The Jump

A few weeks ago, I visited the Schaghticoke Fair in Rensselaer County. It was basically a day trip – just to see the Fair and consider my options on whether I ever wanted to enter something in competition there. The rules are kinda vague – they prefer entrants from Rensselaer County for their competitions, but someone at the front office said they would accept entries from outside Rensselaer County if there were available open spaces for same.

Yeah, still gotta think about whether it’s worth the option.

But I’m here at the Fair, I’ve got my Rolleiflex Automat MX packed with film, and I figured I’d at least take a few photos and see how they develop. And since they’re slide photos – vintage Fuji Astia that’s been sitting in my camera bag for way too long – I’m not expecting miracles.

Just a few shots of some classic rides against a cloudy sky. For me, it was more of “let’s just spend the day taking pictures and having fun.”

Again … it’s expired Fuji Astia in the camera. If I get anything that even looks like it caught an image, I’m okay with it.

That being said, I did get some shots of what appears to be a jump ride. You climb up a scaffold, and jump to a crash pad below. Yes, you too can channel your inner stuntman with a leap for life.

Now before you imagine that someone’s going to do a Triple Lindy off the diving platform – no. The ride organizers have specific rules for the ride. No flips, no stunts, you basically step off the platform and land on your back. And you don’t jump until you’re sure that no one else is on the crash pad, lest you land on the pad and immediately launch someone else back into the air. Ha.

Still … this might not be competition-season-worthy, but at least it still shows me that the Rolleiflex can still catch a photo as necessary. Although it’s not a camera I would immediately choose for action shots.

Yeah, maybe this would work if I could find someone from the local competitive diving team who would be willing to a twisting somersault pike jack-knife ripper off the board – while shooting it with a camera more suitable for speed shots (like one of my Nikon Df shooters).

But sometimes it’s okay to take a photo and be happy with it.

So there’s that. 😀