San Diego, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800

A phone booth in Hotel Circle in San Diego, CA.

Oceanside, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800 | January 27, 2012

South view of the ocean at the Oceanside Pier.

Highway 15 – Fallbrook, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800 | January 26, 2012

The morning fog was rolling over the hilltops. I wished I had made the time to capture more images. Unfortunately, I was running late for work.

Extraordinary Desserts – San Diego, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800 | January 22, 2012

While enjoying some delicious bruschetta at Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego, the lighting provided this view off of the window. The lighting and mood grabbed my attention.

Salton City Beach, CA | Canon T2i | Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Photo Shoot with Nicole Miller.

Cabrillo Bridge – San Diego, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak 400 UltraMax

Cabrillo Bridge provides access to Balboa Park.

Hoover Dam – Hoover Dam, NV/AZ | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak 400 UltraMax

A three-day trip to Vegas led me to back to the Hoover Dam.

I brought the recently purchased Ricoh KR-5 35mm camera with me on the trip and several rolls of film.

Fallbrook, CA | Canon T2i | Canon 50mm f/1.8 | January 13, 2012

Before memory cards and usb cords. Before external hard drives and photoshop/lightroom. Before I ventured and immersed myself into photography, when my subjects were merely for personal documentation, I shot film. Granted, the saturation of digital cameras was not common place. Also, be it said that my process of capturing was automatic, that the film camera I had at the time was basic.

Certain events in my life were a catalyst for thought and reflection. I placed into my hands, a $100 Kodak 3mp digital camera. Over the years it evolved into my first DSLR – the Nikon D50. No need to argue Canon or Nikon. I would have done either or, yet the Canon XT was too small for my hands.

My next companion was a Nikon D300 and in the past year or so, it included the Canon T2i. Digital photography has its use and is the manner that many choose to document their views.

A while back a friend of mine, Jennifer Fox, had purchased a Holga camera. It had crossed my mind although I put the engagement off (and for too long). Recalling her excitement to shoot film it had inspired me to buy one of my own. Yet a few years later, recollection of her interaction with the camera sparked a passion I had to reconnect with film once more. Ed Little Jr.’s passion for film also remained in the fore thought. He is fellow native photographer that I felt I can connect with, and his work that I can honestly say I admire.

Last fall, I purchased a 35mm square format Mini-Diana, which led to a Holga Sprocket Rocket – although it only has seen a few rolls. I continued to shoot with the Mini Diana. Upon dropping off film at the local camera shop, Nelsons Photos in San Diego, I developed a repoire with several of the staff there.

Upon a discussion of a desire to invest in medium film format (and higher quality than the Holga), which captured square images, a Yashica Mat 124 G was on the radar. The lady at the shop mentioned that she ran across a clean Yashica at the La Jolla camera shop. Possibly recklessly budget wise, I drove straight to the camera shop to check out the camera. I was sold. It was sold – to me.

Film photography is where my heart is at. I have felt a resurgence to work with film on a regular basis. Even more so, that I find myself leaving my digital cameras at home and grabbing several rolls of film – color, black & white.

I have since purchased the Ricoh KR-5 Super off of shopgoodwill.com, and have several rolls of negatives to scan.

UPDATE: 01/30/2012
I have posted the first series captured on the Ricoh KR-5 Super. Check out Film Series – Ricoh KR-5 Super and Hoover Dam.

San Diego, CA | Yashica Mat 124 | Stock Lens | January 1, 2012

In my canvas bag was my Canon T2i and the Yashica Mat 124. I had intended to capture digital imagery as well as on medium format film.

My interests and anticipation was drawn to the shooting film, so I put the Canon in my bag and pulled out the Manfrotto tripod and the Yashica Mat 124. I made my way to the south end of the Gaslamp District, and began shooting.

I had used the T2i to meter for the Mat 124 – three seconds was a decent amount of time to capture enough light. I set the Mat 124 to B (bulb) which meant I would have to count the time to keep the shutter open.

Press – One, one thousand….two, one thousand….three, one thousand – Release.

Los Angeles, CA | Canon T2i | 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 | December 31, 2011

Downtown LA is another spot that I had been longing to revisit. There are several areas to explore and at this time my mind was set on the Los Angeles Art District.

I would like to appropriately credit each artwork which will require further research. I will update this post with the info that I am able to find.