Dales Donuts Compton

I woke up early the morning after Thanksgiving otherwise known as Black Friday. Before sunrise, I drove out to Compton and took this shot that I had already shot using a digital panorama stitch technique. After getting the film back, I realized that I liked the film shot much better than the digital shot. I made a video explaining all this. I have embedded the video here.

Dales Donuts Compton

Tag Name	Data
Title	Dales Donuts Compton
Image Description	I shot this with my Chamonix 5x7 view camera with my 6x17 roll film back. Love the colors and fun things you can see in the photo.
Keywords	6x17, 6x17 film, compton, dales donuts, donut shop, drum scan, film, film scan, kodak ektar 100, morning, morning light, panorama, sunrise
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Chamonix
Camera Model Name	Chamonix 57Fs-2
Lens Model	Schneider 180mm f/5.6 Apo-Symmar
Focal Length	180.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	38.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	8.00 seconds
Aperture Value	22.00
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Friday November 24, 2023 06:17am
City	Compton
State	California
Country	United States
Location	East Compton
GPS Altitude	20 meters (65.6 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.8889240166472
GPS Longitude	-118.19310558335
Map	Google Map Link

The Gas Station Shot

I realize that a photo of a gas station may be nothing to most people. I like this kind of shot. I am drawn to light and color. Gas stations that are well lit are a good example of color and light. I know that on YouTube these days, shots of gas stations are cliché. I almost did not take this shot just to avoid being cliché. I shot this with my Toyo-Field 45A with a 6x12 back, and then cropped it to 1x3, the same aspect ratio as a 6x17 negative. This is a drum scan and the resulting file is about 20,000 pixels wide. I can easily print this to about 6 feet wide, so I didn't lose anything by cropping it slightly on the top and bottom.

Shell gas station, Murrieta, California

Tag Name	Data
Title	Shell Gas Station Panorama
Image Description	This is a Shell gas station very early in the morning on a Saturday. I shot this with a 6x12 film back on my Toyo 45A and cropped it to 1x3, the same as 6x17 aspect ratio.
Keywords	6x12 film, 6x17, 6x17 film, convenience store, drum scan, early morning, film, film scan, gas pump, gas station, kodak ektar 100, long exposure, night photography, panorama, parking lot, shell
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Toyo-Field
Camera Model Name	Toyo-Field 45A
Lens Model	Schneider 90mm f/5.6 Super-Angulon XL
Focal Length	90.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	5.00 seconds
Aperture Value	22.00
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Saturday February 04, 2023 05:40am
City	Murrieta
State	California
Country	United States
GPS Altitude	370 meters (1213.9 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.5741116666667
GPS Longitude	-117.177853333333
Map	Google Map Link

Tower 48

California in the winter isn't really winter compared to the rest of the country. That being said, on a cold windy day, California outdoor people pretty much stay inside. I was near the beach on a cold day in December and decided to walk out onto the beach and take some black and white photos. I thought that this lifeguard tower being closed and boarded up was a perfect illustration of what California beach people do in the winter. They stay home.

Tower 48 in Newport Beach

Tag Name	Data
Title	Tower 48
Image Description	This was taken in December, on a cold windy day at the beach. The photo feels empty, and that is exactly what the beach was - empty.
Keywords	6x6 film, Ilford Delta 100, beach, black and white, black and white film, clouds, film scan, lifeguard tower, ocean, overcast, sand
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Hasselblad
Camera Model Name	Hasselblad 500C/M
Lens Model	Carl Zeiss 80mm Planar T* f/2.8 CB
Focal Length	80.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	52.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	1/500 second
Aperture Value	8.00
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Sunday December 11, 2022 02:45pm
City	Newport Beach
State	California
Country	United States
Location	West Newport
GPS Altitude	0 meters (0.0 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.6212667166611
GPS Longitude	-117.941648916703
Map	Google Map Link

I love me some Delta 100

Ilford Delta 100 can definitely take a punch. I was out shooting with my Canon EOS-3 35mm film camera at Harveston Lake in Temecula a bit after sunrise when I took this shot. The sun was just outside the upper left corner of the frame. I overexposed this shot a bit so that the sky would be blown out and I would have detail in the foreground and a nice contrasty scene. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the negative back from the film lab and saw that I was able to come away with a decent shot with that much difference in light. I love me some Delta 100.

Harveston Lake Sunrise

Tag Name	Data
Title	Harveston Lake Sunrise
Image Description	Delta 100 can really take a punch. This was shot almost directly into the sun and I still came away with a nice crispy shot.
Keywords	35mm Film, Ilford Delta 100, black and white, black and white film, film, film scan, harveston lake, lake, temecula, trees
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Canon
Camera Model Name	Canon EOS-3
Lens Model	EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Focal Length	16.00mm
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Sunday November 27, 2022 07:30am
City	Temecula
State	California
Country	United States
Location	Harveston
GPS Altitude	330 meters (1082.7 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.538519
GPS Longitude	-117.157395916733
Map	Google Map Link

Large Format Photography On Location - Catalina From Seal Beach

Large Format Photography On Location - Catalina From Seal Beach

**Description**

Film photography and large format photography with a large format film camera.

I head to Seal Beach, California where I shoot Catalina Island across the Long Beach Channel.

**Camera Gear**

Schneider 120mm F8 Super-Angulon Lens

Toyo Field 45A 4x5 Camera

Horseman 6x12 120 Roll Film Back

Toyo-View 3.6x Groundglass Focusing Aid

Manfrotto 3021N Tripod Legs

Manfrotto 3029 Pan Tilt Tripod Head

Vello TSR-40 Threaded Shutter Release Cable (15.75")

**Video Gear**

EOS R with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

DJI Mic 2-Person Compact Digital Wireless Microphone System

Shure MOTIV MVL Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

SP-E-240B SpectroLED Essential 240 Bi-Color LED Light

Giottos QU 200 Compact Tabletop Tripod/Monopod with Ball Head

**Bags and Cases**

Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator Backpack for large format gear

Lowepro CompuTrekker Camera Backpack for video gear

**iPhone apps**

Mark II Artist's Viewfinder - https://www.artistsviewfinder.com/ (I love this app)

**Computer software and scanner**

Adobe Creative Suite

Epson Scan with Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner

Drum Scanner: https://www.alexburkephoto.com/drum-scanning

**DISCLAIMER**

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

If I wear/show/talk about a brand, I like/own/use that brand in real life and get nothing in return.

I paid two artists to create the logo animation at the beginning of this video.

This was done with my direction and design instructions. It is 100% original.

Large Format Photography On Location - Ektar vs Digital

Large Format Photography On Location - Ektar vs Digital

**Description**

Film photography and large format photography with a film camera. I head to Compton, California to shoot Dale's Donuts and compare the results to my previous shot at the same location

**Camera Gear**

Manfrotto 3021N Tripod Legs

Manfrotto 3029 Pan Tilt Tripod Head

Chamonix 57Fs-2 View Camera

Schneider 180mm f/5.6 Apo-Symmar Lens

Vello TSR-40 Threaded Shutter Release Cable (15.75")

DAYI 5x7 Camera Roll Film Back 6x17 Format

Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster Flash Meter

Toyo-View 3.6x Groundglass Focusing Aid

FCXJTU Digital Waterproof Stopwatch

**Video Gear**

iPhone 13

EOS R with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

DJI Mic 2-Person Compact Digital Wireless Microphone System

Shure MOTIV MVL Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

**Bags and Cases**

Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator Backpack

Lowepro CompuTrekker Camera Backpack

Belkin Small Laptop Case with divider

**Misc Gear**

The Darkroom Hat

Tydon Guardian Reflective Safety Vest

Streamlight 66601 Flashlight

**iPhone apps**

Mark II Artist's Viewfinder - https://www.artistsviewfinder.com/ (I love this app)

**Computer software and scanner**

Adobe Creative Suite

Epson Scan with Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner

Drum Scanner: https://www.alexburkephoto.com/drum-scanning

**DISCLAIMER**

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

If I wear/show/talk about a brand, I like/own/use that brand in real life and get nothing in return.

I paid two artists to create the logo animation at the beginning of this video.

This was done with my direction and design instructions. It is 100% original.

On Location Photography - Donut Panorama

On Location Photography - Donut Panorama

**Description**

I head to Compton, California to shoot a stitched panorama of Dale's Donuts. Many cars have to be removed from the scene

**Transport and Bags**

Lowepro CompuTrekker Camera Backpack

**Camera gear**

Manfrotto 3021N Tripod Legs

Manfrotto 3029 Pan Tilt Tripod Head

Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster Flash Meter

Canon EOS R Body

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

Sunwayfoto PCL-R Custom L-Bracket for Canon EOS R

Neewer Aluminum Screw Knob Clamp Compatible Mini Quick Release Clamp for QR Plate (38mm)

Neewer Gimbal Head Panoramic Head Camera Tripod Head

Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch

**iPhone apps**

Mark II Artist's Viewfinder - https://www.artistsviewfinder.com/ (I love this app)

**Computer software and scanner**

Adobe Lightroom Classic

**Video gear**

iPhone 13

Canon EOS R @ 4k with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens and Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

DJI Mic 2-Person Compact Digital Wireless Microphone System/Recorder for Camera & Smartphone (2.4 GHz)

Shure MOTIV MVL Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone for Smartphones

**DISCLAIMER**

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

If I wear/show/talk about a brand, I like/own/use that brand in real life and get nothing in return.

On Location Photography - One Hour Photo

Show Notes:

Drum Scan by https://www.alexburkephoto.com/drum-scanning

Description:

I show you an on location video in Norwalk, California. This trip results in a finished drum scanned negative that is gorgeous.

Location:

Norwalk, California

Camera gear:

Kodak 5x7 Portra 160 sheet film cut from 8x10 sheet film

Manfrotto 3033 Tripod Legs

Manfrotto 3029 Pan Tilt Tripod Head

Chamonix 57Fs-2 View Camera

Schneider 210mm f5.6 Apo Symmar lens

Sinar Flat Lensboard for #1 Copal/Compur Shutters

Vello TSR-40 Threaded Shutter Release Cable (15.75")

Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster Flash Meter

Toyo-View 3.6x Groundglass Focusing Aid

Stone Photo Gear 5x7 Single Sleeve Film Storage

Fidelity Deluxe Film Holder 5x7 Plastic

iPhone apps:

Mark II Artist's Viewfinder https://www.artistsviewfinder.com/ (love this App !!)

Lightmeter App for reciprocity data https://apps.apple.com/us/app/light-meter-wbphoto/id1524189195

Computer software and scanner:

Epson Perfection V850 Pro Photo Scanner

ExifTool by Phil Harvey command line tool for updating correct exif data to final photo file

Video:

iPhone 13

EOS R @ 4k with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens and Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

DJI Mic 2-Person Compact Digital Wireless Microphone System/Recorder for Camera & Smartphone (2.4 GHz)

Shure MOTIV MVL Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone for Smartphones

Music:

"Racing" by FSM team

https://www.free-stock-music.com/fsm-team-racing.html

DISCLAIMER

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

Donuts In The Fog

That morning, I was planning to head out at sunrise with my 4x5 view camera. I woke up to heavy fog. I went and got donuts instead. I grabbed my video camera and thought it would be fun to shoot a short video in the fog. I am not sure that I like the video. I did however enjoy the process of shooting each scene and then putting the final video together.

Donuts In The Fog

Show Notes:

Location:

Murrieta, California

Video Gear Used:

iPhone 13 safely mounted in vehicle

EOS R with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

Music:

Time Rider by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

DISCLAIMER

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

Leaving Las Vegas

I was born and raised in California. In the mid 90s I moved to Las Vegas for about five years. When I came back to California I had to find a job before moving my family back to California. This took about six months to locate a job, get settled, and get a house for my family to live in. During this time I was commuting back and forth from Las Vegas to California on the weekends. It was during this time that I took this photo. Every time I see this photo it brings back the memory of commuting from Las Vegas to California on the weekends. I like this photo, it is a 35 millimeter slide that I decided to have drum scanned. The scan itself is gorgeous. I love this photo both for the photo itself and for the memories it evokes.

This is the strip entrance to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino

Tag Name	Data
Title	Las Vegas Casino Sign
Image Description	This is the strip entrance to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Keywords	35mm film, casino, casino sign, film scan, las vegas, long exposure, neon, night photography
Copyright	©ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Minolta
Camera Model Name	Maxxum 3xi
Lens Model	Minolta AF 35-70
Date/Time Original	Saturday October 09, 1999 09:00pm
City	Las Vegas
State	Nevada
Country	United States
Location	Las Vegas Strip
GPS Latitude	36.1158545166528
GPS Longitude	-115.172676333333
Map	Google Map Link

Sometimes I Am Not So Polite

My view camera attracts a lot of attention. Wherever I go, when I'm taking photos with my view camera and somebody walks by, it is inevitable that they make a comment on the camera. The comment that I hear most often is, “Wow that is one of those old fashioned cameras.” I don't mind, it's a normal reaction. I'm not always receptive to people talking to me while I'm trying to concentrate on taking photos. Most of the time I politely ask them to give me a moment while I finish and then I will be happy to answer their questions. Sometimes I am not so polite, and tell people I am busy and can’t talk right now.

Harveston Houses

Tag Name	Data
Title	Harveston Houses
Image Description	These two houses sit near the end of the lake in Harveston and I could not resist a 6x12 shot.
Keywords	6x12 film, film scan, harveston lake, house, kodak ektar 100, picket fence, temecula
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Toyo-Field
Camera Model Name	Toyo-Field 45A
Focal Length	90.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	29.00mm
Aperture Value	16.00
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Sunday January 08, 2023 10:39am
City	Temecula
State	California
Country	United States
Location	Harveston
GPS Altitude	330 meters (1082.7 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.5378299166556
GPS Longitude	-117.155394666667
Map	Google Map Link

Excalibur Hotel & Casino Late 1990s

I took this shot in the summer of 1998. I took it on an old Linhof 4x5 monorail camera with an old 150mm lens. At the time I was just starting to shoot in 4x5. The Vegas strip at night was a perfect place to learn. I could take my time to set up my shot and get great lighting from each of the casinos. The shots taken in the late 1990s will always be some of my favorite photos.

Excalibur Hotel & Casino Late 1990s

Tag Name	Data
Title	Excalibur Hotel late 1990s
Image Description	This view is no longer available. They have since built up around it making it hard to get this view. The colors of the castle at night are vibrant and hard to pass up as a photographer
Keywords	exaclibur hotel, film scan, large format film, las vegas, long exposure, neon, night photography
Copyright	©ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Linhof
Camera Model Name	Kardan Super Color ST 4x5
Lens Model	Schneider 150mm
Date/Time Original	Saturday August 15, 1998 09:00pm
City	Las Vegas
State	Nevada
Country	United States
Location	Las Vegas Strip
GPS Latitude	36.1002073166683
GPS Longitude	-115.173548
Map	Google Map Link

Dale Earnhardt late 1990s

I took this shot in 1998 at the Las Vegas 400. It was the inaugural race. This was shot on 35mm film. Don’t remember what kind of film. Taking panning shots without seeing the results immediately on the sensor was definitely harder than it is today.

Ted Musgrave in the yellow, Dale Earnhardt in the black. March 1, 1998. Inaugural Las Vegas 400 NASCAR Winston Cup.

Tag Name	Data
Title	Dale Earnhardt late 1990s
Image Description	Ted Musgrave in the yellow, Dale Earnhardt in the black. March 1, 1998. Inaugural Las Vegas 400 NASCAR Winston Cup
Keywords	35mm film, film scan, las vegas, race cars, race track, racing
Copyright	©ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Minolta
Camera Model Name	Maxxum 3xi
Lens Model	Minolta AF 35-70
Date/Time Original	Sunday March 01, 1998 01:00pm
City	Las Vegas
State	Nevada
Country	United States
Location	Las Vegas Motor Speedway
GPS Latitude	36.2746554666667
GPS Longitude	-115.012771850014
Map	Google Map Link

How To Replace Repair Bellows Toyo Field 45A 45AII 45AX 45G Camera

In this video I walk you through the process of replacing the bellows on a Toyo Field 45A 4x5 camera.

How to replace bellows Toyo 45A 45AII 45AX 45G

Video Notes:

Title:

How To Replace Repair Bellows Toyo Field 45A 45AII 45AX 45G Camera E02

Description:

I show you hot to replace the bellows on a Toyo 45A 45AII 45AX field camera.

Location:

Temecula, California

Transport and Bags:

Lowepro CompuTrekker Camera Backpack

Video:

iPhone 13

EOS R and Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Tiffen 67mm Variable Neutral Density Filter

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

SYNCO Wireless Lavalier Microphones & System, G1(A2) 2.4G

Music:

Las Palmas by Scandinavianz | https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

DISCLAIMER

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

#photography #landscape #largeformat #film #viewcamera #4x5photography

Download Video Transcript Text

On Location Photography - Harveston Temecula

I published my first YouTube video this weekend. I have heard that the first 1000 subscribers takes a long time. I think I will allow myself about a year to work at this to see where it goes. I think that if I just put out quality content, eventually enough photographers will find my channel and I will be able to participate in the photography community. My goal is to become a contributing member of the photography community. We will see what happens. It feels like the top of the first inning with eight more long innings to go.

Here are the show notes as posted on YouTube:

Title:

6x17 Photography on a Chamonix 5x7 View Camera

Description:

I head to Harveston Lake in Temecula, California to shoot a 6x17 photo on a Chamonix 5x7 view camera.

Then I review the resulting scan on an Epson 850 scanner and compare it to my Canon EOS R photo.

Location:

Harveston Lake Temecula, California

Transport and Bags:

Mac Sports XL Folding Wagon

Think Tank Photo Airport Accelerator Backpack

Lowepro CompuTrekker Camera Backpack

Camera gear:

Foma Fomapan ISO 100 5x7 Sheet Film Expires 9/23

Manfrotto 3021N Tripod Legs

Manfrotto 3029 Pan Tilt Tripod Head

Chamonix 57Fs-2 View Camera

Nikkor-SW 90mm f/4.5 Lens

Sinar Flat Lensboard for #0 Copal/Compur Shutters

Vello TSR-40 Threaded Shutter Release Cable (15.75")

Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster Flash Meter

Toyo-View 3.6x Groundglass Focusing Aid

Stone Photo Gear 5x7 Single Sleeve Film Storage

Fidelity Deluxe Film Holder 5x7 Plastic

Lisco Regal Film Holder 5x7 Plastic

Canon EOS R with Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM with Canon CPS camera strap

Overhead setup:

LenTok Overhead Tripod For DSLR Cameras ASIN B08ZCW4N6V

Photomyne A4 Slide Viewer

Print File Archival Storage Page for Negatives, 5x7

iPhone apps:

Mark II Artist's Viewfinder

Photo Friend exposure and DoF

Computer software and scanner:

Epson Perfection V850 Pro Photo Scanner

ExifTool by Phil Harvey command line tool

Video:

iPhone 13

EOS R with Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Tiffen 67mm Variable Neutral Density Filter

Manfrotto 190CX3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black)

Manfrotto MH804 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head with 200LT-PL Quick Release Plate

SYNCO Wireless Lavalier Microphones & System, G1(A2) 2.4G

Music:

Las Palmas by Scandinavianz | https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

DISCLAIMER

Not affiliated with any brands. No paid products or sponsors. This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

#photography #landscape #largeformat #film #viewcamera #6x17photography

The Bell Tower

I took this photo in the summer of 1998. It was a time in my photography career that I was shooting 4x5 on the Las Vegas Strip at night. I would haul my camera around in a red wooden Radio Flyer wagon up and down the strip. I had all my gear in it. It was the best way to have all of my gear ready to go. No fumbling around in a backpack.

At the time, my daughter was watching a lot of Disney movies on VHS. One of those movies was Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. So, every time we drove by the Stratosphere Tower I would tell her, "Hey look it's the Bell Tower!" She would look out the car window and gaze up in wonderment. To this day, I still call it the Bell Tower.

The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino late 1990s

Tag Name	Data
Title	The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino late 1990s
Image Description	This is looking up at the Stratosphere right at the main entrance. It was a unique shot that got both the name of the hotel and the tower itself
Keywords	film scan, large format film, las vegas, long exposure, neon, night photography, stratosphere casino
Copyright	©ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Linhof
Camera Model Name	Kardan Super Color ST 4x5
Lens Model	Schneider 90mm
Date/Time Original	Saturday August 01, 1998 09:00pm
City	Las Vegas
State	Nevada
Country	United States
Location	Las Vegas Strip
GPS Latitude	36.1467914833306
GPS Longitude	-115.15607
Map	Google Map Link

Doin The Panoram

I have photographed the San Diego skyline many times. My favorite photo is at sunrise. The lighting is better at sunrise and the water is calm. This particular shot was taken in September 2004 at sunset. I converted it to watercolor, because it looks fascinating and a whole lot better as a watercolor print. It will print at 6 feet wide. I may have to order a print and put one on my wall. It looks gorgeous up close. I got the title of this blog from The Cars song Panorama.

Watercolor of San Diego Skyline Sunset

Tag Name	Data
Title	Watercolor of San Diego Skyline Sunset
Image Description	Digital watercolor of San Diego at sunset. This was taken in September of 2004. I like the older skyline vs what it looks like now. The original file prints at six feet wide. It is a 1:3 panorama. It will look gorgeous framed on a wall.
Keywords	city skyline, downtown, panorama, san diego, san diego bay, san diego skyline, skyline, sunset
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Canon
Camera Model Name	Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Lens Model	24.0-85.0 mm
Focal Length	24.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	3.20 seconds
Aperture Value	8.00
ISO	100
Date/Time Original	Sunday September 12, 2004 07:27pm
GPS Altitude	0 meters (0.0 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	32.7003236999986
GPS Longitude	-117.172822866658
Map	Google Map Link

It Might Be Better Than You Think

Each time I see one of my photos for the first time and it is a photo that I worked on and planned for, I normally like it. Then, as I look at it a second or a third time, sometimes I find distracting elements and I don't like the photo as much. Like many photographers, I'm sure that I'm not alone. Sometimes, the distractions that I find get to a point where I no longer like the photo. I have learned to get over that. In this case it is definitely the chain link fence on the left side of the photo that I don't like. There are many good things about this photo that make it fun to look at, but the chain link fence definitely takes away from that. However, if I look at this photo from a storytelling point of view I realized that the fence itself tells a story. The story of the rebuilding of this pier after storm damage in January of 2023. This chain link fence will eventually come down, but I have a photo of what it looked like during the construction. I decided to go ahead and scan and post this photo as an example for both myself and maybe other photographers to remember that not every photo composition will be perfect. Sometimes embracing the imperfection and understanding it will help us realize that maybe it might even be better than we think.

Oceanside Municipal Fishing Pier

Tag Name	Data
Title	Oceanside Municipal Fishing Pier
Image Description	This is the Oceanside pier well before sunrise. The fence on the left is from construction repairing the damage caused by a storm in January of 2023.
Keywords	6x6 film, Oceanside Municipal Fishing Pier, beach, film scan, kodak portra 160, long exposure, night photography, oceanside, oceanside pier, pier
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Hasselblad
Camera Model Name	Hasselblad 500C/M
Lens Model	Carl Zeiss 80mm Planar T* f/2.8 CB
Focal Length	80.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	52.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	60.00 seconds
Aperture Value	22.00
ISO	160
Date/Time Original	Sunday August 13, 2023 05:14am
City	Oceanside
State	California
Country	United States
GPS Altitude	0 meters (0.0 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.1938814167222
GPS Longitude	-117.385081233338
Map	Google Map Link

Not The Same Shot

There are many reasons that I shoot film. One of the reasons is that it has a certain look to it that you cannot get from a digital camera. This shot of the mission in Oceanside is a perfect example. I posted this same shot a few days ago. That shot was using my digital camera. If you look at that one, you can tell the digital shot seems richer and has much more contrast. Maybe even a bit muddier. The film shot in this post was taken using my Hasselblad on Portra 160. It has a much wider dynamic range and a bit more high key. Portra 160 from Kodak is great at this. Yes, I could have probably manipulated the film image to look more like the digital image, but I prefer to present it the way the film is meant to be presented.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Tag Name	Data
Title	Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Image Description	According to Wikipedia, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is a former Spanish mission in San Luis Rey, a neighborhood of Oceanside, California.
Keywords	6x6 film, Mission San Luis Rey, california mission, church, film scan, kodak portra 160, oceanside
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Hasselblad
Camera Model Name	Hasselblad 500C/M
Lens Model	Carl Zeiss 80mm Planar T* f/2.8 CB
Focal Length	80.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	52.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	1/250 second
Aperture Value	16.00
ISO	160
Date/Time Original	Saturday August 12, 2023 01:29pm
City	Oceanside
State	California
Country	United States
Location	San Luis Rey
GPS Altitude	20 meters (65.6 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.2319283000944
GPS Longitude	-117.3193592
Map	Google Map Link

Motel California

It was an overcast day in Oceanside at the beach. As I was walking down the stairs to this location, the song “Hotel California” by the Eagles was playing in my head. I was changing the lyrics from “Hotel” to “Motel” to fit the little drive-up cottages I was about to photograph. I have been to Oceanside many times and have passed by these little cottages several times. On this particular day, after shooting the Mission up the street, I decided that this was the day to get a square shot of one the little cottages on the beach. I like the symmetry of the shot. All the squares. I did my best to center the cottage exactly in the center of the frame. I got very close. It looks great. I could have been a hair to the left to get better separation with the windows in the back. The high key pastel look of this scene on Portra 160 with my Hasselblad came out great. I love it. The overcast day was the perfect lighting for this shot.

These look like fun little cottages at the beach in Oceanside. There are about twenty of them. They are all identical save a few decorative touches.

Tag Name	Data
Title	Roberts Cottages Oceanside
Image Description	These look like fun little cottages at the beach in Oceanside. There are about twenty of them. They are all identical save a few decorative touches.
Keywords	6x6 film, Roberts Cottages, beach, cottage, film scan, frame 7, house, oceanside, palm trees, portra 160
Copyright	Copyright ExpertPhoto.com All Rights Reserved
Artist	ExpertPhoto.com
Make	Hasselblad
Camera Model Name	Hasselblad 500C/M
Lens Model	Carl Zeiss 80mm Planar T* f/2.8 CB
Focal Length	80.00mm
Focal Length In 35mm Format	52.00mm
Shutter Speed Value	1/250 second
Aperture Value	11.00
ISO	160
Date/Time Original	Saturday August 12, 2023 02:53pm
City	Oceanside
State	California
Country	United States
Location	Townsite
GPS Altitude	0 meters (0.0 feet) above sea level
GPS Latitude	33.1983558166528
GPS Longitude	-117.387614
Map	Google Map Link