Christine

Of all the people I am photographing for this little project of mine Christine is probably the person I have spent the least amount of time with. However, that doesn’t by any means make her less of an influence on my life. In fact, for reasons far too complicated to write in a few paragraphs she may be the person who has taught me the most.

I first met Christine in Seattle during an art exhibition that feels like it occurred a lifetime ago. In many ways it actually did take place during the course of another life for me. We did a photo shoot within about 15 minutes of meeting one another and had ourselves a lovely few days ripping around the emerald city with fellow friends. Somehow as the years went by we stayed in touch and I knew it was only a matter of time before our paths would cross again.

That day finally came on a recent trip to San Francisco. It only took about thirty seconds, a quick hug, and a round of drinks before it felt like old times again. Christine has the rare talent of daring a person to do things you never thought you would find yourself willing to partake in. It helps that no matter how crazy the dare might be she is always willing to do it right along with you. In my case it was singing a Pet Shop Boys tune on stage to a crowd of hipsters, letting tiny tears touch my face on an empty street simply because a U2 song came on the radio, and telling secrets while the winds of the Pacific Ocean howled around us well past the hour normal people (and most crazy people) stay awake.

But you know what I will always remember most about Christine? I have never heard her say my first name. Not once. Instead, I am always greeted or given a fond farewell with a high pitched “KAISER!!!” as if I just stole her lunch money. For as long as I live the echo of that little tradition of ours will never fail to make me smile.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5 and Kodak Ektar

Comparison

A little while ago I posted a digital version of this exact same image. In all honesty, I can't decide which one I like better.

On one hand, the digital version has a vibrancy and color "pop" that I really enjoy. On the other hand, the film version has a lot of subtle tones and soft lighting that is just so pleasing in the way it compliments the shape of the model's figure.

It just goes to show sometimes there are no right answers.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Model: Anya

Mazarine

If my career as a photographer was to be compared to that of a rock band from the 1980's, the top photograph would easily be my one hit wonder.

I made that image all the way back in 2008 and to this day I get e-mails, questions, print requests, and adoration for it at least once a week if not more. This is not a complaint mind you. I really don't begrudge the fact that I have at least one image that seems to stick with people. I think a lot of photographers go their entire life without accomplishing that and if I can do it once that means the potential will always be there to do it again.

I think it goes without saying that Mazarine, the lovely woman behind that image, has remained a close friend in my life. I honestly don't even remember how we met. It may have been a craigslist ad, or perhaps through Model Mayhem. Maybe she just found my website at random and got in touch with me. All these years later I really couldn't say nor am I sure it even matters. The only important thing is that picturing my world without her friendship just doesn't seem possible. 

Mazarine (greatest name ever btw!!) is perhaps the smartest and most ambitious person I have ever known. We catch up over breakfast or dinner quite regularly and I don't think I have ever had an encounter with her where she didn't change my way of thinking about at least one topic. The words "huh, I never thought of that!" are something I am completely accustomed to saying in her presence. I am convinced that if it weren't for her strong sense of character and honesty, she would probably be ruling the world by now. 

Camera: Mamiya C330 TLR - Rolleflex TLR
Film: Fomapan 100 - Ilford HP5

The Word "No"

I’ve come to realize that one of the reasons I have felt so stagnant with my photography the last year or two is the fact that I have allowed the word “no” to enter my vocabulary. When an idea I have is difficult or takes effort I talk myself out of it. When something might be dangerous or I could fail I don’t even bother trying.

As of now this is going to change. The word “no” means you automatically fail. 

I think it is fitting that I came to this realization while in San Francisco last weekend. I had been admiring this spot in particular for a long time but there are a lot of pedestrians who pass by and so I’ve never let myself do a shoot here. On this trip though I wasn’t willing to convince myself not to take the shot I wanted and luckily I was able to call one of my most reliable models and say, “hey, we are doing this!!”

So in the end I really like this image if for no other reason than the fact that I did not let myself say I couldn’t.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Model: Iona
Location: San Francisco, CA

Portraits: Melanie

Melanie is living proof that sometimes it is just fate for two people to be friends. I first met her when she was traveling through Portland on her way to finish out her college degree in New York City. We clicked right away and spent more time drinking beer and talking about life than we did actually taking pictures.

After that day was over we parted ways and quite frankly I never expected to see her again. After all, I work with a lot of people just "passing through" Portland and I didn't think she would be any sort of exception.

Many months later Melanie finished her college degree, came back to Portland, and our friendship picked right back up as if she never left. 

Melanie and I have the same taste in bars, the same frustrations with day-to-day life, and a knack for talking about anything and everything for hours on end if need be. She is one of those rare people where I always enjoy the company even more than the activity. 

She is truly a jack of all trades when it comes to modeling and I can think of more than one occasion where we have both gotten soaking wet for the sake of a picture without one word of complaint being uttered.

NOTE: It is very likely that I am going to get yelled at by Melanie for posting a picture of her on the internet with a bandage over one eye. She may hate it, but personally I think it makes her look bad ass :-)

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR and Holga Toy Camera
Film: Fomapan 100
Location: Portland, OR

Portraits: Holly

I've always considered myself a really independent person. Never have I been one to ask for help, or rely on my friends for anything. However, with a lot of life changes suddenly in front of me I've come to realize that I have a network of people who have been there for me whether I knew it or not. For that I am grateful. 

Coming to this conclusion I've become really interested in just taking portraits of people. Mostly people who have been kind enough to donate their time and jump in front of my camera over the years for no other reason than friendship.

It's fitting that I've started this project with Holly. She's been posing for me for nearly a decade now. I first met her in Berkley at an art show where she had a painting on display. To this day I have that very painting hanging in my home after she graciously donated it to me to commemorate our friendship.

Holly was willing to pose for me when I was dirt poor and could barely afford dinner, let alone a few rolls of film. Over the years she's been available for a beer and a smoke under the summer stars or a random adventure out in the woods, where we have promptly gotten lost more than once. We often joke that I will still be taking her picture when we are both old and gray and it cannot be denied she has the most amazing hair of anyone I have ever met.

I'm going to be taking these kinds of pictures more often. I need to fill my life with pictures that aren't just of people making perfect poses and looking pretty. I need something a little more real.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Location: Portland, OR

Repeating Myself

I realize this image is very similar to one I posted the other day, but I like this composition quite a bit better. Since I don't really believe in deleting my own past on the internet, I'll just post the version I like better right now instead.

Photographed at about 1/15th of a second hand held, which is where the softness is coming from. I prefer a little softness and have never really understood people's obsession with ultra sharp images when it comes to portraits and nudes.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Location: Portland, OR 

Easy Day

I am having really calm and easy day so far. I have my coffee, I have a bagel, the birds are singing outside. It's a rather nice way to spend a Saturday morning if you ask me. 

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Location: Portland, OR 

Tights

My apologies folks for being absent and not posting a lot this past week. I, like many others, am not immune to the holiday madness and chaos that this time of year seems to thrive in. I promise I'll do better!

Typically I'm not one to add clothing items, particularly tights and undergarments to my images. I feel like a lot of photographers are able to pull it off and make it look sexy or unique but I am just not one of them. However, I think this particular pattern really does a nice job of bringing out both the model's pale skin and her nice curvy hips, both of which are nice things in my book.

Photographed hand held using an old Rolleiflex Automat, probably the oldest camera I own that I actually shoot with on a regular basis. This was done wide open at F/3.5 which in my opinion is where the old classic Tessar lens design really shines. It's not sharp exactly, but nice and dreamy and gives off that look so many toy camera enthusiasts tend to favor but in a much less forced and far more genuine sort of way.  I doubt that makes a whole lot of sense to folks who aren't photography enthusiasts but hey, I'm a geek!

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Model: Olivia Odd
Location: Portland, OR 

Rolleiflex Portrait

I won't deny I have a certain "fetish" for old cameras. I know this doesn't make me particularly unique among photographers. But hey, I never claimed to be completely original. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy what I do!

The only thing I'm bothered by in this photograph is the fact that the lower hand got really blown out from the hot lights. I could fix this in the darkroom pretty easily, but I'm feeling a tad lazy tonight so I'm just going to enjoy the image for what it is. 

Camera: Mamiya RZ67
Film: Fomapan 400
Model: Sarah Pardini
Location: Portland, OR - Crystal Motel

Hide The Sun

There was some seriously bright sun going on when this image was made. I had to rate my film down all the way to ISO 25 and even still I was working at F/16 and 250th of a second on the shutter!

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Fomapan 100
Location: Portland, OR - Columbia River Gorge

Photographing A Corpse

Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite photographs I have ever made. I know crazy right? There are no naked women in it, no trees or landscapes, no rivers or oceans.

It’s actually a portrait of one of my favorite photographers, Jaret Ferratusco aka Corpse on Pumpkin.

It was kind of intense for me to take a photograph of another photographer and to just make it about him. So intense that I want more. So if you are a photographer, painter, writer, musician, whatever, and you ever want your portrait done, just let me know!

This image was made just walking out and about with a Rolleiflex Automat TLR and some Fomapan 100 film. My Rollei has been out for repair for some time now and looking at this makes me feel incredibly anxious to get it back.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Fomapan 100
Model: Jaret Ferratusco aka Corpse on Pumpkin
Location: Portland, OR 

Under The Stairs

Photographed in San Francisco near the abandoned forts just shy of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I pulled this image out from the archives because I was looking at images I've made with my old Rolleiflex TLR.  It's been in the repair shop getting a complete overhaul.  I'm anxious to get it back as I haven't used it in a long while.  Any day now, any day now.  

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Fomapan 100
Location: San Francisco, CA

Salmonberry Portrait

Photographed out on the Salmonberry River Trail half way between the coast and Portland.  I pushed this film all the way to ISO 800 and it still turned out surprisingly smooth.

I need to explore this trail a whole lot more.  It follows a lot of old railroad tracks and is quite a maze.  I know a guy who managed to walk all the way from Portland out to the ocean using these abandoned tracks which is quite amazing.  

Any photographers and/or models who want to explore this area more with me by all means let me know!  

I pulled this image from the archives because it was made using my trusty Rolleiflex TLR which is currently in the shop getting a complete overhaul.  It's been gone for well over a month and I am incredibly excited to get it back soon.  I'm getting the shutter re-calibrated, all new leather, and a brighter focus screen.  I think it will be absolutely smoking when it is all done.

Camera: Rolleiflex TLR
Film: Ilford HP5
Location: Salmonberry River, OR