New sample page - Vito B

I did finally finish up that Vito B roll the other day, it had pictures I don't remember taking but they didn't really come out so it doesn't matter....

The sample I picked is quite impressively sharp and detailed, I don't know why they weren't all on par with that except that my scale focusing ability isn't always that great and I tend to get camera shake when I try to get sneaky candids. But the sample really shows off the capability of the lens, which is the point.

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/vito_b.html
http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/samples/vito_b_sample.html

Yes it's true

I've been moonlighting on the side of my avocation between my real job and my hobbies....

With another blog! (see links, right)

It's a lark, a little thing my brother and I put together using a concept suggested by a friend (who contributes in spirit.. get it?). Seriously though, all the good names seemed to be taken :)

We update it semi regularly. Please visit!

It's all coming together

Did I ever tell you I was a writing major in college?

I had intended to be a commercial arts major (eg graphic art) but upon discovering too late that my chosen school only had what I figured was a non-commercially viable fine arts program I went with my other passion, writing. Literature/Writing to be precise. Then I got a job as a graphic designer and it all worked out. Maybe this doesn't come as much of a surprise.

At any rate, as I do from time to time when I have too much going on, I put writing away years ago to concentrate first on art, then on photography, knowing that when the time was right, it would resurface and offer me an outlet. 300 page website notwithstanding, of course.

So now I find myself doing something that I did only once before for a brief period, I'm dabbling in songwriting. I have three fairly complete pieces of music and a few sets of lyrics, they don't necessarily go together (yet) but it's fun for now :) As usual, I'll keep you posted.

Things that make you go hmm....

I had a good laugh when my wife pointed out today that our elderly next-door neighbors have suddenly had double-paned sound-damping windows and slider installed on the side of the house facing ours. I wonder what prompted that?

I Remember Now...

Ah yes, I remember now why I didn't get any shooting done last fall. Acute seasonal and world-event-related depression notwithstanding, between the work, the several takewondo classes per week, the assistant coaching basketball, the windup to the holidays, and the crummy weather, it's a wonder I have the time and ability to ensure that my socks match in the morning. Why, I barely have time to watch my stories! :)

Sidebar -- I really need to find another present-hiding location besides the darkroom. We start shopping early and it really puts a cramp in my style. Besides, they'll all figure it out eventually.

I did start carrying around my XA2 to shoot a comparative roll that I can contrast with the L C-A roll. But haven't done much with it yet. And it doesn't get me farther into my Vito B test.

At least I have my guitar(s) to get me through these stuck-indoor times. Last night I actually fell asleep with the Les Paul (note to self - think of name for guitar) on my lap while watching TV. I've been learning a lot of new stuff since I found this corner of the website ultimate-guitar.com where this funny dude who calls himself PickNGrin makes these funny little guitar tutorial home videos, they cover all subjects and are really easy to learn from. Check it out. Hey, you know I always give props where props are due.

OK back to work. Mondays. Blah.

Fun Thing

I did a little fun thing, on the new pic called "Casey, Son of Shutterbug" I put in a hidden page that shows the picture of me that Casey took, scanned from the scrapbook he made of his pictures from our vacation. If you click on the pictures you can flip back and forth.

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/new_work/casey_shutterbug.html

Story of the pic - I saw him standing on the Mission steps in that Santa Barbara sunlight and wanted to get a shot of him looking off to stage right, but he insisted on taking a picture of me while I was taking a picture of him, he thought it would make for a better photo. Maybe it does. He's a pretty creative photographer, though sometimes he needs to settle for the snap he can get and not fret about the one he can't micromanage. I think we've all been there...!

New Page

It's just a little one, about a little item called a Mini Softrelease. No jokes please, I didn't name it.

Hm -- apparently Monday morning is a popular time to update blogs! blogger.com is always slow on Monday AM.

BTW I did shoot that roll in the Yashica FX-3 yesterday, and got what I hope are some cool still life type pics with and without the Tamron 2x that I'll make a page about once I have a sample to share. Didn't get a chance to develop the roll though.

So still to finish: the Konica b/w roll, the Vito B roll and a roll I started ages ago in my Photax Blinde that I just found! I should just go to the beach and shoot it or something. Too cold today though, autumn is asserting itself the way it does in SF. Brr!

LOMO page updated

With sample page and bonus in-page sample.

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/lomo_ca.html

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/samples/lomo_ca_sample.html