Topic: The talking room

[Francois]

Boy is it quiet these days!
So I thought I'd start something new. Hence the name of this thread.
It's a place to just talk. Talk about pretty much anything. Think of it like going to the pub with a bunch of friends with the only difference being that you can't order a beer...

So yeah, I've been pretty inactive for the last week being stuck with a cold! First time I get a summer time cold. Miserable. I'm lucky bits of my brain didn't come out my nose with all that snot. But now I'm okay.

[Andrea.]

I did notice the quietude. However, I have been out today with a Zenit 12 shooting a lot. Only to find there was no film in it !

[Francois]

Just like my dad on that fabled visit to Niagara Falls
He kept saying that he couldn't believe how much Kodak had improved their cassettes. They're so smooth that you can't even feel the film advancing through the camera! 

[Pete_R]

Think of it like going to the pub with a bunch of friends with the only difference being that you can't order a beer...

Well, with the current European shortage of CO2 affecting drink production, that's actually not so different.

Soon there'll be no pork or chicken on the shelves and the biggest disaster, so far, is they have had to stop crumpet production. How will we survive?

[Pete_R]

Of course, in pre Trump times, we might have imported from the USA but with the new increased tariffs starting next week we'll probably just starve. Not only that, but with a 50% increase of import tax on men's underpants (true) we'll have to go commando as well.

Edit: My mistake. Underpants are exempt. So are crocheted overalls!!. I'll have to get a pair of those.

[Bryan]

Of course, in pre Trump times, we might have imported from the USA but with the new increased tariffs starting next week we'll probably just starve. Not only that, but with a 50% increase of import tax on men's underpants (true) we'll have to go commando as well.

Edit: My mistake. Underpants are exempt. So are crocheted overalls!!. I'll have to get a pair of those.

Let me know before you starve, I'll carve a potato to look like a camera and send it to you, hopefully that will get it past the tariffs.

Boy is it quiet these days!
So I thought I'd start something new. Hence the name of this thread.
It's a place to just talk. Talk about pretty much anything. Think of it like going to the pub with a bunch of friends with the only difference being that you can't order a beer...

So yeah, I've been pretty inactive for the last week being stuck with a cold! First time I get a summer time cold. Miserable. I'm lucky bits of my brain didn't come out my nose with all that snot. But now I'm okay.

I've also noticed how quiet it's been, I just assume everyone's out wasting film.  There has been a bad cold going around over here as well.  My wife got it, most of my crew at work got it and it lingers for a few weeks for everyone.  Thankfully I've avoided it so far. 

I did notice the quietude. However, I have been out today with a Zenit 12 shooting a lot. Only to find there was no film in it !

I shot a whole roll a few months ago before I realized the leader disconnected from the take up spool.  It was when it got past the 37th frame that I started wondering and noticed the rewind knob wasn't moving.  I usually check to make sure the rewind knob is turning so I'm not sure why this happened. 

[Pete_R]

Let me know before you starve, I'll carve a potato to look like a camera and send it to you, hopefully that will get it past the tariffs.

As long as there's no battery in it because...

"Portable battery operated electronic readers for recording and reproducing text, still image or audio file"  have a 50% increase on them.

[Kai-san]

I've also noticed how quiet it's been, I just assume everyone's out wasting film.  There has been a bad cold going around over here as well.  My wife got it, most of my crew at work got it and it lingers for a few weeks for everyone.  Thankfully I've avoided it so far. 

I rather think people are glued to their TV sets wasting away their lives on a branch of the entertainment industry named Football. Myself I'm out wasting film whenever I can. Only problem is I'm seriously behind with scanning.

[Faintandfuzzy]

Been occupied with football the last bit.  Gonna start burning some more film soon.  I too am behind on scanning.  I've got about 18 rolls of 36 to do, then process a backlog of a good dozen b&w rolls and a half dozen color. 

Hoping the new Ektachrome makes an appearance soon.

[Francois]

Boy is it quiet these days!
So I thought I'd start something new. Hence the name of this thread.
It's a place to just talk. Talk about pretty much anything. Think of it like going to the pub with a bunch of friends with the only difference being that you can't order a beer...

So yeah, I've been pretty inactive for the last week being stuck with a cold! First time I get a summer time cold. Miserable. I'm lucky bits of my brain didn't come out my nose with all that snot. But now I'm okay.

I've also noticed how quiet it's been, I just assume everyone's out wasting film.  There has been a bad cold going around over here as well.  My wife got it, most of my crew at work got it and it lingers for a few weeks for everyone.  Thankfully I've avoided it so far. 

You're lucky! But on the up side, all I had to do to see Niagara Falls is to look at my nose

But yeah, those tariffs are a worrying new thing. I just hope we won't have to switch from orange juice to turnip juice any time soon 
But more than the tariffs, what worries me is that the big grocery chains will probably take this as an excuse to raise the prices and increase their profit margin...
But there's not much we can do about this. At least at this time of the year we get plenty of fresh local produce... My fridge is full of film, my car is Japanese, I use Ilford developers, we're setting-up for our first heat wave... at least there is still a bit of positive stuff to look up to.

And that video on London I posted got me really inspired to try weird things...

[Bryan]

Boy is it quiet these days!
So I thought I'd start something new. Hence the name of this thread.
It's a place to just talk. Talk about pretty much anything. Think of it like going to the pub with a bunch of friends with the only difference being that you can't order a beer...

So yeah, I've been pretty inactive for the last week being stuck with a cold! First time I get a summer time cold. Miserable. I'm lucky bits of my brain didn't come out my nose with all that snot. But now I'm okay.

I've also noticed how quiet it's been, I just assume everyone's out wasting film.  There has been a bad cold going around over here as well.  My wife got it, most of my crew at work got it and it lingers for a few weeks for everyone.  Thankfully I've avoided it so far. 

You're lucky! But on the up side, all I had to do to see Niagara Falls is to look at my nose

But yeah, those tariffs are a worrying new thing. I just hope we won't have to switch from orange juice to turnip juice any time soon 
But more than the tariffs, what worries me is that the big grocery chains will probably take this as an excuse to raise the prices and increase their profit margin...
But there's not much we can do about this. At least at this time of the year we get plenty of fresh local produce... My fridge is full of film, my car is Japanese, I use Ilford developers, we're setting-up for our first heat wave... at least there is still a bit of positive stuff to look up to.

And that video on London I posted got me really inspired to try weird things...

Another thing that will drive produce prices up is the lack of migrant farm workers in the U.S.  They are already talking about the possibility of produce rotting on the vine.

[Francois]

All I know is that everything that's going on these days is getting to be hard on my nerves... I'm just happy I'm not a trader at the stock exchange or something similar. I might be able to deal with a cat screeching at me but this is an entire whole kettle of fish.

[irv_b]

New job anyone?

https://jobs.gold.ac.uk/vacancy/senior-technical-advisor-photography-355605.html

Senior Technical Advisor (Photography)

Department Media and Communications

Vacancy Type
Open-ended/Permanent
Full-Time/Part-Time
Part Time
Part Time Hours
To be agreed at offer stage
Salary
£37,393.78 - £41,705.50
Interview Date
12 July 2018
Contact Details
Nigel Smith - n.smith@gold.ac.uk
Closing Date
05/07/2018
Ref No
8341
Documents
Job Description
(Word, 92.23kb)
Under the direction of the Technical Operations Manager you will work closely within a team of Technical Advisors in the Department of Media and Communications to provide technical support for undergraduate and postgraduate students working in photography.

You will manage the Photography area including Digital Imaging and Digital Printing facilities, two photographic studios, two darkrooms and a store housing loan equipment, oversee the provision of technical workshops and learning materials, and supervising other technical advisors in this practice area.

This post is 0.8FTE, but the needs of the Department are such that the hours are concentrated during the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms. During this time you will usually work five days per week. More details are available from the Department.

[Francois]

That looks like a good job... though I can't really tell from here...

[irv_b]

You're right it is a good job although there would be the hinderance of kids to teach

[cs1]

Irv, at some point there'll be grandkids. They'll be asking "grandpa, why do you put your head under that funny blanket and look into those strange bellows with a lens at the other end?" and at that point you'll be teaching future filmwasters. 

[Francois]

Bah! Like the song said: the kids are alright...
Wasn't that in a punk song?

[jharr]

I did notice the quietude. However, I have been out today with a Zenit 12 shooting a lot. Only to find there was no film in it !

I shot a whole roll a few months ago before I realized the leader disconnected from the take up spool.  It was when it got past the 37th frame that I started wondering and noticed the rewind knob wasn't moving.  I usually check to make sure the rewind knob is turning so I'm not sure why this happened.

I did the same thing with the EliteChrome I posted in the weekend thread. I shot 37 frames on the leader before I realized it wasn't winding. I guess it's a good thing we like the process of taking pictures so much that the end result is really just a bonus!

[DazzlingDave]

Bah! Like the song said: the kids are alright...
Wasn't that in a punk song?

It was The Who on the My Generation album and also as a single back in 1965.

[Francois]

I knew I heard that somewhere....
Thanks.

[kentish cob]

OK... A thread not about photography... Well you know I've never been prolific, so yeah, I can add to this...

I've mentioned on here before, my occasional music festival outings, and last weekend was the http://www.ramblinmanfair.com/fair/line-up/, only 40 minutes door to door, making it close enough to home for an easy journey at either end of the day(s).

Hydration levels were maintained with the assistance of Whitstable Bay pale ale, and not a single frame exposed all weekend, analogue or otherwise..!

So, in order of seeing (full performances only), and with the briefest of reviews...

Thomas Wynn & the believers.............. discovery no.1 
GUN.................................................. solid performance.
Therapy?........................................... forgettable. 
Skinny Molly...................................... unforgettable.
The Cadillac three............................... entertainingly energetic.
Steve Earle & the Dukes...................... legends.
The Kris Barras band.......................... discovery no.2 
Sons of Apollo.................................... too much technique, not enough feeling. 
Blackberry Smoke.............................. What a band..!
Fish.................................................. What a man..!
The Cult............................................ What a performance..!

Any of these float yer boat..? If not, why not..?
Anything else on the line-up (link above) that you'd have chosen instead..?

[Francois]

I must admit that The Cult are not known for going soft in their shows.
And it looks like you had nice weather to go with it.


Right here we're in the middle of a record setting heat wave. Environment Canada even advises people to stay inside if they have air conditioning. It's 10:23 and the thermometer already shows it's 37°C outside. And this afternoon with the humidity it should feel like 48°C.... And the government warns that leaving anything living in a car will most possibly be deadly.

[Bryan]

Right here we're in the middle of a record setting heat wave. Environment Canada even advises people to stay inside if they have air conditioning. It's 10:23 and the thermometer already shows it's 37°C outside. And this afternoon with the humidity it should feel like 48°C.... And the government warns that leaving anything living in a car will most possibly be deadly.

We're still in June Gloom in the Pacific Northwest.  Right now it's 53F and raining.  Summer doesn't really start until after the 4th of July around here.  It's like clockwork every year, 50% chance of rain on the 4th, sunny and warm after that. 

That sounds like a great music festival Kentish, I'm not familiar with all the bands but it looks like a great lineup.  I would have enjoyed the Cult and I always like a good blues band. 

[astrobeck]

I noticed the quiet also, but just figured between summer holidays, football, and just doldrums in general....you know it's kind of hard to be productive.

I've had bronchitis, helped Bluebirds fledged their young...literally a snake was after some fledglings that I had to rescue and just been kind of quiet trying to stay cool in this stifling heat the rest of the time.

I did acquire a Rikenon f/2 50mm P lens that is small and very sweet that I hope to test out sometime soon.
It's just hard to be motivated when it's hot and the days are so long and the light is harsh.  Guess I should think about using some of my old HIE that lurks around in a drawer here.
 

[kentish cob]

temperatures were up in the high 20's C both days Francois, so not too shabby...

It's reported to be the fastest growing music festival in the UK, Brian... only been going for 4 years, so not yet attracting the huge acts. I've been to the last 3, and the Blues stage is always a big draw for me... This year's blues headliner was Govt Mule, but I saw them with Kenny Wayne Shepherd last year, so went for Fish on the prog stage (was a huge Marillion fan back in the day). 

[Francois]

Every year we usually have 2 big festivals. Oceagga and HeavyMTL.
But they're building a new site on the island (the former administration thought it would be nice to cut down 1000 mature trees to make space for a concrete slab!) and I don't know if it will be ready enough this year...

[Francois]

When I say it's too hot, just look at what I found in my car! 

[Bryan]

When I say it's too hot, just look at what I found in my car! 

Now you can use it for 16mm film.

[Bryan]

That gave me an idea Francois, something I've been thinking about for a while.  I cut off the bottom of one 35mm film canister, heated the top of the other then shoved one into the other to make a 120 film can.  The hardest part is getting it started, a metal tool to widen the opening once it's heated helps.  These are going in my film bag.

[jojonas~]

nice 120 film holders! I've seen others do those but never seen heating before. much more slick looking than just taping them together

status update on me: I still shoot film (a lot) but I don't have the same time as before to be social and very much so not on a computer. I've tried using my old iphone for forums but it just takes too much time. I'm mostly on instagram and I upload to flickr then and again

[Francois]

When I say it's too hot, just look at what I found in my car! 

Now you can use it for 16mm film.

I knew it would fool someone 

Too bad April isn't at this time of the year 

Actually, this is not something I actually left in my car... it's more something I hatched last night before going to bed. I made it by cutting the plastic lid from a can of spray paint in the proper shape. A Kodak lid just fits perfectly on the center hub and it gives the illusion of a melted can 

[Pete_R]

Thomas Wynn & the believers.............. discovery no.1 
GUN.................................................. solid performance.
Therapy?........................................... forgettable. 
Skinny Molly...................................... unforgettable.
The Cadillac three............................... entertainingly energetic.
Steve Earle & the Dukes...................... legends.
The Kris Barras band.......................... discovery no.2 
Sons of Apollo.................................... too much technique, not enough feeling. 
Blackberry Smoke.............................. What a band..!
Fish.................................................. What a man..!
The Cult............................................ What a performance..!

Any of these float yer boat..? If not, why not..?
Anything else on the line-up (link above) that you'd have chosen instead..?

Can't comment much as Fish is probably the only one I've heard. There's so many good artists around it's difficult to keep on top of them. I don't get to much live music these days either - used to, back in the day. Mostly I listen from the PC via a half-decent T-amp with a built in DAC and some decent (albeit home-made) speakers. I spend far too much time browsing YouTube for music. A few of examples of my current listening:

Cory Henry & Yoran Vroom - Heart at Midnight
Kaleo "Way Down We Go"
Big Big Train performing Judas Unrepentant
Pete Jones - Guide Vocal & Firth of Fifth
Hauser & Petrit Çeku - Tango en Skai
Peter Gabriel with Paula Cole HD Don t Give Up

Sorry, that's more than I intended - couldn't stop. But there's something for everyone in that list.

[MiguelCampano]

Kaleo is very good. I'm also listening to a group called The Ballroom Thieves, which has a similar acoustic-ish vibe.

[Francois]

I can't really say much 'cause these days I'm re-discovering old New Wave electro-pop bands of my childhood.
I guess it's nostalgia in a sense, but the music was surprisingly good in those days when you compare to the junk some kids listen to (I'm thinking of all those pre-fabricated pop singers and boy bands that saturate the airwaves).

And back in those days, the videos were often works of art in themselves. Some were even made by famous photographers like Desireless - Voyage Voyage that was made by Bettina Rheims
and
New Order - Blue Monday that features what I think is William Wegman's dogs.

Granted a lot of them were one hit wonders, but what hits!

[kentish cob]

A few of examples of my current listening:

Cory Henry & Yoran Vroom - Heart at Midnight
Kaleo "Way Down We Go"
Big Big Train performing Judas Unrepentant
Pete Jones - Guide Vocal & Firth of Fifth
Hauser & Petrit Çeku - Tango en Skai
Peter Gabriel with Paula Cole HD Don t Give Up

Sorry, that's more than I intended - couldn't stop. But there's something for everyone in that list.

I'm afraid I only recognise a couple of names on your list, Peter.
I first heard Kaleo when "Way down" was used on some skincare or cosmetic ad on TV. Listened to a few tracks on Spotify and then bought the album, which is now a firm favourite.
Peter Gabriel is always worth a spin, as is Paula Cole (This Fire is a great album)..

Sorry Francois, but with extraordinarily few exceptions, electro-pop leaves me cold... but I'm definitely with you on the pre-fabricated saccharine shyte that record company execs are using to line their pockets..! Sadly, it seems the music business is more about the business than the music... just a spin-off from reality TV and "talent" shows. How many of today's fame-hungry pop poppets will go on to have 30-40 year careers..? 

[Francois]

Sadly, probably more than we would expect.... I'm really surprised to see that Bieber has lasted so long....

I think that electro-pop is really more of a regional thing. During the 80's Montreal was probably the Mecca of electro pop and new wave. We had so many bands that got international recognition in those days. And that is in every subgenres you can imagine. From The Box to Men without hats, we had it all.

We also had a few world class recording studios. There was even one in my home town!
And we also had one of the best in the world about two hours north. Le Studio in Morin Heights was really up there with Abbey Road. It was used many times by Rush and even had Keith Richards as a regular!

[Pete_R]

Paula Cole (This Fire is a great album)..

So I had to go look that up as I hadn't heard it - except "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" of course. Found myself listening to several more artists from the era (that's the trouble with YouTube, there's always another link you just have to check out) and thence to Edie Brickell (I've got some of her stuff) and then found out she had made albums with Steve Martin - which I didn't know - and then to this Tiny Desk concert which is worth watching, even if you don't like the banjo. And if you do like the banjo then check out Abigail Washburn and if you like Abigail Washburn then check this out for something completely left field. Did I mention I have a wide taste in music?

Edit: Just thought I'd add that that last link probably sums up what music means to me. To flip what Ansel Adams said (and introduce a bit of photography as well), the score is the negative and the performance is the print. And just as a good printer can work wonders with a print, sometimes the performance transcends the score and I think that's a good example. And for me, often the performance is really what matters. The Peter Gabriel/Paula Cole link I posted earlier is another example.

[Francois]

And just to send you deeper in the rabbit hole, Edie Brickel used to be with a group called The New Bohemians until she married Paul Simon...

[Pete_R]

And just to send you deeper in the rabbit hole, Edie Brickel used to be with a group called The New Bohemians until she married Paul Simon...

Yes. I've been a fan since her video was included on the Windows 95 CD - when was that, mid 90s?

https://youtu.be/iqL1BLzn3qc

[Francois]

And this is when she was with the New Bohemians in the early 90's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDl3bdE3YQA

[kentish cob]

...even if you don't like the banjo...

Was looking to post a link to Billy Connolly's piece about being a banjo player, but I'm at work and YouTube is blocked... But I guess talk of banjo via "Big Yin" leads us towards one of the most recognisable intros in the history of recorded music... Any guesses as to the song and the missing link in the chain..?

(for the avoidance of confusion - there's no banjo in the aforementioned intro..!)

[Pete_R]

But I guess talk of banjo via "Big Yin" leads us towards one of the most recognisable intros in the history of recorded music... Any guesses as to the song and the missing link in the chain..?

Off the top of my head, the most instantly recognisable intro would be Baba O'Riley by The Who but I've no idea of a link to the Big Yin. Probably wrong anyway...

[astrobeck]

wow!
thanks to you guys, namely Peter R, I've discovered Kaleo. Big thanks for that one.
I'm a Bluegrass fan for the most part, so not sure where I fit in this group, but I listen to everything except Rap, which I just don't get.
Saying that, I also love  ELP, Bowie and Steve Winwood, especially if he is helped out with ol slow Hand himself.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT-SFgkVlno

In other local news, the monsoon season has started here, so instead of it being in the high 90's it's in the mid 70's. Much more accommodating for film wasting.

[kentish cob]

But I guess talk of banjo via "Big Yin" leads us towards one of the most recognisable intros in the history of recorded music... Any guesses as to the song and the missing link in the chain..?

Off the top of my head, the most instantly recognisable intro would be Baba O'Riley by The Who but I've no idea of a link to the Big Yin. Probably wrong anyway...

The intro is "Baker Street"... the missing link is Glaswegian folk/rock band The Humblebums, featuring Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty.

[Francois]

but I listen to everything except Rap, which I just don't get.
In other local news, the monsoon season has started here, so instead of it being in the high 90's it's in the mid 70's. Much more accommodating for film wasting.

I totally understand. Out of all the Rap artist out there, the only band I understand is the Beastie Boys. But I think it's because they were so experimental and inventive when compared to the rest.

The heat has finally gone back to normal overnight... But at least it gave me time to sort through my CD collection and give away what I no longer cared about.

[Pete_R]

But I guess talk of banjo via "Big Yin" leads us towards one of the most recognisable intros in the history of recorded music... Any guesses as to the song and the missing link in the chain..?

Off the top of my head, the most instantly recognisable intro would be Baba O'Riley by The Who but I've no idea of a link to the Big Yin. Probably wrong anyway...

The intro is "Baker Street"... the missing link is Glaswegian folk/rock band The Humblebums, featuring Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty.

Ah! Right... We could have a pub quiz if you have any more like that.

[kentish cob]

Ah! Right... We could have a pub quiz if you have any more like that.

We could, but Francois has already highlighted the lack of beer, so I'm not sure how you'd convince me to stay..! 

[Francois]

Well....... I guess it wouldn't be much of a pub quiz would it 

[DazzlingDave]

But I guess talk of banjo via "Big Yin" leads us towards one of the most recognisable intros in the history of recorded music... Any guesses as to the song and the missing link in the chain..?

Off the top of my head, the most instantly recognisable intro would be Baba O'Riley by The Who but I've no idea of a link to the Big Yin. Probably wrong anyway...

Or Eric Bell's guitar intro on Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy

[KevinAllan]

Saying that, I also love  ELP, Bowie and Steve Winwood, especially if he is helped out with ol slow Hand himself.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT-SFgkVlno

Thanks for that link Becky - I've been a big fan or Eric Clapton, along with Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, for the last 35 years or so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

That video also gave me, as "up next", Prince, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". For me that clip comes alive when Prince takes the lead at 3.28 and never lets go.