600 a day

600 a day.

That's how many WWII vets pass each day.  

Last summer we attended the D-Day Conneaut event and while I was walking around taking pictures I came across this scene.  I don't know this mans name, but I got to hear some of his story.  Surrounding him was a large group of reenactors, some were likely the same age he was when was in France, and he had the group captive with his tales. There were many instances where I noticed a veteran talking to different people, but this one really caught my attention.

 

What I heard him tell about was the ribbon that he is touching with his left hand on his lapel.  He said that he was riding on a tank into the heart of France chasing the Germans and they were driving through a town.  As he explained it, a VERY attractive young French women and her daughter was along the road side and she gave the ribbon to him.  So what do you think a young man would do in his situation? You guessed it.  He was starting to make his way off the tank to thank her properly with a kiss, but the column started moving and he never saw her again.  

I've met a lot of reenactors over the past several of years and in that time, I've learned that they all share the same story.  They want to keep these stories alive.  They want to continue to tell the tales of people like this hero so that he is not forgotten.  To them, and to me, it was a priceless moment in time.  On the way home from the day job today, I thought of him and wanted to make sure to honor him and all those who served.  So that they there stories are not erased with time.  

To this man, those that served with him and those that have ever worn the uniform of this country, thank you.  Thank you for dealing with the horrors that you did to preserve freedom and in his situation, liberate a continent from tyranny.  

Going low tech part 2 - The Yashica-A 120 camera

As you saw in the last post, I had recently acquired a few older cameras and finally had time to get out and about with them since I also had film.  It took two weeks to get the prints back from Rite Aid, but I was blown away on some of them.  I didn't check the box to have the negatives scanned at the lab, but my multi-function printer scanner was up to the task.  For review, the image on the left was taken with an Argus 35mm camera and the image on the right was taken with my 21st century Canon T3i.

Now, here is the image taken with the Yashica-A 120 camera

I almost forgot just how much detail these cameras capture.  I love it.  I might actually try to get this one enlarged to hang somewhere.
And while were at it, here's another one I love from the 120 roll.

I think this is another one of those cases where the phrase, "they don't make 'em like that any more" comes into play. 

Looking forward to playing with all of these tools over the summer.

Going low tech

I finally forced myself on Friday to get out of the house with the camera and go for a walk!  But, I didn't just take my normal Canon T3i.  No, this time, two old friends tagged along.

The camera on the top-left is a Yashica-A. This model camera was sold back in 1958.  It uses 120 sized film, which if you haven't seen that type before is large then a 35mm negative.  A lot of photographers loved those type of cameras, and still do, since the large film gives better detail and sharper image.  Back in the late 80's, I had a Yashica Mat 124 and loved it.  But, had to sell it for either rent or beer money in my mid 20's.  A decision I still regret today.  But, I was lucky enough to find this A model at the Wooster Rotary auction a couple months ago.  I finally picked up a roll of film for it at the camera store and was able to run that through Friday night.  One important thing to note, the A does not have a light meter on it.  So, the Canon was used for that task. 

The Argus, which I believe by serial number may be a pre-war model, has been a workhorse for many over the years. Difficult to focus and again no light meter, this camera was a bit of a challenge to use, but was a lot of fun.

My goal was to do two things on my walk:

1.  See if these two old beasts still work.

2.  Compare images taken with these with images taken with my Canon.

I had previously ordered black and white 35mm Kodak film that can be processed like color film off of Amazon a while back, so finding someone to develop it was not an issue.  Finding someone to develop the 120 film is a different issue and I'll let you know if the Fuji lab that Rite Aid sends to is able to do it or not.

So here's the first test results.  How an image, exposed with the same settings, standing in the same place at the same time looks.  The Argus picture is on the left.

What I thought was interesting in this image is just how different the two look, perspective wise.  The digiital on the right, shot with my 40mm pancake lens and the Argus with it's 50mm.  On the digital, the cameras image is cropped due to the sensor within the camera.  The Argus, even though it's a lens that you would think produce a tighter image due to it's higher number, actually gives a wider view.  Plus, it gives the image more depth in my opinion. 
My main goal for these cameras is to incorporate them when I take pictures of World War II reenactors.  If you have been a visitor to my site, you've probably seen that I love taking pictures of reenactors.  I felt it was only fitting for the WWII ones to see if I can capture something that looks more period appropriate.  I think the Argus will handle that task.  Still can't wait to see what the 120 film produces.  Stay tuned for that update!

Schoenbrunn Village Lantern Tour

I think I've said it before.  But if not, I will now.  I live in an area that is hugely rich in the history of our country.  Part of that story is at a place just outside of New Philadelphia that's called Schoenbrunn Village.  As their website states:

First settled in 1772 by Moravian Missionary, David Zeisberger, Schoenbrunn (or "Beautiful Spring" in the native Delaware language) has become the window into our states past. Schoenbrunn Village grew to include over sixty dwellings and 300 Delaware Native Americans and Moravion missionaries. These residents drew up Ohio's first civil code and built its first Christian church and schoolhouse.

Tonight they had a pre-season event at the sight billed as a lantern tour of the site. It's interesting to go to an historic site like this and not have the convenience of something so trivial as a light bulb to help guide the way in the darkness.  To help set the mood and the atmosphere, volunteers dressed in period appropriate clothing were around much of the village to help bring alive the experience and share the stories of the site.  This is a must see if you are in the area.

Here's a selection of the images I took tonight.  The full set can be found here.

Western Reserve Carriage Association in Zoar

I had heard through Facebook updates that today was the day that the Western Reserve Carriage Association was holding an event in Zoar.  From pictures I had seen in the past, it looked like something to take a look at and I'm glad I did. 

It appeared to be part friendly competition and part social gather for these folks.  I asked one of the horse owners just what type of horse is used for these carriage events.  Of course I'm thinking it's just like Shetland pony since these are small carriages, but was told that there are many breeds.  Basically, anything that can pull a carriage.  I got to watch a few of the competitors take their horses through the obstacle course and it was pretty interesting to watch.  But, being Mother's Day, I couldn't stick around that long.  Here are some of the images I was able to capture.  

  

Meet me in St. Louis!

Last week my wife and I headed off to St. Louis, MO for a little R&R.  Well, more R&R for her, I had a seminar to attend for "the day job".  But we padded in some extra time to make a little vacation out of it for the both of us.  We hit the major sites like the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, (AKA The Arch), Union Station, and the Budweiser brewery tour.  St. Louis is a city that I really want to return to some day to explore it further.
To get there, instead of taking the plane, I was fortunate enough to get a hybrid car and we drove across from Ohio.  Yes, taking a car to get someone does take longer, but you really do miss out on a lot.  I love this country.  Being able to cross multiple states boarders without issue.  A wonderful thing.  Here's some of what I captured on my camera while we were there.

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