Echo-location: Weekly Emulsion 10/10 & 10/18

Due to my routinely busy weekend schedule of watching Formula 1, lazily working out, taking hours to wash the dishes, looking at puppies on Instagram, and occasionally bathing… I had two very short windows of time to use my last roll of Portra 400, so even though all of these photos take place within a square mile of Echo Park, the roll spans across the sunset of two different Saturdays.

It would be kinda fun to see how far I could physically run/shoot in one golden hour. I’d have to consider the location, having to walk back in the dark though. I’ll crunch the numbers and have my people get back to your people…

Walked me down to Chinatown + Got Me to the Greek: Weekend Emulsion 10/3-10/4

[Falsetto Voice] I took myself on a stroll DOWN (up, technically) TO CHINATOWN on Saturday. I didn’t snap a photo of my favorite thing that I saw; a woman standing below the penitentiary on Alameda yelling up to a prison window, carrying a full on conversation. Sometimes I feel like taking a photo ruins the moment.

On Sunday I parked down in the main drag of Los Feliz and wandered the neighborhood up in the hills above before walking to the Greek in full dorky powerwalking-mom athleisure wear. Pro-tip: It’s waaaaayyyy harder to operate a camera when you’re swaying your hips and constantly checking your pulse with two fingers.

A Weekend (Not) In The City and Ghost Whispers: Weekend Emulsions 9/27

This weekend, rather than my usual bullshit DTLA urban hikes, I went on an actual hike with family, morning dew, fog, and a super cool dog. I really like the look of fog in the morning on film. I should probably try to wake up early more often. Still not sold on nature, though.

BONUS: A couple of shots on my drive away from the film lab last week.

So, you know how I’m always having a hard time sleeping ? If you didn’t know, just go with this. Last night I tried my best to not be cynical and give ASMR videos on Youtube a shot. For the uninitiated, ASMR videos are basically people speaking in a very low whisper, doing things on mic and camera that are supposed to be soothing and put you in a semi-hypnotic state which helps you sleep. Call me crazy, but I found that each ASMR video gave me two experiences in one: they’re either super provocative when you watch them, OR they’re like a terrifying horror movie if you put your phone down and only listen to the sounds of someone whispering in your ear like a ghost. I’m sure it works for some people, but it just wasn’t for me.

Muse.

Finally developed our first roll of B&W film shot on our Leica M-A.  I think I must have missed the sprockets when I loaded the roll, because I ended up with a few multiple exposures at the head of the roll; which turned out pretty well.  Chalk it up to happy accidents.

Accidental psychological portrait of my wife.  Her, a map of the world, her books, teacups, unicorn statues, a ballet bar, and other random things she collects.  Leica M-A, Summicron 50mm 2.0, Ilford Delta ISO400 35mm film, multiple exposures.

The bottom of the multiple exposure portrait overlapping with my wife being sleepy in an elevator.  Leica M-A, Summicron 50mm 2.0, Ilford Delta ISO400 35mm film, improperly cut by the lab?  My fault again?  I wouldn't rule that out either.

Digital vs. Film.  Shot on the same day.  A7Rii vs. Leica M-A.  Zeiss 35mm 2.8 vs Summicron 50mm 2.0.  I think the light and the pose are better in the digital shot (left), but the one on the right has a little more romance in its softness.  My wife doesn't like the film shot (right) because she's 'got her bitch face on.'

I swear, I really do take pictures of things besides my wife and kickboxers.  ("My wife and kickboxers" copywritten title for my autobiographical sitcom)