Friends on Film

Over the weekend I developed a roll of Kodak Tri-X in Kodak HC-110 dilution b that I shot in my Nikon L35AF - an early 80's point and shoot camera. I started the roll during a 'First Friday' visit to Canton last Fall and finished it on St. Patrick's Day. I have a tradition of shooting one of my simple film cameras on St. Pat's that started with the idea of not carrying an expensive digital camera around a bunch of day drinking.
Anyway - nothing too serious here - just some fun photos of my friends.

House Show

My friend Aaron put on a house show in Highland Square last night. He is renovating the house to rent out so it was a perfect venue. The show benefited a project Aaron is undertaking; he is converting a building into a venue/artspace/store etc., called the Armory (not far from Hoban High School.) More on that in future posts.

'Thorla,'  Bradley Thorla's solo project kicked of the show with a mellowish/moody jam.
Next up was the duo 'Girl Band' who played great covers of The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, and lots of other good stuff - these ladies can sing. Closing the show was the first appearance by 'White Lighter,' who picked up the pace with some rock and roll.

Riding with Sara

Last evening Sara and I went for a bike ride from her place in West Hill out to a dinner place on Manchester Road. We were surprised to learn that the Towpath is going to remain open behind Canal Park through the area by 69 Taps. The sewer project was supposed to force a detour onto Main Street. Main Street is still going to get a protected bike lane courtesy of the Knight Foundation - so I guess it is a best of both worlds situation. Above is a video I filmed hand held with my Canon Rebel on the way back of Sara going through the part of the path that was supposed to be closed.

Selfie Tutorial

Here is a little video I made showing how I shoot a selfie in my studio.

Akron Snow Angels

This winter I have gone a few missions with the Akron Snow Angels. The Snow Angels are a group started by a Erin Victor(above center) that "...helps the less fortunate by providing them with warm clothing, toiletries & most importantly great conversation, friendship, compassion & respect." One of the things I like about volunteering with the group is that it is hands on and filling immediate needs without question. We meet people where they are and supply them with what they need - no intermediaries, no prerequisites. On a few of the coldest missions I started questioning to myself being out there - and then you remember many of the people we are helping just spent the whole night in this weather...and when I head back to my warm apartment many are heading to a tent... These are some photos I snapped for the organizations use with my Canon Rebel T5.

The Beyonders Video

On Friday I was at Thursdays to see Eye, The Beyonders and G.S Schray. I attempted to make a decent video of a Beyonders song. I planned to shoot with two cameras. So I set up my Canon 6D on monopod and used a few songs to get the settings correct. I then had Sara hold the camera while I walked around and took some b-roll with my Canon Rebel. I loaded the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro which can align the two different cameras by their audio in one click. I'm happy with the editing for my first two camera shoot - but I plan to do this again under more favorable conditions(the lighting is tough at Thurdays).

Of course I still snapped a few photos - those follow.

VAP Mardi Gras

Last night I photographed Victim's Assistance Mardi Gras at Tangier for the second year. It is a fun event that raises money for a great organization. I set up a "photo both" type space to catch attendees on their way into the event and during the silent auction and mingling portion. I had a few assistants who kept everything in order so prints could be mailed to the guests. When everyone moved to the big room for dinner, dancing, games, and the oral auction I captured some candids.

Thursday's Lounge

Last Fall Mario Nemer hired me to take some photos of his legendary Akron club, Thursday's Lounge. I showed up around 11 to a competently empty bar - but by 12:30 I could barely move. I spent plenty of time here in my twenties and the party always started late - but I had never seen it packed like this. The crowd on a Thursday night is different than it used to be - now it skews heavily toward younger, college kids. It felt a little awkward at first to be shooting people out dancing and drinking - I didn't want to seem like a creep - but the good thing about shooting in a bar is that they have alcohol and soon I was immersed in the scene and shooting away...