Saturday, August 29, 2009

August 29 2009

The Robert Capa exhibit at the Ludwin Museum was awesome. What a guy. Must have been very charismatic, judging by this photo by Ruth Orkin. They have big posters of it all around the city.

It's amazing how many famous photos he took. They had many large prints of his shots and information both in Hungarian and English. Also, if you are under 26 you get half off admission; so it was just 950 forints to see the Capa exhibit and the permanent collection, which was also very nice. The Capa exhibit is only there until October, however.

They had a print of his last photo (frame number 11) including the sprocket holes and the start of the empty frame 12, which had a powerful effect on me.

If you do get to Budapest, make sure to check out Statue park/Memento' Park/Szobor Park (link). It is where they collected all the old communist statues. (Hungarians are still somewhat miffed with the Russians, understandably). It is a bit of a hassle to get to (For me, for instance, I took a bus to the metro to a tram, bought a ticket to a privately owned bus to the park), and is relatively pricey (1.500 forints) but the statues are fantastic. I shot more than 2 rolls there - I probably would have shot more but it was all I had with me.

If you are ever shooting in Budapest, there are plenty of small camera shops around. If you need a good selection of film though, I suggest Fotolux on Karoly krt. between the Astoria and Deak Ter stops on the red metro line. They had a great selection of film, including black and white and medium format. They might have had sheet film as well. Prices were comparable to most brick and mortar photo shops (about $7.50 for a 36 exposure roll of TMax 100).

I can't wait to see my photos...

Monday, August 24, 2009

August 24 2009

The Nikon FM seems to be doing fine after cooling down. Very weird.

Well, pressing the DOF preview still shoots off a frame.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

August 22 2009

Small update.

Been shooting just with the FM. My spiffy EVIL sticker came off, but oh well. I've shot about 4 rolls, mostly of architecture. Also have some shots of the Red Bull Air Race and the fireworks from St. Stephen Day last Thursday. I forgot the TMax 400 I have are only 24 exposure rolls. I probably will have to buy some more film when I am here, but I've seen a couple camera stores with it. I will probably have to get color print film though, but I haven't asked about black and white film. Hard to say if I could track down some Kodak or Ilford film.

Unfortunately the FM started to act up with the 50mm f/1.4 as well. I think it is exacerbated by heat, since it started when I was sitting out in the sun for the Red Bull Air Race and seems to be a bit better now. It's still such a bizarre and inconsistent problem. I love the FM so much, I'd hate to have to get a new camera if I can't get it repaired. It's nice and small, light enough but solidly build, and has every feature I could want.

I probably lost half of the roll of the fireworks because of its shenanigans. Very said, the display on the Danube was probably the best I've seen. I was right on the water, too.

Downtown is beautiful, and there is a lot I want to explore and see. Tomorrow I will (if all goes well) go see the Robert Capa exhibition at the LUMU.

Anyway, I am looking forward to developing my film and seeing my photos...Someday...

Thursday, August 13, 2009

August 13 2009

Probably will not get many updates for the next few months. If you are a new visitor (hope springs eternal!) there are many many images in the archives which should keep you busy for a couple days.

I am leaving later today for Budapest, Hungary. I am studying abroad there for a semester, and am not sure how much internet access I will have. It is supposed to be a very beautiful city, so I am excited to take photographs of it. I will try to post photos and write about my experiences if I can.

I am just taking my Nikon FM with 50mm f/1.4 (and 5 rolls each of Kodak TMax 100 and 400) and my old Nikon Coolpix. It would be awesome to have my DSLR or a medium format TLR but I am trying to travel light and I would worry about having them stolen.

Still haven't figured out why my FM works fine with AI/AI-S lenses and locks up with AF/AF-S lenses, but I am hoping that it will work fine. I ran a roll through it with the 50mm without a hiccup, so I am hopeful.

In any case, I'll be back in December! You will have to wait until then or later to get a look at the film photos unfortunately, maybe not until later if I develop them at school. I should get a film scanner...

Monday, August 10, 2009

August 8 2009

Belated, I realize.

relapse.

Jefferson, looking smug.


FDR's doggy, Fala.


Lincoln


Flagging. At the Vietnam Memorial.


Divisive.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

August 6 2009

Took some photos at the national aquarium today. Low light and moving fish behind not so clean glass makes for not great photos.







Gar of some variety

Snakehead

Hello Clarice.

Bright colors mean they are extra delicious, right?

August 5 2009

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Sunday, August 2, 2009

August 2 2009

Some oldies I never posted :

mettle.

tendrils.

August 1 2009

Belated since I've been driving home since Friday.



We drove through some fierce storms, but there was a pretty sunset. Too bad I had to shoot out the window of a moving car...


Night time.