One Exposure A Day, 24 Days, Cheap Drugstore Film Project Update...

I took my final exposure for the film project today! It's over...heck of a ride. I started it by taking one single exposure each day for the first 10 days, then on day 11, I shot several frames (shame on me) of the same subject. Then I changed the rules for the remaining 13 days. I allowed myself to shoot multiple frames of one subject and one subject only. That in itself was pretty challenging, as most days presented me with lots of temping opportunities. 

For my last exposure, I wanted to capture star trails over my home here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Milky Way is clearly visible here this time of year...usually that is. I set up my tripod and dialed in my exposure settings while there was still daylight yesterday evening. The plan was to wait until midnight (beginning of the 24th and final day of this project) and make my final exposure. Mother Nature had other plans. My clear night turned into a solid overcast one as the clock approached midnight. I had to abandon my big finale. This morning, I found myself under the full autumn-yellow canopy of sugar maples at Bass Lake, where I made my final exposure. I'll save the subject and story for the film reveal. I'm going to ship the film tomorrow. When I receive the scans, I'll post six images and the stories behind them to this blog in four separate posts. Thanks to all who view this blog and follow my facebook page!

First Signs of Autumn, Glen Burney Falls, North Carolina (c) Jon Reaves Photography

One Exposure a Day Film Challenge Update...I Broke the Rules!

I'll save the story behind the image for the final blog post on this project...I lost my self control today...I just had to get the shot! Thanks to all who keep up with the blog and facebook page. 13 days left of the project to go!

One Exposure A Day Film Challenge Update...

I found myself hiking the Glen Burney Trail today, a place I knew I'd visit for the 24 day project. Today was Day 10. Instead of choosing to use my one film exposure on the magnificent natural wonder that is Glen Burney Falls, which rises about 20 feet out of a cool mountain creek, I turned my lens to a smaller and quieter off shoot of the falls. The rainy and overcast sky cleared as I approached the main waterfall, casting a harsh bright light on it. This left me searching for a more evenly lit subject in the shadows of the Rhododendron.
 

The last few days have gone relatively smoothly as far as the 24 day project goes. No more accidental fires so far! Of course, I wont know for sure what I have until the film comes back from the lab. I'll save the stories behind the photos since my last update for the reveal.
 

On my way back from the falls, I found these little mushrooms hiding in the exposed roots of an overhanging oak in neat little clusters. I couldn't resist pulling out the digital camera and making this exposure. As for tomorrow's film shot, I actually haven't a clue what I'll be looking for yet. We'll just have to see what nature throws at me. 

Mushrooms on Oak Roots, Glen Burney Trail, North Carolina

One Frame a Day, 24 Days, Cheap Drugstore Film...

I've been thinking this plan up for a while, and have finally decided to do it. Several years ago, I did a one photo a day challenge while living in Washington, DC, inspired by my favorite photographer Jim Brandenburg's books Chased by the Light and Looking for the Summer. I shot that project on a digital camera for 30 days in April. This time, I'm going to shoot film. I've decided to use cheap drugstore film, Fuji Superia Ultra, the 24 exposure 400 ISO film that many a parent has used to photograph their kids' birthday parties and summer vacations, before digital consumed the amateur market in the early 2000's. Color negative film has a high exposure latitude, which will give me a bit of wiggle room when it comes to proper exposure. Why did I choose this film instead of Kodak Ektar 100 (my favorite color negative film)? The 400 ISO speed that's why. Also, it's easier to get in my area...

So, for 24 days, beginning tomorrow, September 1st, I will make one exposure on film each day. I'm still going to shoot digital here and there. I'm not limiting myself that much. But as far as film goes, just one shot. I'm going to try to capture the essence of my experiences in the great outdoors in a single frame. It should be an interesting experiment, and hopefully one that will help me to continue my artistic growth. This project, of course, will be themed around the natural world and its simple wonders. I will be using my Nikon F100 and various lenses. Once I have completed the project in 24 days, I will process the film and post the images in four separate posts, 6 photos each, on this blog. I really hope that I don't make some serious boo boos...like trip the shutter accidentally...because every single frame will be posted no matter what! Wish me luck!

Nikon F100, Nikkor 24mm 2.8 D, and Fuji Superia 400.

Roaring Creek and New Neighbors...

I had to give my Dad and Grandfather a hand removing a fallen tree from the path that leads from our "summer house" down to Roaring Creek yesterday. Before the work began, I took a few minutes to make some photographs of the creek. I never get tired of it there. I've shot thousands of frames of the creek over the years, yet every time I go back I find a new feature that catches my attention.

The day before, while loading some old bathroom tiles onto a trailer to haul away, I discovered a fist-sized toad hiding under the pile. I followed Mr. Toad around the yard and took a few portraits until he disappeared under a log. There were also two other surprises under the pile of broken tiles, a small water snake and a northern ring-necked snake. Both slithered away before I could get a shot.

Roaring Creek I

Roaring Creek II

Roaring Creek III

Mr. Toad

(c) 2015 Jon Reaves. All rights reserved.

Shooting Waterfalls and a Rant About Littering...

This morning I took a little hike on the Glen Burney Trail near Blowing Rock. It's one of my favorite short hikes in the Appalachians because it provides lots of opportunities for image making year 'round and there are several good waterfalls along the trail (and typically few people). I revisit this spot often because every time I do I see something different or find new perspectives from which to photograph subjects that I've shot before. I think it's important for every photographer to revisit subjects/places over and over again in order to see them differently and under various conditions. Today I shot digital (I know, I know. I'm supposed to be this hardcore film shooter and all) for the sake of convenience and to conserve film...if I shot all the film that I wanted to, I would have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the film and the processing. That said, I save film for special projects and when I really want the best quality and that good old film look that I prefer for my personal fine art work. I shoot digital for the day to day stuff.

And now for something completely different ...I am getting sick and tired of having to edit out garbage from my photos. It seemed that for every shot I set up today there was a plastic bottle, food wrapper, beach towel, or dirty sock hiding somewhere in the margins of the scene. This makes me irate. Please clean up after yourselves. Be respectful to nature and to others and make sure you leave no trace of your presence other than light footprints. A few weeks ago, my wife and I were hiking at Elk Knob State Park. We were very much annoyed to see that folks were picking up their dog's poops in plastic bags and then leaving the bags on the trail...what's the point of even using the bags!?!? It would be better to just let your dog poop in the trail rather than leaving non degradable plastic! I counted around one dozen steaming hot poop pouches littering the trail that day...come on people! LEAVE NO TRACE.

Small Waterfall near Glen Burney Falls

Ferns Growing Between Stone and Wood

Small Waterfall near Glen Burney Falls, Black and White

Upper Falls on the Glen Burney Trail

Glen Burney Falls

 All images (c) 2015 Jon Reaves. All rights reserved.

Spring Sale on Fine Art Prints!

Need some fancy art on your walls? I'm having a sale on all photo and canvas prints!
Enter promo code SPRING15 for 15% off your entire order until May 1st...thank you! 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeakMountainProducts?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Summer Along the Appalachian Trail- This image and others available in professional quality fine art prints in various sizes, including large canvas. Click the link above to visit the online shop!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Puffin pairs mate for life!  (c) 2015 Jon Reaves Photography.