Japan in Lucky Color

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Shar

The New Flickr

Flickr just announced their big changes and a new look to boot. To be honest, I’m not a fan of the changes and am contemplating whether to maintain my Flickr Pro status or revert to the free account. There are loads of changes, but in summary, the biggest difference now between being a free user and a paid user is that free users get 1 TB of storage space (and ads, boo!), and paid users (~$50/year) basically get an ad-free experience with no difference in storage space or bandwidth. As for Flickr Pro, Flickr is no longer offering new Flickr Pro accounts. They are, however, grandfathering the existing Flickr Pro users — same benefits as before (unlimited storage and bandwidth), for same pricing of ~$25/year. I’m included in the grandfathered accounts, but I still don’t know if $25/year is worth it now. I was basically paying for the space, and now they’re just handing it out for free.

But moving along, this is not a post about Flickr. Although if you’d like to take a peek at my Flickr, it’s here: { mmmfruit on Flickr! }

Expired Lucky Color Film

I spent some time today learning more about VueScan and my scanner, and I was able to get better, and more consistent, results with the scans from my test roll. Also, upon closer inspection of my film, I discovered that the purple spots are in fact on the negatives, and not a problem with my scanner. (Phew!) I’m not too worried because, well, it is a test roll, and they aren’t my best shots anyway. So, don’t mind the purple spots, dust, or scratches; I didn’t bother to remove any of them.

I was happy to see the few images which did come out though. I got a bit of that 懐かしい nostalgic feeling seeing pictures of my old home.

An improved scan from the neighborhood sale in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka. I’m much happier with this one than the first one I shared earlier this month.

These two are from a hanami party at Hamamatsu Castle in Shizuoka prefecture.

All of the images in this post were photographed using a Diana F+ with 35mm film adapter, using Lucky Color film 200 ASA expired in 2007, developed and scanned in 2013.

a neighborhood sale in Japan

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Shar

A snapshot from my life in Japan, captured on 99-cent only store Lucky Color Film from China several years expired and badly stored through extreme changes in temperature. From a test roll using a 35mm adapter in my Diana F+.

Will re-scan after I have time to inspect my scanner. Am getting strange purple spots which I don’t see on the scanner, or on the film. Also, color and quality of scans is completely different using same scanner (Canon CanoScan 8800F) but different programs, so I am going to have to do a few more experiments before posting the other shots from the roll.

This photo makes me miss my former life in Japan.

Back to the Future

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Shar

It is always refreshing and inspiring to discover new work! Today, I came across the work of photographer Irina Werning. In her project Back to the Future, her subjects reenact old photographs of themselves. What I find most fascinating is her attention to detail! Not just in the poses and facial expressions, but in the clothing, background, lighting, sharpness or camera blur, and the color and tone of the image. Truly amazing work!

This project is still on-going and she is looking for participants from Korea, Taiwan, and Tokyo. If you are interested, her contact information can be found on her website.

Cecile 1987 & 2010 France

Male Sil Flor 1983 & 2010 Buenos Aires

Nico 1986 & 2010 Buenos Aires

Mechi 1990 & 2010 Buenos Aires

See more from the project here:

Pretty Purple Flowers

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Shar

I am feeling a hundred times better than I did when I wrote my Spring Time Blues post. I caught a nasty viral infection in mid-March, which gave me conjunctivitis (pink eye) in both of my eyes, and developed into a sinus infection. The doctor gave me ten days of antibiotics, and on the eighth day I suddenly came down with a severe allergic reaction to the medicine. It was horrible, and a little bit scary. Three weeks later, I am finally (almost) back to my normal self again. I think by the end of the week, I should be back to 100%.

The weather is getting warmer each day but the house is still a bit chilly so I’ve been bundled up in my pajamas and hooded sweater. I took a step outside this afternoon though and was surprised at how warm it was! The weather forecast said it’s going to be 80° tomorrow… that’s almost summer weather! I hope summer doesn’t roll around just yet. It’s a bit too early.

Being sick these past three weeks has really set me back, but I plan to continue sharing more of The Lost Blogs series about my summer travels last year… and hopefully get all of those up before this summer comes along. And with that, I leave you with these photographs I took this afternoon of some pretty purple flowers in full bloom.

Spring Time Blues

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Shar

flowers

I’ve been sick with a really strong viral flu, pink eye, and a sinus infection for the past twelve days. It’s been a pretty miserable two weeks, but thankfully I was able to see a doctor and am taking ten days of antibiotics to kick this illness to the curb! I am so done being sick!

Flowers are blooming, and I’m hoping to get well soon and brave through the allergies to enjoy the pretty sights before they disappear and melt into summer. The cherry blossoms are blooming all across Japan as well, and I’m a little bummed out since this is my first spring since coming back, and I can’t celebrate hanami season anymore. Hopefully I can have a little flower-viewing picnic party of my own, though not necessarily sakura.

I was lucky to catch these yellow blossoms two weeks ago before getting sick. I hope these aren’t the last flowers I get to see blooming this spring!

A Bodega Bay Getaway {Happy Three Year Anniversary!}

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Shar

annione01

Those of you who know me or read my personal blog know that I spent two years living abroad in Japan and just recently returned to the US a few months ago. My husband and I tied the knot just a couple of months before we departed for our new adventurous life overseas, so the first two years of our marriage has felt like one long, amazing honeymoon.

annione02

We spent our first anniversary touring the Izu Peninsula of Shizuoka Prefecture, a resort area known for its beautiful coastlines, mild climate, scenic views of the mountains, and onsen (Japanese hot springs). We viewed the early-blooming cherry blossoms of a small town called Kawazu, and feasted on cherry blossom ice cream, snow crab legs and fresh sashimi.

In our second year, we did a Hawaii-in-Tokyo theme and visited Hawaiian establishments which also had locations in Japan. We ate dinner at Roy’s, a Hawaiian fusion cuisine restaurant, while enjoying a night view of the Tokyo Tower. Then in the morning, we enjoyed macadamia pancakes drizzled in coconut and lilikoi syrup at Eggs ‘n Things in Harajuku. In-between all of the eating, we visited Ghibli Museum in Mitaka to enjoy all things Totoro and more.

This year, things have been much different, what with getting settled back in to our new old life in California. Without getting into the details of our personal lives too much, let’s just say the past few weeks have been extremely stressful and quite hectic. We could barely get away and had to return home early the next day, but it was a much needed mini-vacation and though it was short and on a budget, we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. We drove out to Bodega Bay to take in the beautiful coast and ocean air. We ate and drank to being alive, to our health, to being happily married and in love, and to being with our families. I am so thankful for the three years we have shared together, and for the many years to come, and most of all I am thankful to have such a wonderful, supportive, and loving husband.

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The digital images from our first anniversary were taken with my old Canon EOS 20D, and the Polaroids were taken with my favorite thrift store score, a Polaroid SX-70 Time Zero OneStep and Polaroid 779 film. The other digital images in this post were taken with my current camera, the Canon EOS 7D. Polaroids were taken with the Polaroid 636 CloseUp and expired Polaroid 600 film.

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Long live Polaroid and instant film.

MMM-FRUIT!

there is no such thing as too cute

Category Archives: Photography