Rabbit

3 from today

2012-01-27T23:06:00.000-08:00

Here are three type 55 portraits from St Johns today. First is Shannon and Elliott,

second is Michaela, Adrienne and Julia,

and third is Lee.

Exciting News: New Type 55 portraits

2012-01-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I have some very exciting news: Blue Sky Gallery in Portland has selected my North Portland Polaroid series for a solo show in July 2012! I plan on exhibiting approximately 30 11x14 enlargements from this ongoing series. On top of that, another amazing piece of news -- I have been gifted another 11 boxes (220 sheets) of this Polaroid Type 55 film. Crazy, huh?! The stuff sells for as much as $200 per box on ebay, and I have 11 boxes given to me -- what a blessing!

So, now I need to get out and keep shooting this stuff, huh?! Well here are five from yesterday: first is Nate with his bicycle,

next is Dave waiting for the bus,

next is Shelly & Sylvia, out talking to people about God (Jehovah's Witnesses),

next is Rose taking a break from working at Burgerville,

and last is Carolyn and Jim, out directing traffic on Lombard while the gas company works on a gas line.

one from today; nice article in the Oregonian

2011-12-30T21:08:00.001-08:00

The rain stopped for a moment late this afternoon and I walked about a block from my house and found Grace with her dog Dante.

There's going to be a nice article in tomorrow's Oregonian about my
North Portland Polaroids project that describes the process pretty
well. To view the article click here, or click the screen grab below:

a new shot, and a new web gallery

2011-12-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

I shot one portrait yesterday right in front of my house. This is
Andrea and her daughter Gillian (in her new, old-fashioned toy truck
that she got for Christmas).

And I just created a web gallery of all my favorite Type 55 Portraits from North Portland that I've shot over the last 6 months. Please have a look. Click here. Or click on the screen grab below:

Best wishes & Happy New Year!

christmas eve

2011-12-24T20:42:00.001-08:00

Here are few from St Johns today. First is Badger and Lucy,

next is Alabama and her father Gracen,

next is Woody,

and Barabara,

and Charlie.

And two from yesterday. First is Quintin, Madison & Baylee,

and this is Rose & Zack. Happy Holidays!

4 new st johns portraits

2011-12-22T17:56:00.001-08:00

Here's 4 Type 55 portraits from last couple of days. First is Anathea,

next is Julie,

next is Mikey,

and last is Jason.

christmas days

2011-12-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

St Johns is feeling more festive. Here are three from today: first is Max,

next is Jazzmin and her mother Collette,

and last is Eugene.

2 more from St Johns

2011-12-18T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here are two Type 55's from today. First is a group of teens at a bus
stop on Lombard. From left to right: Allie, Nick, Chris, Edgar, Kyle
and Xavier.

The second shot is of Darlette, also waiting at the same bus stop.

two more Polaroid portraits from yesterday

2011-12-13T22:02:00.001-08:00

here are two more from yesterday. 1st is Al on his bike on Lombard...

and next is Jim in front of the Plaid Pantry.

5 new type 55 portraits from st johns

2011-12-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Shot these all in the last few days. First is Fabian, shot at the Pier Park skate park.

Next is Franklin, outside The Wishing Well.

Next is Jeffrey, Jasmine and Lindsey wearing furry hats on Lombard;

followed by a shot of Laura.

And last is Rie, sitting in front of Slim's.

Bob & the Puddle Cutters

2011-12-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

I shot 2 portraits today. First, only a block from my house:
here is Bob, leader of the biker (scooter) pack called the
"Puddle Cutters."

... and here is Meghan, in my back yard.

sunny days in st johns

2011-12-02T19:08:00.001-08:00

The sun has busted out for the last couple of days here in Portland. I
shot these 4 Polaroid Type 55 portraits today here in St Johns. First
is Maria, sweeping up in front of Slim's.

Next is Mike, cleaning the windows on the bike shop down near the curve where you enter St Johns.

Next is Hannah,

and last is Sandra and her son Sebastian.

3 Polaroid type 55's from today

2011-11-29T20:54:00.001-08:00

I shot three 4x5 Polaroid portraits on a walk today in St Johns. the first is Saul,

next is Jordan and her dog Avery,

and last is Erin, Bobby and Anna.

Chory in St Johns

2011-11-29T07:37:00.001-08:00

I went out just before sunset yesterday (3:30pm) to look for a street
portrait and found Chory in front of Anna Bannana's. I like the leave
falling behind his head on the top right.

2 new type 55 portraits

2011-11-18T17:02:00.001-08:00

Friday is my day to shoot, and I managed to get out with the 4x5 camera
and snap a couple this morning in St. Johns. The first is Francisco and
Walt.

Next is Nick.

Lisa this afternoon in St Johns

2011-11-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

I went for a walk this afternoon, shot 2 people, three shots, only one
came out. This is Lisa. I didn't ask her to show me her magazines, but
that's just how she decided to pose.

2 Polaroid Type 55's from St Johns this afternoon

2011-11-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

I went out for a short walk to meet a friend this late afternoon, shot
these two portraits with my 4x5 on the way. first is Emily,

...second is Christa.

The 45th Parallel: upcoming exhibit, opening reception

2011-10-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,
I'm having a big show at Newspace Center for Photography opening November 4th. Hope you can make it to the opening and come back to visit the work often during the month of November! Above is the postcard, below are the details (from our press release):
Author Lisa Wells, and photographer Bobby Abrahamson have teamed up to document struggling small towns in rural Oregon. On Friday November 4th, from 6-9pm, they will present the result of their collaboration, The 45th Parallel, at the Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, Oregon. Nick Jaina will play a solo set, the author will read from her manuscript, and the photographer will discuss his prints. This project is supported by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council.

Newspace Center for Photography
1632 SE 10th Avenue Portland, OR 97214
503-963-1935
www.newspacephoto.org

Exhibit runs from November 4th - November 27th
OPENING RECEPTION AND READING:
Friday, November 4th, 6 - 9pm

GALLERY HOURS
Monday - Thursday, 10am - 8pm
Friday - Sunday 10am - 6pm
First Fridays until 9pm

The 45th Parallel profiles three endangered rural towns in Oregon, focusing on economic depression and rising energy deficits that render rural life increasingly more difficult to sustain. The series includes interviews with local residents, essays by author Lisa Wells, and portraits of residents by photographer Bobby Abrahamson. On November 4th Wells and Abrahamson will give a Q & A, and Wells will read from her manuscript. Abrahamson’s prints will be on display in the Newspace Center for Photography’s Special Exhibitions Gallery through November 27th.

Lisa Wells
Lisa Wells lives in Portland, OR. A writer whom Derrick Jensen calls “an extraordinary young talent,” Her first book, Yeah. No. Totally. was released this summer by Perfect Day Publishing. Wells has previously published in Coldfront, Gently Read, The Nervous Breakdown, Plazm,Ecotone, Dunes Review and 400 Words. She’s received fellowships from Caldera Arts, Hypatia House, and the Vermont Studio Center.

Bobby Abrahamson
Bobby Abrahamson, is a documentary photographer living in Portland, Oregon. His career has included countless solo and group shows across the globe. He's shot for TIME, Fortune, and The New York Times, among others. He has an M.A. in Media Studies from The New School, with a focus on documentary history, theory and criticism. His book, One Summer Across America, was described as; a perfectly sequenced exploration of the American character, expressed not by isolation, but landscape, partnership, and belonging.

a couple new type 55 portraits from st johns

2011-10-28T04:24:00.000-07:00

I got out today before the rain and shot a couple of shots in my
neighborhood with the 4x5 camera. First shot is of Riis and Chris.

2nd shot is of Tanya with her dog Amicus.

4 new Type 55 portraits

2011-10-18T08:28:00.001-07:00

Despite a hectic schedule with teaching and getting ready for my
upcoming show at Newspace, I have managed to get out and shoot a few
new Type 55 portraits over the last couple of days. Here they are.
First is Davey, a bartender at a local bar in St. Johns.

Next are a couple of her customers -- Ardy and Penny.

Next is Jake at Pier Park skate park (unfortunately another solarized negative).

And last is my good friend Julie (not the most flattering shot of her - but it does have some appeal to me).

nice article about my talk

2011-10-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice little write-up about my talk on Thursday night at Newspace in this online Portland entertainment site "bePortland." Have a read, and see my smiling, goofy face!

Jason & Oscar

2011-10-07T22:55:00.000-07:00

This is Jason and his parrot Oscar in St. Johns this afternoon.

more polaroids

2011-10-04T19:30:00.001-07:00

I was gifted another 20 sheets of Polaroid Type 55. Here are three from
the last few days. First one is from today, I saw these young men
walking down Lombard, asked to snap a 4x5 Polaroid of them. From the
left, they are Jordan, Terae and Cameron. I asked them why they were
dressed up, they said they are Jehova's Witnesses.

This is Tommy and Amber on my block, just a couple of days ago:

this one is Lex D. was such a good shot, but I didn't let it develop long enough and it got solarized.

and last, this is Nick, on Lombard -- the first sheet I shot to test the new film. looks good!

3 more from St Johns

2011-09-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm having good luck with my remaining Polaroids -- shot 1 yesterday and 2 today -- and all of them came out! From today: first is Jake and his dog Daisy (he runs the St Johns film camera shop and photo lab called Blue Moon):
second
(also from today) is Wayne and Vikki (I shot Wayne before, alone, but
couldn't refuse his request to get one of him with his friend):

and last, from yesterday, is Jay and his Austin Healey (up on jack stands in front of his shop in St Johns):
I
have 4 sheets left, but they really feel like there is no chemistry
left in them to develop the picture -- but with my luck I had today
I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Lila

2011-09-25T10:47:00.001-07:00

Looks like I'm almost out of the 4x5 Polaroid Type 55 film. maybe I
have a few more sheets that will work. Here are 3 of Lila. shot her on
Wednesday night, but only half the photo came out (that's the 3rd one).
Then again last night, with better results. If anyone knows where I can
get my hands on more of this film, I'll be happy to pay for it! I'm
addicted to this stuff!!

Jennifer

2011-09-17T10:46:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of Polaroids of Jennifer from her "going away party" last night. First a color type 59:

then a black & white type 55:

two from St Johns this afternoon

2011-09-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

I shot these around 1:30, about 2 hours ago. Nothing like Polaroids for instant fun. First is Chadwick.

Second is Lisa.

(too bad that part of Lisa didn't come out!) Both in St. Johns in front of the St. Johns Cinema.

Alys

2011-09-13T22:52:00.001-07:00

This is Alys (visiting Portland from England), photographed on the North Park Blocks today. Definitely not the most flattering moment,but maybe there is something there that is compelling.... ?

two from Kelly Point

2011-09-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

I went back to Kelly Point today. shot a 4 sheets of film that didn't
work, but two type 55's did come out. first is Gabbi and Nate.

Next is Chris and Kelsey.

some new type 55 portraits

2011-09-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some more Polaroid Type 55 shots from the last couple of days. First is Mary Lou in the center of St. Johns yesterday.

Next are two shots of neighbors on my street that I just met (and asked to photograph): Kristina and her daughter Leah.

The last two are from Kelly Point Park, just a few miles from my house. Tim and Lisa in their speed boat on the Columbia.

And here's a group of kids yesterday who had gathered for this
weekend's "Hempstalk" festival at Kelly Point to celebrate/adovocate
for the legalization of marijuana.

Meghan

2011-09-08T22:18:00.001-07:00

These are photos from June at the Rose Festival here in Portland. Finally getting around to posting them. I had been contacted by the subject: Meghan. She had seen some photos I had shot of another model and liked my work, and told me she was coming to town (from California) and asked if I'd be interested in shooting a few photos. I offered her a trade: photos on a CD and print, in exchange for modeling for me. I suggested we go to the Rose Festival to get something that felt more honest and natural than the typical studio shots.

2 new Polaroid Type 55 portraits

2011-09-07T10:02:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple new Polaroid Type 55 portraits. First is Sarah in the
North Park Blocks yesterday -- her flip flop blew out so she was
walking on one bare foot.

Second is Benjamin and his dog Arrow at Pier Park in North Portland on Monday, near my house.

new polaroid portrait

2011-09-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

I just shot this 4x5 Polaroid this morning, of David Warren here in St.
Johns. Nice to be home and have a few more sheets of this stuff to
shoot! So different than shooting on the fly with my leica on the
streets of Europe!

New Photos from Europe

2011-08-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

I just returned from 16 days in Europe. Here are some of my favorites
so far. Almost all of these are from Paris, except the ones listed as
from other cities.

(image below is from a cemetery in Amsterdam)

(image below is from Amsterdam)

(image below is from Hamburg)

two from Lombard in St Johns

2011-08-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

I was gifted another 26 sheets of Polaroid Type 55 -- lucky me! here
are a couple more portraits from St. Johns today. This first shot is of
Tim and Dave, picking up a growler of beer at Plew's Brews on Lombard.

And next is Wayne (a different Wayne than the barber) -- out having smoke in front of a bar.

a shot from this morning

2011-08-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

I was walking up to the library this morning with my 4x5 across my
shoulder, saw this couple, Michael and Kathleen. I think I must have
bumped the camera loading the film, or something, because the framing
is a little off-center. Oh well,... with one shot only, you have to
take what you can get! (and actually, I did shoot 2 frames with my
rollei, so I will develop those later and maybe have a chance for
something better!)

a few more 4x5 Polaroids

2011-08-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

I went to Newspace Center for Photography tonight for the opening of
the Blue Moon Camera & Machine staff show, and shot a couple more
Polaroid type 55s, and a few other 4x5 polaroids including a few color
sheets. Here are the three I like the best. First is a color shot is
Julia Dolan, the Curator of Photography at the Portland Art Museum, and
Jake Shivery, proprietor of Blue Moon (shot on type 59 color 4x5
Polaroid).

Next is Lyla:

and then Kendall (both employees of Blue Moon, both shot on type 55 film).

and here's a color type 59 of Lyla

one more Polaroid from this morning

2011-08-05T16:40:00.001-07:00

Someone gave me another 9 sheets of Type 55, so I tried one out this
morning to see if it would work (since this stuff is expired and out of
production many times the chemicals in them are dead). It worked
beautifully! This is Mark, who works at the neighborhood (St. Johns)
analog camera shop called Blue Moon Camera & Machine.

2 more Polaroid 4x5's, two to go

2011-07-30T22:31:00.001-07:00

I'm down to my last two polaroids. shot these two today at a block
party on my street. first one is Boston. Second is Trevor with his
daughter Georgia.

a bunch of new photos!

2011-07-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 rolleiflex portraits, most of these folks you saw before in
4x5. First is Vallerie with her boyfriend Johnny (they are both
homeless, living on the streets somewhere in St. Johns)...

...next is Rie, who is a kind of self-professed community leader and business woman here in St. Johns.

Next is Anni at my photo group meeting...

and last of these Rollei shots is Eric, also homeless, shot early in the morning outside the 7-eleven in St. Johns.

Here are 3 Polaroid Type 55 portraits from today. First is Wayne (90 years old) barber in St. Johns...

next is Wayne cutting Ernie's hair at his barber shop in St. Johns.

Next is Kate (in center) on the street in St. Johns, baby sitting for
Ashley (age 8, on left), Kayla (age 6, on Kate's shoulders), and Cody
(age 3) on the right.

I've also included a 35mm shot of Kate and the kids below.
I
like the Polaroid shot above better, but I looked at the Polaroid
negative with a lupe, and realized I blew it, it's not sharp at all. it
works fine as a contact print, but will never be able to enlarge it
worth a damn. what a shame. but I did shoot it also in 35mm. Funny how
the much smaller negative will likely enlarge a lot better than the
huge negative. oh well.

I also played around with a point and shoot waterproof camera at the
community swimming pool here in St. Johns a couple of days ago. here
are some of the better shoots. unfortunately, the camera wasn't
completely waterproof, so my film got wet. I still managed to develop
it, and the camera still appears to work, so I might have to give this
another try. I like these! you can see me in there about middle of the
way down!

A couple new 4x5 portraits

2011-07-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple new 4x5 Polaroid portraits. First, this is Vallerie.
shot late this afternoon with the 4x5 camera on Lombard in St. Johns.

and this is Eric, on Lombard this morning, next to the 7-Eleven.

rolleiflex shots

2011-07-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some rolleiflex images from my "portrait a day" series -- a
couple people who I shot with the 4x5 Polaroids, and a couple new
people. I think I actually like these better than the Polaroids -- they feel
more spontaneous and charged with emotions than the large format shots.

Lindsay

Gary

Steve & Kendra

Henry

a few more 4x5 portraits

2011-07-21T19:19:00.001-07:00

Here are few more 4x5 portraits with the now almost extinct Polaroid
Type 55 film. First one: I went out on a quick 15 minute mission to
shoot a sheet of 4x5 film last night, and almost immediately saw this
couple, and asked if I could take their picture. This is Steve and
Kendra. They said they are engaged to be married. I like this one a
lot!

... this below is Gary, photographed Tuesday in front of Blue Sky Gallery in the North Park blocks...

Next, my neighbors across the street: Rory and his mother Scarlett...

next, a different image of Jewel (I like the first one I posted below
better, but this one is pretty good too -- although I should have
cleaned the rollers before pulling the film, that's why there is a mark
on her face).

and last, Annie at our bi-weekly photo group meeting at Jewel's house.

self-portrait with type 55 film

2011-07-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

shot a self-portrait today with the 4x5 -- polaroid type 55 film.
didn't slide the envelope back down all the way, got a little light
leak at the bottom of negative (top of image). what an intensely
serious dude!

more new portraits

2011-07-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some more recent shots from my "portrait-a-day" series, all
shot with my rollei (except the first, which was shot on 4x5 polaroid
type 55 film).
First is Ryan

then a couple of shots of Jade and Kate in my neighborhood

then a kid down under the St. Johns Bridge (didn't get his name)

then a shot of Leah as "Tank Girl," (different from the one posted a few days ago)

then a shot of Cameron at the Sandy River (also a different version from the one posted a few days ago)

next 3 surfers at Oswald West

, and last a self-portrait in St. Johns.

a person a day

2011-07-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

I've been shooting at least one person a day this summer. here are a few of my favorites portraits so far...

Jewel

Leah

Jennifer Toxic

Cameron

?? (I think the dog's name is Denko, or something like that)...

Derek

and Meghan.

Small town Oregon project landscapes

2011-06-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've developed all the rest of the film, and scanned what I think
to be the strongest. Here are some landscape shots.

First is an early morning shot of a ranch on the road heading south
from Burns toward the Steens mountains (going to Fields). The next is
the highway with the Steens in the distance. The third is on the loop
around the Steens to the west, deer crossing the highway in front of my
truck. Fourth is sunrise at the Alvord Hotsprings (that is supposed to
be the Alvord Desert in the background, but because of so much rain and
snow it was actually a lake while I was there!). Next, a view looking
west back toward the Steens with the structure of the hotsprings in the
foreground. And last of this bunch, one more view of Alvord hotsprings
with the dirt highway running north to the east of the Steens.

Here are a couple of shots from Fields, first is of the stream that
runs next to the motel, and the second is of the abandoned swimming
pool behind the motel.

Here's a few more vertical landscapes of things I saw while driving
around. First is a bowling alley sign in Baker City, second is at a gas
station in Burns, and last is of a sign for a motel and grocery store
in John Day, or perhaps it was in Canyon City just a mile south.

Here's a couple from Hells Canyon Dam. First, looking upstream (Snake
River) toward the dam through my windshield, and second, above the dam,
looking up stream again, lots of wood and debris that had floated
downstream, up against the dam.

...and last for today, some shots of buildings, mostly all dilapidated
(except the first). This first is the home of Roy Mercer in Long Creek
(I had coffee with him in front of his wood stove early in the morning
while he talked to me about Jesus, and his views of what's gone wrong
with the world today); second is of an dilapidated service station in
Fox (just 8 miles to the south of Long Creek); third is an abandoned
building in the ghost town of Cornucopia, just above the town of
Halfway -- an old mining ghost town up in the Wallowa Mountains; and
last is a abandoned house a few miles north of Mitchell.

Fields, Halfway and Long Creek, Oregon

2011-06-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from a week shooting the small town Oregon project (I am
working on this project with Portland writer Lisa Wells, we received a Regional Arts & Culture Council
project grant to document a few very small towns in central and eastern
Oregon) -- I drove 1700 miles and visited 4 small towns. I shot more
than 25 rolls of film. And, for the first time in a long time, shot a
lot of medium format film on my Rolleiflex. I developed 12 rolls so
far, here are the best portraits with the Rollei from Fields, Oregon.
First (below) is Mike Ensley...

then Cindy Hoagland...

then Amanda in the tiny town of Diamond (about 60 miles from Fields)...

next is John Hodges...

and the last one from Fields is of Lorin (picking up his mail at the
Fields' post office, which also serves as the town's store, motel and
cafe).

The next 3 are from Long Creek (sometimes pronounced "Long Crick") --
first one is of Sandi and her great grandson Austin (age 4), and puppy
"Token"....

next is Mayor and Fire Chief Don Porter...

and last from Long Creek is Roy Mercer (who shared and early morning cup of coffee with me in front of his wood stove fire).

The last two are from Halfway: first is local ski guide & fire jumper Jordan Manley and his dog "Snag"...

and the second is Scott in one of the two Halfway bars enjoying an afternoon beer.

more from Oregon small towns

2011-06-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

These first 2 are from Fields, but actually 20 miles to the south in
Denio, NV at the Diamond Inn Bar, the closest place to buy a beer after
6pm. They let kids in the place even though it's really just a bar. Lots
of cussing, dipping tabacco, and cowboy hats!

...a toddler taking a peek in at me in a grocery story in Halfway...

Next, Lonnie and Vanessa sharing a cup of coffee in Halfway.

Next is Hugh and Skeeter sharing breakfast in Mitchell.

Next are four ranch-hands at the counter in Fields (left to right:
Jana, Mia, Amanda & Matt; they work at the Alvord Ranch up the road
from Fields);

and last, back on the Ensley's property -- Mike Ensely's wife Kelli walking with a neighbor...

and these next ones -- I would put them more in the landscape category, all from the general vicinity of Fields.

...finally, a 35mm, and then a 120 version of Mike Ensley's family at their home.

Timely series of photos by Ryan Brubaker on Internet sex/voyeurism

2011-06-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

(screen captures by John Ryan Brubaker)
Given the recent story about Rep. Anthony Weiner, you really should take a look at this photographic project about random strangers meeting on the internet by photographer John Ryan Brubaker (click here).
These are screen grabs by Ryan from a site that strangers can go to
meet each other to talk, look at each other in live video feeds, etc.
Please take a look, it's very striking work, and very timely!

3 new street portraits

2011-05-29T18:47:00.001-07:00

I went for a long walk yesterday -- here is the best of what I shot.
First 2 are of Hannah (which do you like better?) -- and the 3rd one is
of Josh.

odd things

2011-05-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

here are few odd things I photographed yesterday...

and some other miscelaneous stuff...

...and this last shot is Rochelle & Tyler watching skateboarders at Pier Park.

some new street shots

2011-05-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

I finally shot and developed 8 more rolls -- here's a couple street
portraits that I like.

here are two more people shots from those same 8 rolls: first is a
mother & daughter inside my neighborhood Fred Meyer's giving away
kittens for Mother's Day.

second is Bob Gervais, local photographer, and a co-member of the photo group 'Lightleak' that I belong to.

and a few more off the same film. some fragments of portland...

stay tuned, school is almost out -- I'll be shooting and processing a lot more soon!

My New York Film on YouTube

2011-05-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

I just spent some time posting my super-8 movie New York 1994 on YouTube. Please have a look! (it's in 2 parts)

Here's Part 1:

Here's Part 2:

Recent photos

2011-05-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy with teaching and moving into my new house, I haven't
had a chance to post since the end of March! So here are some older
photos that I've been meaning to share. These first few are of my
ex-girlfriend Maya. Here, in this first, is her holding my birthday cake
(back on Feb. 26th; I turned 45!). She and my other friends at my
birthday party waiting for me to make a wish and blow them out!

this one below is one of the first shots I made of Maya, when we were just getting to know each other...

Maya looking back at me during one of our Photo Salon meetings at Newspace...

and these next couple of shots from a trip to Astoria in March...

and this last shot is actually near the town of Svensen, Oregon...

more from Mitchell

2011-03-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

I went back for my second trip to Mitchell this past Thursday thru
Sunday. I shot 12 rolls of film. Here are some of my favorites so far.
This first is a view of the town from the hill across Highway 26.

(if you missed my earlier post, then you might want to know I am doing
a project with local writer Lisa Wells to document 3 small Oregon towns
that are struggling to survive. Mitchell currently has a population of
approximately 170. It's located in central Oregon, between Prineville
and John Day, on Highway 26, near the Painted HIlls.)
Below, a couple of kids (Jacob & Robert) peer in to the window at
the cafe where I'm having a burger.

Laura and dog Sammie share a chat with me early on a frosty Sunday morning.

Sarah, playing make-believe war or cops & robbers games with Robert
and Jacob, hides behind the wall in front of the Little Pine Cafe.
On
my first morning in Mitchell, Hugh, the proprietor of The Oregon Hotel
(where I stayed) took me in his Jeep up to his "funny" farm -- where he
has a whole host of animals including 4 or 5 dogs, a dozen horses,
peacocks, chickens, a pig, and a pet black bear named "Henry."

Leonard "Kop" Kopcinski, age 92, walks into town from his home and rock shop across the highway.
I
went to both churches on Sunday morning. This first shot is of pastor
Curtis (right) at the Mitchell Assembly of God, leading bible study
before the regular Sunday morning service.

This second shot is at the First Baptist Church up on the hill above the town.

...and last for today, a couple of shots from the town's cemetery.

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

I just developed some more film yesterday, here's three new pictures I found appealing....

finally, some new photos!

2011-02-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

well, it's been more than a month since my last posting -- but I finally managed to scan and process a few new pictures (from film I developed 3 weeks ago!).

here is the first, from Christmas Eve on Burnside -- some sort of art installation of scores of little plastic santa's....

this one seems a little difficult to read -- but maybe it works. A bus stop in front of my apartment building on a winter's night.

here's a couple from a frosty morning about a month ago...

and these last two (above and below) from a trip on New Year's eve to Mt. Hood -- driving and and hiking along the Salmon River.

Mitchell, Oregon

2011-02-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

I made a trip in early January to Mitchell, Oregon. I have received a grant from the Region Arts and Culture Council to work with local writer Lisa Wells to document a few small, endangered towns in Oregon. This was my first trip -- and I only had a little more than a day there, but at least it's a start. Many more trips to come...

this first shot is of Hugh and Skeeter, who run the Oregon Hotel in Mitchell.

Hugh and his cat at the town gas station (which he also runs)...

Terry Quant, the mayor of Mitchell, who also runs TJ Consignment shop...

A view out of the window of the Oregon Hotel

a landscape shot of Mitchell...

here's an old abandoned house along the highway going to Mitchell, somewhere between Wasco and Fossil....

and this is the highway that leads from Mitchell to
the Painted Hills...

and last is a shot of the Painted Hills -- which are what Mitchell is depending on for survival -- tourists coming to visit the hills will often stop in Mitchell, the closest town.

Vivian Maier

2010-12-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've probably already discovered this story on your own, but in case you haven't -- here is a link to the amazing work of previously unknown master street photographer Vivian Maier. It's pretty unbelievable, really, that a person would work in complete obscurity, without seemingly any desire to have her work exhibited or published, and be this good. Damn, she really was a helluva street shooter!

photo by Vivian Maier, from John Maloof's blog of her work

You might also want to check out this video about how John Maloof came to find her work and start to promote it.

snowy days, night shooting

2010-12-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

I finally developed film today -- 11 rolls!! -- here a few of my favorites: These first are from this past weekend -- I went up to Caldera where I worked two winters ago, near Santiam Pass in the Cascades. These 2 from hiking through a burnt forest near the camp/artist retreat.

here's a couple driving over Santiam Pass...

It snows on the mountains, it rains in the valleys -- that's the winter here in Oregon. This shot below is from my car, pulled off to the side of the road in the town of Gates, on the drive back yesterday.

these next two from older film that I just developed -- first driving across the Fremont Bridge, the second from driving up to Forest Park to go hiking.

These are some of my photographer friends: first is Ryan and Jewel, second is Faulkner and Anni.

A bunch of us met up to shoot on one of the coldest nights a couple of weeks ago, here a two shots that I liked.

that's all for tonight.

Introducing Pacific Northwest Postcards

2010-11-29T18:23:00.000-08:00

ONLY FIVE BOX SETS LEFT!!

Introducing Pacific Northwest Postcards. This the second in my series of limited edition, handmade artist's books. But this book is a set of handmade postcards commemorating my first 5 years living in the Pacific Northwest!! There are 44 different images in this series. Each postcard is printed using archival pigment ink, glued & trimmed by hand, and signed and editioned. Each image will be printed in an edition of 40. The first 20 editions of each image will be offered as a box set of the 44 images (labeled "set 1/20," and so on...), the second 20 editions will be sold individually (labeled "single 1/20," and so on...). Postcards can be purchased individually for $4 each, or you can get the complete box set of 44 for $175. The box set comes in an archival black box (pictured below). All post cards come in archival plastic sleeves. When purchasing single cards you pick the images you want - until the edition runs out - from a gallery linked to the postcard website.

The ink is water-resistant, and they're thick and durable - so they're ready to brave the US postal system. Or, if you prefer, prop one up on a coffee table or a dresser in your home and enjoy!

Here is how the postcards are signed and editioned.

And this is what the box looks like. Nice, huh?!

For information on ordering, and to view a gallery of images, please go to the Pacific Northwest Postcard website. Feel free to email me at bobbyfoto@earthlink.net if you have any questions.

A few random images

2010-11-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a month since my last posted photos, so I figured I might as well send some of these out, even though I don't consider them super strong. I've been pretty busy with teaching lately. Anyway, these are few from various days shooting around portland -- film I developed about 3 weeks ago -- I thought they were kind of interesting.

I've been out shooting a lot with middle and high school students for the past 5 saturdays -- not really a time to shoot for myself -- since I'm mostly busy trying to keep an eye on them -- but here's a couple that are perhaps mildly interesting.

Collector's Specials for November

2010-11-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have five fabulous prints to offer for my "Collector's Specials" for November. These are five of my favorite images, including three from "One Summer Across America," and two other sentimental favorites -- all are priced 50% off their regular price. There's only one of each available at these prices, so get them while you can!!!

Mermaid Parade - Coney Island, 2001
unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 2/25 on back of print, printed 2010
$150
(please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping is extra)

Woman sleeping on bus - headed north from Key West, 2001
unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 2/25 on back of print, printed 2010
$150 sold
(please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping is extra)

(man asleep outside bar) Early morning - Las Vegas, Nevada, 2001"
unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 3/25 on back of print, printed 2010
$150
(please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping is extra)

Sofie - Portland, Oregon, 2010
unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 1/25 on back of print, printed 2010
$150 sold
(please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping is extra)

Patrick & Eileen - Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2007
unframed, 11"x14" fiber-based silver-gelatin print, signed and editioned 13/25 on back of print, printed 2007
$150
(please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping is extra)

New York

2010-10-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

I had a very quick trip to NYC last weekend, shot 9 rolls. Here are the images that I like the best.

Spawning salmon along the Salmon River

2010-10-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

I developed 9 more rolls last night. Here are some random images that I liked. This first is from a trip I made yesterday up toward Mt. Hood -- hiking along the Salmon River.

I wrote this in my journal last night:

OCTOBER ON THE SALMON RIVER
I watched a huge, old, molting salmon today
in the Salmon River
swimming against the current
holding still
yellow white bare skin across the front of its back
from its head to the middle of it back
no more color
no more scales
(do salmon have scales?)
then, quickly, turning ---
shooting downstream
---Why?----
---Did he see me?
But no --- he turns back
upstream
He doesn't know what to do,
where to go.
His life's work is done.
But here he is, still alive
on this beautiful, golden autumn day
emerald green mossy rocks
sparkling golden Indian summer sun.
There's another
could be an identical twin
same bare streak on back
tired worn look
like two sad, lonesome old confused men
in a retirement home ---- wandering aimlessly
around the nursing home grounds
muttering to themselves---
"What now?"
"What's left?"

And this, below, a random shot downtown last week...

and this is the light just outside my apartment door, in the hallway...

playing with multiple images -- this from sunset in downtown last week.

up in Welches near the Salmon river, I stopped at country club that was having a wedding at the edge of the golf course...

these next three are a few more random images from downtown Portland:

and this last one is my shadow on a trail in Forest Park.

Portland Meadows, rainy days

2010-09-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here's two shots from last weekend --- early morning at Portland Meadows horse track.

a little later, same parking lot at Portland Meadows, fog rolling in...

getting into my car one night last weekend, rainy weather back again...

a couple on a rainy night on the St. Johns Bridge.

...two things we seem to have a lot of in Portland: puddles and telephone poles.

housekeeping images

2010-09-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

I've been going through old scans -- these first two are from late last spring....

here's three more. the second is from Oregon City, the other two are from Portland.

a couple of shots from underneath bridges in Portland (I think they're both the Hawthorne Bridge).

here's a couple more from Oregon City (I went there with a group of friends/former students to shoot for the day a couple of weeks ago).

here's some shots that actually have people in them!

I couldn't put this with those other people shots -- their eyes are too big!

ok, and last for tonight, a few color shots (the third is from the Olympic Peninsula), a leftover (from Portland), and a self-portrait (under Hawthorne Br again).

Collector's Special for September

2010-09-13T17:49:00.001-07:00

I have four fabulous prints to offer for my "Collector's Specials" for September. These are four of my most popular images, including the "New York Devil" image!! All are optical darkroom prints archivally printed by me, signed & editioned on the back, and all are priced 40-60% off their usual prices. There's only one of each available at these prices, so get them while you can!!!

(please note: the second print is 16" x 20"; also, please note: I will deliver prints for free in the Portland area, elsewhere shipping charges are extra)

1) "New York Devil - New York, 1994" (unframed, 11"x14" fiber-based silver-gelatin print, signed and editioned 11/25 on back of print, printed 2004)
$225

2) "Man looking over shoulder - Guatemala, 1996" (unframed, 16"x 20" fiber-based silver-gelatin print, signed and editioned 2/25 on back of print, printed 2008)
$225

3) "(man asleep outside bar) Early morning - Las Vegas, Nevada, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 2/25 on back of print, printed 2010)
$150

4) "Woman sleeping on bus - headed north from Key West, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" Fuji Crystal Archive C-print, signed and editioned 1/25 on back of print, printed 2010)
$150

New shots of Lauren & Sofie

2010-09-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of Lauren & her friends from some B&W film I recently developed, from a party at her friends' apartment...

and from the same B&W film, here are a few more shots of Sofie.

recent pics from beach & mountains

2010-09-09T17:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Becky visited recently -- here are a few pictures from our travels together around the northwest part of the state: first to the coast (Oswald West state park, Whalen Island campground), and then through the Columbia River Gorge (stopping at Oneonta Gorge) and up to camp at Mt. Hood (Cloud Cap campground, adjacent to Cooper Spur trail).

whalen island campground road

oneonta gorge

becky climbing logs at oneonta

mt hood from road to cloud cap campground

Sofie, blue & red

2010-08-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple new color shots of Sofie from last night.

Samae & family, Jenna & Lauren

2010-08-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

I took some photos of my friend (and former girlfriend) Samae and her family Wednesday morning -- her husband Chris and baby Hazel. Here are my 4 favorites -- with the first two being my favorite favorites!

...and here below are a few black and white shots from my shoot with Jenna about a week and a half ago.

and lastly, here below are a couple new ones of Lauren.

models and more...

2010-08-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

I've shot a couple more subjects recently that I met through the Model Mayhem site. Here is Jenna -- who during our shoot decided to stop and sit on the bench in front of an assisted living building in downtown Portland. It was a strange and surreal moment - -but I don't know that the photo expresses all of that.

Here (below) are the other favorites of my color shots of Jenna. I shot 3 1/2 rolls of color of her. I still have 3 rolls of black and white of her to develop.

And here are a few shots of Court(ney) and her husband Mario. After shooting about 40 frames of color I realized I had misloaded my film -- so I never captured a lot of what I though I had gotten in color. Thankfully I had some more time, and a second camera with black and white in it that I had been shooting simultaneously.

And these last image for this posting: I went to the coast with Lauren this past weekend. Here are what I consider the best shots from that trip -- of her lying on a blanket after a picnic lunch at Oswald West State Park.

John Day River

2010-08-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

I went on a 6 day rafting trip in the end of July on the John Day River in central Oregon. Here are some shots from the trip that I just developed yesterday.

and here are a few people shots from the trip. First, our trip leader Reg Bradley early in on our first morning waking on the river.

Next, me in my tent.

And last, a mechanic that I photographed in Fossil, OR on our way to the river, when we stopped for gas.

Oregon Brew Fest

2010-08-10T11:23:00.001-07:00

In the end of July, before my trip on the John Day, I spent a couple of days tasting some really delicious beers at the Oregon Brew Fest. Here are few people shots from there.

Collector's Special for August

2010-08-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

For my "Collector's Special" for August I have an extraordinary deal! You can get an 11"x14" print of any one of these four of the most popular images (see below) from my book "One Summer Across America," each for only $150. Or you can buy all 4 for only $500 (and I'll throw in a signed copy of "One Summer Across America" too!) That's more than 50% off the regular price!!! These are Fuji Chrystal Archive "C" prints, printed by me in a color darkroom, each editioned and signed on the back. There's only one of each of these available at this price, so get them while you can!!

"Woman sleeping on bus - headed north from Key West, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" color C-print, signed and editioned 1/25 on back of print)
$150

"Welders relaxing in swimming pool - Memphis, Tennessee, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" color C-print, signed and editioned 1/25 on back of print)
$150 SOLD

"Public swimming pool - Clarksdale, Mississippi, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" color C-print, signed and editioned 1/25 on back of print)
$150 SOLD

"Cantina - Houston, Texas, 2001" (unframed, 11"x14" color C-print, signed and editioned 2/25 on back of print)
$150
Purchase all four together for only $500, and I will throw in a signed copy of "One Summer Across America."
(I will deliver in the Portland, Ore. area, elsewhere shipping charges are additional)

Lauren, Bob & Melissa, Mabel & Luis

2010-07-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

I've had 3 shoots over the last two days, and developed 13 rolls of film today. Here are three color shots of Lauren from yesterday.

...and here are three black and white shots of Lauren.

I also photographed my friends Bob & Melissa yesterday. They baked soda bread for me. Yummy!

And last for tonight, these four shots of Mabel. The last shot is with her good friend Luis. I shot these pictures this morning.

Corbin & Ashley

2010-07-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent shots of Corbin (9 months old), and her mother Ashley.

Stefani & Angela

2010-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is Stefani, another model I met through Model Mayhem. Trying to play with the idea of documentary shots using models -- looking for an emotional narrative to the images -- I think these first couple have that.

...and these next two with her friend Angela -- I think the second one maybe is stronger with that look Angela's giving Stefani... ?

And these last three below seem a little more predicatable, but perhaps still good... ?

Last scans from SE Asia

2010-07-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been too long for me to get to these, but I finally scanned some more shots from my trip this past winter to SE Asia -- and adjusted some others that I had only scanned and then filed away during my busy spring. Here's my favorite, from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It's a shame that my rangefinder was out on my camera, so I had to guess the focus, and I missed my mark by focusing a little too close.

...and here (below) is 3 shots from Vigan, Philippines

and here (below) is four shots from Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. the first three are from the port, last is of a woman selling tickets for the mini-bus ride up to Mt. Kinabalu park.

this one below is from a bus window riding from Kota Kinabalu to Mt . Kinabalu

these next two are from Malaysia -- first on the monorail in Kuala Lumpur, and next from train headed from Thailand to Kuala Lumpur.

next bunch (below) are from Thailand. First one is in Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand, followed by a shot of a motorcycle on the main road in Chiang Rai at night, followed by a woman hanging on to the back of a truck at the Chiang Mai bus station.

And this one below is on the beach in my tent at sunset in Ko Tarutao.

Ok, I know this was a lot. Just trying to get through the rest of them, so I can move on to newer stuff. The first out of these is in Angeles City, Philippines: world famous for it's enormous sex industry -- this was only shot I troubled myself to make -- not the best one, but does capture the energy on the street there at night.

...next is cockfighters in Palawan, Philippines....

this next one below is an early morning scene along a river in Bontoc, Philippines...

...and this next one is folks loading a bag onto the top of a bus in the Philippines...

this boat shot is on an island of the coast in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines...

...and the last shot is of me (and Patricia in the background) in a mirror in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Collector's Specials for July

2010-07-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since I have offered a "Collector's Special" -- so for July I have four fabulous prints to offer. Each one is for sale for the bargain price of only $175. That's 40% off the usual price I ask for them. They are all archivally processed, silver-gelatin fiber-based prints -- printed, editioned & signed by me. There's only one of each available at this price, so get them while you can!

"Phongasli, Laos (fence & shadow), 2001"
11"x14" silver-gelatin fiber-based archival print
printed in 2002, editioned 3/25,
$175 (unframed)
I will deliver in the Portland area for free, shipping elsewhere costs extra.

"'Girl riding toy train, Guatemala, 1996"
printed in 1997, editioned 3/25,
11" x 14" archival processed, fiber-based silver-gelatin print
$175 (unframed)
(I will deliver in the Portland area for free. shipping to areas outside of Portland is extra.)

"Couple kissing in Santa Fe, NM, 2007"
printed in 2007, editioned 13/25,
11" x 14" archival processed, fiber-based silver-gelatin print
$175 (unframed)
(I will deliver in the Portland area for free. shipping to areas outside of Portland is extra.)

"Lex and Love, outside the Rose Festival - Portland, Oregon 2008"
11" x 14" archival processed, fiber-based silver-gelatin print
printed 2009, editioned 2/25
$175 (unframed)
(I will deliver in the Portland area for free. shipping to areas outside of Portland is extra.)

Sofie, and other recent shots

2010-07-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

I joined a social networking site for models and photographers called Model Mayhem, and shot my first model this past Monday morning. Perfect gray Portland light. Here are some of my best shots. Her name is Sofie.

Here she is with her boyfriend Eric.

I shot a couple rolls of color too...

and here's 3 other recent shots.

4th of July Parade in Estacada

2010-07-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

I went to a 4th of July parade in Estacada, OR this past weekend. Here's some quick scans (they could use a little more work in Photoshop). Lots of fun! I love small town 4th of July parades!

I almost forgot, this nice shot of a waitress in a Chinese restaurant watching the parade through the blinds. Of course she watching me in this shot.

New photos from Portland

2010-06-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've finally managed to shoot and develop some new film. I'm just getting past the end of the school year and some personal changes that consumed most of my creative time over the past month. Now I'm hoping to spend a lot more time this summer working on my photography.
Here are a few pictures that I scanned last night. These first few are from the Rose Festival on the one night I managed to get out there to shoot. I like the one of kid with the dog and the girl looking at me from behind the counter the best.

And next a couple of shots from a walk to downtown on Tuesday. The first below is at a microbrew pub called The Tugboat: the bartender cleaning the popcorn machine.

Next one below is Ryan and Veronika near Pioneer Square.

And the last for today: this one below was at a bus stop -- I was having a beer with my friend Harley (who was in from NYC) and snapped this woman waiting for a bus through the bar booth window.

Next, on a walk in North Portland -- saw this strange sign in the a store window.

And last, below, from behind an old industrial building near the St. Johns Bridge.

...hoping to get more shot and scanned soon!

More color shots from Portland

2010-05-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more color film shots from last week of downtown Portland: late afternoon, folks walking down the street....

and this one below shot thru bottles at the restaurant/bar that is part of the Ace Hotel -- I think it's called Clyde Common.

Photo Booth: Romo & Monique

2010-05-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

I was out walking around downtown Portland in the rainy-then-sunny, brisk late, late afternoon light last Tuesday -- and happened into the Ace Hotel lobby, reminded once I walked inside that they have a photo booth there. Since I was in my "shooting frame of mind" -- where 'everything is a photogaph' -- and any moment with even the least possibility must be recorded -- I felt required to go into the booth and shoot myself.

As soon as the pictures were shot I knew what I needed to do -- find a subject willing to pose for me inside the booth -- I looked around the lobby -- not really anyone who tickled my visual fancy -- but as soon as I was leaving -- I spotted Romo and Monique.

I ran up to them and showed them my still wet strip of self-portraits. (We were complete strangers to each other). I said: "Hey, did you guys know there is a photo booth in the Ace Hotel?! Look at these shots I just did of myself!" They said, "No." they didn't know that -- looking at me a bit strange -- trying to size me up and figure out what I wanted. So I told them I am a photographer, and asked them if I could take a picture of them in the booth -- if I did two sets -- keeping the first for myself, and giving the second to them. They agreed.
As they were posing in the booth I snapped this shot above, and next to that is a shot I took of the second strip of photos of them that I gave them (since I would never get to see it again, they offered to let me photograh it.)

Below are three shots I took of them afterwards on the street -- the first two were way underexposed. I don't know if I really like any of them that much -- there seemed to be so much more energy in the moment that I failed to capture on film. (That happens a lot!)

New color pics

2010-05-01T07:59:00.001-07:00

I've been shooting a little color film lately. Here are three pictures that caught my interest. The first is from a school playground (for some reason I like this one a lot)....

- the next two are from a nearby park that had a fire in the woods -- spectators watching firemen put out the fire...

then a shot of hose from the fire truck.

Kota Kinabalu grocery store

2010-04-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

I only have one new picture to share for today (from new film developed last night), this from Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), outside of a grocery store.

I only have 2 more rolls to develop. Now to go back through all the rolls I've already processed and look for more shots that I passed over on the first edit. Stay tuned.....

Six more from SE Asia

2010-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have six photos to share today (from the film that I've already scanned -- there are still more shots that I haven't scanned or developed yet):

first, this is a picture from Bontoc in the Philippines, elementary school students outside their school early in the morning.

next, from the bus window at the Arcade bus station in Chiang Mai, Thailand, late day light, a dog wandering across the cement.

This third one is from Ko Tarutao Nat'l Park (an island) off the southwest Thai coast.

next is from a bus station in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo -- shot thru the bus windshield -- I was waiting for bus to depart. I'm not sure what the guy with the microphone was selling, but he kept shouting over a little PA system about something.

fifth is a shot of monks lining up on the street of Mae Hong Son in Northwest Thailand -- very early in the morning -- they are wearing white for some special ceremony -- I think they were all headed to Bangkok for some special gathering of former & current monks from all over the country (Thailand). At least, that's how it was explained to me.

and last for today, a woman carry a plant on the train station platform, somewhere between Bangkok and Chiang Mai -- Patricia and I on the train headed to Chiang Mai.

I hope to develop and scan more soon.

Lots of new shots from SE Asia

2010-04-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

So I developed 8 more rolls yesterday. Now I have 53 of the 59 rolls I shot on my trip developed. And I scanned a bunch last night -- and have quite a few scans from before that I finally got around to adjusting last night and this morning -- so here comes a bunch of my favorites.

These first two are from the bus station in Luang Prabang, Laos -- Patricia and I were getting ready to head to Luang Nam Tha -- sunrise, waiting in bus to depart.

and these next two below are from sunset on the Mekong at the river port of Luang Prabang.

and here's a couple of shots below from sunset at the port in Kota Kinabalu, on the northeastern coast of Borneo (KK sits on a point, facing west). I hate that my film got fogged (that's what's causing that horrible flare in the first shot). hopefully, I think, there is one more roll from that evening that might have a good shot without fog.

I climbed Mt. Kinabalu on my birthday (Feb. 26th. Actually, it's a two-day climb. the second morning was my birthday, when we started climbing at 3am, reaching the 13,400 ft summit for the chilly sunrise). This first shot is from the summit, looking south at one of the many spire-like rock formations. The second shot is on our way back down, looking toward the east, that formation is known as "Donkey Ears," I do believe (there is a person in the shot, to give you some sense of scale).

this shot below is back down near the entrance to the park, sunset looking southwest, away from the mountain, along the highway that runs in front of the park entrance.

and the last few I will post for today are from the Philippines. This one below is a family playing Bingo in their yard, in the town of Vigan, on the island of Luzon.

next is a shot of folks boarding a bus from Puerto Princesa (Palawan island), headed toward Port Barton. that's quite a bus! (actually, to be correct, it's a very large "jeepney.")

and last for today (I will try to post more tomorrow), are three shots from the rice terrace just outside of the town of Bontoc, in the Cordillera of Luzon -- a region famous for 2,000 year old rice terraces. These are not the famous ones, but quite impressive in their own right, near a village called Maligcong.

More photos from SE Asia

2010-04-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

I've developed 20 rolls in the last 10 days, but only now have I had a chance to scan and post some. Here are my favorites of what I've managed to scan and adjust so far... all from the Philippines.

this first is from El Nido, Palawan, Philippines -- a festival at a local school -- the community gathered on school grounds to watch perfromances of children.

next, arrival at Clark Airport -- north of Manila -- in The Philippines.

next are a couple of shots of some locals in small town of Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines -- testing out their fighting cocks to see who has the best moves (the second one my negative got dust on it while drying, so that is what those black scratches are across the guy's face)

Next is riding on small road near San Esteban, Philippines, looking out the side of a motorcycle taxi (known as a "tricycle" in the Philippines).

Next, on the scary Halsema Highway going from Bontoc to Baguio, Philippines -- hanging my head out the window.

Next is a crowd watching a cock fight in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines (actually this is after the official fight, just some folks making side bets on extra fights).

And last for tonight, one more shot I scanned (to print and email to the family) from the funeral I happened upon and photographed in Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines.

A few more from Southeast Asia

2010-03-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

I developed 8 more rolls yesterday -- not quite as many that I loved. Here are my favorites. The first 4 are from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The last is another shot from the funeral in Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines.

Next batch of film from SE Asia

2010-03-25T21:07:00.001-07:00

I developed more film this morning -- better stuff, I think. this first is from Luang Prabang, Laos, at sunset on the Mekong.

Second one is from northern Luzon in the Philippines, shot from a bus window in the morning, traveling from Bontoc to Baguio on the exciting/scary Halsema Highway.

this one below, from a village just north of Luang Nam Tha -- Patricia and I took a bicycle ride -- walking our bikes back up this dirt road, these kids passed us...

This next one is from El Nido on Palawan island in the Philippines.

...back to Luang Prabang -- same sunset on the Mekong -- folks come down to load or unload a truck onto a boat.

And last for tonight: Patricia and I took a trek in northwestern Laos from Luang Nam Tha to a tiny Akha village -- these last three are from there.

Those strange looking houses on stilts are a kind of "lovemaking" cabin (they are quite small, like large doghouses on stilts -- built in the yard of their main house/huts) They are for a young couple to go up into to consumate their relationship -- for the first time a couple makes love. (or atleast that is the story our guide told us. According to him, Akha couples first make love, then if the woman gets pregnant, the couple gets married -- I think that's what our guide told us!)

First images from Southeast Asia

2010-03-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

As I said in Monday's posting, I just got back from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines) -- and developed my first rolls of film yesterday. So here are the first few shots that I scanned. I will give only a brief description here, but will send out more detailed accounts later when I get more time. Right now, just trying to get things caught up, and prepare for teaching next week.

This first image (above) is from a funeral procession I happened upon in a small village just outside of Port Barton on the Philippine island of Palawan. The family invited me to photograph the burial, asking for me to send them prints once I got back and got them developed.

This second image (below) is of a small naked child wandering the streets of Manila at dawn -- my last morning in Southeast Asia before starting my series of flights back home.

This third image is a from a little later down the road in Manila, kids skateboarding in a public circle.

Fourth image (below) is of water taxi "whistleman" in Bangkok -- blowing whistle to signal the pilot when to stop and reverse engines to pull onto dock.

Next, another "whistleman" in Bangkok.

And lastly, for today, is of gas station attendants (a familiar theme?!) in Puerto Princesa, on the Philippine island of Palawan.

I shot 59 rolls of film, so stay tuned for many more shots to come during the next days and weeks. I'm developing in no particular order.

Back from Southeast Asia

2010-03-22T19:48:00.001-07:00

Hi folks,

I know I haven't posted for 2 and a half months. I was gone on a trip to Southeast Asia, just returning this morning. I've been surprised and quite honored to see the large number of visitors who have been visiting this blog while it was inactive. Thank you.

I have 59 rolls of film from my trip ready to develop, so stay tuned... hopefully I will begin to develop, scan and post images in the next few days.

Introducing the Portland Scrapbook

2010-01-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

I've finally managed to put together a site to feature photos from my 4 years I've been living in Portland. Please have a look:

Portland Scrapbook (click here to go to the site)

I call this project "Portland Scrapbook" -- because much like my previous "Rabbit" exhibit (for those of you who had the chance to see it a Newspace here in Portland in 2008) and my "One Summer Across America" exhibit (in Atlanta, 2005) -- the structure of this project is that of a personal photo journal or diary. In this case the core set of images are my "Portland Landscapes" and "Northwest Landscapes."

The other galleries on this website make up the ancillary material that would give the exhibit and published catalogue (both things I am working toward achieving in the coming year!) the feel of a scrapbook or a personal journal or journey -- so these other images would be smaller -- inserted around the large landscape images to give a very strong personal narrative & meaning to the work.

I also would add scraps of journal entries, post cards, letters, etc. I will be trying to add scans of these things to the website in the coming weeks and months, so please do check back from time to time.

thanks for looking,
Bobby

2010-01-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

I've been doing some more shooting of color film this past weekend. Here's a few. This first is from a trip Patricia and I made on Saturday to Mt. Hood to go hiking in the snow. This is from our drive back. I pulled over just outside of Hood River to shoot the setting sun with the roadway -- at this little shack of a restaurant called "Twin Peaks." This to me is the feel of the Pacific Northwest -- puddles, snow, evergreen trees, highways running off into the distance, and blue/green hues. I actually love the winters out here for that lonesome, wet, cool feeling...

...and here's another that appeals to me. This one was shot a lot closer to home -- just down the road from my house -- a guy working on his minivan out in front of his apartment complex -- with the St. Johns Bridge and the West Hills in the background.

Here's a couple from Parkdale, Oregon (there are lots of orchards in that area -- those crates are for apples and/or pears -- I'm pretty sure).

....and here's a couple from a drive I took yesterday on Skyline Boulevard (here in Portland).

...and a couple of vertical shots. first from Parkdale -- fruit trees and the setting sun.

Next from NW Portland -- out in front of the Montgomery Park building.

...and last for today -- on the road back to Portland from Mt. Hood -- these shot along Interstate 84. This first is from my favorite curve on the Interstate -- just east of Hood River -- I love those telephone poles on the right.

This second one is just a little later and further east -- Patricia and I pulled off the interstate -- in the last rays of light -- shooting at a second or so to get an exposure of the rain clouds descending on the gorge, and the car lights along the interstate.

Sunny color film days

2009-12-29T15:56:00.000-08:00

I went downtown yesterday to photograph with color film, since it looked like it might be the last sunny day for a while, and wound up spending quite a bit of time hanging out with some folks who were camping on the sidewalk on Burnside. They were in good spirits this day -- but I could tell there is definitely some hard living going on...

this first one is of Jimmy -- he said he had a run-in with some angry folks a few nights before -- that's how he got the bloody eye (his right eye, it may be hard to see in this picture).

and the second shot is of him and a very friendly woman named "Odessa."

... and here's a few more... first below is a shot of Hope and Jerome (I'm pretty sure that's the name he told me -- I knew I should have written it down).

next, below, these three folks -- I wish I could remember their names -- although I'm pretty sure the guy on the right in the furry hat said he goes by "Q." The woman on the left said she had a bit much to drink a few nights earlier and hit the ground with her face. ouch.

and finally a couple of shots are when someone walked up and gave the crowd a girlie magazine with nude shots -- this woman with sunglasses told me to "take a picture of that!"

and here are a few other "street shots" from yesterday (and this past Saturday). This first one is of a couple of parking lot attendants at a lot just below the Morrison Bridge.

this next shot below is from this past Saturday, a young couple embracing outside the bus station.

I went with Patricia for a walk in downtown on Saturday -- another sunny day (thankfully we've had quite a few this December) -- and we stopped in at Rocco's Pizza on Burnside for a slice. something about all the pizza eaters drew my attention. here's a few.

and finally for today, a few recent "landscape" shots. These first two are from my walk yesterday -- first one from Broadway by Burnside (with the infamous "Mary's" club)... and second, later, as I was walking back east across the Morrison Bridge to catch a bus home.

The last two are from earlier this past week when we had very cold fog and sunshine -- first driving across the St. John's bridge near sunset -- and second back on my side of the Willamette, just as the sun was dipping below the west hills.

Happy New Year!

More gas station attendants

2009-12-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more of my gas station attendant shots.... We've been having sunny but very cold days -- and a lot of fog this last week. Interesting weather to go out shooting color...