The Making of a Tintype

Seems Tintypes are making a comeback of sorts. Joni Sternbach's surfer images were recently featured in PDN and the New York Times did a fashion spread today using the same technique. The images are really haunting and beautiful. The photographer did the entire shoot on Governors Island. You can see a slide show on the making of, here.

Photos by David Sokosh for The New York Times; Photographed on Governors Island, New York.

Dressing for Fall

Taking a cue from one of my favorite bloggers (and magazine writer) Joanna Goddard, let's pretend shop at Le Train Bleu - a beautiful online boutique (love the photography!). Considering that you'll usually find me in jeans and t-shirts, I'm certainly no expert in the Art of Dress, but I LOVE pouring over these great clothes.

The Double Matinee Coat: Just. So. Beautiful. Makes me want to take a drive down some of the old roads out on Long Island to see the Fall leaves (but I'd better work fast - seems we are quickly slipping into winter out here on the East Coast).

The Pippin Apple blouse: I simply love this color. Swoon.

Hickory Striped Necktie: I love the 1940s vibe.

Photos by Le Train Bleu.

Creative Wallpapering

This 1840s farmhouse in Walton, New York, with its creative wallpapering, reminds me of my parent's Pacific Northwest house that they sold in 2008. In the 1970s, my mother used pattern covers and fashion spreads from magazines she found inspiring to decoupage the wall (and floor!)of her sewing room. When they sold it, it was amazing to really take a look at what was in vogue at the time. The red and white room was inspired by a tea tin my mother had lying around. I loved the hot air balloon as a kid. Both rooms were unfinished basement rooms that were rarely seen by guests - which made them all the more exciting as a kid.

P.S. If you enlarge the bottom photo, you can see my sister's handiwork under the hot air balloon.

First three photos by Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
via A Cup of Jo

Halloween in Harlem

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A few years back I shot a series on Harlem. I couldn't resist photographing the awesome costumes on Halloween. The kids were great. Here are a few of my favorites.

Lincoln and New York

I'm always on the look-out for great graphic design. Long ago, I did a lot of graphic design for my then-boyfriend's (now husband's) sketch comedy group. I really loved doing it. Recently, while scouring the Times, I came across an ad for Lincoln and New York at the New-York Historical Society. I love the bold colors, the photo they chose of Lincoln and the typography. I wish they had a poster of this because I'd love to frame it. It would look perfect on our blue, blue, blue wall.

While running past (literally, my husband is training for a marathon) a flag by Central Park yesterday for the exhibit, my husband and I decided that we must go this weekend. He's a bit of an old President buff - he's read bios on Lincoln, Adams, Roosevelt and FDR. I'm really excited about seeing it.

Saturday

It's starting to feel and look like Fall around here. I love Fall.

New Project: Old Cameras: No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model C

The third camera I took out from its place on the shelf and used for the Old Cameras Project is the No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model C by Eastman Kodak. The No. 2 was manufactured between 1926 and 1934 in the US and uses 120 film. I have no idea where I got it but it looks like it was never used - in fact, if they still made such cameras today, I would have a hard time convincing someone that it was actually from the 1920s or 1930s. I should have done a little research before I took it out for a spin, however, as the fixed-focus lens is designed to keep objects between 6-8 feet away from the camera in focus, something that would have been handy to know. Out of all the images that I shot, there is really only one that I like - and it's pretty blurry. My other issue was that I could not see through the "finder" at all, making shooting a pretty interesting endeavor. Additionally, I realized I was likely making a few double exposures as I was flipping the shutter both up and down for each shot - it only needs to be released once. Here are two of the photos:


All and all, I had a great time using it. I am kind of excited about trying to use it again - now that I understand how it works a little better. More information on the No. 2 can be found here.

Photo of the No. 2 Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model C by formica via flickr.