Every so often, I go through a phase of wondering what my life would be like without photography. Without the giant sucking sound coming from my wallet that represents the hobby, what would I do with the money and the time freed up? I could take more vacations, go to more interesting places I haven't been to yet, I could get more work done around the house, heck, I could probably afford a bigger house!

I get this feeling periodically when I get frustrated with my progress or lack...

TheFlyingCamera

Interesting observation:

In my night photography class, EVERYONE is shooting film. In my portrait class, all but myself and one other woman are shooting digital. I understand the desire on the part of the instructor to have folks shoot digital in the portrait class, for the instant feedback. What I find interesting about it though is the chimping that the students do that totally breaks up the workflow of the portrait session. I really wish I could bring in my studio camera monster,...

TheFlyingCamera

Well, I got to develop my night shots from my first night photo class outing over the weekend, and made a couple preliminary prints. I got one absolute killer shot of the Washington Monument at sunset, when the sun had just dropped below the horizon but the clouds were still illuminated. I grabbed that one while my other classmates who had also arrived early were huddling down in the Metro station entrance to stay out of the wind. This was my second time shooting with my Turner-Reich triple-convertible,...

TheFlyingCamera

I've signed up for TWO photo classes this fall at the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian museum complex has an "adult education" program called the Smithsonian Associates that sponsors a wide range of events, activities, tours and courses, including fine arts courses. They have a full darkroom for black-and-white and color, as well as limited digital services, in the education building, which is underground between the Freer Gallery and the Smithsonian Castle on the Mall.

I've...

TheFlyingCamera

Multiple things have happened since I last posted.

• I've regained my mobility
• I've moved in to my shared studio
• I bought a Rolleiflex (2.8 E, for those who must know)

I'm finally walking like a normal person (well, most of the time, anyway- stairs can still be a challenge, especially at the end of the day). It has taken so long to get back to some semblance of normal activity; the frustration factor is rather high. Word to the wise- don't get fat, and if you do, don't get injured....

TheFlyingCamera