Notes from the Workshop
On photography, film, music, art, literature, and the creative process in general.
When Motivation Came Back
I’m certainly not the first photographer or creative who occasionally loses his motivation. That, however, doesn’t change how bad it can feel.
Earlier this year I went through a phase where I was stuck with new challenges in my day job, my favorite camera broke, and then its replacement. It felt bad. Really bad. Proper depression.
So here I was, left with little choice other than to muddle through or change things drastically.
Barbed Wires
Some projects develop in silence. Until one day, they materialize themselves, emerging from the depths of your archives.
This happened to me recently when I realized that I had shot a good number of pictures of barbed wires.
Large (Format) Challenges
This headline was to read “Large Format Challenges”, and the blog was supposed to be about large format film photography. I had started thinking about this article back in June, shortly after I had finally acquired a large format camera. But there was too much going on at work and in my life.
Some Thoughts on 3D-Printed Cameras and the Kraken 612
Making your own cameras has become a less expensive option to dabble in unusual film formats. Printing the parts with a 3D Printer has made things a lot easier. The Kraken 612 is one of those 3D-printed cameras, and it is less expensive as you can purchase the files instead of having to buy a fully assembled build.
Analog Macro Photography
Shooting macro photos on film has its merits, has it?
Some thoughts on analog macro photography, some old tricks and why I think it can be fun, mainly because of its limitations.
Buying Vintage Cameras and Lenses: A Note to Myself
Some recent experiences with buying vintage cameras and lenses had me rethink my general approach and come up with a checklist.
A Nice Film Stock Surprise
I have come across a really nice black-and-white film stock that I can wholeheartedly recommend - Rollei Paul & Reinhard. Here is what I found.
How a Project Idea Develops
Going light on gear on a recent walk in an abandoned area freed up some headspace and sparked the idea for a small future project.
Some Notes on Camera Designs
Camera design has become a bit of an obsession for me. In this short article I write about some notable cameras in my collection and how they represent various stages of SLR design since the 1960s.
Camera Malfunctions
Modern digital cameras hardly ever malfunction. Not so analog cameras both vintage and brand new.
Landscape Photography in Bleak Conditions
What do you do on a grey and dark and gloomy Berlin winter day? You load some Ilford HP 5 and shoot some landscapes.
Multiply Exposed
Up until now, I have never really played around with double exposures, mainly because most of the cameras I have used so far had some technical solution to prevent double exposures or an extra switch for them.