“Kodakery” with a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921

Posted by Becky Jane

This Studio 2 Class (PH2300 at College of Dupage, taught by Peter Bosy) assignment was “Specular/Diffused” and the goal was to take a series of images where the camera and object did not move, but the lighting changed to bring out different details in the object. I chose to use a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921 for my object. The first try had camera movement and focus issues. But the second session worked!

The images below are a composite of seven different lighting images, plus seven different colored gels images.Using masks on Photoshop, the best characteristics of each image were selected to make the composite image.

I found the manual on Orphan Cameras, courtesy of M. Butkus, and I was pleased to make a donation so I could have all the information needed to actually use this camera. A friend gave me two rolls of 120 50 ISO black and white film and she will help me develop them. Figuring out the exposures will be fun, as this camera does not use our current terms or options. ;-).

I can choose 1/25, 1/50. T or B for shutter speeds. I can choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 for my lens opening. And focusing is movement of the lens on the camera bed, with a very stiff bellow. But I’m excited to try and will share any success I have on a future blog post.

A few other technical notes: The manual talks about “Kodakery” and reads like a photography textbook. This camera was designed to put cameras into the hands of the people, a marketing plan of Kodak that we are all thankful for today. But Kodak had to teach the people how to use this camera! The manual mentions “Meniscus Achromatic” which is a lens configuration that reduces aberration and increase aperture, and according to an internet search, will likely produce blurry images. There were a number of “Pocket Junior” models, and this one seems to be an early one. By 1927, the Pocket Junior were using the f-stops we are familiar with today. 

Can you tell I had fun with this assignment?

Fall Color at the Arboretum

Posted by Becky Jane

Bright yellow maple leaves greeted us today at Morton Arboretum. These images were captured mostly in East Woods where maple trees abound. It was late afternoon, with sunshine being overtaken by clouds. Everywhere we looked there was yellow, bright yellow. I love the East Woods! (A few Impressionist images are included!)

Grab Bag – What do you think this is?

Posted by Becky Jane

Studio 2 offers new challenges. The first assignment was to photograph a “grab bag” item. All the items were mundane, every day objects. We were to photograph it in a way that made the object look like art, like a featured image in a magazine. So, can you guess which object I had to photograph? And what lighting style I chose?

Sunrise – Fog – Lake

Posted by Becky Jane

The fog was heavy this morning in northern Michigan. The first view looked like the horizon was at infinity. Then the sun briefly peaked out and reflected off the water. Then the clouds covered the sun. An hour later, the fog had burned off the lake, but the other side was still vague. The clouds started taking shape on the horizon when the fog lifted.

Sunset on Houghton Lake, East Shore

Posted by Becky Jane

The Class of 60s Houghton Lake High School Reunion is always a lot of fun, and one of my favorite photographic parts is watching the sunset.Last night was a gorgeous sunset! And several of us watched the whole process of the the sun going down below the horizon. Here are a sequence of images of the sunset. Watch for the glowing clouds!

The Streets of Historic Naples

Posted by Becky Jane

Our hotel for 4 days was in the Historic Naples District. The buildings were old, unique and had character and the streets were very narrow! The graffiti was overwhelming. It covered every surface of walls, doors and windows. When shops opened in the morning, the graffiti disappeared as doors rolled up into the walls.