I’ve done a lot of photography at Walker Ranch. I’ve printed and displayed some too, but never focussed on the Doors…….So Let’s Go Crazy at the Ranch for this week’s Thursday Doors!
A close-up of the Featured Door (above) and the Featured Door (below).
Two of my favorite Doors (above and below).
And, below, some general shots around the Ranch, but still with doors visible….
Continuing with the Showdown that I started a few days ago. I’ve been using E100 over a year. I’m midway in a film showdown between Kodak E100 vs Fuji Velvia 50. I had always preferred Kodak in the past, however, after some 35 mm experiences last year I had doubts. I had always used E100GX, a warm toned film of the old generation. The new film was based on a colder version E100G. But to be fair, I decided to do some formal color test comparison. This is Part, I am comparing four images of the Owl Mural made with four different films: E100, Velvia 50, Portra 400 and Lomo 800. For the direct comparison of the E-6 films I used my Mamiya-7’s; the Portra was exposed using a Mamiya-6; and the Lomo 800 was exposed using a Diana F+, for the Frugal Film Project.
First I’ll show them in pairs, then break down my critique of each one. Naturally I have selected my personal favorite for the Header image above.
Left: Lomo 800; Right: Portra 400. I made no adjustments for tone or contrast; only cropping to make them comparable in size. All of the image were exposed on overcast days. The first comment I can make is that both C-41 films are truer to the actual mural colors. The Portra 400 has a richer color tone which I would expect for the lower ISO film. But you have to admit that the Lomo 800 is very good, especially since it was exposed using a plastic camera. The winner here is Kodak Portra 400:
Now for the main event, E100 (left) vs Velvia 50 (right):
As one would expect, the E-6 films have a more saturated color. Not quite a natural representation. But in my lifetime experience with film (going back to childhood) I’ve mostly shot E-6. As a field scientist back in the pre-PowerPoint days, I needed to show my information in slide presentations. So that meant E-6 films. In my earlier professional days I used ECN films. When that was discontinued I switched to Kodak E100GX.
If you read my earlier experiences with E100, you’ll be able to decide which one I prefer. I simply find the E100 too cold. So the Winner here is, Fuji Velvia 50. I enjoy the richer and brighter blues and purples……
So these are my two favorites. I can accept either one depending on what I am trying to demonstrate. Which one do you prefer?
Stay tuned, right now I am continuing the side-by-side testing of these films as my Mamiya 645’s take a tour of my flower and vegetable gardens. I’m going to give E100 every possible chance to show me something that I’ll like.
And I may do a follow-up Road-Trip landscape comparison. In that case, I’ll see if a warming filter makes me feel better about the new Kodak E100.
Cisco Ghost Town, Near Moab, UT:
Bruce Hucko was the Founder of the Moab Photography Symposium, which ran for 15 years and had its last meeting in 2018. The results was a wrap up Book containing images from Participants:
The Featured Image above is one of my book prints. The others are here below:
But more importantly, Bruce worked on local Preservation and Conservation Issues, contributing Photographs and field experiences that were instrumental in the protection of the Bears Ears National Monument, Utah. This region and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park are now under threat from Fracking and Mining interests. This prompted a recent Visit to the Grand Staircase and Capitol Reef Parks this past Fall. We wanted to see them before they were gone……..We start with some scenes from Ruins of the Ancient Ones in New Mexico and Arizona.
Aztec Ruins, NM:
Pecos Pueblo, NM:
Casa Rinconada at Chaco Canyon:
Sears-Kay Ruins, AZ:
And a view from the Cathedral Trail at Capitol Reef:
Please Remember the Absolute Necessity of Preserving our Natural Environment. Give it Some Love!
Happy Valentine’s Day
Starting my New “Themes” Series. The only requirement: The shot must satisfy the expressed Theme. In this Case Archi-texture.
This is the image that ‘chose’ the theme for me……so it makes the final cut for ascending into the light……
