September 2006

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9/23/06 - Testing out the XA. Fixed the light seals and voila, no more light leaks. Im still debating whether I need to or I want to buy a Leica M4 with the money from the sale of my pics for the book cover. I might get it, but I do have a lot of fun with these cameras I get for $30 or even for free as with this XA. Maybe I'll just use the $$$ to pay off my credit card and then buy more cheap cameras.

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9/20/06 - My Olympus XA came in the mail today. Got it for free from RFF. Just finished replacing the light seals so Im hoping that will fix the light leak I was told it has. Film is loaded and tomorrow I'll give it a try. I haven't gotten into the darkroom since my disasterous last try, but this weekend I will fire it up again. Pics to come. Here is a blog Ive been following lately. he travels around taking pics of whatever he wants.

9/16/06 - So a New York Publisher has bought the rights to one of my photos for a hardcover book. It's a fiction novel that takes place in Providence. Here is the cover with my photo. Oh, yes I am being paid nicely for it. My photo is the b/w of course.Think Im gonna be camera shopping soon!!!

9/11/06 - Scored a free Olympus XA today from another RRF member today.Well, with a small donation to the forum that is. I guess it has a light leak somewhere and the frame counter needs a little help, but those things seem fixable for me. Shouldnt speak too soon I guess. Made my day though, it's the little things.

Yesterday had a disasterous time in the darkroom. Don't know why, but for some reason when I went to process my prints in the developer they were looking fogged. At least that is how it looked. I tried 4 diferent boxes of paper and they all had the same result. I have no idea. The paper should not be fogged for any reason. There are other people living in this 3 family house, but would someone sabotage me like this? Im a nice guy, really!! I tried printing with all my lights off, total darkness, and boom, still looked the same way. Not one useable print made. In my 25 years of printing this has NEVER happened. Im no master printer for sure, but come on............................ Any ideas? Maybe my developer has exhausted? I dont think so, the images fully developed, but then in the last few seconds the "fogging" showed up each time. I didnt change my safelights or anything like that. I'm gonna buy a new bottle and use a brand new tray and see if that helps. My developer tray is kinda stained, but has been for quite a while. Did I mention this one has me stumped? The darkroom is light tight, I assure you that. Do you think someone went and opened all my boxes of paper? Couldn't be.

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9/6/06 - Was thinking of writing something, but have nothing to say. Gotta get out and do some more shooting this week.The internet is a dangerous place for the the wallet. Forums with people selling Leica's and all kinds of equipment being bought and sold.I could buy that Leica III, but maybe I should pay that gas bill and electric bill first. Saw a Konica Hexar AF for sale too, a black one!! Nope, gotta take care of the rent first. Do I need those things anyway? Got my Bessa R, my Yashica electro and a couple rolls of film. Just gotta go shoot more. Oh, and to those few out there who visit my site and come back again, thanks. Hope you enjoy some of my pics. Was actually thinking of ditching the website for a while. The computer, for me, has kinda become more of a work tool and it's luster has worn off a little I guess. I work on one all day, then I use it at home to work on as well. Leaving me feeling like it dominates my life and then I start to resent it and feel sorry for myself that I dont have time enough to go out shooting or spend time in my darkroom. ah, now Im rambling.......must be the wine.....................more pics to come!

Here is a pic from our wedding on July 23rd taken by our photographer.

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9/3/06 - Here's a couple pics from our trip. I know, color!! - don't get used to it.

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yup, I have been taking pictures. Took some time off from the website, but now I will be posting some new stuff more often. These pics and the one on my home page were from the first roll of testing my Industar 61L/D lens. I'll have a few more to post in a little bit. oh, I discovered that some of my photos are being used on MySpace webpages as backgrounds. Don't mind really, at least a couple of the people mentioned my name. Here is one - and another - one more(upper left) Here is a Blogger site using one of my photos.(upper right, About me)