Happy St. Patty's Day, Y'all!

(Snapped on 3/17/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

See? It IS Okay to Talk to Strangers

Sooooo...I finally bit the bullet a few weekends ago, and forced myself to do something that I've been too much of a wuss to try - since way back when I was 18 and invincible.......I asked for (and was given) permission to take candid portraits of perfect strangers. Now, I realize this may not seem like that big of a deal, but for whatever reason - I psyched myself out of going through with it (like 10 different times, recently) before actually conjuring the courage.

(Snapped on 2/19/11 - using a Holga 120)

I know the photo above is nothing fantastic (you can't even see the guy's face, for goodness sake!) but I like it, and here's why: because taking this picture helped me face something scary, and in turn - to realize that there was literally nothing to have gotten so worked up about. I mean, really...what's the worst that coulda happened, you know? The man could've said, "No"...no big whoop, but he didn't. He graciously obliged my unusual request. I was honestly so surprised that he said, "Yes" - that I got flustered...like I was turning to leave, when his affirmative response, finally registered.

I snapped one Holga pic. of the man in his hat and Hunter S. Thompson-esque aviator glasses (such a shame you can't see 'em for the shadow on his face) and sat with him afterwards, to chat for a minute. I couldn't believe how much the guy opened up to me, which never would've happened had I chickened-out, again. I left feeling more positive about people (than I generally do) and was elated to have entered new photographic territory.  

(Snapped on 2/19/11 - using a Holga 120)

(Snapped on 2/19/11 - using a Holga 120)

(Snapped on 2/27/11 - using a Holga 120)

(Snapped on 2/27/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I was out of Holga film when this sweet, tiny man - saw me wandering around the flea market snapping pics. with my phone. When he inquired as to what I was doing, I told him, "I'm an artist. I take pictures of things that intrigue me. You should let me take your picture!" And without hesitating, he hurried into position behind an item he was selling. 

It feels greedy (or something) to ask any one person to stay put for more than one picture. But I was bummed that I hadn't taken just one more of the tiny man, after inspecting the sole picture a little later on, only to discover that his eyes were closed - dangit. My 13 year old daughter however, loved this photo - saying it was probs her fave out of all my Instagram pics....woah. When I asked her why it was that she liked it so much - she said, "I dunno...I kinda like how he has his eyes shut.".........Huh. Go figure... 

(Snapped on 3/13/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I'm tickled that so far, every person I've asked - has been willing to star in my pics....and with each subsequent "Yes", I find myself that much less nervous to ask. Which only goes to show, that it can be okay to talk to strangers...sometimes.

Dirty Diana

(Snapped in January, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

After adding a comely turquoise and black Diana F+ to my entourage of "cheap" cameras, I was anxious to see how her pictures would compare to those that I'd taken with my beloved Holga 120. I urgently pulled the stack of new pics. from their envelope - and upon first glance, was delighted and disappointed...all at once. The photo above, was on the top of the pile - and although I liked the texture of the image very much, I could not believe that I'd framed the shot so poorly. Just look at that, wouldya? A potentially decent picture - ruined.........what a dunce.

(Snapped in January, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

But as I continued to thumb through the pile, I was increasingly more and more bugged - cuz nearly every single photo was a little outta whack. Like, what the freak?! I can't even tell you how much it irritates me, when the main subject of my pictures is cropped...grrrrrrrrr......

(Snapped in January, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

Anytime I took pics. with my Diana after that - I tried to exaggerate the angle of the derned camera, to be slightly higher than what actually looked right through viewfinder...and it kinda worked, sometimes...but then other things began plaguing my decidedly doomed Diana pics..

(Snapped in January, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

Take for example, the messed-up way that the film advances. My first two rolls came out of the camera - wound tight as Dick's hat-band around the spool. But each roll since, has been bloated and loose...and the light that leaked in - burned huge, unsightly chunks into the negatives. Now I do appreciate the interesting effects that this scenario can create - but in my case - the results were maddening than anything.

(Snapped in February, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

Although I am definitely sweet on the color pics. that I've taken with my Holga 120, I am head-over-heels for the black and white images that it produces. And because of that, I decided awhile back - to keep my Holga loaded with black and white film, and designate the Diana as my color film camera...seemed to make sense at the time. 

(Snapped in March, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

But in all honesty, I haven't snapped any color prints with my Diana, that even come close to rivaling those that I've taken my Holga. Therefore, I have resolved to buy another Holga 120 (as soon as I'm not totally broke) so that I have one for black and white film, and another for color.

(Snapped in February, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

From time to time, I will find a Diana pic. in the bunch, that doesn't make me wanna tear out my hair...

(Snapped in February, 2011 - using a Diana F+)

...but I'm reluctant to waste any more money on film and processing, when most of my Diana pics. turn out more like this...humph.

I've given her a ton of chances, and she continues to betray me...so I must shelve Diana F+ indefinitely (the dirty, little bitch).

Point to Point

I went to the races today.

This is summah what I saw...

(All pics. snapped on 3/12/11 - using an iPhone and Instagram filters)

It was a positively phenomenal day...

Parental Duties

My oldest daughter came home from boarding school last weekend, for Spring Break - and I have so enjoyed the one-on-one time that we've been able to have together. Needless to say though, I haven't allotted much time to work on Little Pretties...but I have somehow, finagled taking plenty of pictures in the meantime.

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I took this one at an abandoned house, just up the road from the school that my daughter attended from Kindergarten through 8th grade. I had dropped her off at her old alma mater, so she could practice lacrosse, and spend a little time with her younger friends who still go to school there.

(Snapped on 3/10/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

A couple of days later, on my way in to town to pick her up from an orthodontist appointment - I took a quick detour, after spotting these adorable, frolicking lambs. I only got a couple of snaps though - before they scampered over the hill, and out of view.

(Snapped on 3/10/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I arrived at the orthodontists' office, a few minutes early - soooooo...I went across the street to these historic gardens, and killed time taking pics. in the drizzly rain.

(Snapped on 3/10/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Later on that day, my daughter (a dedicated athlete) diligently jogged the trails around the local arboretum...while my iPhone and I kept busy - by unearthing previously undiscovered gems.

(Snapped on 3/10/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Up until that rainy afternoon, I'd been unsuccessful at convincing my daughter that (like her old mother) if she just tried it - she'd quickly get hooked on Instagram. Matter of fact - I couldn't even get her to take pictures with her phone. It was like she was too embarrassed to, or something.

The poor thing was soaking wet, following her run - and assuming she'd be eager to get home and into some warm, dry clothes - I started walking towards the car. But when I didn't hear her footsteps behind me, I turned around and saw my precious firstborn - crouched down and face to face - with a brilliant green fire hydrant...she was taking its picture with her iPhone (glory be!)...and she's been steadily clicking, ever since...

And so into the world, on that dreary, rainy day - was born a budding photography buff, and Instagram enthusiast...(Way to make yer mama proud, little girl!)

Window Shopping

Ok, sooooo...the four rolls of 120 film that I sent off for processing last week - haven't shown up in my mailbox just yet...which means that you're stuck with a bunch of Instagram pics....uuugin.

(Snapped on 3/04/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

My kids were off of school last Friday, and to nip the crescendo-ing chorus of, "I'm booored" in the bud - I let them invite a couple of friends to come over. The weather was pretty nice (a little cool, but sunny) and so we decided to get out of the house and go to this funky, old-school playground just up the road from where we live. While the children had fun shootin' hoops and climbing around on the antiquated playground equipment - I made good use of the time - snappin' pics. by the creek, at a cemetery, and across the street at one of my favorite abandoned houses. Suffice it to say, not one out of the lot of us stayed booored for very long - which for me at least, was a pleasant surprise - since I hadn't anticipated stockpiling that many pics., while the kids ran around like banshees.

(Snapped on 3/04/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

It was my ex's weekend to have the kids though, so after dropping them off with him late in the afternoon - I went back to my conspicuously quiet house, with every intention of spending Friday night working on my two photography blogs.  

I have no idea why, but I couldn't sit still long enough to concentrate on either task at hand. It made no sense that I should be so stir-crazy, especially after more than meeting my quota of pics. for the day...

(Snapped on 3/04/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

...but rather than waste time denying my ADHD, I decided to try and harness it. While my phone was on the charger, I showered and got dressed and when both of us were ready - I drove downtown to take pictures at night...something I'd barely ever done before.

(Snapped on 3/04/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

In reviewing the snaps that I took Friday night, I realized that many of the ones that I liked the best, were of windows and doors, or the things that I saw while looking through them. 

I'd gone out thinking that photographing drunk people, would be the biggest draw of my outing. But instead I found myself more intrigued by what I found while meandering down alleys and side streets - away from the hustle and bustle.

But when my hands got so cold that they hurt, I wandered back to civilization, found a spot at the bar in one of the livelier restaurants in Old Town - and thawed out while sippin' a cocktail and editing pics. on my phone. Added bonus - a very cute (way too) young man, told his friend to get up and go to the men's room so that he could scoot over and sit next to me... 

We enjoyed a surprisingly facile conversation (considering the 19 year difference in our ages...oops) but at last call - all the fun was over. We said our goodbyes and each of us went our separate ways (but not before exchanging numbers first...*woot*) 

When I got to where my car was parked, it was apparent that I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. There in the parking lot, were half a dozen cop cars, and what seemed like an absurd number of policemen - to be busting one guy for driving drunk.

I walked with purpose, straight through the mayhem - and was perfectly content to keep "window shopping"...until the madness had dissipated, and all of the cops had dispersed...

No Loitering? No Problem

(Snapped on 2/26/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Looks like I shan't be spending a bunch of time here on Little Pretties, tonight (per my usual)...for although it was a rawther prosperous weekend for taking pics., unfortunately it doesn't look like it's gonna be a very good evening for sharing pics..

None of my most recent Holga photos have shown up in my mailbox, just yet...and for some odd reason, I'm unable to download the several hundred snaps that I've taken with my iPhone since Friday afternoon - onto my iMac...poop.

And frankly? I am kinda beat. Here's hoping that after a good night's sleep, I'll wake up and either the photo fairy will have visited, or I'll be much more motivated to write about pictures that I already have in my possession...

Night, night...