Kodak Tri-X, as a concept, has been around since the 1940's when it was a 200 ISO b&w sheet film. Because it was their first fast film, when Kodak released the 400 ISO roll film version, the Tri-X name was maintained. Just like Kodak TMAX P3200 revolutionized low light photography in 1989, Tri-X was an... Continue Reading →
Ilford XP2 – A Smart Go-To B&W Film
Are you interested in shooting black and white and want to know what film to start with? Do you you use a lab to process your work, or do C41 at home? I highly recommend giving Ilford XP2 a spin. 35mm Ilford XP2 400 Super rated at 1600, scanned without ICE Ilford XP2 400 Super... Continue Reading →
Rating + Processing for Available Light Portraits – EI 3200 ISO
It bears repeating: International Center of Photography shooter James Mignogna once told me that a good photographer matches their light, lens, film and developer. Nowhere do I think these decisions are more critical than portraits in dim lighting. That was the intro I used in my previous entry: Rating + Processing for Available Light Portraits... Continue Reading →
Rating + Processing for Available Light Portraits – EI 1600 ISO
International Center of Photography shooter James Mignogna once told me that a good photographer matches their light, lens, film and developer. Nowhere do I think these decisions are more critical than portraits in dim lighting. With all of us spending so much time at home lately, I have gotten a number of emails asking for... Continue Reading →
Salute the Grain; The Passing of Peter Lindbergh
It was announced today that b&w fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh has passed away at age 74. I'll leave the detailed articles of his storied career for the big publications to cover and encourage all portrait shooters to seek them out! But speaking as a grainy black and white film photographer, I wanted to share some... Continue Reading →
Wedding Receptions on Film; No Flash, No Automation
Say what you will about wedding photography but few other gigs will allow you to party with beautiful people without having to even know a single dance move. My wife and I are freelance wedding photographers. She shoots digital and I shoot on b&w 35mm film. I use vintage, all manual cameras and lenses and... Continue Reading →
The Wedding of Lisa & Jason
I first met Lisa when my wife and I were photographing the Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick, MD in 2013. Steph also did their family portraits that year. Then in 2016, we photographed her brother's wedding and learned how talented a make-up artist Lisa is. So it was my absolute pleasure to photograph Lisa's... Continue Reading →
The Wedding of Arthur & Michael
Recently, I was privileged to photograph Arthur and Michael's classy, intimate wedding at the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD. The event would consist of a small ceremony followed by an upscale dinner with only a handful of close friends and family in attendance. It's an honor when anyone hires you for a wedding, but particularly... Continue Reading →
Yashica A, In Use
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my new-to-me, super cheapie antique-store-find Yashica A. Last week, I burned my first 5 rolls of Kodak Tri-X in it as a test drive and man, what a test drive it was! Every year, my wife hosts a Fall Family Photo session on our friends' beautifully rustic property in... Continue Reading →
Kodak TMAX P3200, an Encore Performance
A big thanks to Petapixel for republishing Rockin Out with Kodak TMAX P3200 and getting the word out that P3200 is BACK! But wait... There's more! I burned through 3 rolls of film on Vinyl Rhino so as you might imagine, I still have more photos! I didn't want to overwhelm my first post with too... Continue Reading →