Tag: Kodak Portra 400

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Anguilla, revisited

by bijansabet3 Comments on Anguilla, revisited

It’s impossible to get a feel for a place after just one visit.

And that was certainly true when it came to our experience with Anguilla. We made our first trip in 2016. It was a short visit and we were all much younger then. And we stayed in a big hotel and pretty much spent our days at the hotel pool and beach.

This time we rented a house for two weeks. It was away from the hotels. We rented a car and explored the island almost every day. Each beach and area of the island has something unique to offer. Each neighborhood has its own personality. A little bakery in an unlikely spot. Or a food truck with the best Johnny cakes imaginable. Or a set of swings that appeared out of nowhere. A favorite bbq place only open a few seemingly random days a week.

During our trip, we met a number of folks that return to Anguilla year after year, for decades. I totally get it.

(Cameras: Hasselblad 503cw, Contax T3 | Film: Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Tri-X 400 | Lab: FW Photo Lab in Texas)

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A return to St Barts

by bijansabet

The last time we traveled to St Barts was in March 2020 — just before the severity of Covid-19 was fully understood by most Americans. As a family we made a return trip last month during our Thanksgiving holiday vacation. To be certain, Covid-19 and associated variants are still creating health risks but we are fully vaccinated (two of us have received our boosters). So we felt comfortable making the trip.

It was so nice to travel together as a family. I am appreciating these times with Lauren and the kids more than ever.

All photographs taken with a Hasselblad 503cw and Kodak Portra film.

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These autumn days

by bijansabet

Always love this time of year. The mornings are crisp and the colors are something else.

(Made with a Mamiya 7ii and Kodak Portra film. Developed and scanned by FW Photo Lab in Texas)

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The “Texas Leica” (aka the Fuji GW690ii)

by bijansabet2 Comments on The “Texas Leica” (aka the Fuji GW690ii)

A few months ago, I picked up the the Fuji GW690ii, affectionally called the “Texas Leica” by many. The nickname suits it quite well. Similar to a Leica, it is an all mechanical (no batteries!) true rangefinder camera — but way bigger because this camera makes massive 6×9 medium format exposures. This is the largest size you can get before you enter the land of large format photography.

Despite it’s potentially off-putting size, the Texas Leica is a joy to shoot. The fixed mount lens is a 90mm f/3.5 (which is roughly about a 50mm f/2 in full format). The lens creates a unique look to my eyes and it’s liberating not having to deal with additional lens options. Another meaningful constraint is only 8 shots per roll of 120mm film. This constraint really slows you down and I can feel myself relax when I’m out making photographs with this camera. Operating the camera (loading film, adjusting shutter, aperture and focusing) is super simple and straightforward. The rangefinder patch itself isn’t nearly as bright as the Mamiya 7ii or a Leica M but it’s totally functional.

The most significant drawback for me is the camera doesn’t have bulb mode. So long exposures (>1 second) requires the photographer to set the camera to T mode. Then after your desired exposure time, you have to turn the shutter dial to stop the film exposure. It works but it’s super odd.

I am still getting a feel for this camera and honestly not sure if it will replace my beloved Mamiya 7ii. But for now, I am having a lot of fun with it.

(All images made with the Fuji Gw690ii and Kodak Portra 400 film)

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Early spring moments in Concord

by bijansabet

As winter finally loosened it’s grip, I felt the urge to get in my car and wander. It seems like most of the time I end up in Concord.

(Camera: Mamiya 7ii, Film: Kodak Portra 400, Lab: Richard Photo Lab)

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Exploring Louisiana, 2021

by bijansabet2 Comments on Exploring Louisiana, 2021

I thought I would share some photographs from our trip to Lousiana last month. I’m healing quite nicely and just finished my fourth and final rabies shot from the dog encounter.

I also added a new subscribe feature to this blog. You can receive my posts via email now if you wish. I’m feeling motivated to post more frequently these days.

(Color photographs made with a Mamiya 7ii and Kodak Portra 400 film. Black and white photos made with a Contax T3 and Kodak Tri-X 400. Developed and scanned by Richard Photo Lab in California).

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The Big Island

by bijansabet

After a great deal of thought and planning (and testing) we made a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. Our last trip to the Big Island was over 20 years ago and this island (and the world) was quite a bit different. It was also a time before we had children. This time we spent about a month in a small rental house on the west side of the island and spent our days exploring, hiking, playing board games and reading. We all fell in love with the Big Island. It’s so peaceful, the people are incredibly kind and the food was delicious. I’m completely addicted to loco moco and Kona coffee.

It was a very special trip and I am happy we were able to spend it together as a family.

I brought along two cameras, a medium format Hasselblad (square images) and a 35mm Leica M6. And many rolls of Kodak film.