Hello all you fixer lovers.

Since I have been lurking here for the last couple of days, I thought it was time for a proper introduction.

My name is Michelle, I've been photographing for thirty-odd years -- since I can remember (my first camera was a 110, my first enlarger was an old Russian model that folded into a suitcase and had a cracked lens)...

I now shoot primarily with a Canon EOS3 or Minox GT-E, though I also use a Crown Graphic 4x5, Mimiyaflex TLR, Canon F1 or Canon AE-1 from time-to-time. I use a Besseler 23CII with a dichro head (or invade a friend's darkroom and use his Besseler or Durst, whichever works best).

I own (but don't use) a large collection of children's toy cameras, from 110 to 6x6.

My day job involves working a lot with d*** images (as I believe the proper nomenclature is here... please correct me if I'm wrong), but when I come home, I like to see *photographs* hanging on the walls. There's just nothing like the depth of silver.

Above all, I am *very* happy this forum exists!!!!

Welcome aboard Michelle, nice images in the gallery.

Welcome Michelle from Southwestern Ontario. You are among same minded friends now :)

Cheers Greg

Lets see, the Midwest is the area between California and New York that THEY fly over daily, eh? ;)

Welcome aboard Michelle, from stormy Ohio (tornados tonight in Dayton and Cincinnati)!

Sounds like you found kindred spirits.

Frank W.

Welcome from Chicago.
Mike

good to have you, from Oklahoma!

Lets see, the Midwest is the area between California and New York that THEY fly over daily, eh? ;)

Welcome aboard Michelle, from stormy Ohio (tornados tonight in Dayton and Cincinnati)!

Sounds like you found kindred spirits.

Frank W.

You mean there are people in those big silver birds? ;)

Seriously, though... I couldn't have found this forum at a more opportune time. I have but one local friend left who still uses film. All of my regular photography haunts here have eliminated their darkroom supply sections. I was stopped on the street the other day while shooting... when he found out I was shooting <gasp!> film, he was surprised anyone did that anymore...

This forum feels like an oasis in the desert for connections to supplies and technical knowledge of darkroom processes. Thanks for being here.

Welcome Michelle from a former Minneapolitan who now lives in Denver. I can tell you that when I am out there visiting family, I am shooting film!

Bonjour Michelle, welcome aboard! :)

Welcome, Michelle, from another Midwesterner (NW OH).

Nice photos you have in your gallery..!

I get the "That's *film*? Why?" question all the time.

When I explain that my Rolleiflex cost $400, I can scan the negs and produce huge d*g*tal images, and I'm not as worried about a $400 camera being damaged by my motorcycles' vibes as I would be with a $2000 camera, most people understand - or at least they claim to.

Welcome. Michelle! I'm a couple of hours east of you and my daughter lives in Mpls so I find myself there quite often both for that reason and that my employer is based there. Keep burning up that film!

Hi from the true middle, welcome aboard.

Mike

You mean there are people in those big silver birds? ;)

....[snip]...

Careful, Michelle; you "Heartland" folks have to watch out for those silver bird droppings! :D

All kidding aside, welcome aboard from a NY'er who also spends time in the wild west of Tucson, AZ

Hi Michelle, welcome from Hawaii. Glad you found us, and glad to see anther film shooter join us. I know what you mean about people stopping you - I just tell people my F5 is my 25MP film camera, and that they are probably much older than my 4x5

Hi Michelle. Welcome from a bit further South.

Have enjoyed your posts.

Best, john.

Been looking for a Russian model that will fold into a suitcase.

Hi Michelle, welcome from the fair land of OZ.

Don't be afraid to dust off those toy cameras and burn some film with them, you might be surprised.

Cheers, Tony

Been looking for a Russian model that will fold into a suitcase.

John,

Is her cracked lens optional? ;)

I"ve been enjoying this forum so much of late, I'm afraid my supervisors may start to notice.

Paul,
I remember my first 35mm shots: I was 12 years old, my great aunt and uncle brought me on my first plane ride to Colorado Springs. My father decided it was a good idea, if I was taking pictures, to have a proper camera to do it.

He showed me how to use his Canon A1 and I brought home some spectacular (for a 12-year-old!) images of "Kissing Camels", a rock formation nearby. I entered the images in the county fair (jeez, does this sound Midwestern, or what??) and won 2nd prize -- competing against adults who had been shooting for years.

Dad was pretty proud of the kid that day. ;)

You're extremely lucky to live in Denver. That area of the U.S. is gorgeous.

Doug,

I've been saying for years, "A digital shot is a wasted shot." Even with my cruddy Polaroid Sprintscan 4000, I can scan a 35mm film image from my Minox P&S to a 56meg file when I have to. The last person that I knew that "went digital" bragged about his 8 meg thingy...

I just don't understand it, either.


Craig,

I'm not Lewis, but thanks for the welcome, neighbor!

... And everyone else,

Thanks, really, for the warm welcome. You've all inspired me to use up my remaining darkroom supplies and go out and shoot more lately. I'm finding myself wandering outside at lunchtiime at work and I hope to have something decent to post in the next couple of weeks.

My quick glance back at your intial post had me screwed up on the name! I fixed it and am guessing you don't look anything like someone named Lewis!

Welcome to APUG, Michelle! :) As you have discovered, this is a great place with a lot of cool people!

My quick glance back at your intial post had me screwed up on the name! I fixed it and am guessing you don't look anything like someone named Lewis!


Hopefully not! ;)

More like this:
(photo: Oleg Volk, one of the last ones before going d*g*tal... may his Nikon F2 R.I.P.)

... & Tony,
I've tried the Hello Kitty cameras. Huh uh, not exactly what I was going for when I snapped the plastic shutter. :)

Hello Michelle. Welcome from the middle of Canada. You say you have been taking pictures for thirty odd years. Judging by your picture, you must have started when you were -10.

Rick.

He showed me how to use his Canon A1 and I brought home some spectacular (for a 12-year-old!) images of "Kissing Camels", a rock formation nearby. I entered the images in the county fair (jeez, does this sound Midwestern, or what??) and won 2nd prize -- competing against adults who had been shooting for years.

Dad was pretty proud of the kid that day. ;)


Welcome from St. Louis, Michelle. And by the way, I've lived in the midwest all my life and have never been to a county or state fair. I don't recall having seen much in the way of promotion for these things.

I just tell people my F5 is my 25MP film camera, and that they are probably much older than my 4x5

Oh I love this idea regarding the F5, Robert! I will try and remember that the next time someone asks me about the camera.

welcome! Nice photos in the gallery.

Good to see more folks from the Cities here. Especially those from the good side of the river. :D