Circus

Week 22c – The Imperial Opa (and Little 5 Points) – CineStill 800 ISO Tungsten Xpro C-41

The jury still is out on this set. I'm not exactly happy with it, but at least things look better than the last roll.  Cinestill film is a great concept, and looking back I really should have bought more than just a single roll when I had the disposable income. 

Almost all of the demo images I have seen from it had a very great and unique look. I'm not sure if I just missed exposure on everything, or if my post production process just is that bad, but mine turned out very dark and muddy. And honestly I like more of the shots that I don't normally take like exteriors and the oddly shaped multiple exposure more than the shots of people.

I'd be curious to see what I could do with a LOT more light, really blowing it out, instead of being so dark. From my testing here it seems like even though this is an 800 speed film it really needs a LOT of light to expose "properly". But we'll cross that bridge when I can.

Development Notes:
C-41 Process with Unicolor Kit.
Color correction in Photoshop after scan.

Week 22b – The Imperial Opa – Kodak Max 800 (TERRIBLY EXPIRED)

If it weren't for about 3 images on this roll, it'd be safe to say that I could consider it a failure. But sometimes this happens with expired film, and based on the other uses of this same batch I should have expected that it wouldn't turn out the way I wanted. 

Short of throwing the rest of it out (maybe a roll or two) any ideas how to make the most out of it? Since everything was so terribly underexposed I'm assuming I should shoot it as a lower speed film? 

If you want to see much better photos from this week, please be sure to check out the gallery of digital shots taken at the same time on my extra blog. 

Development Notes:
C-41 Development using Unicolor Kit

Week 22a – The Imperial Opa Rehearsal – Arista EDU 400

I always love working with friends. And when those friends just happen to be a part of a circus that makes things even better. 

I put out a call on Facebook for people who wanted to have some photographs made, and it wasn't too long before a long time friend and muse Nicolette (the one on the aerial) asked if I was available.

I'm not sure what exactly the event was for, but it seemed to be both a rehearsal session, and a studio recording of their Bastille Day performance. By the end of the night not only did I get a great show, but I also was introduced in true showman style as a "world famous photographer". A boy can dream anyway.

Development Notes:
Pretty much just like every other B&W Film I have developed for this blog.
1:100 Dilution of Rodinal
Stand Developed for 1 hour at 70º-ish
Standard Fix 4:00 

The Imperial Opa - 07.12.2014

You know you have great friends when you can get an unexpected text message on a Saturday night that says "want to come shoot a circus cabaret show tonight?". Thats exactly what happened just a few days ago.

If you are a follower of this blog or my work you may remember (should remember) Nicolette. We have worked together many times over the last few years, including just a month or so ago. She is using her many talents to contribute to a great group called The Imperial Opa. Their event "The Grand Cabaret" was slated to go on stage in just a few hours, and they were without a photographer. Needless to say I stepped up and jumped at the opportunity. 

Below are a few selects, as well as a gallery of all of the photos from that night (Tumblr folks will probably need to visit my official blog page at UNEXPhotography.com/news since I don't think galleries work well there):

Be sure to check them out live and in person, you won't regret it!

-B

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