CONTACT SHEET
In last week’s film photography class I “printed” this photo contact sheet using film I had shot myself (first ever roll on a single-reflex!) and developed by hand. Boy oh boy what a long process…I now understand why it costs the big $$ to develop film at a fancy photo store! I can’t really tell just yet how blurry/over-exposed these images are, but I’m excited to find out! This week I’ll be printing a few of my favorites on ginormous 8 x 10 paper. Fancy fancy! Right now I’m thinking number 6 (two little plastic sculpture men from an exhibit at Fleisher), number 12 (some bugs Taqiy found at Pearl Street), and number 23 (graffiti on my commute) or number 29 (home). Based on these teeny tiny images that you can barely see/have no earthly familiarity with, which ones do you think I should print? A note: I “straightened” this image in photoshop before posting it here so it’s a little more blurred than the real life contact sheet. Just sayin’…my hands aren’t that shaky!
INTO THE DARKROOM
Last night I went to my first film photography class at Fleisher Art Memorial! After going over the syllabus, and learning that there are a lot of artsy class-related purchases I need to make, we stepped into the darkroom. I’ve never witnessed the process of developing photos before so this was a very new (and cool!) experience. Our instructor went over the basics of shining light on the photo paper, running it through the various chemical baths, and dunking it in water (which was insanely cold!). Then we all took a turn developing images of our own, with a partner, using found objects, photo paper, and light. In my bag I had this little zebra clip and am so pleased with how it turned out! Watching the image develop in the chemical baths was probably the coolest part of the process. It’s as if the image is hiding inside the paper and then, whammo, it’s there! Very very cool. I am so stoked for class next week!
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CAINE’S ARCADE
This short documentary has been floating around the interwebs for the last few days, and if you haven’t yet had a chance to see it, I strongly urge you to check it out! You will cry! You will cheer! You will donate to Caine’s college fund!
One day, by chance, I walked into Smart Parts Auto looking for a used door handle for my ’96 Corolla. What I found was an elaborate handmade cardboard arcade manned by a young boy who asked if I would like to play. I asked Caine how it worked and he told me that for $1 I could get two turns, or for $2 I could get a Fun Pass with 500 turns. I got the Fun Pass.
Nirvan, I am so glad you did! A roughcut of the film premiered at DIY Days LA, a free conference “for those who create,” in 2011 and since its release earlier this week the video has gone viral (obvs). Want to see the arcade in action? You can schedule a visit! Also, consider donating to Caine’s college scholarship fund! Like they say on the Caine’s Arcade website, “Imagine what this kid could build with an Engineering degree!”
After the flashmob, at the end of the day as Caine and his dad drove home, Caine turned to his dad and said, “Dad, this was the best day of my whole life.”
And you thought you were finished crying.
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Enchanted April
I watched Enchanted April for the second time this decade and was enchanted all over again. What a simple and beautiful tale. And the cinematography! Sheesus! Check out these screenshots (excuse the grainy quality) and then add this film to your Netflix queue (yes, Mamasan, it’s on instant).
♥ Kylin
