Because No One Really Knows That Much About Cameras

this is for all you out there who dare venture into the land of buying old cameras despite having no knowledge of how (or if) they work. and no that's not a condescending comment, it's actually a commending one. we must be brave in our continual struggle to find obscure cameras and take amazing photographs with them. and though figuring things out as we go along is half the fun, we all sometimes need to consult a manual.

thanks for this one herb.

Last Minute, I Know

I really got to get on top of this whole thing about posting announcements the day of.

But here it is anyway. Tonight there's a big lecture going down at LACMA @ 7:00 in Bing Theatre. It's being given by Michael Fried and is called "Why Photography Matters as Art as Never Before" (based off of the title of his new book). There's been a lot of build up for this lecture so it should be pretty interesting and there should be a good turn out, so be sure to get there early. And if you're already familiar with Mr. Fried and have his book, be sure to bring your copy because he'll be signing them afterwards.

If In Need of an Upgrade

This isn't to say that I've given up on the plastic, so you need not concern yourself with that.

Rather this is just a recommendation for anyone of you out there that is looking to slightly upgrade their camera collection. KEH is a great used camera supply store that has solid deals on a ton of different products. Everything from camera bodies to lenses to other miscellaneous items, and from every company you've ever heard of (and even some you haven't).

And from experience, when they rate something as "BGN" all that really means is that it's a camera that has one or two (at most) minor dings on the body, but other than that is a perfectly functioning and clean camera. That and it'll potentially save you a ton of money. The only downside is that shipping will cost you a pretty penny (somewhere around $12). But put into perspective, that's not bad considering you'll more than likely be purchasing something worth more than that. And you definitely get $12 worth of packaging, it would take considerable effort on the part of the delivery man to break anything they ship you. So rest assure, your order is safe.

But for now I play the waiting game, my TLR is on its sweet voyage to my ever-embracing arms.

Tomorrow's Thursday, What Are You Doing?

So tomorrow is this month's Downtown ArtWalk.



Hard to give details other than that it's in and around Gallery Row in Downtown LA and goes from about noon to 9:00. If you want to know more check out the website here. And if you want to know even more than that, go to it and see for yourself.

Good food, good art, tons of people. Who could ask for more?

Further Reading

Yet another book I came across while strolling through the stacks of USC Fine Arts and Architecture Library. Seems very appropriate for Lomographers and has a lot of great photos in it. So if you get the chance you should check it out

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Fellow Comrades

In order to honor our surrogate Soviet elders, I think we should take a minute or two away from our cameras and pick up a book.

Yes, not only am I condoning such an activity as reading, but I am actually encouraging you to do so.

I came across this book in the library the other day and have to admit that it's pretty damned interesting. Though the topics range, the majority of it discusses how amateur practices within the Soviet photographic community produced some pretty interesting results. I can imagine it was this disregard of the "rules" of photography that eventually culminated in the LC-A, but I can only speculate.

Last Second I Know

But totally worth it.

Tonight there's a panel discussion at ArtCenter's L.A. Times Theatre entitled "After Materiality and Style" which features a couple of my former professors. The discussion is going to focus on self-reflexivity and medium-specificity within photographic practices in recent years.

These are definitely smart people who know who they're talking about so it should be a worthwhile investment of your time.

To help ease my worried mind...

and maybe yours too.

I read the Daily Bruin today and came across an interview with Sir Ken Robinson. Apparently, he recently wrote a book called "The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything" and encourages the funding for arts education. As a fourth year college student, I'm completely enthralled with the idea of finding a job that I am passionate about while still being capable to support myself financially. Lucky for me, he's speaking at the Hammer as part of their lecture series on Wednesday (Jan. 28) at 7 p.m. and yes, it's FREE. I'm definitely attending because I need as much guidance (and hopefully encouragement) as I can get.

The Hammer link: http://hammer.ucla.edu/calendar/detail/type/program/id/126

Also, this is about a month away but the Hammer has another awesome-looking event. On February 25th, they're holding the "Flux Screening Series."

Here is the event's description straight from the flux website:

Flux Screening Series
February 25, 2009
8:00 pm screening, 10:00 pm after-party

Flux and the Hammer present an exciting quarterly series of special events showcasing innovative film and music with courtyard receptions. Last year’s inaugural series included leading artists Encyclopedia Pictura, Chris Milk, Shepard Fairey, Martin de Thurah, Spank Rock, Cat Solen, and more. What surprise guests will show up this year? Come to the first Flux event of the new year and find out.

Admission is free, RSVP is suggested (RSVP form will load below). Seating is first come, first served. RSVP does not guarantee seating. Box office opens at 6PM. Guests who arrive after the theater is full are welcome to join the outdoor reception.

The Museum is located at the northeast corner of Westwood and Wilshire Boulevards in Westwood Village, 3 blocks east of the 405 freeway’s Wilshire Boulevard exit.

Parking is available under the Museum. There is a $3 flat rate after 6:30 p.m.

Go to this website to RSVP (which is highly recommended):

http://flux.net/flux-screening-series-at-the-hammer-los-angeles-3

Always, Maggie

Camera Obscura...

is more than that little invention that eventually helped develop the world known as photography. It's been a well-kept secret in Santa Monica, until now. Well, maybe.

I was perusing a book in the Central Library's gift shop (go figure) in downtown L.A. and came across a fun little adventure. Apparently a senior home has a dark little room to view pictures in a unique fashion. According to the Walk in the History of Santa Monica(pdf) I found online, "Upstairs is the Camera Obscura which preceded the camera in portraying current images." The Camera Obscura "was developed by the Chinese in 5th Century B.C. The quality was improved in the 16th Century A.D. by the addition of the convex lens in the aperture and a mirror to reflect the image down on the viewing surface. In the 19th century, the ordinary camera was invented by placing a sheet of light sensitive paper on the viewing surface." It's on 1450 Ocean Blvd. in Santa Monica and noted SO MANY times in that book and sites online that it was once a huge attraction and now no one hardly ever goes. I want to check out this room for myself, and maybe say hi to the old folks. :)

Oh and if you ever want an easy way to look up the bus routes and the numbers of the bus you need, go to metro.net. You just type your address and the address of your destination. It has saved my life numerous of times and helps me go on my adventures.

-Maggie

Trip to the Library

Stumbled across this the other day.

Yet again the internet produces something constructive.