In most communities, a number of churches, chapels, synagogues and mosques dot the landscape. Judaism, Islam, Hindu, and Buddhism are represented here and there, but the most variety is visible within the Christian faith. Baptists, Calvinists, New Life, Lutheran, Roman Catholic. So many varieties yet they all center on a core belief; the death and resurrection of their savior Jesus Christ who died so that they might live.

After finding this display on a church wall, I began to think that every Christian has had a different experience, even those who have spent most of their lives within the same congregation. Some are conservative and structured like the simple wooden crosses. Some revolve around children like those crosses behind the image of the praying child. Some are lacy and some are flowery. A few crosses are small and barely visible and one cross in particular has a strong eastern orthodox influence. So much variety, but like the large layered cross in the center, they all focus on the risen Christ.

Variations on a theme.

Tags: filmphotography, monochrome, Nikkormat FTn

Back when America was pursuing the dream of placing a man on the moon, research and development was in full bloom. Engineers and program managers all over the country were continually reaching that next technological milestone. Radio communications, telemetry, life support, and computers were produced, tested, improved, and produced once again. A continuous cycle of learning that had the American public, and the world, on the edge of their seats. Kids everywhere dreamed of being an astronaut someday. Television glorified this space age dream. “Lost In Space”. “Star Trek”. “The Jetsons”? On July 20, 1969, my parents had me and my brother sitting in front of our state of our art twelve inch black and white television to watch Neil Armstrong step on the moon for the very first time.

While wandering around the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport, I discovered the device that moved more than six million pounds of metal, fuel, and human being from sea level to the edge of outer space. The F-1 rocket engine in clusters of five had just one job, which it did well for about three minutes before falling into the sea. My imagination soared as I looked into the twelve foot bell of this powerful monster, now just a relic of American ingenuity, teamwork, and perseverance.

I long for those days to return. What heroes we were. What shall become of us now?

Photographed with a Nikkormat FTn on Kodak Plus-X film processed in Acufine. The lens was an f/1.4 50mm Auto-Nikkor. I rather enjoy the idea of history photographing history.

Tags: monochrome, filmphotography, machinery, history, Plus-X, Nikkormat FTn, industrial

There is nothing more cleansing than mounting a 50mm prime lens on a classic camera, loading it with monochrome film, and searching for tone, contrast, and structure. It also involves a bit of risk as there is no automation to compensate for a photographer’s shortcomings or situational circumstances.

A few years ago, I was in the National Mall at our nation’s capitol with a Konica Hexar and a few rolls of Kodak Tri-X. I shot at night with an estimated exposure of 1/30 second at f/2.0 on ISO 400 film. The results were quite pleasing. In the near future, I intend to repeat the exercise with a 40 year old Nikkormat and a 50mm lens. Without so much as autofocus, the images created with the Nikkormat will be all mine, warts and all.

Call it therapy for the creative mind.

Tags: Nikon, monochrome, 50mm