Sometimes it’s good to keep things fresh and new, and having great success hosting a photo meetup in Niagara-On-The-Lake last year and having gotten a connection with a fantastic photographer in the region Bryan who is about a year into his journey into film photography with the offer to host the group I took the chance. Unlike past photo walks, this time, we had three lovely models along. Nat, Millie, and Carolyn, having worked with Bryan in the past came along to give the group a chance to trial their model photography work in a low-key situation. Now I’ve done some model work in the past, but it has been some time since I’ve done anything, so having professionals on hand gave me a bit of confidence knowing that I could also trust their posing. Plus just being able to watch and listen to Bryan certainly helped. Camera-wise I had three on me, my Minolta Maxxum 9 along with the 50mm lens and a flash to help give some fill light, the Mamiya m645 and a Holga 120N (It was still Holga Week at the time). For film, I rocked one of my last rolls of Kodak Panatomic-X, Lomography Potsdam 100, Kosmo Foto Mono 100, and Fomapan 400. I had a roll of JCH Streetpan 400 and Eastman Double-X as backups.
Holga 120N – Optical Lens 1:8 f=60mm – Kosmo Foto Mono 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 10:00 @ 20C
I’m pretty happy with how the images of the models turned out since I was also juggling three cameras at the time with most of my focus being on the Maxxum 9. The Mamiya gave me a chance to put it back into the professional seat and the Holga is just super fun and got some amazing images.
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Kodak Panatomic-X @ ASA-32 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 9:00 @ 20C
Holga 120N – Optical Lens 1:8 f=60mm – Kosmo Foto Mono 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 10:00 @ 20C
Mamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Fomapan 400 @ ASA-200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
I have to say it was a little hard bouncing around between three different models plus working around the other photographers. But all three were certainly game for the event. Nat has been modelling for sometimes and certainly was all smiles. Millie was a great fit as she also had worked with film photography before even developing and printing her own black & white. Carolyn seemed the best dressed for the weather with a chunky sweater.
Mamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Fomapan 400 @ ASA-200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Kodak Panatomic-X @ ASA-32 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 9:00 @ 20C
Holga 120N – Optical Lens 1:8 f=60mm – Kosmo Foto Mono 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 10:00 @ 20C
Despite the chill coming off the lake, everyone maintained good spirits, and even the public seemed to eye us strangely, but at this point, we’re a little used to that. But when you have a large group of folks with cameras gathered, it tends to draw attention.
Mamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Fomapan 400 @ ASA-200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Cinestill D96 (Stock) 6:00 @ 20C
Mamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Fomapan 400 @ ASA-200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
But after the first half or so of the walk, the desire to take pictures of people faded and I just shot the scenery as we moved back towards the Fort before adjourning to The Exchange Brewery where the group split up. I hadn’t known that Oktoberfest was running so the place was packed a few of us got seats while the rest took off to visit the Irish Harp before continuing.
Holga 120N – Optical Lens 1:8 f=60mm – Kosmo Foto Mono 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 10:00 @ 20C
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Cinestill D96 (Stock) 6:00 @ 20C
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Cinestill D96 (Stock) 6:00 @ 20C
Minolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm 1:1.7 – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Cinestill D96 (Stock) 6:00 @ 20C
For having not photographed a model in several years, I mean even the last time I photographed people outside of street photography or weddings was a maternity shoot, I’m happy with my results. And being able to put the Maxxum 9 and Mamiya m645 into a professional setting. Especially the ‘9’ since it’ll be featured on an upcoming episode of Classic Camera Revival on pro photography and film. It also made me want to get my lovely wife out in front of the camera on our upcoming trip into Chicago. If I had to change anything, I probably would have left the m645 at home and used the space to bring along the 100mm lens for the Maxxum. The fifty is a great lens, but sometimes being able to stand a bit further back and get that compression is helpful. If you want to see all the images from the day head on over to Flickr to check them out.