Seeking Focus

Toulouse

Jason Langley — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:41:31 GMT

Well, two months have passed since I’ve gotten a fresh image up here… may be another two before there’s anything else to come.

Don’t worry though- I’m still alive and taking photos! Been on the road this summer and more traveling to come… heading out the door tomorrow for a few more weeks. Off to Nevada, California, Utah, and who knows where else.

Just wanted to drop in and say that I’m well, and to thank everyone once again for all the comments I continue to receive. It gives me much inspiration to know that people are enjoying some of my work so thoroughly.

Until next time…

-Jason

Hasselblad 500c/m, Fuji Acros 100, Developed in ID-11. Dutone in PS.

Moss St.

Jason Langley — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:42:53 GMT

Well- Two weeks. Two photos. We’re on a roll, eh?

I’m back in town and once again have a lot to catch up on… then just when I’m getting caught up again it’s back to the road for more adventures. So it goes.

What’s been happening in the blog world these days? It’s hard to keep up with everything when you’re on the road more or less constantly… came back to about 100 emails that need replies- if one of them is yours, be patient- I’ll try and get to it sometime this year! I’m starting to think I’m never going to get around to replying to all the comments from the last few images either, but maybe I can steal a few hours in bed this evening to drop a line or two. Hope no one minds getting naked emails… I promise you won’t be able to tell. Chances are you’ve already gotten one or two from me already… too much info? I’ll quit.

Anyway, hope all is well. Perhaps I’ll get around to see what everyone else has been up to since I’ve been away, but forgive me if I don’t! Wish I had the time… Take care, and thanks everyone for all the kind words of late. Keep them coming if you’re so obliged. I do love hearing from everyone!

Hasselblad 500cm, Fuji NeoPan Acros 100, Developed in Dektol Stock @ 7.5 min.

Dauphine

Jason Langley — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:09:04 GMT

Well… what can I say? Things have just been keeping me away from the internet for the past few days. It’s been a while… haven’t been able to update the site and haven’t been able to pass by anyone else’s neck of the woods. I suppose by now the news reader will be so packed I’m scared to look! Doesn’t look like I will manage to get back with all of you individually regarding all the comments on the last few images either. I do apologize… will you forgive?

I was sure to pass all the kind comments on to Willie, and he was quite taken with the response!

Anyway, I actually just dropped in to say that… It will likely be a while before you hear from me again! Good reasons mind you- off for travel for a few weeks. I’ll try and check in again soon, but judging by how things have been going when I have normal internet access, I make no promises.

This shot was to be the first in a series of shots taken around New Orleans… a collection of minimalist landscapes. It’s still in it’s infancy and was never fully realized, but I did manage to get a few shots that I would like to get around to sharing…

Be good, take care. Talk to everyone again soon.

Hasselblad 500cm, Fuji NeoPan Acros 100, Developed in Dektol Stock @ 7.5 min.

Willie White Paws

Jason Langley — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:17:48 GMT

Yes. That’s his name.

He’s actually the neighbor’s cat, but we have a theory that he prefers our company. Since we don’t have to actually take care of him, we can afford to spoil him all we want with salmon and soft pillows… And then send him on home for the litter box and kitty food. It’s a pretty sweet deal. I think Willie thinks so as well.

Hasselblad 500cm, Fuji Acros 100, Developed in D-76 stock. Duotone in PS.

That Shadow, My Likeness

Jason Langley — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:38:03 GMT

The little light fades the immense and diaphanous shadows,
the air tastes good to my palate.

Sorry for the large file size. There’s lots of details in this one, and I couldn’t shrink it much more without losing them… had a nasty light leak issue with the Hassy a few months ago that’s since been fixed, but I had to patch this shot a good bit to make it acceptable for web display.

Hasselblad 500cm, Fuji Acros 100

The Finger Points to the West. (Color)

Jason Langley — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:56:16 GMT

Well, sorry for the short absence (once again). Also, sorry for the sort of re-post, but I wanted to post this for a few reasons…

I liked it quite a bit, perhaps as much as the BW version though for different reasons. I actually saw this (color) version first and fell in love with it instantly. It just really captured the atmosphere of that night quite well. But, when I processed the BW version a bit later, I did like it quite a bit also, and over all I do feel like perhaps it got just a bit of an edge over this one… still I like them both quite a lot, and for completely different reasons. So, why not get some feedback? Any thoughts?

Secondly, I had wanted to post this because I got more than a few comments suggesting that they would have liked to see the last shot in color. I do love color night shots, as there’s something eerily wonderful about the distorted color combination from mixed lighting situations. Also, I haven’t posted anything in color in quite a while. So how about it? Let’s brighten up the place for just a bit. I do think the next few images are going to get right back to the BW theme though, so have to squeeze just a touch of color in!

If somehow you missed the two above links here’s the previous BW version of this shot: The Finger Points to the West

Hasselblad 500c/m, Fuji Provia 100F, 45 seconds @ f/11. Developed E-6.

Gravier St., New Orleans

Jason Langley — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:52:36 GMT

This was taken a few nights after the last image. I was looking for something specific with this shot, but I’m not sure if I got it. I was just getting warmed up after two or three frames and my Hasselblad jammed on me. It was the first time it had happened so I didn’t know how to fix it at the time- so, once again I had to limp home with only a couple of frames exposed.

The last few months have not been good to me in regards to night photography. I’ve gotten out quite a few times, but without fail I’ve run into problems that have prevented any serious photography… first the keys locked in the car. This night was the jammed Hasselblad. On another occasion I left the shutter release behind, and yet another I found myself with no tripod…

But, the full moon is approaching again. The weather’s been nasty down here the last few days, but hopefully it will clear up and I can get out sometime in the next few nights to spend some time under the stars. With a little luck, I might even be able to get everything together and manage a photo or two.

Hasselblad 500cm, Fuji Neopan Acros 100

The Finger Points to the West. Or is it East?

Jason Langley — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:54:15 GMT

This is from a few nights past the full moon back in January. It was a splendid night, with some really great mist hanging in the air and good light. Unfortunately, I only got a few shots at this location before moving on… After which I promptly locked my keys in the car and had to worry about how to get across town at 2am with a few grand worth of camera equipment over my shoulder. Luckily, I was able to manage without any major run-ins. However once it was settled, I was all out of energy for more photography that night and all that great light was to go to waste… But perhaps I can rest my hope that some other photographer out there got something good.

This is Audubon Park in New Orleans, looking toward the Tulane and Loyola campuses. If there’s anyone out there familiar with the area, you may notice that the two prominent buildings in the background are actually reversed. Well, that’s just how I scanned it and in the end I decided the composition was much more pleasing that way. So much for documentary photography.

Hasselblad 500c/m, Fuji Neopan Acros 100, 45 seconds @ f/11. Developed in D-76 Stock for 11 min.

Bridge Over Bayou St. John

Jason Langley — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:18:13 GMT

One last shot from the blur Holga. Overall, it seems I’ve gotten positive feedback on these shots. Perhaps it will be a bit of incentive to get out and run some more film through the camera if I can ever get around to it. Not everyone’s cup of tea I know, but rest assured I’ll get back to the boring in focus shots soon. Scott even accused me of having fun with these… there’ll be no more of that, I promise.

This is just behind the house, taken looking across the Bayou St. John. The Bayou once drained much or the area of what is now New Orleans… now, it’s not much more than a long skinny lake. The native americans knew it as Bayou Choupic, and it reportedly was the location of many of Marie Laveau‘s voodoo rituals.

Holga 120N, Kodak Portra BW400CN, Process C-41.

Birds

Jason Langley — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:14:43 GMT

Another one from the blur Holga. This one involved literally running full speed at a group of seagulls on the bayou, and snapping a shot as they flew away. Ideally, I’d like to have gotten a few more of them in the shot, so perhaps next time I can get to the beach I’ll have to bring a bag of old bread and give it another try.

Holga 120N, Kodak Portra BW400CN, Process C-41