Los Angeles

I love escaping to LA during the cold winter months in Seattle. This year we did just that over the New Year celebration. As 9 to 5’ers we were out of PTO and had to pick somewhere quick and easy. For us that usually means somewhere in California. The past couple of times we’ve been to LA we’ve stayed in Koreatown. It’s centrally located to everything, in a walkable neighborhood and has the best late night Korean food.

These photographs are shot on my Diana with Lomography Color Film. I wanted to show LA in a retro and colorful way; just how I've envision it. These images are of LACMA, the streets of Koreatown and in the back of the Uber cruising by beautiful homes.

Off Duty Details

I came across this blog post and it inspired me to dust off my Diana, load her up with some Kodak film and take her out for a night out around town. I forget how easy she can be: light as a feather, simple to shoot and extremely low maintenance; I can quickly toss her over my shoulder and off I go. If you've been following along on instagram, you'll notice I did this all of last week. While off duty I brought her along to capture details of my evenings. Last week was also the perfect week to do so; we had temperatures in the high 80's which meant lots of time spent outdoors walking around the city, dining out and drinking delicious summer drinks such as bubble tea!

Notes on Double Exposure

I love shooting double exposure on the Diana after this beautiful mistake. You aren't quite sure what you'll get which builds much anticipation while waiting to get your scans back from the lab.

A double exposure is exactly what it sounds like: exposing the same frame with two different images. The first image I consider the base or foundation, is shot on a setting lower than I would normally shoot (under-expose) to capture the shadows. I will make a mental note of the shadows for the next image and this is important because the shadows or darker areas of the first photo will allow details on the second image to come through; I will usually over-expose the second image.

My favorite photo is the following double exposure of me and the Seattle Great Wheel. My beau took the first photo me against a red brick wall and when we reached Victor Steinbrueck Park, I took the second photo of the Seattle Great Wheel over his image. When I showed him this photo, he said, 'this is a great representation of a girl in the city', (among other inappropriate observations I will not mention on here). 

Notes on *Camera Setting 

The Shutter Speed Switch located on the top of the Lens has two settings: "N" and "B". Use N mode when you are shooting in sunny conditions or switch the B mode when you are shooting indoors or in low light.

On the bottom of the Lens is the Aperture Setting. This controls how wide the shutter opens. There are four settings available. Three of them match the outdoor weather conditions: sun, partial clouds and full clouds. The fourth one, "P," is for pinhole shots.

*source: http://microsites.lomography.com/diana/getting-started/ 

My hands are not steady enough to shoot on bulb mode. Most of the photos I shot on bulb turned out blurry - not in the cool retro sort of way either - more as in, did a two year old get a hold of my camera? way. I think I will keep my shutter speed on Normal from now on. 

The more I spend time shooting the more I realize how natural it is for me to observe my surroundings or moments through photography. It makes me so happy to be able to roam around the city with my camera in hand. There is always that little voice inside me nudging me to pick up my camera. The more I listen to it, the stronger it gets and the stronger my ability to do only those things I love become. 

Developed and Scanned at Panda Lab

#TBT // Triple Exposure

Walla Walla & Pike Place Market // Diana F+

This throwback Thursday is dedicated to my very first attempt at a double exposure on my Diana. It wasn't until recently I realized this photo was actually a triple exposure. I must have forgotten at the time I was at Pike Place Market because I attempted to take another double exposure. Mistakes on film are so forgiving and are always my favorite kind of mistakes. 

Monday Blues

Double Exposure // Seattle Center Fountain & Trees

After a jammed pack three day weekend celebrating the 4th of July I suffered the worse case of the Monday Blues today. Surprisingly this morning I woke up earlier than usual and headed into work however once at my desk and loaded with coffee my mind had the hardest time focusing. Instead of plugging away at my heavy to do list my mind was on my beau. For some reason my heart tugged with thoughts and wishes of being with him more so than finishing any urgent task or deadline. I fought these feelings until noon when I finally gave in to some lunch. On my way to grab something to eat I sent him a quick text to wish him a great day. Maybe I was too hungry to concentrate I thought. Three hours after finishing (the only thing so far in my day) my lunch and a text message with a line of anything heart and kisses emoji from my beau (yes, I love emojis) I still couldn’t concentrate so I resorted to my least favorite but always successful option: a run. Three miles later and I muster the willpower to return to my desk and finish a few important things. A few hours goes by and I see my phone light up from the corner of my eye. It’s a message from my beau asking about dinner plans tonight. Is it possible that something so mundane can make me so happy? Yes! I grab my things and call it a day.

Diana in London

It was fate that she and I would meet someday. my pretty Diana F+ that is. One Sunday afternoon I found her at the museum shop. There she was beautifully boxed up and on clearance! I was instantly in love with her and felt it was serendipity! That was almost two years ago. I don't bring her out enough to play but I did bring her to London with me. How appropriate right? Diana in London. She's light, travels easily, fun to shoot and always conversation starter for strangers and how can she not be? She's a Diana.