Mallory

We like to watch Sunrise Earth. It is the type of program that can be on and you don't have to pay attention. Mallory and Boo seem to like the program as well. They are attracted to small movements and the sounds of nature. Boo Usually watches from a far, while Mallory likes to get up close to the action.

This episode was from Lobster Fishermen. It was shot during the summer in a cove at New Harbor, Maine about 100 miles south west of Bangor.

Rumor of Snow Confirmed

Well overnight we received 13 inches of snow. That is a lot of snow in a short period of time. Plus we have drifts over 3 feet. After doing some shoveling, we can get out of our driveway. I took a few shots of the neighborhood.

Snow and Rumors of Snow...

Well it looks like it is going to be a white Christmas here in New England. Snow is on the ground and with the possibility of a Nor'easter blowing in on Sunday. Melissa pointed out the other day that some of the homes here have condensation built up around the windows and that many people often imitate the look this time of year around the country. The home we are leasing is no exception. A double hung window with the top or the bottom of the glass with a uniform amount of condensation around the corners, reminds me of some Dickens tale with some character in a nightshirt or robe holding a single candle walking by the window.

As one can see we have a little bit of snow hanging around. This is out our back door. It is hard to melt at 2 degrees. On a brighter note, our neighborhood has calmed down considerably since cold weather has set in. We have yet to see any transients this season sleeping under piles of newspapers or homeless drunks huddled next to a barrel set a blaze like we had expected.

Melissa and I found this coffee syrup last night. It is a regional item. Lots of coffee flavored items around here. We can now make virgin White Russians. I prefer the leaded Caucasian beverage myself.

We have been told that there is a coffee flavored brandy that is sold in these here parts that after a couple of drinks makes the opposite sex loose their inhibitions and well you know how the rest of the story. I feel inclined to try it but am a little apprehensive. I will probably stick to Sex Panther cologne. 60 percent of the time, it works every time and it's made with bits of real panther. It's science.

Yesterday, Melissa and I went on a couriers mission to Bar Harbor. With little time to spare for pictures. I only got get a few.

As the morning sun hung diffused by clouds over Eagle Lake, I snapped these images that will provide us with a lot of daydreaming for some time to come. The carriage road provides us with thoughts of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or perhaps a horse drawn sleigh.

Happy Holidays

I had they day off today. After much leisure, and general laziness, I took a few images to share. These are unofficial and in no way reflect my ongoing strike against the networks for airing Christmas movies with Steve Guttenberg. Peace and Solidarity to all.

Wow!!

Sorry folks, I have let a whole month pass by without posting anything. Well that's not entirely true I did post a video but I took it down as not to offend anyone. As far as photography goes. I have not seen much that warranted making an image. I believe that is a good philosophy. I do plan on posting a couple of short videos this month. Perhaps if it snows this week I will make an image but I do not want to force anything.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is next week. So to get in the spirit I found one of the spookiest looking places in town. Hilltop Kindergarten.
Of course I darkened down the sky just a little until I can get back there during a thunderstorm and get real shot. Looks creepy to me.

Fall Trip To Acadia

Melissa and I took out this morning to get some more fall photos. Our plan was to head south towards Acadia and then head northeast towards Canada. While we took several images of fall foliage. The highlight of our day turned out to be the Schoodic Point of Acadia National Park. It is on the other side of the bay from Bar Harbor, Maine. What a delight to avoid the crowds of leaf peepers ,as they are known by Mainers, by taking a detour that we found hard to leave.

Melissa found these beautiful shells in a small tidal pool. They are in water several inches deep. It was so alive. There was so much going on a micro level. Little invertebrates swimming around in the pool. These blue shells that would rival any fine china.

Ah, Schoodic Point. I had made a couple of images already and I thought I had what I wanted. We were preparing to leave when Melissa mentioned a sail boat out in the gulf that had just come into sight. So we waited and the result was worth the wait. The light shimmering on the ocean and a lone sail boat on the horizon. I have always wanted an image like this.

This is Wonsqueak Harbor. I am not the first and will not be the last to stumble on this jewel. So with the promise of fall images of Acadia which I have. I feel that I have saturated this blog with them so they will go into a folder for now to be brought out on a winter day.

Gadgets

I can't help it. I love gadgets. Some are more helpful than others. I have a P-38 government issue can opener. I never was in the scouts or military but if need be I can open a can in a pinch. Other gadgets are specific. While going through a tool box I found a socket for removing an oil sending unit for a jeep we no longer own.

I am holding a Sekonic L-508 light meter. Tool of the trade you say. Sure, but it is a great gadget. I purchased it used from a photographer in Missoula. It was well used. So much I had to re-label the controls on the front. Some of my cameras do not even have light meters so it is handy to have around. While it won't open a can of soup, It can read the light falling on the can. from across the room if necessary.

Back to the Bog

Earlier this week I made it back to the Orono Bog. I wanted to see how much things have changed since my last visit. Some things have changed but other parts of the bog look the same. The trail itself is a floating boardwalk out into the bog. Much like walking on a boat dock.

I would consider this a self portrait. The shadow of my arm and the camera mounted on the tripod. When I am out shooting I always carry it. I don't care how goofy I look. Sure I can shoot without one but that is another story all together.

I certainly would not enjoy traipsing around in this stuff. It is like a floating carpet.

I will soon be adding some more images from the Kenduskeag stream. I have gone down there several times over the last couple of months because it is close. From what I understand it has another name that I only recently learned,"The Barrens" as it is referred to in the Stephen King novel, "IT." I have not yet seen Pennywise the clown down there offering up balloons to me. If I do see him I will ask for a twisty dog or a hat ballon.

Since it is October, I need to go down to Mt. Hope cemetery and get some pics.

As far as the house we are in being haunted. I am skeptical about it. We do hear noises in the night(loud knocking noises around 4:30a.m.). Like this morning I was awakened to hearing a loud thud downstairs. I thought for sure it was Mallory rifling through our trash can located in the kitchen. Mallory who is the eternal alley cat often leaves clues to her trashcan snacking. I went downstairs and did not find anything out of place. Who knows. Spooky!!!!

Trip To Baxter State Park

Saturday, Melissa and I took a trip to Baxter State Park. After stopping at the Ranger station we decided to take the park's road that goes around the left side of the park. The road is gravel and was in pretty decent shape. The road stretches 42 miles from the south end to the north end of the park while going around Mt. Katahdin and a range of mountains that help make up the park. Fall colors was the reason for the road trip and while it sprinkled on us most of the day, our only mishap was a flat tire.

The spare tire on our truck has never been on the ground and looks like it will remain there, tucked under the bed. It wont succumb to my brawn . I just ended up twisting steel rods that are supposed to lower the tire look like pretzels.

We were helped by a couple from Houlton, Maine that showed us great Maine hospitality by taking me to the edge of the park where I had the tire plugged and returned me to Melissa and the truck. We must have picked up the only nail in the park but that is just how it goes. The rain or nail did not dampen our spirits.

The place is beautiful and is in some spots reminded us of our many homes. Melissa and I have been away from deciduous trees for a couple of years, so taking in the sights and smells were a treat.

A red leaf. It seems like forever since we have seen one this color.

Most of the road that stretched across the park looked like this. The road wound its way through the woods with sharp turns in some places. We saw only a handful of other cars once we left the populated campground areas.

If your going to have a flat, this is the place.

Melissa and I took the rural route up to Baxter. Stopping here and there when something caught our eye.

Dying ferns.

Like I have said before, the water is so black. It is so captivating, mysterious, and I am drawn to it like a magnet. The water here was deep, judging by the steepness of the bank.

Fall Is Here

I got the chance to get out today and take some images. If it is not like this at your home it will be soon.

Burnt

I had my tripod and light meter with me the other evening and decided to make a few images. This is the Bangor Water Works at dusk.

We have not eaten here yet but plan on it in the future.

I want to make sure I get some fall images this year. The leaves here are turning so fast. I would like to go out this weekend and I may yet but the forecast is looking rather wet. Normally it would not bother me to go out and shoot in the rain but potential tropical moisture might be a little too much.

Exposure

For My birthday I got the opportunity to finally set up my darkroom. I have been collecting equipment here and there for the last couple of years. I must admit I am a little rusty. It has been almost 5 years since I've been in a darkroom. So after mixing up some chemicals and processing some film. I blocked off the light coming into the bathroom and began to make a couple of enlargements.

I am using resin coated paper and I am not sure how I feel about using it. I was taught to use fiber based paper and I will get some eventually.

Below are scans of a couple of prints. I know I could have scanned the negatives but what is the fun in that.

This is the Thomas Hill Standpipe. It is a water tower and landmark for the city of Bangor. The image itself was made with the Mamiya c330 along with a red no.25 filter.

This Image was taken from Center st. in Bangor. It appeals to Melissa and I both.

This is the Kenduskeag stream. It is closest to home. I didn't even have my tripod. Just out having fun trying to see again in Black and White.

The Painting

Yesterday I stopped by the local thrift store. As I was browsing around a old print caught my attention. The print which was taken from Rising Sun in Glacier. It was just propped up against the wall. I could not leave it. 3.00 bucks. Of course this was not a oil painting. This was a mass production of a picture to look like a painting. How old? Who knows. It is dirty. I'm leaving it that way.

Did the person that had it before gaze upon it because they had been there? Was it a dream for them of a place that existed that they planned on visiting? Did they even know where it was? Had they purchased it from some local department store because it was pretty?

It made me homesick. Why? We have stood in this very spot we have hiked the trail. We know exactly where this picture was taken. We have hiked this trail from Sun Point to Bearing falls and down further yet to St. Mary's fall. We have sat on its banks and fished without a soul in sight for hours with only nature as company as we caught Whitefish and Rainbow trout. We have picked the occasional huckleberry and Logan berry while making our way along the trail.
Then I looked through my images I knew I had one.

Campfire

A not so recent campfire

Worth The Cost

If one looks at my earlier entries you will see an old Kodak No. 3A camera. Like I mentioned I had picked it up at an estate sale for next to nothing. Today I weighed the decision to dismantle the camera for the lens and shutter. I checked prices on ebay. Yes, it was worth the cost. The bellows of the camera were in as most of its age torn at the corners from being in closed position for a long time. As I took it apart I found that the shutter had two years on it 1909 and 1910. I cleaned the lenses and mounted it on my extra 4x5 lens board. The lens of course was a Kodak 170 mm, f7.7 with T, B, 25, and 50 for shutter speeds.

Looking at the ground glass with my Loupe. I was amazed at the clarity of it. It was sharp. It might be sharper than the original lens that came with my 4x5 camera itself. Does that mean I will take my old lens to the beach and mark up the lens with sand to get that old look. Not just yet.

This is Mallory f.7.7 with a 2 second exposure time. Apparently they don't make them like they used to. I have seen expensive lenses. I'm keeping this one.

Most Played

This is what is on my Ipod's top25 most played. When I thought about posting this I thought I would be making excuses for Prince being on there. Thank God. Some how I've managed to listen to enough to Barry Manilow to kick him off the list. Even though this is pretty accurate there are a couple of songs I've been listening to that were not on there. frickin Ipods.

My Top 25 Most Played

The Band/The Weight
Ry Cooder/ I Am a Pilgrim
Bob Dylan/ Lay Lady Lay
Warren Zevon/ Lawyers, Gun, and Money
John Mellencamp version/30 Days In The Hole
Little Feat/ Willin
The Rolling Stones/ Moonlight Mile
Chicago/ Old Days
John Mellencamp/ Close Enough
The Band/ Long Black Veil
Bob Dylan/ Girl From The North Country
Pink Floyd/ Great Gig In The Sky
Levon Helm/ The Mountain
Yo-Yo Ma(Appalachian Waltz) Butterfly’s Day Out
Bill Withers/ Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone
Edgar Myer/ Short Trip Home
Ramblin Jack Elliott/ Tennessee Stud
Smashing Pumkins/1979
Maria Muldaur/ Don’t You Feel My Thigh
The Band/ Up on Cripple Creek
Bob Dylan/ Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You
The Clash/ Train In Vain
Creedence Clearwater Revival/ Lookin Out My Back Door
Neil Young/ Helpless.

The Demise of Polaroid Film

Soon Polaroid will stop making instant film. This is sad. I understand it is just business but this medium of photography that was so well liked by myself and many others will fade away into history soon. It was so popular and like digital today could give a photographer instant feedback on a final image. While I did not get a chance to explore image transfer or other uses of the medium. I remember using a Polaroid when I was younger(one step) and family members using them as well. Many of the images of my family were made with Polaroid cameras and film. I stopped at an estate sale the other day and saw two Polaroid cameras just setting there. I don't remember the price of them but I'm sure they did not get sold. Of course there is plenty of Polaroid 600 style film out there and the cost is still not too bad. The Film that I use for my 4x5 camera. In which I have a Polaroid back now costs 5 bucks for each exposure I make and getting harder to find. I did get around to making a couple of images with my 4x5 Graphflex over the weekend.

The two images below were taken with Polaroid Type 54 iso 100 Black and White 4x5 film.

I also was pleased to know that my Lenses for my 4x5 come apart for cleaning. They had marks on them where the previous owner tried to clean them but did a poor job.

This is another of my finds it is an old Kodak No.3 pocket camera. I Know there are a bunch out there. With some work could be usable but the bellows are are torn at the corners and for the time being will just be used as a chach-ka(knick-knack). I have a smaller one that is in worse condition(will post pic at a later date) but fun to have just the same.

The Table

The table is finally finished. After a bout with some old finish and polyurethane which caused us to re-strip and re-sand and refinish the table top. We put it all together and now sets in the dining room. The legs were the hardest to do. Stripping them with chemicals and then sanding them was the most time consuming. I might add that a good set heavy gloves will keep one from a nasty chemical burn.

End of the Day

Shadows that grow long become soft as the light begins to fade.

Projects

It seems that sometimes I have a lot of projects going on. One is a table that Melissa and I purchased at an estate sale. I have been sanding on it when the weather permits. Yesterday it rained a good part of the day then quit for a while in the evening.

Yesterday I had the chance to set out our plants that I re-potted the other day to soak up some of the rain. So I stopped this morning and took a picture of our Schefflera plant before I took it back inside.

Once inside our cats Boo and Mallory got reacquainted with the plants and the rainwater.

Rainy Afternoon

I ventured out to take some pictures Friday. I found a little stream that runs through Bangor. It is hard to pronounce but easier to spell . It is called Kenduskeag Stream. I am still so amazed how black the water is. I have fished ponds that were stained black from tree leaves but running water.

I stopped a couple of weeks ago along the upper Penobscot river which is also black and in a spot that was moving but not rapids. I saw the fish rising. I think the fish like mosquitoes because they about carried me off.

I was also amazed that being 45 miles inland from the Atlantic ocean that the Penobscot is affected by tidal change.

Projects

Today I was going through photos to put in a collage for Melissa'a new office. Mostly landscapes for the collage but going through a major box of cd,dvds of collected images can be tough. I ran across some images that I scanned a couple of years ago for a family project I was working on. I thought it would be good to get these older images into a digital format before they were gone forever. Some of the images already suffer from decay.

This is an image of me from the 4th grade. You can see that over the years it has had something spilled on it and had a chemical reaction. I have a fair amount of pictures of my family over the years that have been scanned. As a photographer, I felt compelled to sit down and do it. It did not take long and was fun to do.