Photography

I began my vintage camera collection in 2004 when I found this 1920’s Kodak vest pocket camera on a photography site similar to ebay and was shocked to find out that it still worked. It had just one owner who took very good care of it.

It arrived in perfect timing for an upcoming trip I had planned to Montreal and was going to be a great opportunity to experiment with the settings. I had no idea how any of the pictures were going to turn out, but it didn’t stop me from have so much fun playing around with it. It’s strange to work with a film camera after using an SLR or a phone where you can see, adjust and delete pictures immediately. Older film cameras really force you to rely on your natural composition skills in framing each picture. Then, there is the dreaded wait time of one week or so for the pictures to come back. To my surprise one of the picture that turned out was the one below from the most beautiful street in Old Montreal. I was in disbelief (I may have whimpered or cried a bit, but whatever) at the sight of this picture. It reminded me of “camera obscura” photos. Camera obscura refers to early photography with obscura meaning “dark chamber.” The camera, a dark box had a pin hole for light to enter which would cast a foggy haze over a picture and along the edges. In college, I had a failed attempt at making a camera obscura, I made the box and put the pin hole in just fine but then I used printer paper like a dodo head. My friend Joey Checchia, an amazing photographer and artist, shook his head and was way too kind to me. I deserved a little verbal beating for that one. Oh well, lesson learned…the hard way yet again.

You definitely do not need to be a professional photographer or wealthy to learn and experiment with cameras from any generation. My advice is to purchase used camera bodies and lenses. I love the idea of taking pictures today with something that was made so long ago that still functions with the results combining both worlds. Too hippy dippy? Eh, it’s okay, most people have a dirty little hippy living inside them just waiting to burst out and have some creative fun. Let em out, I say!

Here is a link to learn more about early photography. I’ll share pictures of my tin types along with the other vintage cameras in my collection in another post.

Old Montreal, Canada taken with 1920’s Kodak Pocket Camera

Sculpture

Frank O. Gehry

Walt Disney Concert Center, Los Angeles, CA

This structure/sculpture/building is one of the most breathtaking forms I have seen. The drive around the building was surreal as I felt like a child seeing my imagination come to life. I took this photo along with many others with this composition standing out the most to me.

Gehry Stairs

AGO Museum

Toronto, ON

Frank Gehry, 91, has been on my “if you could have dinner with 10 people,” list for twenty five years. I have been deeply inspired by his work and outlook of his creative process. Frank, (along with family) have been the voices I hear to “keep going and creating what you love,” when I’ve been unsure of my path and place in the creative world. Frank is okay not being liked, he is actually his own harsh critic and always goes with his gut no matter what. Frank’s grandmother gets the credit for enabling his childhood creativity through mixed material from his grandfather’s shop. They would make futuristic cities and structures with a mixture of available scrap materials. I love that he retained that child-like playfulness to be part of his process. I hope anyone with children in their family encourages the exploration of their creativity, it will only enhance whichever career path they choose in life. It’s never too late to rediscover your limitless inner child. My freeFORM events (activating creativity) will be returning soon to the Philadelphia area. For information or to host a freeFORM even in your community contact me here.

Side note: This long awaited “Gehry Lair” will open at the Philadelphia Museum of Art set for 2028. Fingers crossed for a sooner date.

For any Frank Gehry admirers, I recommend his Masterclass. https://www.masterclass.com/classes/frank-gehry-teaches-design-and-architecture