The illegal trees

[Chris Dodkin]

Taken today at Batiquitos Lagoon - Carlsbad CA

Canonet 28 and Kodak 400 ASA print film - PP in Photoshop with Topaz B&W

 

[Brian Moore]

Nice. The lens is sharp.

I've passed the Batiquitos Lagoon many a time but never stopped there. I like that exfoliating eucalyptus in the foreground. Is this the same film as the one with the horizontal line?

How does it feel to shoot film for a change, Chris?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Same film Brian - the defect line is lost in the detail on this shot up the RHS.

Shot was at f11, so pretty much everything is in focus - still happy with the lens as you say - could have been anything for $13!

Shooting film is odd after being digital for so long (12 years) - really makes you stop and think.

I miss the immediate feedback from my DSLR - I would normally use that to fine tune a selection of comps of a subject before moving on.

I'm a little disappointed in the grain from the Kodak 400, but it was of unknown origin and the processing and scanning were cheap as chips - ironically!

The process has reminded me that exposure, for all our modern technology in cameras, hasn't changed at all in 40 years - Sunny day / 400 ASA is still f11 at 1/500 - I guess the light source is consistent over the decades!

 

[Brian Moore]

Very interesting Chris. When I shoot with my 7d I very quickly--actually, immediately--become accustomed to reviewing each shot after I've taken it. Then, when back to a film camera, I'm still in that habit for a little while! Its' very compelling to have that little window in the back of the camera. I quickly miss the "immediate feedback," as you call it.

However, I feel as though I am giving something up when I shoot digital. It's silly, but I feel like I'm cheating in a way. (I don't intend to denigrate digital shooters at all with that. I hope you and the others on RPF know that I am often in awe of your skills, and I sincerely often wish I could emulate them. It's just how I feel is all.)

 

[Chris Dodkin]

It's certainly a different pace, and different mental process shooting with the Rangefinder and film.

There were two shots on the real where I forgot to focus at all!

I shot 35mm film for the first 16 years - and developed over time by shooting and reviewing extensively. I still think that's the only way you really learn.

What I noticed moving to digital was an acceleration in my learning - and a more immediate connection of cause and effect, as I didn't have to rely on memory to match settings/technique to a final image.

It was right there after I took it, and I could relate what I had done right or wrong and compensate on the spot.

That's a great benefit - but in doing that you loose the absolute need to figure it out before you press the shutter release - so I know what you're saying.

The other key for me was retaining control of the whole process, from shooting through dev and PP.

For you, it's not such an issue - you do so much in house.

Most of use gave up that control with film, and relied on our local lab for dev and print.

When I got all of that in house with digital - I was a happy man


With all that, the joy of the 'cheap as chips' challenge has been immense - I was just so happy I got useable exposures today - which is silly, but there you are - I was like a kid again, with my first film camera

I've already hit buy it now on a Canonet QL17 on the Bay - I'll be shooting some more film

 

[Darren Bradley]

Some nice shots, Chris. What's illegal about these trees?

It's funny what you say about shooting with film. I used to shoot film everyday for my school newspaper, full manual with no light meter on a very tight deadline and I never thought twice about it. Nowadays, I'm not quite sure I could do that anymore and the thought of trying is a bit terrifying.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I always think of the Eucalyptus trees as the 'illegal' immigrants of California's tree's - a non native species, introduced to the region - there has been talk of banning further planting due to perceived fire risk, and claims they are water hogs...

 

[Darren Bradley]

Ah, I see. I hope they are not banned. I love the eucalyptus trees here. Without them, we wouldn't have much in the way of woodlands.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Agreed - also love the smell as well as you walk through them.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Nice shot Chris as above love the sharpness and the peeling skin of the front tree!! Been in that Cali sun to long!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Are you going to give the cheap as chips challenge a go Darren?

Lovely shot Chris!
That sunny 16 rule never fails (unless the camera is broken)

 

[Darren Bradley]

I don't know, Hamish. I'm on the road a lot for work lately (I'm back in Charleston this week), so don't know when I'll find the time. May have to sit this one out.