I don’t get many requests for specific images anymore.
It used to happen all of the time. I’d be asked to take photos for any get together with family or friends. Would you take some pictures of the new baby, or house, or car? Engagement photographers are expensive, do you mind taking a few shots for the announcement? Most of the time I didn’t really mind helping out, but I would remind everyone that you take a chance on getting what you pay for. If I lose interest or something shiny crosses my path, your photos may suffer. Lately, since I shoot almost exclusively on film, most people just don’t want to wait for me to produce some images. Because, you know, Facebook.
Fortunately, my photography has never been about earning a living. I take thousands of images every year, for my own pleasure. On the occasion that someone likes one or more of my images, I happily give them a print or a small zine, occasionally even a whole book from a shared event or trip. I have always been a happy hobbyist, reluctantly calling myself a photographer and never calling myself an artist. I revel in my amateur status.
We’ve recently moved. Three whole blocks. All the way from 5th Street to 8th Street. During the years we lived on 5th, I took many pictures of the lifeguard tower while on our almost daily walks by the water.
Now, being 8th Street locals, I guess my focus should shift to the next tower to the north. I’ve also had a request. Would you please take a nice shot of the 8th Street tower to hang on the wall in the new place?
I can do that.
This photo was taken with my Pentax 6×7, 105mm lens, and Portra 400 film. I pushed the film one stop in development just because I like Portra better when there s a bit more contrast and grain.
