Alex has gotten very used to me taking his picture constantly. It took awhile because my camera is pretty big and once I slap the giant flash on it and stick the Fong on top it looks like the most wonderful, irresistible toy. He seems to have fun now and will often even smile on cue which is good since we spend a lot of time taking photos together.

For today’s photo session I wheeled out one of my twin lens reflex cameras which is housed in a home-made contraption to make taking ttv photos possible. This gizmo was impossible for Alex to resist especially because while I’m looking at him through the top, he can see me in the lens on the front. We had a very good time and it was more fun than usual for me because I didn’t care if he put his hands, face, tongue or whatever all over the lens. Normally I have to flail around trying to avoid him gumming up my SLR’s lens, so this was great.

Anyhoo… here’s one of our super close-up ttv portraits from today:

I just can’t stop buying these vintage cameras now. I am as addicted to acquiring them as I am to taking ttv photos with them. I think they’re wonderful objects and can visualize a fabulous display case for them one day.

Here are my latest Ebay victories:

Yashica 44, Argoflex 75 and a Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro Model.

There’s no story to go with this one per se, just a lot of working into the wee hours of the night.

The potentially tacky rainbow was in the original sky shot. I was going to take it out, but then I decided it worked for some reason. Well, it’s no worse than the stupid shirt I’m wearing. I thought that I was just going to take a regular old photo tonight so I didn’t put any thought into my wardrobe or makeup. I like how it turned out any way, even though I wish I had at least put some mascara on.

Visit SPC for more blue portraits.

It’s been a few months since I’ve been inspired or had enough time to participate in the Self-Portrait Challenge so I guess I’m ready to give it a shot again. I was having a great hair day and I haven’t had one of those in ages so I thought, quick get the camera before it gets big and scary again. Ironically, after I was done processing the photo I ended up cropping out most of it anyway, oh well, it gave me some motivation and that’s what counts.

You may look at this little section of hair and ask yourself, “that’s a good hair day?” Yes, for me it is an excellent hair day. On most days, being home alone with only the dogs and the wee boy to look at me, I don’t put a lot of effort into taming the mop. As my father would say “it looks like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket.” Hey, maybe an upcoming SPC theme could be “insanity,” “the lost mind” or “on the verge.” I’d be ready for a photo shoot at any given moment of any day, no pre-planning required.

So here ’tis, my good hair day blue entry:

Here’s my first official ttv shot taken through my new Anscoflex.

I have a horrible cold and should have been sleeping two hours ago, but once I got working on this image I just couldn’t stop myself.

I fly through hobbies faster than you can blink, but I love every one of them. I am currently obsessed with ttv (through the viewfinder) photography. Through the Viewfinder photography is defined as taking a picture of any subject through the viewfinder of any camera with another camera. It appeals to me because of the dirt and random dust specks, the possible distortion and the general character it gives a photo.

This is best accomplished with a twin lens reflex camera and since I didn’t have one, I found a way to make fake ttv photos thanks to flickr’s Noise and Dust Through the Viewfinder group. Here was my first fake effort, the blur distortion was from the lensbaby I shot the original photo with:

Of course I now must make authentic ttv shots and this means I need a twin lens reflex camera, (or cameras, I’m sure I can’t stop at one).

Should anyone have one of these cameras that they’d like to sell or donate to me, I’d be more than happy to take if off your hands! Any brand, any condition.

My first Ebay purchased camera arrived today and I’m so excited.

Tonight I am constructing a contraption to block the ambient light from the viewfinder, courtesy of a tutorial from Russ Morris.

I’ll never go to sleep tonight.