Film Friday - 7

I've always loved Polaroids, it's instant gratification. I have somewhere between forty and fifty Polaroid cameras. I used to buy them whenever I'd see them at a thrift store or garage sale. I've had to exercise a bit of discipline lately because I've run out of room for all of my cameras, but if I do see one that I don't already own and can get it for a good price, then you better believe I'm adding it to the collection. 

Hiking and climbing around at the Bedford Reservation.

I love the Impossible Project films, but the black and white stuff has always given me this strange line down the center. Their new color films are killer though!

An abandoned office building on the way to Niagara Falls.

Payphone outside of an abandoned gas station.

This might be the last black and white Type 100 photo that I'll ever take since Fuji stopped making the 3000b. An abandoned ferris wheel is a pretty good way to end it.

And here's the color film version of the abandoned ferris wheel at Chippewa Lake Amusement Park.

Wandering the streets of Cleveland. A half burnt, ivy covered, abandoned building.

Photos taken with a Polaroid Super Shooter using Fuji 3000b and 100c films. Also taken with a Polaroid Impulse AF with Impossible Project B&W 600

Out West: Roadside Randomness on Film

One thing that struck me about my travels out West, was just how much random stuff was out there. In places like the Mojave Desert you'd expect to find nothing more than dirt, rocks, and a handful of plants that more often than not have some sort of spikes or thorns to stab you with; but instead the roads through the desert and most of the landscape in the American Southwest are littered with strange things.

The shoe fence.

I never did find the fresh jerky, but I love hand painted signs.

There were plenty of abandoned gas stations and gift shops and other tourist traps.

Dinosaurs are absolutely everywhere!

Just like the dinosaurs, there are also giant arrows all over the place.

Photos taken with Canon TL QL, 50mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.5, and 80-200mm f/4.5; using Kodak Gold 200, and Fujicolor Superia 200 film.

Abandonment Issues vol. 003

Took a quick trip to Buffalo, NY last week. I've been here before to explore the Buffalo Grand Central Terminal and I've always wanted to go back to see what else the city had to offer. Unfortunately I woke up with a headache that turned into a full blown migraine by the time we got to Buffalo. A migraine combined with lots of rain, and one sealed up building after another had me feeling pretty discouraged. Thankfully on the way home we spotted what looked like a boring little abandoned gas station but we figured it was better than nothing. Much to my surprise this place was a lot more than just an abandoned gas station. It was also a restaurant and motel.

The next day Kaylah and I took a trip to Chippewa Lake Amusement Park. This park was built in 1878 and for 100 years guests came from all over to ride the coasters, and dance in the ballroom. Eventually attendance declined and the park closed. The rides and buildings were left to be destroyed by nature, vandals, and failed redevelopment attempts. 

I was here several years ago before they tore down and bull dozed most of it. I was under the impression that there wasn't anything left. After seeing recent satellite images showing some remaining structures I decided to investigate and see first hand how much was left. Even though the large wooden coaster was gone and many of the buildings removed as well, there was still quite a bit there. 

Trees grow through the track of a kiddie coaster.

The iconic ferris wheel.

Poison ivy choking the life out of the ticket booths.

Even though there isn't much left of this once enormously popular amusement park, and despite the abundance of mosquitoes and poison ivy; it's still worth a visit. 

Photos taken with a Canon Mark III, with a Canon 20mm f/2.8 lens.

Out West: Mother Nature on Film

More film photos of the incredible scenery of the American Southwest.

These last photos were from a roll that got jammed in my camera and I ended up ruining what quite possibly could have been one of the greatest photos I've ever taken. I'm surprised that so many photos actually came out pretty well. Lots of light leaks but otherwise some pretty decent images.

This was the last shot that I got before my film jammed. Shortly after taking this shot the herd of bison got really close to us and I quickly threw on my 80-205mm lens and managed to get two shots of the largest male bison angrily looking directly into my camera lens. He was so close that his face filled my entire frame. Kaylah was begging me back away but I was desperate to get the perfect shot and wanted to make sure that my focusing was spot on. After getting my shot I went to advance the film and heard the unmistakable sound of 'crunchy film'. I did my best to unjam the film with my camera buried in my camera bag shielding it from light but ended up exposing both frames of the bison. Some things just weren't meant to be I guess.

Photos taken with Canon TL QL, 50mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.5, and 80-200mm f/4.5; using Kodak Gold 200, and Fujicolor Superia 200 film.