Another trip out with Bruce

[nelsonfoto]

Bruce was kind enough to hang out for a few hours yesterday. We headed to Van Buren to visit my favorite camera shop, shoot a few frames, think deep thoughts, then head back up this way to check out an old homestead. I've already posted the homestead shots in the film forum on account of the manner in which I developed them. I'll post a link to that, but am embedding the final scans here.

Minolta XE7, Minolta MD 24mm, TriX, HC110 1:100



The top images are of Ralph Irwin, owner of Ralph Irwin Studio in Van Buren. I hadn't noticed the gallery there before, not sure how long he's been open, but as we walked by it my eyes caught a glimpse of some turned burls just inside and I had to take a look.

Well, the burls were nice enough, but Ralph told us would should see the paintings upstairs. He was on the money about that one. Chinese artist Zhang Xin is showing there, and the work was wonderful. The first word out of my mouth was "Klimt!", but this stuff, for me, goes beyond Klimt. With $2000 being the lowest price on any piece, Bruce and I weren't in position to buy, but I enjoyed meeting Ralph. Mr. Irwin is himself a woodworker, note the photo of the long carved piece he had on the wall.

This final image is from inside the old SL/SF station at Van Buren.

[bruce]

Here are a few I shot. I am surprised I got anything at all. I thought I had apx 100 in the camera, shot it all at ei 80. I then developed it in pc tea, as my rodinol dreggs are 8 years old, and I wasn't sure if it was any good. Quite a surprise to take them out and see it was hp5+. These were shot on a contax g2, 28mm lens.
 These little weekly shoots with craig have done me a lot of good. Gets me off my ass and taking pictures. I tend to not shoot much, and when I do, it is usually when I go somewhere, overlooking the stuff i see every day. It is good exercise.

[nelsonfoto]

I like that stair-rail shot. The reticulation on the bench is pretty neat as well.

Listen, I've been meaning to make a run back to Noel, MO. I think I might like to do that next week if conditions favor it. I assume you've been there, but if not, it is a really strange little town. Apparently a big Ozarks river resort spot in its day, it's now just another sleepy town by all accounts. People still frequent the river, but not in the manner they did, say, even when my wife was younger and would go for family trips.

At any rate, the main drag is picturesque, some interesting derelict buildings, defunct roadside motels, etc. MO has a lot of potential when I think of it. I'd like to get up to Branson to shoot some of that gawdy crap as well. My MIL is in Joplin - a lot of mining history there. I think Todd Goodheart is in Wichita area, and we have a couple other members in the KC Metro/Lawrence area. Could be worth organizing some putting-heads-together.

C.

[bruce]

I'm game. Branson makes my skin crawl.

[nelsonfoto]

Which is exactly why I want to shoot it. I just can't figure the angle. I think it would be best to  check it out at night, height of season. Redneck Vegas.

[Graham Serretta]

Talent will out!  Good shots, both of you.  10 out of 10 on my scorecard.