26 Letters, One Year, and Doing What I Love

26 Letters for FILM26
encaustic on birch 5x5

 I have two creative things I love to do - painting and photography.  Painting has taken the driver seat lately - but that's OK because I know my camera is there for me at any time. 
I took on a project last year to combine my two creative loves - and this is the result.  Every two weeks I photoed myself with one of my encaustic letter tiles to travel the alphabet for the year of 2012.  This year, I don't have such lofty goals - but the word I picked for 2013 will keep me motivated. 

FILM26

I'm back in my studio as of today.  Its been almost a month since I've turned on the palettes and warmed up the wax.  I'm looking forward to 2013 and continuing to share this artful journey.  Happy Friday everyone!

FILM26: Zee End

X, Y and Z

Zounds!  An entire year has rolled by.  Its hard to believe that a little idea like using film photography and following the alphabet- a letter every two weeks, would be such a buoyant factor in my year.  I shared this journey of FILM26 with 5 very special women, all of whom are remarkable photographers.  I am grateful to them for the support and camaraderie through the year.  I know for a fact that I would never would had made it through on my own.  It goes to show the importance of a speaking and sharing goals out loud with others and following through with the support of friends.  The commitment we made to each other was held together with rolls of film and letter inspired photos. It was enough, it was plenty to see us all through the year.

A journey doesn't have to be alone, sometimes its better shared.  Sometimes, the act of just telling someone else what you want to do - dare I say... speaking your dreams, makes all the difference.  Its out there.  Its spoken... its out loud.   There's something about the spoken version of a dream, that makes it more tangible and more obtainable. 

The idea of working on the skill of seeing the world in a different light, and being able to tune-in on a more regular basis was the foundation for this project.  Seeing the world through a camera lens is a wonderful way to approach honing these skills.  Seeing the world through a film camera lens - even better.  With film, you have 24 frames to shoot.  Each is meaningful and must be framed, composed and really planned.  Its not like the digital cameras where the shots are endless and you can snap away in hopes of getting one good photo.  You have 24 tries with no immediate feedback.  You must pay attention to what you are doing. 




Me and Z

Me and Y

Me and X

I completed the year with 26 encaustic letter tiles, 26+ photos of me with the letter tiles and lots of 4x6 photo prints.  I won't be continuing this project into 2013.  I am happy with my take away and what I learned in 2012.   Its a nice feeling to know that in the end, I can say "mission accomplished" with a smile.

FILM26: U is for..

Its time for the letter U over at FILM26.  U was almost my undoing... but I pulled through.  Five letters left until the end of our journey.  The scary part about that thought is it means just 12 weeks until the end of the year.  This time of year picks up speed for me.  Its like a downhill ski slope into the New Year.  I'm ready, but at the same time, I'm not ready.  

unpretentious

 Summer has been lingering here in Seattle.  Its actually been unbelievable.  I think it makes it harder to believe that we are closing in on the Holiday season. 

Uniform

 Yet, I'm going to appreciate the last of our late summer here.  I know I will be handing out candy for Halloween, all too soon.  But, for now I will take in the bliss of the sunshine and shoot some film.

Me and U

FILM26 - The Letter T

T is for...

 

Me and T

 I set off on a photo journey.  I have my favorite haunts.  One is the docks at the top of South Lake Union.  I was taking photos and having a grand time, when a gentleman approached me.  He was a little suspect of me snapping photos on his dock and a little gruff. 

Tanks

 He was curious to know a little bit more about my antics.  I probably looked a little out of place as I wasn't dressed like a dock hand.  When I told him I was shooting a photo project, he lightened up a little.  We chatted a bit and I managed to get him to laugh a little.  He left me with a warning to be careful and not fall from the dock.  I'm really hoping that I didn't look like the type that would blunder over the edge and into the water.

Tie

 I hit my other favorite place to take photos - which is Capital Hill.  Its a big difference from the docks for sure.  I do love wandering the streets there snap happy.

Thief

 I did manage to get to Fremont area.. another place I like to wander.  I even stumbled on the Theo Chocolate factory there.  I opened the door of their retail store..  The smell of Heaven wafted out at me..  chocolate - mmmmm.  I'll go back for a tour someday soon - very soon.  No photos there, sorry.  But, I found this nifty stop sign in the hood.

Tagged

 I have terrible luck with Impossible Project film.  I don't know enough about Polaroid to know if its actually the film or the camera.  This is the second Polaroid box camera that I own, and both have this same issue with the film. 

Terrific

Tower

That's a wrap for the letter T.  Need to start leaning my brain on U.  See you all in a couple of weeks.  Film only film :)

FILM26 - The Letter S

S

Sometimes its easier than other times.  Simple really.  The letter S for me was a breeze.  In fact, I had so many letter S photos that I had to set some aside.  The weather in Seattle has been outstanding for the past 48 days as I write this.  We are going for an all time record of dry days in Seattle - 51 in 1951 is the line in the sand.  Maybe we will cross it... maybe not.  But, no matter how you look at it - we've had one amazing stretch of summer.

 

Me and S with Sculpture

 I took an afternoon and headed to the Seattle Center area of town.  I stopped off at the Olympic Sculpture Park. 

Seattle Space Needle, Summer Sky and Jet

 Had to have a photo of the Space Needle for S - had to.

Stegosaurus

 I originally planned to take this for R - Rawr!  But I didn't get around to it and lucky me it really is a Stegosaurus.

Sunflowers

 Another one of those - had to, photos.

Studebaker

 Yes, really, it is a Studebaker.  As I was taking photos the owner came out wondering what I was up to with taking photos and basically casing the car.  I explained the FILM26 project and it seemed to make sense to her. 

Suicide Doors (on the Studebaker)

 According to Wikipedia - the gangsters liked suicide doors because it was much easier to shove someone out of the car. 

Me and S in Color

One day, two rolls of film and 20+ miles on the car.  Nice!

FILM26:: R is for...

Its time for the letter R over at FILM26.  We're now 2/3 of the way through the project of following the alphabet through the year using film.  I honestly have to say that digital does not have the special factor that you find in film. Film is special - really.  Digital is easy, yes - but.. there is something about film that can not be duplicated.  I believe that film takes on an even deeper meaning for those who have darkrooms and do their own processing.  I'm not developing my own.. but many do.  However, I am a believer.. there is no substitute.

 

Me and R

I've come to love film over these past 8 months.  Its a pain for me since I have to think ahead.  Its more costly.  Its a bunch of bad photos with one or two good ones... but I wouldn't trade my experience so far.

Reach

 I've met some amazing film photographers.  I know some great digital photographers that took up film this year in the name of this project.
 

R in Neon

 We still have a ways to go.  Every photo gets better.  Every roll processed has at least one more better photo.  Its love... it is.

R is for... Rainer Cherries

R is also for Red which seems to be an underlying theme with my R photos.   I didn't post my Q photo from the past two weeks... it stumped me and I kept thinking I would come up with a great Q set, but I didn't.. here is my one and only Q photo from two weeks ago.

Me and Q 

FILM26:: Letter O

O

Its time for the letter O over at FILM26.  Its so nice to get out and shoot a roll of film in the sunshine.  Seattle is really a beautiful place in the summer time.  I tried a new film this time - Kodak Ektar 100.  I was pretty happy with the color.  Next roll, I think I will order something expired or interesting from Lomography.com. 

I took a morning and went down to Pike Street Market.  I hadn't been on a photo jaunt there for a while.  Last time I was there I was shooting black and white.  The area was packed with people and there were quite a few fellow photographers around as well. 

I was really wanting to find an octopus for my O photo.  None of the fishmongers had any octopus for sale.  But, I did come across this one.  This photo was taken with my Ricoh camera.  It has a light leak... but I kinda like that. 

One Love - that'a way --------->

Wouldn't be complete without an Open sign of some kind.

And definitely wouldn't be complete without Orange.



FILM26:: N is for...

N

Its time for the letter N over at FILM26.  It feels good to be on the downhill slope.  It feels good to know that I have stuck with it and will make it to the end.  I have gotten ahead on making the letter tiles which makes me relax a bit.  Running behind the ball is not fun and stressful.

Now, I'm waiting for some good weather which should be arriving here on July 5th.  That seems to be the case in the Pacific Northwest, summer arrives the day after our holiday on the 4th of July.  It equates to more outdoor time and more outdoor photography time.

YAY!

Me and N

 I love wandering around Capitol Hill here in Seattle. Its interesting urban street photography. I'm starting to get over my phobia of taking photos in public. Its not so much a phobia as it is just feeling like I'm intruding.

Not Nike

I'm super excited... I bought a groupon for a photography class.  It's on July 25th.  Its digital, but I really hope to translate what I learn to film.  I opted for the Intermediate class which is a stretch.  Its goes with that Aim High thing I try for.  I was sent a list of things that I am expected to know before I come to class.  I've got some homework to do :) 

M is for....

M

Its the midway point at FILM26.  That means that I'm half way to my goal of shooting film for a year.  I'm halfway to my goal of making and collecting the 24 letter tiles that appear in the film photos.  I'm also kinda biased to the letter M, since it is my initial.  I decided for the M letter photo that I would have it be me... jeans and chucks. 

 M also is for magenta, which is one of my favorite colors.

 M is also for Mexican Food, which I love.

I'm celebrating M and all its marvelousness.  Happy Solstice.  Happy midway.  We're half way there.

FILM26 - The Letter L

L

Its time for the letter L.  I decided to shoot color this time for the FILM26 project.  I've been kinda hooked on black and white for a while.  For some reason, I associate film photography with black and white.  I'm actually happy how these color photos turned out.  I did shoot color one other time, and it seemed so bright.  I prefer the colors to be a little more retro perhaps.  I think I will experiment with some different kinds of film.  There are some really cool film choices at this place.  They have surprise packs and mixed bundles.. Sounds fun. 

L is for... 

Me and L

 I was looking in on my friend's dogs.  They have a really beautiful yard that I could set up my tripod and play around. 

Links

 This is a copper rain chain that serves as the downspout from the house gutters. 

Landmark

 I took a spin around Capital Hill area in Seattle.  Its where I go to get my film developed.  There is never a loss for things to photo in this area.  I had a few shots left on my roll of film and was happy with the results.  Glad I took the time to take a few more shots.

Local Color

Latte

FILM26:: The Letter K

Letter 11

the Letter K

K - what starts with K?  Seemed a little challenging at first - King, kick, knit - none of which seemed to be the right words for me. 
I was lucky for a trip to the beach during my search for K.  My beach walk turned up not one but two K opportunities:

Kelp

Knot

 Silly - I know.  Wandering around with camera in hand wondering what in the world I may see that begins with the letter K.  Lucky me - one more::

Kitchen

Have a great two weeks in search of the letter K.  Post your film photo finds at the Flickr group FILM26