You didn’t know that May 18th is Upstate New York Day? How could you have missed it? Were you not looking at the calendar? Did Siri not remind you? Wow… Yeah, May 18th is Upstate New York Day. It’s not celebrated in Utica or Syracuse or anywhere west of there; and don’t look for it…
Read MoreAll articles filed in Chuck Miller
What’s Up in the Neighborhood, May 17, 2025
Ready to take on the weekend? I know you are. I am as well. So let’s get things done. And by “getting things done,” I mean checking out the blogroll of those bloggers and writers and photographers and thinkers to which I showcase each Saturday morning. Have a great weekend, everybody!
Read MoreMore attempts with the Petzval-modified HELIOS 44-2 lens
After three days with my new-to-me HELIOS 44-2 lens – whose front lens has been flipped in the “Petzval modification” to provide swirly, creamy bokeh – I’ve tried various subjects to get a picture that can rival my first attempt with this little piece of glass. This was my first attempt with this little piece…
Read MoreA photo contest where I send in a blind roll of film – should I enter it?
This looks interesting, and I’m sharing it in case anybody wants to enter this unique competition. Pro Camera Film Lab, a film processing service in Virginia, is offering a unique contest this year – a competition where the winning entries are sent in from your undeveloped film roll. You shoot a roll of film, and…
Read MoreThe Petzval Mod on a HELIOS 44-2 lens
In modern photography, the “Petzval Mod” is a camera lens hack that will turn a dull, run-of-the-mill Soviet camera lens into a dreamy, kaleidoscopic master shooter. The modification will provide a surreal, swirly background field, or bokeh, that envelops the center subject. To put it in basic terms, you need a HELIOS 44-2 common 35mm…
Read MoreOkay … one more Nightowl Radio Show for my 40th college reunion.
Well, this is interesting. And although I thought about not doing this for at least a hot five seconds … I’m doing it. Of course I am. This June, I will attend my 40th college reunion at Hamilton College, which still amazes me that they even let me attend the college – and eventually let…
Read MoreThe Latch Hook Covered Bridge project as of May 12, 2025
It’s a very good thing I purchased all my yarns ahead of time for this latch hook rug project. And I shall explain. First, a recap. Here’s the left panel of what will be a three-panel rug. And I’m currently working on the right panel, and here’s where I was the last time I blogged…
Read MoreSo, yeah … about those skeleton flowers …
Five months ago, I purchased several skeleton flower plants from a nursery in Nebraska. I’ve tried and tried and tried to get skeleton flowers, with the hope of taking incredible photos of their wisp-thin petals and entering those photos in competition and walking away with a boatload of ribbons. Heck, I even blogged about the…
Read MoreWhat’s Up in the Neighborhood, May 10, 2025
Has it stopped raining yet? No? Well, in that case, come on over to the computer and check out the totally dry and warm blog posts and photos from my fellow bloggers and photographers and writers on my personal blogroll. Let’s see how they’re getting through this rough weather. Have a great (and dry) weekend,…
Read MoreCan my Pentacon Six TL handle a Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad shooting day?
This is the day. Pentacon Six TL “full debut day.” Because on this day, I am going to put this medium format East German camera through its paces. I’ve already run tests and trials … now let’s see if it can act like a camera that’s worthy of staying in my arsenal. I’ve packed several…
Read More
Chuck The Writer 
You must be logged in to post a comment.