Always use a tripod when shooting a church in Aviphot

While I was at the Big E last month, I packed some of my experimental film, and funneled it through my Pentacon Six TL camera. You know … I’m here, why waste the opportunity? The Big E has a section called Storrowtown Village – it’s a retro area with various New England buildings that were…

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I see you, little monarch butterfly …

Butterflies appear when you least expect them. And when you do see one … make sure you have a camera nearby. Case in point. Last Sunday, I was out and about, and when I least expected it … there was a monarch butterfly, slurping on some nectar from a purpletop flower. Now I’ve learned a…

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The judges’ comments on my Big E submissions, 2025

So let’s review. I submitted six photos and one latch hooked rug to the Big E this year. Three of the photos (and the latch hooked rug) were accepted, three photos were not. Yesterday, I received my results on all my entries. As I’ve said before, the Big E uses a Danish system of judging…

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Is this wide enough for you?

I’ve mentioned in the past that my Grandma Betty (God rest her soul) loved yard sales and flea markets and estate sales. And she would take me on such shopping trips. I’ve also blogged in the past about how one of her flea market trips included the old Neponset Drive-In in Boston. The Neponset has…

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A trip to the Big E, 2025 edition

I can tell you this. I’ve had better Competition Seasons in the past. This year, my photos have gone ribbon-less, and when one of my artworks finishes in second place in a one-entry race … you start to develop a complex. So I’m kinda hoping that a trip to the Eastern States Exposition – also…

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The Buena Vista Panorama Harness Race Winner

A few weeks ago, I tried a panoramic shot at the Saratoga Race Course (the “thoroughbred” track), and got a nice double image of some fast-galloping horses superimposed upon the panoramic home stretch. This photo, to be precise. Trust me, this is good enough. But I can’t settle for “good enough.” So back I go.…

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Oscar’s Hope for the Win

Two of my most successful photography creations were a mixture of B&W and color photography, capturing two images in one take. In 2011, I packed very old Ansco Pan 70mm film and AGFA Vista color print film into a vintage 616 camera, the AGFA Chief, and created The AGFA Bridge Over Ansco Lake. Prior to…

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The New York State Fair Film Shots, 2025 Edition

I have several traditions when visiting the New York State Fair. These are important traditions. They must be upheld when possible. Oh, and one very important goal. I must take fair photos with one of my traveling film cameras, which will allow me to re-experience the Fair weeks afterward when the film negatives arrive. This…

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Results at the New York State Fair Photo and Art Contests, 2025

One thing to know about the New York State Fair. You want to garner that good karma. Do a good thing at the New York State Fair, and it will pay off later in the day. Or at least I hope it will. So let’s hop in the car and go for a ride, shall…

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