A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
The day finally came. The day when I got to sit in one spot with my camera and compose a shot without my wife’s “Chop, Chop. Let’s get the show on the road.” The clouds were out and I didn’t have to fight the mid-day sun. I got some nice images. However, in a matter of minutes, it began to rain and off we went.
Upon entering Georgetown’s Riverside Park, I noticed this quartet of birds overlooking the Potomac River. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to thank them for posing.
Due to a previous weekend in the hospital. I missed my opportunity to post to the blog. A week later though, I was back at my old tricks and reminded to never again attend a state fair. Below is an imageI shot when exploring the barns where horses, shjeep, goats and cows shield themselves from the heat of the relentless summer sun. Enjoy.
After picking up a couple of enlargements (My first in over a year.) at Arlington’s District Camera. I decided to begin working on a project that focuses on transit. (With most, if not all of the images taking pace on train platforms and stations. With my entire life taking place just blocks from the local and express trains. There is a pulse, a certain eb and flow that inspires me and has taught me that we are all in perpetual movement. Even as we sit still. The world around us never stops. The images I’ve printed (Both posted here recently.) will serve as the basis of this project. With ones from the past and near future travels will complete it. While I’m not yet sure if I will shop a gallery, art space or digital platform. Regardless, it feels good to have new ideas and inspirations. This morning I went downstairs to our storage space to dig for an old hard drive with older pictures from my life in New York City, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington. There are few images worth finding and printing.
An Ethiopian breakfast in Washington DC. A stop at the old familiar and nearby National Harbor and our first, and probably last reminder to never again indulge in fast food, marked a pretty damn good beginning to our first full weekend since my wife travelled to Tokyo to visit her family. As much as I enjoy my solitude. I am forever grateful to have such a wonderful person to share my life and travels with. Like a ferris wheel. Life is full of ups, downs and in-betweens. Having someone special to experience it with, only makes the road worth traveling.
As artists of any form, we consistently find inspiration in others’ work. Through our droughts and doubts, we look to other artists to light a fire underneath us and see our motivation to move forward and create. I found inspiration in my roots as a film photographer when I found Taylor’s vlog, ‘Grain Check.’ Refueling an obsession with cameras, film, the process, technique, and everything involved. As someone whose been a digital photographer since way back. I find film photographers to be brave, creative souls who approach things differently due to the differences between film and digital photography. The cost of film, development, and the absence of instant recognition can intimidate many. I reached out to Taylor for all the reasons listed above. The following is what she had to say.
James: Can you introduce yourself? What you do and where you’re from?
Taylor: Hi! I’m Taylor. I’m a film and digital photographer and YouTuber originally from Las Vegas, Nevada.
James: Tell us a little bit about your journey as a photographer.
Taylor: I was always interested in cameras as a little girl – I’d often ask my parents if I could carry around their point and shoots for the day. It wasn’t until high school, though, that I started to take it seriously. Fast forward to my senior year of college and I’m dropping out 3 months before graduation because I was working full-time as a wedding photographer and knew my English degree would never do me any good. My dream was to be a photographer (I didn’t know which kind yet) and I was well on my way.
James: What made inspired you to host a You Tube channel? How do you feel about the feedback?
Taylor: I never ever imagined myself to be a YouTuber. But I landed a gig at Moment (a small online camera store) where they needed another YouTube personality who was already a photographer. So, my days of talking to a camera began! And now, 5 years later, I’ve got my own channel called graincheck and I’m having a blast with it. The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive. The YouTube comment section can be a brutal place, but I can count the times I’ve gotten hate on one hand. It’s been incredibly positive!
James: What was it like adjusting to being filmed?
Taylor: Honestly, pretty fun. There were times in the beginning where I’d struggle to deliver a line over and over, which was frustrating and embarrassing. But, for the most part, it was fun to be a goof and do my thing on camera. It also made me so aware of myself – in a good way!
James: What are the key characteristics that draw you to photography? Is there a style or element in particular that you gravitate towards? Why?
Taylor: I’ve thought about this a lot and I’ve never landed on what it is about photography that I’m specifically drawn to. There’s some x factor that I can’t put my finger on. It just feels like a part of me, an extension of me. Maybe because I’m not the greatest with words, I feel I can express myself through visuals? I don’t know, but it’s a real feeling of solace for me. When life is hard, I literally will tell myself “no one can take photography from you.” It is my peace. As far as style, I’ve been all over the map. It’s an evolution for me, which I enjoy. I never want to feel boxed in. Right now, I’m diving into colorful digital studio portraiture and black-and-white film landscapes.
James: What went into your decision to shoot film VS digital? What about the cost and the immense space that film, negatives, and prints demand? (Note, that I love and understand the meaning of “Stay broke. Shoot film.”)
Taylor: I shoot both, so I choose digital or film on a daily basis depending on how I feel. But, for my channel, I focus on film. I think people like to see and hear the experience of shooting film, since it is so sensory. Film, especially right now, is incredibly expensive to shoot. I’m lucky to get highly discounted (and sometimes free) resources to keep it going.
James: With your experience, what would you consider the biggest pros and cons of being a film
photographer?
Taylor: Pro: It forces you to be intentional with every shot and present in your environment (no checking your images after you take them). You make sure, to the best of your ability, you got the shot and then you move on. It’s a beautiful process.
Con: Expense, for sure. And the wait time to get scans back…it can be painful.
James: You embarked on a yearlong project to exclusively shoot black and white film. What has the
project taught you and how have the results informed you?
Taylor: I’m officially halfway through the year (crazy!) and I’ve benefited from it so much already. I have better learned what each hue looks like on the grayscale and I’ve become SO much more aware of light.
James: With all the different variations of film you’ve shot. Have you found one that best suits your
needs?
Taylor: My go-to black-and-white stock is Cinestill XX. While it’s a slower speed film, I never need to touch my scans. It is absolutely delicious.
James: A list of the film cameras you own? Is there one that you consider your preferred every day or
favorite? Why?
Taylor: Oh man. I have a lot, but many aren’t functioning. The ones I frequently use right now are the Pentax 645, Contax T3, Contax G2, Yashica T4, Ricoh Mirai, and the Fujifilm Instax 210. My every day camera is the Contax T3, since it’s compact and an absolute superstar of a point-and-shoot (fast & sharp lens, built in flash, and it’s cute as hell).
James: On your vlog you’ve featured many of the photographers and team you work with. How did that meeting come about and what is it like to be around so many like-minded, creative people?
Taylor: Because of my job at Moment, I’ve become connected to so many photographers and creatives. It’s such an awesome community to be a part of. Sometimes, it can feel like an echo chamber where all you think about and see is photography, so I make sure to fill my brain with other things when I can!
See more of Pendleton’s work by clinking the links below.
Personal Website https://taylorpendletonphoto.com/
You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FnGaXQfgXFbEiq28uEEng
Instagram https://twitter.com/trmpendleton?lang=en
As I continue to work on my balance issues. My drive to be more independent, to explore more, and to not so awkwardly engage with those I wish to photograph with the confidence that once led me to less traveled roads and adventures grows stronger.
Attempting to do things I was forced to take a break from have become more attainable. That thirst for adventure, exploring, and creating, sometimes, off-limits subject matter sharpens. Having lived in our condo for over a year now. I can’t help but question why I haven’t explored the many nooks and crannies of an architectural achievement. Unsurprisingly, we often find inspiration while venturing into areas and corridors just off our daily path. Coming upon this paint inspired me to get a lower perspective and reminded me of stopping at a fire-damaged automotive repair shop on my way home from Boston.
In a little less than a month. I hope to attend a friends band play what seems to be a small, intimate venue in Richmond. Due entirely to health and my inability to maintain any sense of balance. I haven’t been to a music event since 2017. Considering my love for music, going to events and capturing moments through photography. The event and the chance to see a really good band that hasn’t performed remotely close to my residence. The excitement can be compared to the feelings I often experienced as a much younger show attendee. With a new camera and being years removed from shooting live music. I have a lot of relearning to do.
Somehow, this recently captured image reminded me of how important it is to stay open-minded and open to advice and criticism. As someone whose bread and butter has always been writing and critiquing others’ music and product. I wholeheartedly admit to not taking criticism of my work or the backlash on my opinions and beliefs very well. As of late, however, I’m trying to become more open to criticism while being more helpful when applying my views of other people’s work. It’s not easy. However, we can all benefit from listening to and accepting other people’s views, critiques, and advice. As the future quickly becomes the now. I aim to learn and apply the knowledge and criticism from those who think well enough to help. Luckily for me, many do.
Tuesday, February 7th, marked the sixth week I’ve been attending physical therapy in Washington, DC. When first recommended by my primary doctor and the specialists at Rochester, Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic. I strongly disagreed, referring to my already unyielding dedication to working out, the gym, and nutrition. Despite my skepticism and experience with past sessions where they put you on a bike and walked away. Like a good patient. I agreed to at least look into it. With due diligence, I found a highly rated/recommended place in nearby Washington, DC. My “What can they possibly do for me.” mantra went out the door during my first session. My therapist (Feeke) has been by my side, adding new and rewarding challenges each week. All of which I’ve applied to my daily routine at my condo’s gym. Since being diagnosed in 2017, I’ve had my share of challenges. All of which I’ve taken on like the stubborn son of a bitch I’ve always been. Whether it be my dedication to my workouts, meditation, tai-chi, or eating habits. Despite any challenges or disabilities. I feel as if I’m in the best shape of my life. I took the picture below in DC at about 7:43 am. The image reminded me that, no matter what, if you want to achieve anything. You have to put in the work.
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