m & h

TRON and the Lady Bug of Tomorrow

2011-11-26T22:26:00.001-07:00

Halloween 2011. There was epic polaroid failure happening with three different cameras. Some sinister cosmic conspiracy was trying to keep me down this year... although "failure" is a rather ambiguous term when shooting polaroid. More to come.

Polaroid Spectra | Type 1200 Image film (Paul Giambarba edition)

Ballerina: overcome by existential crisis

2011-11-23T00:04:00.001-07:00

Bronica SQ-A | Zenzanon PS 80mm f/2.8
Kodak Tri-X, 2 stop push in Agfa Rodinal 1:50

Muscle Beach

2011-09-11T00:47:00.000-06:00

Olympus XA 2 | Zuiko 35mm f/3.5
Ilford XP2 Super

One Plus One

2011-08-28T16:33:00.000-06:00

Ilford XP2 Super, pushed to 800
Nikon N90S | 50mm f/1.8 D

Lonely Fences

2011-08-07T14:51:00.003-06:00

Pentax K1000 | Ilford Delta 400, dev. Kodak HC-110

Larry Fink has left the building

2011-07-27T22:33:00.000-06:00

Zoë at eight months.

Nikon N90S | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Ilford XP2 Super, pushed to 800

Marcus rides the Time Trial

2011-07-25T23:17:00.002-06:00

In honor of this year's Tour de France...

White Slim Angel | 35mm | XP2 Super

Kids of Summer

2011-07-18T23:14:00.001-06:00

Polaroid Spectra

I watch

2011-07-13T22:26:00.001-06:00

Pentax K1000 SE | SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 | Fuji X-TRA 400

Lasso Golf Gothic

2011-07-07T20:49:00.003-06:00

Click to enlarge

Another one from the old roll hanging in our computer room that I finally scanned. The Agfa Clack is a German medium format box camera that takes a 6x9 frame on 120/220 film - a ridiculously huge negative! The boys are American made feather weights who do their own tricks and play a mean game of lasso golf.

Agfa Clack | Kodak Portra 160vc

Gratuitous Fireworks photo (but it's not what you think)

2011-07-05T13:38:00.000-06:00

These were actually taken at last year's Orem Summerfest, and have been patiently hanging next to my computer for the past year.

Agfa Clack | Kodak Portra 160VC

Darth Vader Balloon

2011-07-02T22:28:00.004-06:00

So, I'm not much of a parade lover. In fact, you could say that I don't like them at all. And when Aaron and I were tossing around ideas for a Saturday shoot and the hot air balloon launch came up, I couldn't help but imagine a parade-like experience. And then Heidi mentioned that she thought the Darth Vader Balloon was going to be there. "The what?" Exactly. Turns out it's a big old thing:

www.darthvaderballoon.be/en

It was so worth it.

They wear their sunglasses

2011-06-30T23:13:00.000-06:00

Bronica SQ-A | Zenzanon 150mm f/3.5

Desert Rats

2011-06-27T00:05:00.001-06:00

Kodachrome State Park.

Bronica SQ-A| Zenzanon 80mm f/2.8 | XP2 Super

Presidents of the First Beach Kite Flying Club

2011-06-22T19:17:00.002-06:00

35mm | XP2 Super | White Slim Angel

A real playground

2011-06-07T22:04:00.002-06:00

Diva!

2011-05-23T21:36:00.000-06:00

"Charm. Charm."

Sound Check

2011-05-11T20:55:00.000-06:00

"Hey, yeah, can I get a little bit more out of the monitors? I can barely hear my solo when I go like this..."

Lady Bug

2011-04-30T23:27:00.000-06:00

Her Face

2011-02-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

From our Christmas with Heidi's family.

In Yo Face

2011-02-21T22:39:00.002-07:00

35mm | XP2 Super pushed to 800

Gunz Blazin'

2011-02-12T21:14:00.001-07:00

We're the Instant Kids!

2011-02-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Tao of Marcus

2011-01-29T20:52:00.001-07:00

Superman wears a red shirt

2011-01-26T23:30:00.001-07:00

The Duality of Zoë

2011-01-23T22:16:00.002-07:00

I occasionally get asked about how I got a certain look in a photo, and I invariably have to give most of the credit to the type of light in the shot. Being a rather lazy person and specific in my post-processing, I tend to rely heavily on the light. Here is an example of how drastically the tone of a photo can change using the same light source and only turning the subject 90 degrees. Aside from the obvious expression and the processing in the one on the left, her chin was facing the window (best and only light source used here) to create a low angle scheme that put the shadows in unnatural places, giving the "horror look." Turn her sideways so the light is on her right (next photo) and the look is completely different; soft, with natural shadows falling sideways across her face rather than up her nose.

Plus, she's not doing her Bun-Fu thing and is smiling :)

Birthday Boys

2010-12-31T10:56:00.002-07:00

December 29.
Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like staying in and shooting polaroids. Partay!

Polaroid Spectra | expired image film

Two boys

2010-12-19T19:57:00.002-07:00

Channeling their inner Simon & Garfunkel

I've got a whole bunch of these.

35mm | XP2 Super, pushed to 800

Another Boy

2010-12-16T22:57:00.003-07:00

XP2 Super, pushed to 800

One Boy

2010-12-16T00:22:00.004-07:00

XP2 Super, pushed to 800

Firemen: Redux

2010-11-21T20:13:00.001-07:00

Station #3

October 6, 2010

Halloween Polaroid Time!

2010-11-14T15:22:00.001-07:00

It wouldn't be Halloween without the obligatory polaroid. Really. It wouldn't.

Polaboys

2010-10-16T22:33:00.001-06:00

Polaroid SX-70

So long, Summer

2010-10-10T19:20:00.003-06:00

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

2010-09-25T20:26:00.002-06:00

The things they do, the words they say

2010-09-19T19:32:00.004-06:00

Always smiling

2010-09-16T20:04:00.003-06:00

More grainy goodness. I think this was at a little soirée over at Ev and Val's place. Or, I could totally be making that up and not have any idea where or when this was...

a bit dissheveled

2010-09-13T20:37:00.004-06:00

Developed a mystery roll of film the other night that had been kicking around in my bag for a year or so. It's like time travel, or short-term memory loss, or fiction. Anyway, since I had so much fun checking these out, I've slapped an embargo an any photos taken in the last twelve months...

OK, so maybe it's just an excuse to not post as often. Well, except for thirty-five or so mingy black and whites.

Carnivale Machina

2010-08-16T22:35:00.004-06:00

Here are some night polas from Orem Summerfest. Back when it was hip. You know, like, two months ago.

Polaroid SX-70

Heidi's daughter

2010-08-08T16:24:00.003-06:00

Oh, isn't she just darling?

flrt

2010-08-05T21:48:00.006-06:00

Another model for me to harass. Now if I can get the boys to hold still for five seconds and hold the reflector... "Yes, this time I want you to shine it in her eyes."

Childhood

2010-07-24T21:27:00.002-06:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Zoë Marie

2010-04-28T15:27:00.002-06:00

Rock the SLC

2010-03-24T09:10:00.007-06:00

Tony

Birthday Noir

2010-01-24T15:19:00.004-07:00

December 29, 2009

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T18:27:00.003-07:00

So long 2009, you kind of sucked.

"Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined"

2009-12-16T23:39:00.003-07:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Best deal in Vegas.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada

2009-12-13T17:47:00.004-07:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Heidi and I had a rather fabulous time in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago.
Brought a few photos and winnings home with us. Everything else stayed in Vegas.

Running to beat the sun

2009-11-11T11:33:00.002-07:00

Would you like to shake hands with Thing One and Thing Two?

2009-10-31T21:19:00.006-06:00

The ubiquitous Halloween polaroid

Crossing through the landscape at 1,000,000 mph

2009-10-18T09:46:00.003-06:00

+

Arches National Park

minus the arches

The Titan

2009-10-11T18:30:00.003-06:00

Fisher Tower, near Arches NP.
+

Smile, Mon!

2009-09-24T20:24:00.004-06:00

Looks blue

2009-09-22T19:55:00.000-06:00

So long to Summer

2009-09-18T12:00:00.003-06:00

Summertime - Galaxie 500

Mike wants to ride his bicycle [worksafe version]

2009-09-08T07:25:00.005-06:00

The other day I was reminded of the good old days when I would post all of those uncomfortable moments when I crashed on my bike. You know, for fun. Well I managed to squeeze a little something into my ride with Tony and Evan (who also just happened to have his POV video cam rolling). From the video it looks like I just fell over. I didn't. My handlebars twisted clear around so that I could precariously fall on them chest first as I pitched into a pile of rocks and logs (which my knees so carefully found). This crash left me two knees down, a nasty chest wound, and a very bent front brake lever.

So, here's one for the kids.

Mike Meets Dirt from E2 Interactive on Vimeo.

Thanks to Ev for the video!

For a brief but grizzly history of Mike's infamous bike carnage, follow the links (and be warned!), or click the biking tag. Enjoy!
LINK 1
LINK 2

Lauren & David

2009-09-01T10:02:00.008-06:00

Sonic Youth

2009-08-09T21:20:00.003-06:00

Titanium Expose - Sonic Youth

Push the button

2009-07-29T11:04:00.005-06:00

Copter's in a bad, bad way...

Surface To Air - The Chemical ...

I could be dreaming

2009-07-19T14:44:00.004-06:00

I Could Be Dreaming - Belle & ...

Uncle Felix

2009-07-14T20:50:00.001-06:00

High, Low, In - Paris Combo

Sky Spinner and the world of tomorrow

2009-07-05T17:00:00.004-06:00

View On Black

The Big Ship - Brian Eno

When heroes change professions

2009-06-26T11:40:00.006-06:00

When Heroes Change Professions...

Look, Listen, Feel

2009-06-24T08:52:00.008-06:00

Fiery Crash

2009-06-21T17:00:00.002-06:00

Testing Kodak's newest color negative film, Ektar 100. To be honest, the boys were so wound-up that day I thought I had basically wasted a bunch of money. Apologies for the video resolution. I may post some of my favorites individually - which will eliminate some of the nasty pixelation seen in the video. Try clicking HQ for better quality and make sure audio is rolling loudly.

Sincere apologies to Andrew Bird for cutting his song...

Bronica SQ-A | Zenza Bronica 150mm/f3.5

Now and Then

2009-06-10T11:32:00.004-06:00

[last year]

[Last year]

Still editing some photos from La Push and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen this scene before. Sure enough - last year. So, here are Marcus and Ian... again. Same beach. Same place on the beach (give or take a few meters). Same habit (Marcus) or phobia (Ian) of collecting things.

Uncanny.

Apparently my life is just a series of repeats. It could be a scene from La Jetee.

Although, if we are supposed to meet at an airport to observe my own death you'll have to pardon me if I opt out.

Two At A Time (Hidden Track) -...

Camera Obscura

2009-06-04T21:17:00.004-06:00

View On Black
@Urban Lounge, SLC
[LINK]

Let's Get Out of This Country ...

A New Look

2009-05-31T12:16:00.004-06:00

Doing a little virtual remodeling. After four years I figure it's about time.

Here's Marcus doing Milk Face.
Master of Subtlety.

Black Cab - Jens Lekman

Here come the waves

2009-05-29T19:23:00.003-06:00

down by the sea

View On Black

St. Ann's Gold - Daniel Lanois

Aloha from Sunny Washington! [again]

2009-05-27T09:12:00.004-06:00

Aloha from Sunny Washington!, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Finally scanning some of the film I shot in La Push. Attrition took its toll on the photo log for this trip with the ocean playing the wicked nasty on my lenses, thus ruining several shots. I'm a dork.

View On Black

Land, Ocean, Sky

2009-05-27T09:04:00.010-06:00

View On Black

Aloha from Sunny Washington!

2009-05-22T20:35:00.005-06:00

Wish you were here.

OX4 - The Postmarks

He just won't get off my back

2009-05-20T09:11:00.004-06:00

View On Black

Monkey Gone To Heaven - The Pi...

The Streets of Portland

2009-05-10T20:56:00.005-06:00

We book-ended this year's La Push trip with a couple of nights with Josh and Teresa in Portland. So, here's a bit-sized summary:

Props:
+The Ruebens at Kornblatts were good, but the pickles were the best I've ever had. Ever. Pickles.
+Great friends, giving up their Tim's potato chips and rolling out the welcome futons (even the one that rolls back up on you!)
+Trolleys and Trains! Oh, how we've missed being able to cruise the city without needing a dumb car.
+A little late-night Portland radio - OPB anyone? Yip! Yip!
+Brilliant views from the 11th floor (courtesy of Josh's flip-flop).

Questionable:
+Getting hail when you planned for a light rain.

Awesome times! Big cheers to Josh and Teresa.

Jeane, If You're Ever In Portl...

Let the Good Times Begin

2009-04-24T11:54:00.002-06:00

We're off on holiday. Will be back sometime!

Ghost Of His Smile - Sparkleho...

Vive l'automne: pt. 2

2009-04-19T11:57:00.002-06:00

She's got opinions.

Dry The Rain - The Beta Band

Vive l'automne: pt. 1

2009-04-17T16:54:00.001-06:00

Waking up to six inches of snow yesterday gave me a rather sickening bit of nostalgia for last autumn which, for several reasons, we didn't get to enjoy as much as we would have liked. So here's yet another post of me stickin' it to you Winter, wishing you'd just go away.

Mustard - Latin Playboys

Aaron plans his final move

2009-04-14T22:04:00.001-06:00

"Hmmm. Time Travel Mode, Time Travel Mode... "

Softly, Marcus, Softly

2009-04-09T13:55:00.004-06:00

Here's a little bit of escapism. The Feverish Devil Sickness has settled in at Chez Smith.

Survival gear includes (check all that apply):

3 boxes of tissues
Sports Night DVD [complete first season]
Nasal spray
1 bulk bag Kirkland tortilla chips
1 18oz. bottle of "special mix" salsa, aka "Daddy's Spicy"
1 vinyl LP "The Sleepy Strange" by Japancakes
1-2 three year-old boy(s) (second one may be necessary if first is unwilling)
1-2 pieces of cheese (to bribe boys if both are unwilling)
Camera
Soft-white 30-inch reflector
Large window, w/translucent drapes (optional)
Sick leave

Slinger

2009-04-06T18:10:00.002-06:00

Here's Ian wearing his Broken Arm Disguise, trying out various poses for his Michael Mann feature debut.

(Older photo. He's had the cast off for several weeks.)

Red Firetruck

2009-04-05T13:44:00.009-06:00

In response to a rash of requests from Marcus and Ian, I humbly present...

Red Firetruck

It's red. Trust me.

I'm an Artiste.
Reviews are forthcoming.

And the Good Times Too

2009-03-27T11:06:00.001-06:00

Everything Merges with the Night

2009-03-18T09:31:00.002-06:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

So, in a sort of cheeky response to requests for photos of our new place... here is a polaroid night shot. With people. The weather warms a bit and they just show up to sit on the grass.

Brother on a bedroom bed

2009-03-14T23:23:00.007-06:00

"Don't let Ian see you - he's got a broken arm..."
[click for larger]

Winter Hater

2009-03-08T17:19:00.002-06:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Another scowly shot to you, Winter.
[Written in response to weatherbug's forecast of "snow... colder" for tomorrow]

View On Black

Nowhere's Nigh

2009-03-03T07:42:00.006-07:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

It turns out that Tony collects cameras... and radios?
Anyway, he recently inherited a Rolleiflex 2.8A and brought it by so I could take it for a spin. The secret that I've been hiding is that I also happen to have a modest collection going. And I think, I've just inherited a new Rollei :)

View On Black

Moments before...

2009-03-01T17:09:00.005-07:00

This was taken just a few minutes (seconds?) before Ian slipped and fell under the guard rail and off the bridge, breaking his arm. Talk about lame.
Lame.
Talk about it.
Now this photo has a sort of dooming quality to it that makes it difficult to enjoy.

That was on the President's Day holiday a couple of weeks ago, while we were at the park with Tony and his kids.

It turns out that it is a spiral fracture in his upper arm (I'm not medical).

WWBD?

2009-02-11T21:49:00.002-07:00

WWBD?, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

Rhetorically, of course. Since I think we all know the answer.

We won't be fooled again

2009-02-01T12:24:00.008-07:00

Being forced to stay indoors the past few weeks, I'm starting to "get to know" the light in our new place and this corner is one of my favorites between 11 and 1 in the afternoon. This is good since we are pulling out all of the science to help fuel the Hate against winter. That's right. We are declaring Winter an insidious form of Evil that we will no longer tolerate quietly.

So consider this our manifesto: We, the people of Chez Smith, are officially sick of you Winter.

[/end]

A bridge too far

2009-01-22T20:50:00.002-07:00

A bridge too far, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

The need for a trial run on a new (to me) camera beat out the need to avoid a red air quality day...
I'm the Bad Dad.
My excuse is stupidity.

Sorry or Please

2009-01-20T18:31:00.004-07:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

I'm just getting to the huge backlog of photos I've had building since the first part of December. Add to that, Heidi has been sick for the past week and I've been helping someone else learn to develop film and I'm just not posting as much these days (kind of missed a whole month there in December, which we've only done a few times in the past three and a half years). Although, I'm taking photos again, so that's fun.
Polaroids. More Polaroids.

Escape is so simple

2009-01-19T11:27:00.004-07:00

, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

And if you're into Polaroid stuff... there's good news on the horizon!
[LINK]

Casiotone for the painfully alone

2009-01-03T22:17:00.003-07:00

... We are alive - barely!
Have been busily bustin' our tails to get the reno done on our new place (yeah, right!), then said "to hooey with that" and moved in a week and a half before Christmas. Christmas. Crazimas. New Years. Yay!
And the boys turned three.
More to come. Hope the holidays found you well.
Happy New Year!

Heidi, Marcus, Ian, Mike

Ghost of Noir Recessions' Past

2008-11-30T00:10:00.005-07:00

I've been going through some older photos trying to remember what it's like to use a camera... and I found this little gem on the cutting room floor. You want a little insider information on blogging? It's all outtakes, people.

Given certain national/world economies, I thought Ian's badge of capitalist pride and expression rather prophetic. He's like the creepy kid from one of those demon child horror movies - and this one is wearing the mark of the beast!
Mwahahahaaa!

Truly...

2008-11-27T22:01:00.004-07:00

They're all wondering what I'm doing holding a $30 camera with a plastic lens. Actually, a lot of people wonder that.

Kids Rock: Reason #17

2008-11-23T23:22:00.002-07:00

This is the look that Marcus gives when he's imitating me. Seriously. Kids are shameless. Where's the respect?
I'm your father! You better shape up, kid, or I'll subtitle all of your photos with self-gratifying ego pumping slogans.
Right.
That's better.

Visiting with Piper

2008-11-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

Shooting Guns

2008-11-19T22:53:00.002-07:00

Don't touch him, don't touch him. Stay away from him, he's got a gun...
Watch your wife.

On the doorstep

2008-11-09T22:53:00.004-07:00

More HERE

The Future is in the palm of your hand

2008-11-06T22:58:00.002-07:00

The Future is in the palm of your hand, originally uploaded by mothslayer.

"This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."