Took a mini-break from life and put my toes in the sand. Don’t know how we managed to score rooms 2 blocks from Ocean City’s famous boardwalk but we did… yay us! 
Sunscreen, straw hat, beach towel and camera went everywhere with my for five glorious days. Take a look at the instant photos my Lomo’Instant Wide spit out. The Lomo’Instant camera produces soft, dreamy images even on bright sunny days and carnival lights.
Summer is finally here and in Baltimore that means food, friends and fun! Crab season has started and they are amazing this year! The crab houses are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Sunday Funday shenanigans are in full swing with people enjoying the beautiful days at the neighborhood bars and restaurants. The weather has inspired me to take my instant cameras out for a walk. I’ve had the Polaroid One Step for a few months and have become comfortable with the different features. Below are a few of the shots that came from a walk around the neighborhood.
A major part of my journey back to film is taking the next step. I am not afraid to step out of my comfort zone to get to another level. The biggest step is deciding to devote myself to photography and digital media full time. I’ve applied for an art residency program in my area and pray that they see my potential and willingness to put in the work. I also found a graduate program that works with my vision and I’m curating images to submit. I know it sounds like a lot but it makes sense to me. It is time to expand my knowledge base and have space to concentrate and create without then distractions of everyday life.
Both opportunities fell into my lap and the deadline dates left little room for procrastinating. I had to get my submissions together fast. I was able to submit my application for the residency right at the deadline. My application deadline for grad school is fast approaching so I am under the gun. There are challenges of course. I don’t have a extensive portfolio….I have to be careful using photos from my military time and it’s worse with videos. I had to dig into my storage for photos that don’t show anything operational. I found some real gems that took me back in time. Take a look at the images I pulled out of storage.
Send positive vibes my way!
It’s been a long dark winter but I think my instant cameras have saved me. I have embraced the stark images that shoot out seconds after I press the shutter. I have developed the patience it takes to wait for the images to fully develop. I have four instant cameras…different types and they inspire me.
My Polaroid and the photos that shoot out draw attention everywhere I go. I hear family stories, memories of Christmas mornings and birthday cakes. It makes me happy to take a photo and give a photo. At home I take photos while I am doing research and trying out different film basically playing with my shiny toys.
I feel like I’ve found my happy.
Stay tuned for more instant photo love!
Don’t think shoot film!
I find it difficult to find the time, opportunity and place to feed my creative soul and I am getting frustrated. My obstacles are finding the time, inspiration and a place that puts me in the right mind frame. Winter makes it difficult but I use that time to practice and research so the instant camera gets pulled out and I snap photos of everyday things.
I am also having difficulty find the right inspiration. I take my camera everywhere and I see the same things over and over. I want to be moved by beauty or interesting setings to find this. having a full time job is also and obstacle that has to be addressed. I need to venture out of my day to day environment and find subjects or places that make me reach for amy camera without thought.
As for finding a place…when I am in my apartment there are dozens of things that pull my attention including my dog and my S.O. if I am here they want me to be present and availabe. My concentration and focus go right out of the window. I am determined to make this work so I have taken steps to get me to a place where I can take photos and write about my experience.
Step one. I have decided to step out on faith and make film photography and visual arts my make main focus. I recently applied to and artist residency @CreativeAlliance acceptance into this program will allow me to focus on my creative endeavors. I want to have the time and space to showcase film photograpy and video life stories. Baltimore is an artistic city and I want to embrace it but I need to give my full attention to my art. If accepted I am going to give up my job and apply for art school. I can see myself learning and creating. In my heart I feel this is for me and it is the right time. I am ready. I understand that I may not be accepted the first time I apply but I am inspired to look around at other residencies that will give me the time to work on my dream. For once I am not afraid to take a leap. I have been planning for this all year. I want to be apart of a community of artists that share the same vision. Send me your positive vibes and experiences!
The winter is hard for me. I thrive on sunshine and light and it gets rough. The dark days weigh on my soul and suck the creativity right out of me. My main obstacle is getting film developed this hurdle has me floundering but I will find a way. In the meantime here are a few photos that I’ve taken to keep my creative eye exercised.
Sunset over Hudson Street. I walked outside and was in awe of the beautiful sunset. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and snapped a pic using the Reflex app. I love this app because the filters mimic instant photography. My favorite local spot Cardinal Tavern always makes for a great photo!
Rainy day photos using my captives as models. My dog is so tired of me and I have to catch my SO off guard to get a photo of him.
Baltimore has an amazing food scene and you can find great spots that are 24 hours. We took time out from running errands to have a late breakfast at Broadway diner. We love our local diner it has been featured on several Food Network shows. It’s five minutes from our apartment and we are regulars.
Long days of darkness are a perfect time to write in my journal and immerse myself in my Kindle. I read everything I can get my hands on about lomography and film photography.
Baltimore is rich in tradition and there is nothing like the row houses. In the past shiny, white marble steps and freshly painted wrought iron railings were the mark of a well kept home. On Saturday morning the steps were scrubbed shiny and white. Every spring the railings would get a fresh coat of black lacquer. You don’t see that anymore but on a good day you can imagine the women out there scrubbing steps. I love living in Baltimore. That is a whole series that I am dreaming up. Stay tuned!
My neighborhood was the home base of German and Polish families until 25 years ago. Most of the men were employed at the canning factories in the area so the mothers ruled the roost. Sadly, that all changed as factories closed and regentrification took over.
Baltimore was also home to National Bohemian beer. The beloved mascots sits on top of the building in the background. He is a homing beacon for the current residents. You know you are home when you pass good old Natty Boh!
Staying motivated is not hard if you find inspiration in the beauty around you.
Don’t Think Just Shoot!
I am having a great time torturing my friends with my new Polaroid One Step…..my friends not so much. I am waiting for the day they rebel.
I am dying to buy a new camera but will research aa new instant camera or a film camera. I have to put medium format cameras to the side for now. When I find a reliable print lab I will come back to it. 
I realized that it was time to take my 1977 Polaroid Land Camera off the shelf and test it out. I ordered the right film Color SX-70 and the corresponding black and white option. My phone pinged that the film had been delivered but the package looked like some played football with it. The black and white film was stolen off my front stoop. 
Welp…I am retreating and reading the manual. The 4 photos I took were dark blobs.
If you can share any tips let me know.
I have been asked to take photos at my best friend’s daughter’s wedding. I have known the bride-to-be since she was a baby. My niece as I call her is a wonderful young woman and it has been a joy watching her grow and thrive. She serves overseas in the Air Force alongside her fiance so planning this small, family wedding has been interesting.
As much as I hate the idea of taking wedding photos I couldn’t say no. I have a lot of respect for wedding photographers and the ones I’ve met love what they do. As for me….I have never wanted to shoot a wedding….NEVER! I have my reasons for avoiding wedding photography mainly the thought of being responsible for the memories of one the most important days of someone’s life. A few other reasons come to mind as I write this…..I cringe when I see wedding guests with their camera phones and iPads. It also burns my butt to see a guest step into a perfect shot ruining it for the photographers. We all know weddings cost a fortune and photography is one way that people try cut costs. Most people do not want to pay a photographer what they are worth and wedding photographers often struggle to get full payment for their services. Personally, it is disheartening to have friends annouce that I was going to take photos at their wedding assuming that I would say yes….it happens a lot. But for this young lady I will put it all aside and make sure her day is perfect.
I have started mentally planning and my first stop is Pinterest. I do not own a quality digital camera so I will shoot this event with film and Polaroid. I decided on Polaroid so a wedding album can make the trip back to England with the newlyweds. The bride has a quirky, fun personality with a natural crown of hair and winning smile so I think a film and instant photo approach will be fun and different. I currently have Polaroid, Fuji Instax and Lomo’ Instant cameras and plan to take them all. I am considering adding a new instant camera to my collection and the InstantFlex TL70 2.0 is on my radar. I am getting super excited about working with a twin lens instant film camera! I will upate this post once I get it this weekend and test it out at Thanksgiving dinner. Wish me luck and stay tuned for pics!
I have always wanted to visit Cuba! It is a dream and will help me expand my street photography experience….the architecture, the vintage vehicles and the people it all appeals to me on a visceral level. The colors, the sights and sounds…it the kind of thing that makes my photographer’s eye twitch. So the bestie and I are going….she writes a lifestyle colum for an online magazine and I blog. It is a perfect combination and she is the perfect travel partner. So I am going to document my research and the cameras I am taking with me. I have to start this now so my head doesn’t explode before I get there…getting it all down will keep me sane.
Cameras
I plan to take 4-5 reliable film cameras and one Polaroid…my new Minty. I am starting to stockpile film so there is no mad dash to get enough before the trip. My most reliable cameras are the Holga 120CFN, the Holga 135BC and the Diana Mini. I think it is a good mixture of 35mm and 120mm film choices. Unfortunately, my La Sardina’s failed the test when I took them on a family cruise. There were too many issues with film loading and rewinding with all four.
Research
There are so many articles to read…people share their experiences and it makes my heart sing. I can’t wait to see and document it all. I am over the moon excited…my soul needs to be fed and traveling with my bestie is the best way to do this. We are Army girls always ready to go with the flow. We let the locale dictate the days…we don’t have to have fancy digs and plan to live like the locals.
My travel research beings with the first link a subscriber sent me. Where to have film developed in Havana….I will check out this photo lab and may get some film developed while I am there. I will see how it flows. This photo lab seems like a a good place to check out. I will give a comprehensive review on the services#309 Calle Obispo, Habana Vieja, Ciudad de Habana. That’s the main east/west street down the middle of Old Havana, running down from Parque Central to Plaza de Armas.
Fashion
Cool, casual and comfortable is my goal and I want to blend in and look like a local. It is not hard in Cuba…the population covers the color spectrum and mostly look like me. My Pinterest page will be my go-to for storing my ideas so take a look if you get a free minute…my plan is to update it as often as possible.
Join me on the journey from planning to touchdown and let me know what you think along the way. Any tips? Send them my way.
I have had a great time with ‘Minty’ my new instant camera! Saturday was a great day! One of the first fall day in Charm City! The weather in Baltimore has been amazing….perfect Indian summer days and cool, comfortable nights. So my cameras and I have been out and about. I live in a close knit neighborhood and everyone wants to talk about my new camera baby. Of course I am ready to talk about the latest addition to my collection. People remember their parents having one and how much they loved the photos.
I moved on ….across the street because weekends mean dropping in on my bestie K! Brunch @CardinalTav is a weekend must and my friends K and G are always willing to smile for my camera.
I lucked out and caught my new friend Mikaele as he rolled up on his @Lime scooter. He should be in a scooter commercial. He is a natural for sure!
And finally back to the neighborhood….across the street…time to walk Roxy!
Love this camera! Can’t wait to take it to Cuba!!!!!!! Mic drop! Stay tuned!
Adventures of an Awkward Artist 