

This summer…year…has been BUSY! I was talking with Pete of Peter Matthes Photography earlier this year. It was the usual general chit-chat about photography, and how things are going in general. He also reminded me we had a wedding late summer. So, we talked details. Day, time, location, etc. That’s where my mood changed. Navy Pier, on a boat, mid-afternoon. All I could think was, “Navy Pier…REALLY!?!?” Navy Pier is where tourists go, and I don’t understand it. But, it’s the biggest revenue producer in Chicago along with Taste of Chicago. I guess people from out of town don’t know what is good in Chicago. Then, Pete forwarded me a complete sheet of photos we needed to take. What…I can’t just shoot what I want…like usual? Navy Pier…!!!???

I learned a big lesson this day. If you have a couple who plans a wonderful day, is in love with each other, and has fantastic family and friends…then you have a recipie for a beautiful wedding. In the end, I just needed to show up and do what I usually do. Capture great photos of a couple in love with each other. Thank you Mary and James for letting me be a part of your special day.

Now…on to the photos:

Posted in rambling, weddings

Gobble, Gobble

November 26, 2011 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I did, and got some quality time with family, and MUCH needed downtime. I’m going to be taking it easy these next few days. Back in the action starting Monday, and crazy until the end of the year.

Posted in family, food, rambling

Technology Marches On

November 17, 2011 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

Some friends came in from Japan to visit Chicago. One of them was armed with a really cool Olympus camera. The four-thirds format, and other APS-C sensor compact cameras are packing some serious punch. Interchangeable lenses and image quality to boot. All this in a body + lens package that ends up in the $500-$700 starter range. It’s truly enough to make you want to trade in your SLR for one of these slick, new packages.

I tried one of these out today and I’m going to be keeping an eye on the Sony NEX models…

Posted in gear, rambling

Impossible

November 14, 2011 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

The Impossible Project. It’s the re-invention of Polaroid film. Basically, a group of people bought a Polaroid factory, old Polaroid film manufacturing machine(s), and are trying to re-create a legend. Sure, there are some available options. That being peel-apart Fuji film. Which, by the way, is really good film. My $3 Polaroid Colorpack III takes some great photos on this film. Zone focusing, plastic lens and all…I’m impressed.

But, Polaroid film is really cool. I remember my first camera. It was a Kodak Champ. Instant, integral, Polaroid-esque camera. Flashbar and all. Then, Polaroid sued Kodak. The cameras were discontinued, and film was no longer available. Fast forward to now, and there are a boat-load of Polaroid integral film cameras still out there. Now, there is film.

So, what you see here, is I’m a Pioneer Member.

So, I know what you’re saying. Cool…this guy has spent way too much money on the ability to take blurry photos. Now, before all the Impossible Project fans send me hate mail, let me say this. First, I’m a Pioneer Member. So, lay off. Second, I do like the “project”, and I plan to support it. I’ve taken some cool photos, but I really want to see improvements. Figure it out, and I’m there.

That said, I still love my $3 Colorpack III the best. It’s zone (guess) focusing, plastic lens, and just simplicity and coolness all wrapped up in one.

You can probably seen in the photo an infamous flashcube. I had a concern that I wouldn’t be able to get these anymore, and they’d be really expensive. Well, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’m finding a great number of these on eBay, and they’re cheap. So…all your flashcubes belong to me!

These things seem to store well, and I have a serious stockpile of them. :)

Something great I got from the Impossible Project was a big shipment of Polaroid Type 100 peel-apart film. They were looking to generate some cash for their next Impossible film iteration, and I bought a bunch of packs at 50% off. Today, if you want sepia, cross-processed, or other film effects, you just click the action. Before PhotoShop, you actually needed to change your film. Recently, I shot some really cool double-exposures using some Polaroid Blue, my Colorpack III, and working with flashcubes.

Thanks to Aleks for another great shoot. These shots took a decent amount of time, and I supplemented light with a Menards shop light and a 150W bulb. We also finished off a pack of Fuji FP-100C film.

For the rest of this month, I have a lot of travelling to do, and will try to blog more at night. I’ve been playing around with so many cool things, I just need to sit down and write about them. The above pictures (aside from scanned Polaroids) were taken with my Canon 50mm f/1.2L. That lens is serious glass, and fits perfectly with my shooting style.

Also coming up, I should get back my wedding images from my second shooter gig with Peter Matthes Photography.

…more to come…

Posted in film, gear, models, portraits

Katie and Peter

August 13, 2011 by Jay Auskalnis | Leave a comment

It was a hot, hot day in July. The humidity was crazy, and the heat relentless. What a perfect day for an outdoor wedding. All that said, it was a perfect wedding. The location was the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s headquarters. The place was modern, and the grounds beautiful. I’m always lucky when the bride and groom choose nice places to shoot. Thankfully, not another banquet hall.

I was a second shooter again for Peter Matthes Photography. Pete and I both shoot Canon, we have different styles which compliment each other’s shooting, and I know exactly how he wants lights setup when needed. Have a look at a sample of some photos from the day.