Bee Brave

I had the opportunity recently to photograph a young girl that touched my heart. Alex’s story is one of adversity, bravery, faith and hope. In this post, she shares her story of dealing with both Psoriatic Arthritis and P.O.T.S. (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Alex will also talk about how she shares her message of bravery with other young people.

What is psoriatic arthritis and how does it effect your daily life?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that's accompanied by psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin disease. When I was six years old, guttate psoriasis covered my entire back from my neck down to my hips. It's incredibly uncommon for this to occur in children, and there is about a thirty percent chance that you will develop arthritis roughly ten years after having psoriasis. For me, the joint pain began presenting itself when I was thirteen. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at the age of fifteen, and it has been an experience, to say the least. Spring of my ninth grade year I experienced my first "flare up", which basically means your immune system freaks out and makes you feel like hot garbage. The worst part was when my jaw locked up and I couldn't talk, chew, smile, or open my mouth more than half an inch for two weeks. On top of that, it felt like my body had been run over by a truck. Then thrown out the window. Then pulverized in a blender. And maybe run over again. My knees have always given me the most trouble, but I also experience pain in my ankles, hips, wrists, fingers, elbows, and toes. I couldn't walk for almost two months last year, and I have holes in the heels of my shoes from scraping them on the ground because it was too painful to pick my legs up to take a step. I'm glad to say that I have improved significantly since then, but I still have accommodations that make daily life easier. For example, I use built up grips on pencils because it's difficult for me to pinch my fingers close together. I also have to carefully ration my time because one thing I didn't realize about having arthritis is how quickly you become exhausted. There's a laundry list of medicines and supplements that I take every day, but the biggest ones are Orencia and methotrexate, which are both injections that I do once a week. Methotrexate was originally developed as a cancer drug, so it makes my hair fall out and causes me feel quite horrible. However, I am so grateful for how far I've come since last year and for my amazing friends and family who never left my side.

Tell me about your experience with P.O.T.S?

P.O.T.S. (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) happens due to a malfunction of your autonomic nervous system. Essentially, autonomic functions, such as monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, don't work properly, leading to dizziness, nausea, migraines, fatigue, and passing out. I was diagnosed with P.O.T.S. December of 2021 after experiencing chronic dizziness and exaggerated increases in my heart rate for about three months. (I also decided to be unnecessarily dramatic and give myself a concussion when I passed out.) Unlike arthritis, there aren't really medicines to treat P.O.T.S. The most common recommendations are to eat salt and drink lots of water, but this doesn't cure exactly you. My heart rate nearly doubles when I stand up, so I get incredibly dizzy and often lose vision for several seconds. This increase in heart rate together with a drop in blood pressure is what causes you to pass out. Exercise raises my pulse to an abnormally high bpm (beats per minute), causing me to lose vision or throw up. Once I threw up on a guy's feet at the gym and he moved to Florida the next week. (I really know how to make an impression). In spite of this, I am able to continue doing most of the things I love, and even some I don't love. Like going to the gym.

Talk about your knitting and sewing. How did that begin?

Sewing and crocheting have been the greatest distraction for me this past year. I've been sewing for my American Girl Dolls since I was nine years old, but I didn't start making clothing for myself until November 2020. I picked up crocheting fall of 2021 and made the cardigan and teddy bear in this picture. To pass the time during rehearsals for JA's fall musical, I would crochet little things in the hallway. (That's where I created my first bee!) I also made this gold dress, which I wore to my school's winter formal dance this year. I use built-up handles on my crochet needles because it hurts my hands to keep my fingers in a fist for an extended amount of time. Another reason why crocheting is great is because it keeps my hands and mind occupied when I'm in a lot of pain.

Explain Bee Brave and what it means to you?

"You're so strong." This is a phrase that I have been told countless times over the past two years. "You're so strong for dealing with this. You're so strong for staying positive. You're so strong for not giving up." Although the intentions behind saying these words are always good, hearing them doesn't always feel like a compliment. When you're lying on your bathroom floor sobbing, physically unable to stand back up, the last thing you feel is "strong". When you're screaming into your pillow and want to punch the wall because everything seems so unfair, the last thing you want to be told is, "You're so strong for always seeing the bright side." In my opinion, there are some times when it isn't possible to be strong. And that's ok. However, there is one thing that you can always be: brave. That's why I started crocheting these little bees to give to other kids with chronic illnesses. They fit in the palm of your hand, making them a perfect thing to hold onto while getting/giving yourself a shot. You don't always have to be strong, but you can always Bee Brave.

“When I look at this picture, I imagine all of the weight being lifted off of your shoulders until you feel so light that you can fly.” - Alex Guild

Any final thoughts you would like to share?

There's a line I really like from A Farewell to Arms that says, "The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places." It's such a cliche paradox, but pain truly does make you stronger, and I wouldn't trade my body for a healthy one even if I could. I firmly believe that God works all things for good, and I feel so blessed to have had this experience where I can truly trust in Him and rely on His strength, not my own. It's ok to break. It's ok to cry. It's ok to be angry. But through it all, don't forget to Bee Brave :)

Restoring a lost habit

Life with my closest friend changed about a year ago. He and I would eat lunch together nearly every day of the week. His office was close to mine, and we could easily meet at one of the local restaurants. Then the pandemic changed our plans. He started working from home along with much of the rest of the country. Since his home is about a 30-minute drive from my office, meeting for lunch was not an everyday option anymore. It is funny how some of the most stressful aspects of this past year have been the little day-to-day habits we all had to change. Recently, I decided to take a drive out to his home and pay him a visit. He loves to boast about easy country living and I felt the need for some easy living. So, I packed up my camera and made the 30-minute drive to his home.

We exchanged our typical booth at Primos restaurant for a ride in a side by side in the country. Our time with each other at lunch was never about the food anyway. We just enjoyed discussing life and solving the world’s problems. We have all the answers by the way. This week things have started a slow return to normal. He is back at his office twice a week and the texts “What’s for lunch?” have started again. I figure we should have a solution to the current world problems soon. The only one we struggle with is how to eat fried chicken and strawberry cake without gaining weight. We are working on that one. However, it does get real quiet at our table when the fried chicken arrives. Oh well, you can’t expect us to have an answer for everything.

Interpreting photography

Studying a photograph may challenge you to think beyond a first impression and dig deeper for meaning. Fellow photographer Nick Mayo recently spoke on this topic. He adapted some advice from Richard Foster’s book “The Celebration of Discipline”. He suggested evaluating a photograph in the following three ways.

• Understanding - What is the photographer trying to say?  

• Interpretation - What does the photographer or image mean?

• Evaluation - Do I want to engage in this artistic conversation?

Engaging in the artistic conversation might lead you to agree, disagree or simply ignore. This is why it is important to understand what the photographer is trying to say. Otherwise, your interpretation could result in an image being taken out of context. It could also cause you to dismiss an underlying truth.

The photograph above is part of a young girl’s story. The image shows a cross on her wrist that serves as a subtle reminder of her faith in Jesus Christ. This part of the story will not change and is not open to a different interpretation. However, further insights can build upon that fact. You can also form opinions and open discussions regarding your evaluation, even if it is not in line with the intention of the photographer.  

I hope you have found this information beneficial. You can discover additional information by watching Nick Mayo’s video on studying art and photography at NickExposed

Highway 16 and Kodak Portra Film

I recently took a drive from Canton to Carthage along Highway 16 and decided to take a few photographs along the way. I was mainly interested in capturing some of the things you typically see when traveling around Mississippi. The water tower in the photograph above is located in Canton and was the first stop I made along the road. The city of Canton offers many options for photography, especially around the historic square. But, on this day I mainly focused on images along the Highway. I carried my Contax G2 camera loaded with Kodak Portra 400 film. I have often used this film for portraits and wanted to see how it performed when photographing landscapes.

The old building above was a good test of how the film handled harsh sunlight. You can see some detail in the shadows which is an indication of a nice dynamic range to the film. One of the reasons I enjoy using film for my photography is its ability to retain detail in the shadows without blowing out the highlights. The final shot I will share was taken in the town of Carthage. This old car and the signs along the wall were a good test of how the film rendered color.

Overall, I am very pleased with Kodak Portra 400 film. It is versatile and offers nice results for both portrait and landscape photography. I will share some portraits taken with this film in a future post. That is it for this post. See you next time.

This means so much to a photographer

Many of the children I photograph feel like an extended family to me. This is especially true of the Mehrle family. I’ve had the good fortune to photograph Kerk and Liz Mehrle’s children for many years now. Their home was recently featured in The Northside Sun edition of Beautiful Homes and Gardens. Liz is a talented artist and has a great appreciation for the work of other artists. This is clearly evident by the decor of their home. In addition to the collection of art, there are two walls of black and white photographs that I have taken over the years. Liz commented in the Northside Sun article that these walls contain her favorite collection of artwork in her home. I would love to think that she loves this work because of my photography skills, but I understand that she loves these photographs because they represent her family. Kerk and Liz value family and these walls are a snapshot of their time together. It has been such an honor to be a participant in documenting their life.

I have watched Pryor, their oldest child, go from elementary school to a senior in high school. We recently added her senior pictures to the list of photography sessions I have done for the family. My fondest memory of Pryor was during a session on some hunting land several years ago. Pryor was given the task of driving me around the land to scout out photography locations. It gave me the chance to get to know her a little better as we rode around the countryside. She was humble, sweet and a pleasure to be around. I know how proud her parents are of her and they have good reason to feel that way. I want to say thank you to the Mehrles and all the families that have allowed me to play a part in documenting their lives. It touches my heart when I hear that photographs I have taken are cherished by someone. Thank you all.

Best outfit choices for girls portraits

What type of outfits do you recommend for my senior portrait? This is a question I get asked all the time by senior girls and their mothers. Here are a few suggestions that I hope will help you decide what to wear for your senior portrait session or when being photographed at any age.

Black and white photography

I am a big fan of black and white film photography. It has a timeless look that will never go out of style. I would recommend having one outfit that is very dark or very light for your black and white photographs. In fact, as illustrated above, black dresses or white outfits with texture work exceptionally well. Any outfit that provides contrast and texture to a black and white image is a good choice.

Color photography

Pastel colors and bright colors are great choices for portraits. This is especially true for backlit images like the ones above. Many of the girls I photograph select a pastel top with white jeans as one of their outfits. Colors that highlight your personal features are also important. If your eyes are blue and wearing something blue draws attention to your eyes then by all means make that one of your options. Use a little caution when selecting a red outfit for your portrait. Sometimes red will reflect on to your skin and cause you to look a little red in your images.

Sweaters and coats

I like to encourage girls to bring a sweater or coat for some of their images. One of the most difficult things about having your picture taken is trying to decide what to do with your hands. Wearing a coat or sweater offers a a great solution to this problem. Some other options would be a scarf or necklace that you can hold onto in a relaxed manner.

Detail shots

The final piece of advice would be to consider parts of your wardrobe that would help tell your story. This would include anything that is unique to your personality and way of life. These types of images are often overlooked, but can greatly enhance a portfolio of images from your session. Most importantly, don’t stress out about having your picture taken by a photographer. Just be yourself and it will all work out fine.

Fondren and the Contax G2

I grew up and went to school in the Fondren area of Jackson, Mississippi. There are numerous landmarks in this area that are quickly recognized by anyone from northeast Jackson. The image above of Brent’s Drugs is not much different than how I remember it from my teenage years. The residential part of Fondren is full of beautiful old oak trees that shade the streets creating a perfect environment for an evening walk. Sure, Fondren has seen some changes in recent years, but it still holds on to its heritage and charm. The new restaurants and shops have not taken anything away but added to the experience of visiting this area.

These images are just a continuation of photographs taken with my Contax G2 camera and Fuji Pro 400H film. This has been my walk around camera lately and I really enjoy the images it produces. If you’re visiting Jackson in the near future, I recommend stopping by the Fondren area. There are a number of good restaurants and coffee shops you can visit. The only downside may be finding a place to park. The popularity of the area has created some parking issues at times. But, it is probably best appreciated by taking a leisurely walk around the area anyway.

I would recommend grabbing a hamburger at Brent’s Drugs or Roosters for lunch. Some afternoon coffee at Sneaky Beans, Cups or take the short trip up North State Street to Native Coffee. Then visit Walkers Drive-In for some fine dining that evening. These are just a few of the many nice places to eat and drink in the area. I hope you enjoyed this brief visit to my old stomping grounds. I plan to share more images of this area in future posts along with some additional recommendations. I hope to see you there soon.

The colors of Yazoo City

Occasionally, I enjoy taking the short trip on Highway 49 to Yazoo City, Mississippi. The downtown area of this town is interesting, to say the least. The main street provides a colorful array of buildings ideal for photography. I have also found the store owners in the downtown area to be some of the nicest people I’ve had the opportunity to meet. Everyone seems to go out of their way to make your visit enjoyable.

This trip to Yazoo City was long before the pandemic hit Mississippi and I am not certain if shops are currently open. I would however encourage you to visit the local shops whenever the opportunity presents itself. It is a town worthy of a visit at some point. These images from Yazoo City were taken with the Contax G2 camera and Fuji Pro 400H film.

Kennedy (Senior portrait)

I was excited to have the opportunity to photograph Kennedy. I have witnessed Kennedy grow up over the years and find it hard to believe that she is about to attend college. We decided to meet at their lakefront property for her photography session. They have an incredible boathouse surrounded by beautiful trees. The location was a big part of Kennedy’s life and turned out to be a great place for photography. The breeze coming off the lake also helped keep us comfortable on a fairly hot day.

I can certainly understand why this location is special to their family. In fact, it looks like another family finds it special as well. Kennedy told me later that a neighborhood duck decided the family boat was the perfect place to lay her eggs. It will be interesting to see if baby ducks will be leaving the nest at the same time as Kennedy. Spending the afternoon with this family and photographing their daughter was a real pleasure. I wish the best for Kennedy as she heads off to college. I wonder if baby ducks are allowed in the dorms. Anyway, best of luck Kennedy!

Hot Coffee and the Contax G2

I really enjoy a good cup of hot coffee, but that’s not what this story is about. I recently took a drive down to Laurel, Mississippi in search of some photographs. My plan was to take some photographs with my Contax G2 camera. This is a camera that I have owned for many years but rarely have a chance to use. The Contax G2 is a rangefinder-style film camera designed to be used with a series of Zeiss lenses. The lenses for this camera are some of the sharpest lenses that I own. The camera is compact and great for travel without sacrificing quality. On the way to Laurel, I decided to take a detour through Hot Coffee, Mississippi.

According to Wikipedia the towns name came from the story of L.J. Davis. “ L.J. Davis built a store and hung a coffee pot over his door, advertising "the best hot coffee around". His coffee was made from pure spring water and New Orleans beans, and molasses drippings for sweetener. He never served cream with his coffee, believing it ruined the taste. Local politicians would visit Davis' store and buy coffee for constituents and passing travelers. The popularity of Davis' coffee led to the name of the community.”

My choice of film for these images was Kodak Portra 400. This trip was a nice change of pace from my usual photography. I will definitely be taking a few more trips around Mississippi with the Contax G2. After a lifetime in Mississippi, I finally get to check Hot Coffee off my bucket list.

50% off Senior Portrait Session Fee

Many high school seniors this year missed out on things such as prom, graduation, and senior portraits. The 2021 seniors are facing some uncertainty as well. To show my support to both graduating and upcoming seniors, I am offering 50% off a senior portrait session fee to anyone booking a session by May 31, 2020. The session can be scheduled for a later date but must be booked by the 31st of this month to receive the discount. 

This special offer is available to both 2020 and 2021 graduates. Sessions are done outdoors with social distancing in mind. Additional examples of my senior portrait work can be viewed in the portfolio section of this website. To book your session, request more information or just to talk, click on the contact link above. I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary Swayze (Senior Portrait)

It was so nice to be able to pick up a camera and go back to work as a photographer. After weeks of being on lockdown, outdoor photography sessions could once again take place. Mary Swayze was the first high school senior that I photographed after the stay at home orders were lifted for the state of Mississippi. While there was and still is a need for social distancing, we made a small step in the right direction. We spent the day making our way around downtown Jackson and enjoying some beautiful weather. Mary Swayze was a pleasure to work with and quite comfortable in front of the camera. I was able to focus on photography as she required little direction.

We also had the good fortune to run into one of her closest friends later that day. Her friend was having photographs taken by another photographer. It was nice to see the two of them enjoy this moment of their senior year together. Things were starting to look a little more like a normal senior year for these young girls. Their senior year has been one for the books. As for me, I am back in business and looking forward to many more days like this one.

Sheltering from the storm

When I was a young boy, nothing made me happier than to go fishing or hunting with my dad. However, there was one time when a fishing trip with my dad didn’t turn out to be all that fun. Looking back, however, the trip was a life lesson that is coming in handy these days. We had taken an aluminum boat out on the Ross Barnett reservoir with the hopes of catching some fish. The boat was equipped with a small outboard motor which made moving around the big lake possible although fairly slow. That is until it decided to quit working properly in the middle of the lake. For some reason, my dad could only get the motor to go into reverse. That wouldn’t be such a big deal except for the fact that a major storm was heading in our direction. We began to make our way back to the boat ramp (in reverse) until it became apparent that we could not make it before the storm hit. We could, however, make it to the Highway 43 bridge in time. The decision was made to shelter in place under the bridge.

Shortly after we made it to the bridge, so did the storm. It was worse than expected and as a young boy, I was scared to death. Waves were crashing over the side of the boat and the water began to fill the boat. I lowered my head and began to pray silently. My dad looked back at me and said, “How are you doing?”. I nervously said, “ I’m fine”. I didn’t want him to know that I was afraid. He smiled and just continued to hold the boat steady. It was clear that he and I did not share the same concerns about our situation. This was my first lesson from that day. Don’t worry, just trust your father. I was about to learn my second lesson. The storm was beginning to weaken and it came time to head back to shore. Keep in mind this was before you could simply check the weather on your phone. We weren’t completely sure that the storm was over. But, at some point, you just have to go for it and have faith that your father will get you home.

These past weeks of sheltering in place reminded me a little of my time under that bridge. My dad passed away many years ago and is not around to hold the boat steady anymore. However, I place my confidence in another Father that has always been there for me. The one I prayed to on that day. I am certain that just like my dad, He understands my concerns, but doesn’t share them. As it approaches the time to stop sheltering in place and slowly return to life, I’m pretty sure that life will repeat itself. Just like before, I will say a prayer for this to be over. I will tell you I am fine even when that is not entirely true. But, ultimately, I will trust my Father to get me home.

Kathryn (Senior Portrait)

I knew when I took her photographs that it might be the last opportunity to work with someone for a while.  We were at the beginning of the need for social distancing when Kathryn’s session took place.  Shortly after her session, it became clear that portrait photography would have to be put on hold indefinitely. Life as a photographer was about to change and the future was uncertain. I wasn’t the only one that day that knew things were going to be different in the coming weeks.  Kathryn’s dreams of how her senior year of high school would end were changing each day.  She knew that some of the things she had been looking forward to experiencing might not take place. It would be understandable if this years seniors felt cheated out of an important part of their life. But, somehow she was still able to put a smile on her face and carry on as if everything was normal.  We talked about her plans for college and what the future might hold for her.  As the afternoon progressed, I noticed my concerns about the future began to subside.  Spending the afternoon with this young senior had lifted my spirits. 

Thank you doesn’t begin to express how grateful I am to work with young people like Kathryn. Senior portraits have become one of my favorite things to do as a photographer. This spring has presented some unusual challenges, but it looks like things are slowly getting better. I have started booking senior sessions again with the understanding that we can reschedule if necessary. I hope every senior that desires to have a portrait session will make it happen. I miss spending time with and getting to know these young people. For better or worse, this will be a memorable year for high school seniors. Best of luck to Kathryn and all of the Class of 2020.

Lessons from the sideline

I have been spending some of this unexpected free time looking back through old photographs. I came across these images from Jackson Academy football that were captured a number of years ago. They were part of a series of images of football that I had shot on black and white film. This first photograph immediately reminded me how difficult it is for an athlete waiting to get back in the game. I have spent a lot of time on the sidelines with athletes wishing they were in the game. Some were offensive players just waiting on the defense to come off the field. Others were special team players preparing for their time on the field. Many more were just waiting until they were old enough, strong enough or fast enough to earn a starting spot on the team.

I have heard coaches explain to players that there are lessons to be learned from sitting on the bench. Lessons that far too many of us are learning right now. Who would have imagined that the majority of the people in our country would be asked to sit on the bench for a while? It has created some unusual challenges for a number of us. I am going to share some of the observations I have made photographing sports from the sidelines over the years. Advice given to players from coaches and how it might relate to our current situation.

First of all, pay attention to the game. Be ready when your time comes to get back in the game. The rules change nearly everyday and we need to clearly understand them and do our part. Secondly, support the players that are in the game right now. Essential businesses and healthcare workers are facing new and unique challenges. It is our duty to cheer them on and encourage them while they are in the game. The time will come when we can do more.

Celebrate every victory and lift each other up along the way. You are not alone in this fight. Take care of the people around you that are out of the game right now. Find a way to support small businesses that need your help. As a small business, find creative ways to be there for the people that have supported you through the years. The final thing I want to share with you is something I heard a coach say to a player from the opposing team during a really close game. The player looked over at the coach and the coach simply said, “Yep, we’re still here”. As if to say, the game is not over and we are in this fight until the end.

Suffering and Sacrifice

Good Friday

It seemed appropriate that it was overcast and raining the day I captured this image. After all, it portrays Jesus being put to death on a cross. This crucifix is located in Cedar Hill cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The monument is surrounded by cross shaped tombstones where Catholic nuns from the local order Sisters of Mercy are buried. Some of these nuns cared for sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. However, much of the care was not for gunshot wounds or wartime injuries. Most of the deaths from that period were a result of disease. The dates on the tombstones indicate that the majority of the nuns that died during the Civil War period were only in their twenties at the time of their death. It is likely that they contracted illnesses from the soldiers in their care.

Over a million people around the world have contracted a terrible disease from the current pandemic. Many more have been asked to make sacrifices for the better good. Doctors, nurses and first responders are putting themselves at risk everyday. This may be remembered as a period of suffering and sacrifice. However, we are currently living this story and the story is not over. We are not certain what the final chapter will be.

A message of hope

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. A day in which Jesus suffered on the cross as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind. Christians celebrate Good Friday because they believe a message of hope arose from the suffering and sacrifice. The image of the cross above was taken in front of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. It is the belief of Christians that the story did not end with suffering and sacrifice. The story continued with a message of hope, forgiveness and love. What is the final chapter of our current story? Maybe it has already been written. Maybe, just maybe, we win in the end.

The colors of slide film

Transparency or slide film

Some of you remember the slide projectors of days past. Families would gather around the projector and watch vacation pictures projected on a screen. Countless memories were captured on Kodachrome film until it was discontinued in 2009. Many of Steve McCurry’s images from National Geographic were shot on Kodachrome. Paul Simon even wrote a song about it - “Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away”. The lyrics went like this:

Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away

A few slide films are still available today. Kodak Ektachrome, Fuji Provia and Fuji Velvia to name a few. Fuji Velvia is still a favorite with some nature photographers. I captured the image below of a stream in the Smokey Mountains on Fuji Velvia.

Fuji Velvia

Kodak recently released a new version of Ektachrome film. The image at the beginning of this post and the photograph below of the Mayflower Cafe were both captured on Kodak Ektachrome.

Kodak Ektachrome

If you own a film camera and have never used slide film consider giving it a try. I must warn you that slide film is not very forgiving when it comes to exposure. However, when exposed correctly these films can offer some beautiful results.

The look of film - Part 2

Color film photography in portraits

Backlit images - This is one of my favorite attributes of color film photography. In digital photography it is usually necessary to use strobes to expose backlit subjects properly. This is because it is very easy to blow out highlights with a digital camera. In other words, detail in the brighter areas of the image will be lost. Film however retains details in the highlights quite well.

The images above were captured on Fuji Pro 400H film. This film is considered a 400 speed film. In other words, it is rated at 400 ISO. For the images above, I intentionally overexposed the film and rated it at 200 ISO. This brings out detail in the shadows while retaining the highlights due to the films latitude.

I also like the fact that anyone having their portrait taken in this situation does not have to wait on the photographer to set up lighting. It can be a much more pleasant experience.

Skin tones - One of the most important things to get right in portrait photography is skin tones. The images above were shot on Fuji Pro 400H film rated at 200 ISO. It has been my experience that portrait images captured with this method require very little if any touching up. Skin looks beautiful straight out of the camera. What do you think? Please feel free to comment.

I want to share a couple of other things I have discovered doing portraits with a film camera. First, it helps me be more engaged with my subject. I spend more time getting to know the person I am photographing and not looking at a screen on the back of my camera. Second, it slows me down and forces me to consider each shot more carefully. I have found that this increases the number of quality images in a shoot considerably.

I hope you enjoyed this series on the look of film. While film is more expensive and often more difficult, It is the method I prefer for most of my photography.

The look of film - Part 1

Let’s talk black and white film photography

While I use a combination of digital and film photography, most of my work is captured on film. Apparently, I am not alone in my passion for film photography. There has been a resurgence of film photography in recent years. So why are younger generations embracing a slower more difficult process to create images? Film sales have increased at around 25% per year over the past few years. Some young people have said they are simply tired of how intangible the world has become and desire a more tactile experience. However, it appears that the most common reason is that film has a certain look that simply cannot be replicated in the digital realm.

In this two-part series, I will show some examples of film images and explain what makes them special to me. In this post, I am going to share my experience with Kodak tri-x black and white film. Much of the classic black and white documentary photography from the 1900’s was captured on this film. Kodak Tri-x is a 400 speed or 400 ISO film. This makes it a nice film for general use. When using black and white film it is important to emphasize things such as light, texture, and contrast. What I love about Kodak tri-x is the tonal range and grain of the film. It also transitions from light to dark gradually with subtle shades of gray. The random grain gives it a distinctive and timeless look.

This film can also be pushed to 1600 ISO which will result in a more contrasty image such as the one above. Push processing is simply underexposing the film and then changing the development time. The image above was captured at 800 ISO and then I asked the lab to push process the film to 1600 ISO.

Kodak Tri-x Portrait

Portraits look incredible on this film and sometimes appear to have more intimacy than their color counterpart. In some cases, color can distract from your subject and draw the eye away from what matters. Skin tones look natural and not washed out. I typically overexpose this film slightly when shooting a portrait. The image above was captured at 320 ISO and processed normally.

In Part 2 we will look at Fuji Pro 400H color film. If you have questions or would like to share your experience with film photography, please comment.

Focus on what you love

Occasionally, I have the opportunity to work on a project with my two sons Matt and Josh. The recent Red Bluff cycling event was one of those occasions that we were able to work and spend some time together. Matt and Josh operate Hinkle Productions among many other things.

Matt is a firefighter, teacher, pilot, videographer, business owner and a long list of other things. He keeps a very busy schedule juggling all the things in his life. Josh is a technical director, director, graphic designer, website builder, videographer, and his list keeps going as well. I think you get the point. They both have busy lives and anytime I have the chance to be with them is a real pleasure.

I usually keep family images separate from my business photographs, but this week I needed to make an exception. The challenges that the world is facing right now are difficult, to say the least. Many of us have concerns about how long it might take to return to normal life. I must admit that my anxiety level has been quite high in the past few days. Then, I found that reflecting on the things that I love about my life helped me to escape my anxious thoughts. My faith, my family and my friends will get me through anything this world can throw at me. If your struggling with the current situation, try focusing your thoughts and maybe your camera on what you love about your life. It might just help and It certainly can’t hurt!