Photography is one of my favorite ways to see the world.

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    • Medium Format, Developed Medium Well

      Published on April 25, 2023

      I'm not actually a very handy person. It's amazing that I am able to load film at all in a change bag, into a reel, into a tank, and then get pictures out of it. Anyway, this was the first ever medium format color film that I developed myself at home: clearly, I put too little chemistry. I still like the pictures, and I like that I'm now able to post stuff like this instead of being a perfectionist.

      Part of the reason I shoot film and develop it myself is really to learn, and you don't learn without making mistakes.

      Anyway, some photos from Drag Up, Fight Back rally: all photos shot on Fuji GW690II, some kind of Portra (400?), developed in Cinestill C41 kit, and scanned on an Imacon Flextight 848 scanner.

      a scan of a color photo showing showing a person wearing an amazing costume with a very dramatic hair set a scan of a color photo showing people marching together at a trans rally a scan of a color photo of a person holding a sign that says Drag it out in the open a scan of a color photo of a person holding a sign about an anti trans law that a Republican in California is trying to pass a scan of a color photo of a sign that says Ban Hate Not Drag Queens

    • Saying Goodbye to Fuji Superia 400

      Published on Invalid DateTime

      Fuji Superia 400 has been my stock color film for a long time. I have 10 rolls left, and when that's gone it doesn't look like I'll be able to find it easily anymore. It was my favorite 'buy it at a drugstore' film, but now that I can't buy it easily, I don't think I will put in the effort to source it. For color, I will probably switch to Ektar and Kodak Vision 3 250D or 500T. Or some combination of all of that.

      Until then, some photos celebrating Fuji Superia 400.

      a scan of a color photo of a night time view of a San Francisco night life area with the neon lights of a Hawaiian bar saying Mauna Loa

      I like Fuji's colors with neon lights, especially reds. (Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II, handheld)

      a scan of a color photo of the door of Atelier Crenn, a Michelin starred restaurant in San Francisco

      A friend came to town and invited me to an epic dinner. (Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II, handheld)

      a scan of a color photo of sashimi and ube bread on the table with Japanese mat and placements

      The next day, I had a delicious tasting menu at Ox + Tiger, a Filipino-Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. (Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II, handheld)

      a scan of a color photo of the San Francisco skyline with a boat in the bottom right of the photo

      View of the San Francisco skyline from Yerba Buena island. (Rollei QZ 35T)

      a scan of a color photo of grass and sea and sky

      The greens and blues of San Francisco bay. (Rollei QZ 35T)

    • Tenderloin Tessie

      Published on Invalid DateTime

      Almost 50 years ago, a drag queen named Tessie started feeding the homeless in the Tenderloin and so many decades later the tradition continues. I was grateful to be able to volunteer this past Easter at one of the Tenderloin Tessie events.

      Every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the organization puts out a massive event feeding hot food to anyone who needs it. Not everyone who came was homeless, all who wanted a hot meal were welcome. Many immigrant families also came and I think, the opportunity to feed your entire family good food and have fun entertainment is always welcome, regardless of your financial situation.

      I was very impressed with the values that the organizers imparted to the volunteers. Treat everyone with respect, seat them at the table, provide table service, make sure that people have what they need and that they go home with things that will help.

      a scan of a color photograph showing a sign on a tree that says Line This Way

      The line started on the street, on Geary and Franklin.

      a scan of a color photograph showing a sign that says Free Haircuts

      There were also free haircuts to be had.

      a scan of a color photograph showing a volunteer managing some tables with free clothing

      There was also free clothing, very neatly organized by gender and size.

      a scan of a color photograph showing some tables and chairs in an indoor church setting

      The venue was wonderful and light-filled.

      a scan of a color photograph showing many gift bags on a table

      We also handed out gift bags with some essential items.

      It's a wonderful initiative. I'm going to keep going back to volunteer when I can.

      All photos taken on Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II with Fuji Superia 400, self developed with Cinestill C41 kit. Scanned with Plustek 8200i and Negative Lab Pro.

    • Drag Up, Fight Back

      Published on April 10, 2023

      I had a drag-filled weekend that was full of trans joy. For that, I am grateful.

      On Saturday, I went to the Drag Up, Fight Back march for drag and trans rights. Unless you've been living under a rock, trans people are under attack all over the world including in many parts of the US. California is not immune. It would be silly complacency to assume that because we are in San Francisco, things are going to be fine. In fact, a Republican in Riverside, CA, has just sponsored AB 1314 which would require educators to inform parents if their kids are trans. I hope I don't have to tell you how harmful that will be to trans people, and how that's just the start of more anti-trans legislation wrapped up in the supposed just-asking-questions 'concern' of 'children'. If they truly cared about the children, they would support an environment where all children, including queer and trans children, don't have to live in fear, where they can be who they are without being used as a political prop.

      So we march.

      a scan of a black and white photo of a person wearing heart-shaped sunglasses and having a Pentax film camera around their neck

      I met a few other film photography enthusiasts!

      a scan of a black and white photo showing a person being interviewed, holding a sign that says Being Born Naked is a DRAG, a quote from Rupal

      Lots of people were being interviewed by all sorts of journalists.

      a scan of a black and white photo showing a sign being held up that says stop the joy destroyers

      Stop the joy destroyers, indeed!

      a scan of a black and white photo showing a person holding a sign that says Smash the Cistem

      Cistem of a down.

      a scan of a black and white photo showing a few smiling people attending the drag and trans rally

      So much joy. Especially compared to the lone, sad, and hateful anti-trans protestor across the street who nobody could hear or care about. He had a Repent or Perish sign! Very stylish. But not as stylish as these folks on the right side of the protest.

      a scan of a black and white photo showing someone holding a sign that says Drag is Joy

      Drag IS Joy.

      All photos taken on Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II, Kodak 5222 film, developed in Rodinal 1:50 and scanned on Plustek 8200i

    • Protests and Parades

      Published on April 7, 2023

      One of the interesting things about living near City Hall is I never know what I'm going to walk into. Some days it's a protest about the declining state of trans rights in this country. Or one by the Burmese or Iranian communities to try to raise awareness of the issues at home.

      Other days it's an Irish festival that somehow has large representation from law enforcement. (For more information about the impact of the Irish in San Francisco law enforcement, read Season of the Witch.) I had my black and white film camera out, but I also had a roll of Kodak Vision 3 500T film in my rangefinder camera that I got processed and scanned much later.

      I was interested in the parade and curious to know how it would proceed in the rain; though like many other observers, I kept a distance from it. I come from a country where protest isn't allowed (except in a very specific park with strict rules requiring pre-approval), so I am always going to be photographing and gawking at any protests, and parades (which also require pre-approval where I come from), I think, even if I might not agree with all of them.

      Tomorrow, I'm going to go to a rally for trans rights. It's cool that I can just stroll over to show my support for things like that.

      a scan of a color photograph of a homeless person walking by a large contingent of police in San Francisco who are attending St Patricks Day festivities

      The entire street was closed.

      a scan of a color photograph of two cops holding flags. one american and one irish

      San Francisco is the hub of the Irish diaspora in the West Coast. The police force has also been a favored profession for that community.

      a scan of a color photograph of a red classic car with the grand marshall of the parade in it

      Classic cars are my thing.

      a scan of a color photograph of an old lady walking through a park looking at people who are playing with their dogs in a dog park

      Rainy days are here again.

      a scan of a color photograph of a multi-color playground in San Francisco

      I really like the colors on the motion picture film. This photo would not be as interesting on regular color film!

      All photos taken on Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II, with Kodak Vision 3 500T, processed and scanned by Eureka Film Lab.

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