Why I Should Never Photograph Weddings……

 

I take my hat off to all of the dedicated Wedding Photographers out there schlepping their gear and busting their butts to earn their bread. That is one job I would not want the stress of at all! I never promised perfect results, was doubtful I would get a good photograph, but gave it the good old college try anyway. I took three film cameras to my pal’s wedding, the Diana F+, a Polaroid Spectra, and my trusty Yashica A. I popped a roll of the new Kodak Portra film into the Yash and had lovely evening light and a Bride-to-Be surrounded by twins wearing the same outfit who volunteered to be bridesmaids!!! I can’t show you yet, but I had three cracker shots that turned out (even the happy couple hasn’t seen them yet, cause I have to rescan to eliminate the DUST).  Even though this is out of focus, I still love this photograph. I was sweating a bit as I was focusing because I had a man with a big ‘digital’ shooting over my shoulder as I gave directions for composition. Funny thing was, he thought I knew what I was doing…….I was just flying by the seat of my pants, err dress.

Obviously it is time for me to get some new glasses cause they don’t work for close up focusing! Maybe I should have grabbed an empty wine bottle (there were plenty) and peered down that!! Top of my list for next year……I am making a note.  (1) Visit optometrist very early in January.

I did manage to photograph the actual wedding entirely on expired Polaroid film with my Polaroid Spectra. You don’t realize how loud that sucker is until you are constantly shooting while a judge is doing his officiating. I encouraged fellow guests to hold developing polaroids and gave polite reminders not to shake them. I thought it was only in the 70′s and 80′s when you shook the photos as they were developing, that just shows the age group of the wedding party, doesn’t it?

Here is today’s lesson folks, don’t cheap out on your wedding photos, hire a PROfessional. FYI, I was NOT the official photographer, just a pal who saw some fun photo ops and was able to enjoy herself.

Gingerbread in Candyland!!

Gingerbread in Candyland!!, originally uploaded by claygrl.

A large table filled with cups and bowls filled with CANDY!!! Sugar, sugar, sugar……

My pal’s Mum puts this on for the ‘kids’ every festivus. My kid? He was off entertaining three young girls twice his age. I think he put one candy on the whole house (replacing them on his visits to check on my progress however…..).

What could be more fun than chatting with friends, eating smarties, decorating a gingerbread house and drinking a latte made by my ‘boyfriend’ Tassimo? I was the Queen of Hyper after that!

Gnomes? Sprites?

Gnomes? Sprites?, originally uploaded by claygrl.

The aliens have landed…..I made a few for fun, to leave in the forest & out and about (there are two in Wales, one somewhere in London near the V&A). Then I started to make them bigger, then I spent one evening when I made a whole bunch. I was supposed to be making mugs, not little creatures that make me giggle. Now people have requested that I make them and they want to give me $$ in exchange! But of course!!!!!

Every single one is unique. I think I may make some more for fun tonight, between my mug making……

Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up, originally uploaded by claygrl.

You just know I had the title in my head before I took the photo…….

Ms Tannis and a Musical Free-For-All

Ms Tannis and a Musical Free-For-All, originally uploaded by claygrl.

Summertime, downtown Guelph. Always something going on. A musical jam featuring Jane Bunnett, Tannis Slimmon, Lewis Melville, etc., etc.,….. Tubas, congas, violins, accordions, you name it, it was there. Crazy fun!!

The Mystical Colours of Stonehenge

The Mystical Colours of Stonehenge, originally uploaded by claygrl.

The Mystical Colours of Stonehenge

No PS was involved in the recreating of this photograph. Fuji instant film, Arches 88 paper, a little bit of this and a little bit of that and voila! This photograph was taken when some mystery family was on holiday in the UK, in the 1950′s I suspect. I discovered a whole box of slides that were donated to a charity shop and rescued by me. More transfers to follow, every one different and original. I am so excited about this process!!!!!

By the way, this was taken when everyone was allowed to climb all over the stones……sadly way before my time.

My Eyes Are As Sticky As the Keys

My Eyes Are As Sticky As the Keys, originally uploaded by claygrl.

This photograph was shot using a Hawkeye Brownie camera with a flipped lens. Yes, I managed to wiggle my way into the guts of the camera, clean the lens, flip it and put everything back together in the proper order. Love that unpredictable blur. I am from a generation who remembers learning my keyboard skills on a typewriter OLDER than this! I also love the sound of those keys thunking away and then the lovely “ding’ of the carriage return. Unfortunately the keys have gummed themselves up, but never mind, one day will get around to fixing it up.

100 Strangers Project #40 Simon

100 Strangers Project #40 Simon, originally uploaded by claygrl.

I am fortunate to live in a city full of creative people that often has great events to tour and enjoy. One such event is the Art on the Street show held in July in the downtown. After checking out the other local artists, I headed over to the Red Brick Cafe to check out the action going on there. My friend Candace was working on a mural to adorn the back wall of this tiny back alley behind the coffee house. Candace is so talented that I suggest you check her out;
ballyhoomedia.com/blog/

By the time I arrived, Candace had finished her mural and was enjoying a cool pint. I brought out my DianaF+ to take a few photos of the mural. Along came this lovely man, Simon, who is a friend of Candace. I have seen Simon around the city and he frequents the Farmers Market where I sell my pots. He has great style and a great aura about him. Luckily he agreed to participate in my 100 Strangers Project. Simon currently styles hair in Guelph, but he aspires to do more than just hair. I think that there are many people in Guelph who could use a few tips from Simon.

I shot this around 2pm in the afternoon and the summer sun was blazing. I had misplaced my handheld red filter to cut down on the light, hence the massive light leak in the shot. I like to think that the light leak is just a reflection of Simon’s shimmering energy.

This picture is #40 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com

End of Summer

End of Summer, originally uploaded by claygrl.

Mother Nature is the queen of the colour wheel. Look how well the golden rod is paired with the purple thistles. It gets better too. Now the purple asters are flowering. The summer smell in the meadow has disappeared and been replaced by the change of season. The leaves are beginning to crunch under foot. Time to bring out the woolies.

I am loving the new to me $3.00 Polaroid Spectra camera that I found at a local ‘antiques’ market. The film is only slightly expired and yet has all the colours those PS gurus are pushing. That ‘vintage’ look. Now that I am over 40 I suppose I am a certain vintage.  Yes, yes, you may compare me to a fine wine anytime. As long as you don’t call me a fine whine! Ba-dump-bup!   Seriously folks, I may have to start saving my spare change to fund all of these Polaroid film purchases.  Or perhaps I need to finally start to sell some of my actual photography prints. They sell well on my mugs and other pots. We will see.

Transfer of Thoughts

Transfer of Thoughts, originally uploaded by claygrl.

Back in the days when Polaroid film was available all over the place, I had heard of people doing Polaroid transfers, but had never seen one up close. Now that Polaroid no longer makes film, I finally discovered the process. Typical, really. But I did manage to get my mitts on some recently expired Polaroid film and much to my delight I can do my own Polaroid transfers!

No deep meaning in this photograph. I was just getting used to a colorpack camera and testing the watercolour paper to see what results I could come up with.

I thought I was quite clever with the title. “Transfer of Thoughts”. Fits with the whole transfer process that I am playing with….