Tag Archives: Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-S
Film Photography: Maurizio Cattelan Exhibit at the Guggenheim
When Kate and I got in line at the Guggenheim Monday morning at 10am I had my Nikon FM2n and 6 shots left on a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400. Luckily I had rated that roll at 1250 ISO for overcast winter days and early nightfalls. I find you can push Tri-X to 1600 or even 3200 and get usable images, but for 35mm I try to keep at 1250 or under. The grain is pronounced at 1250, but not quite overwhelming in a Xtol developer. Of course, if you used something like Rodinal, it would be grain city even at 800.
I hadn’t planned on taking any shots inside of the Maurizio Cattelan exhibit, just a shot of the Guggenheim facade.
Guggenheim Museum Facade, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
That plan changed when I got inside. The exhibit is whimsical, and thanks to the unique design of the Guggenheim, totally engaging. As you climb or descend (we took the stairs to the top and went down) the view of the exhibit, which hangs from the ceiling into the atrium, is constantly changing. You see pieces from above, then at eye level, then from below. It wasn’t long before I joined the camera snapping hordes. The Guggenheim has a no photography policy, but guards and staff did not prevent people from taking pictures. Camera flashes, despite the total inability to light up something that far away, fired almost constantly. I was able to take these shots, sans flash of course, at f4 and 1/60th of a second. I think I was able to use 1/125th of a second on one of them and had to use f2.8 on another. Still I’m happy with how they turned out. I could have easily shot a roll or two of film to capture this exhibit, but I liked knowing that I had to be selective.
Donkey, Maurizio Cattelan ‘All’ Exhibit, Guggenheim Museum, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
Woman, Maurizio Cattelan ‘All’ Exhibit, Guggenheim Museum, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
Elephant Ghost, Maurizio Cattelan ‘All’ Exhibit, Guggenheim Museum, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
Shackled Woman and Pigeons, Maurizio Cattelan ‘All’ Exhibit, Guggenheim Museum, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
This was my favorite piece of the exhibit, but also the hardest to photograph. I knew I only had two exposures left and I wanted to save one for the facade on the way out. How do you expose for a huge, dark mass of soil against a white background? Very carefully… I love the bunnies on the grass.
Tree and Soil, Maurizio Cattelan ‘All’ Exhibit, Guggenheim Museum, Kodak Tri-X 400 Pushed to 1250 ISO, Xtol Developer 1+1
All images developed in Xtol 1+1 solution at 68F for 11.5 minutes.
Film Photography: Faile Mural on Bowery and Houston
I think I’m officially the last person to visit the newish Faile mural on Houston and Bowery. It’s been up for a few weeks, but since moving to Brooklyn I don’t get out to the East Village as much. I’m a huge Faile fan already, but this mural is just stunning. Kate and I were visiting a new pizza place on the Bowery and I just happened to have my old Nikon FM2n and a wide angle lens.
Since the Os Gemeos mural disappeared in the Spring of 2010 this wall has pretty much been dead to me. There was a yawn-inducing Shepard Fairey piece for awhile and then a tag-riddled Kenny Sharf piece; neither added much to the city.
This one is a thing of beauty. As always, you can click on the picture for a larger version.
Faile Mural on Houston and Bowery, Kodak Portra 400
Faile Mural on Houston Looking Towards Bowery, Kodak Portra 400
Faile Mural on Houston and Bowery Up Close, Kodak Portra 400
Faile Mural at Night, Kodak Portra 400
Yesterday Jess and Garrett posted some great pictures of the mural as well.
If you like Faile, here’s an old post from the pop up arcade they did in the Lower East Side.
Film Photography: Signs of NYC
It’s been some time, since I’ve turned my lens to capturing signs as we walk around the city. Old signs always grab my attention, but I realized a lot of them popped up in my last roll* of film. It’s probably because we are exploring new neighborhoods so much.
These were all taken with the Nikon FM2n and shot on the new Kodak Portra 160.
This sign for the Paul Robeson Theatre in Fort Greene is awesome. Look at that beautiful font!
Luis TV Repairs is on 5th Avenue. I actually like this storefront better with the doors down like this. The yellow of the guards matches the sign. I love the little dude in the right hand corner.
This sign for 24 Hour Roses is in Hells Kitchen, Manhattan. Can’t remember what street I was on at the time. It’s a great old sign though.
This is a VERY common sign in the city; yet, it’s a beauty. I love the red and green, the “everything you need” in one place aspect of it, and the two glasses on the left. This one is on our block at Flatbush Avenue and St. Marks. I like how it’s right next door to the overpriced joke of a store – Brooklyn Larder.
Uni-Sex Sign in neighboring Fort Greene, Brooklyn. That’s me in the window wearing red pants.
This sign on Flatbush Avenue has clearly seen better days. I totally expected it to fall on me as I was taking this picutre.
This simple, but effective sign over a real estate office in Ditmas Park was calling to me as we were eating in the window of Mimi’s Hummus across the street. After our meal, I zipped over to pay it a visit.
I think I rmember this exact sign from when I was a kid. Composition Notebooks, check. Crayola, check. Krazy Glue, check… Wait a minute, Krazy glue for back to school? Elmer’s Glue, of course, but Krazy Glue? I wold have been so busted taking Krazy Glue to school.
*which I realized is my 180th roll of film shot this year.
Film Photography: Central Park in Fog and Rain
Between periodic bouts of sunshine, NYC has been enshrouded in fog most days the last two weeks. This set, shot with the Nikon FM2n and a 28mm lens on Kodak Tri-X 400 film, is from a recent trip to Central Park. The film was pushed to 1200 and developed for 9 minutes in Kodak Xtol Developer.
Building disappearing into fog, Midtown Manhattan
Gnarled Tree in Central Park
Essex House and Trees from Central Park, Midtown Manhattan
Reflections of trees on water in Central Park
Reflections and Fog in Central Park
Buildings in Fog from Central Park
Buildings and Ice Rink in Fog from Central Park
Columbus Circle in Fog from Central Park South
Film Photography: One Foggy Block in the Financial District
Photographers are a sucker for inclement weather. Yes, the weather is bad, but bad weather can make interesting pictures. So, if it’s snowing, I’ll usually grab my boots and a camera and head out. Same thing if it’s raining.
On Tuesday, towards the end of the day, I looked out and noticed how foggy it was. I could barely see Brooklyn from our window. I shut down my email and grabbed a camera. I wanted to stick close to home, so I decided to restrict myself to a radius of a block each way from our house. Since we live in one of the densest blocks of Lower Manhattan, I knew there would be plenty to occupy me.
My first stop was the Elevated Acre, an acre of elevated astroturf that overlooks the east River and Brooklyn. This is the park that I see when I look out of our window every day. They show classic movies there once a week in the summer. This park is also the most militant anti-dog park I’ve ever seen. Kate and I have tried several times to take Chloe over there, but each time we are busted by a security guard.
Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn in Fog
Hanover Square from Elevated Acre in Financial District
Empty Tables and Chairs on Stone Street in Financial District
On nice evenings you can hear the roar of traders and finance workers letting loose when you step out our front door. Stone Street is really gorgeous, but we rarely go here. I have been known to order the occasional take out pizza from Adrienne’s Pizza here.
Buildings in Fog from Water Street in Financial District
From the Elevated Acre, Financial District, Manhattan
Looking Up into Fog, Elevated Acre, Financial District, Manhattan
Slanted Building in Fog on Elevated Acre, Financial District, Manhattan
You cold easily pull a Spider-Man and scale up the side of this angles building. I didn’t; there was a security guard watching me take pictures.
Curved Stairs of Elevated Acre, Financial District, Manhattan
3 Hanover Street, Financial District, Manhattan
All images taken with Nikon F3 and Nikkor 28mm f2.8 lens on Ilford HP5+ 400 speed film developed in Kodak Xtol developer for 8.5 minutes.
Film Photography: Leftover Edition
Since I’ve been out of commission with the flu, I’m forced to load up a handful of random shots from late March. These are with the Nikon F3 and either a Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-S lens or 50mm f1.4 Ai lens on Kodak Tri-X 400 film. I’ve pretty much switched to Xtol for my developing, so these are all souped in Kodak Xtol developer.
I promise I’ll be back next week with new stuff.
Lit Trees at Night on Maiden Lane, Financial District
Ray of Light at 5:30pm in the Financial District
Night in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Kate Approaching Tara Donovan Installation in Chelsea
Tara Donovan Installation Up Close
Giant Rat Outside Apartment Building on Wall Street
Crystal Clear Ice, Lower East Side
French Albums in Heavy Rotation on the Regp P1 Turntable
Flea Market Chair in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (You’ll never get texture like that with a digital camera.)
Film Photography: Abandoned, Overgrown Navy Housing in Brooklyn
On Sunday, Brooklyn photography pal Joel Zimmer and I met up in Dumbo to spend a couple of hours walking around taking pictures. Joel has a much better feel for Brooklyn than this Manhattanite, so when he mentioned a side trip just outside of Dumbo to see some abandoned Navy Officer housing I was all over it. Little did I know that it would be *this* abandoned and over grown.
Abandoned Navy Officer Housing in Brooklyn
Color shot are from Nikon FM2n and Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-S lens on Kodak Ektar 100 film developed at Duane Reade and then rescanned by me on an Epson V500 flatbed scanner.
Black and White shots are with Nikon F3 and Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Ai lens on Kodak Tri-X 400 film exposed and developed at box speed in Kodak Xtol developer for 6.75 minutes
Color Film Photography: Roll 49 of 2011, Kodak Ektar 100 and Nikon F3
I haven’t been able to grab any of the new Kodak Portra 160 lately (even Adorama and B&H are out of it), so I just grabbed a few rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 color film in the meantime. I’ve used Ektar in 120 format in the Hasselblad 501cm, so I knew what to expect from it – very fine grain and true color for most subjects. These pictures were scanned at Duane Reade, so they are little more saturated than they would be if I scanned them, but I’m too lazy to forgo the cheap scanning when I drop a color roll off at Duane Reade. Still, these are more true to life than Portra VC and comparable to Portra NC film.
I snapped this roll (roll number 49 of 2011!) in Williamsburg last weekend, while Kate was getting her nails done.
All images are from the Nikon F3 and Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-s lens on Kodak Ektar 100 film developed and scanned at Duane Reade
Classic Blue Volkswagon Under Bridge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Abandoned Staples Cart on Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Kam Sing Restaurant on Corner of Bedford Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
New York Deli and Grocery on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Thank You Shark on Roebling Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Crumbling Building Detail on Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Red Building on Meeker Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Street Art and Early Moon off of Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Liquor Store on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Street Art off of Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Film Photography: Trees in Brooklyn on Kodak Plus-X 125 Film
Still trying to settle on a low to medium speed black and white film that I’ve liked enough to stick with for several rolls. I’ve found that Ilford Delta 100 is a mess in 35mm for me, but tolerable in 120 format. I liked Fuji Neopan Across 100 for a few rolls, but it’s so low contrast compared to my go to B&W film (Kodak Tri-X 400). So, I finally picked up five rolls of Kodak Plus-X 125. I love the tag line from the web page for this film, “When people say black and white, this is what they mean.”
I only shot one roll this weekend, but I like it so far. These pictures were all taken in harsh mid day sun, but I used a medium yellow filter to tone the brightness of the sky down a bit. I like the low grain in this film, especially when paired with a fine grain developer like Kodak Xtol.
Trees lining McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Kodak Plus-X Black and White Film
Stuffed Teddy Bear chilling in tree, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Tree on the corner of Grand Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
All shots were with Nikon F3 and Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-S lens with a medium yellow filter on Kodak Plus-X 125 film developed in Xtol developer (stock solution) for 5.5 minutes.
Color Film Photography: Weekend Version with Nikon F3
These are the first shots from my new to me Nikon F3 that I picked up at Adorama. After considering selling my Leica M6 for a couple of months, I finally did. Then I used a tenth of the funds from selling the Leica to pick up the Nikon F3 and a fistful of film.
I’ve been struggling with this decision for some time really. I loved my Leica M6, but I think I loved the idea of it more. It gave me gorgeous pictures and felt solid in my hands, but as I started using my Nikon FM2n I found my style was more suited to the Nikon. I never liked taking vertical shots with the Leica; it always felt awkward when I did. Even worse, the LED circle metering system on the M6 TTL never felt as intuitive to me as an analog needle (Olympus OM-1) or the +/- (Nikon) display. When I shoot with the FM2n, it feels like an extension of me. I don’t have to think. It’s indestructible and doesn’t draw a lot of attention like the Leica did.
Most people told me “You don’t sell Leica. You don’t sell a classic.” But sometimes you do. And I did. I haven’t regretted it for a moment. A camera is just a tool to help you make the photograph that you want to make, but it’s got to feel right in your hands. Sure the Leica looked cool on the bookcase (which is where it spent most of its time lately), but my cameras are not made for display. They are made to be used and used hard. I’m a photographer, not a collector.
So far, I love the F3. I’ve only run one roll of color through it, but it’s every bit as solid as the FM2n. These are low resolution drug store scans, but I have a roll of Tri-X 400 in it now, which will give me a better idea of what it’s capable of producing.
Wet Pavement, Red Lights, and Girl with Umbrella walking in Nolita
Vintage Green Cadillac in East Village
This is the very first picture I took with the Nikon F3. I can’t imagine anything better for a first shot than Kate sipping sparkling rose at Barbuto in the West Village.
Roa Bird on the side of a building in the East Village
Paramount Textile/Boltex Textile’s Green Wall and Door in Tribeca
This lion water fountain was one of my favorite things in my favorite park as a kid. Now, every time I see it on the back of this truck, I stop and Kate say’s “Go ahead, take a picture of it.” And I take another picture of it. I’ve probably taken 8-10 pictures of this thing that all look the same. I like this one the best though, even if it’s slightly askew.
Jane Knox Clown Art on The Mars Bar Wall East Village
All images shot with the Nikon F3 and Nikkor 28mm f2.8 Ai-S lens on Kodak Portra 160NC film developed at scanned at Duane Reade. These are very low res scans, but I’m happy with the F3.