Gas Bag

I usually have the best antidote for... GAS- lack of funding, plain and simple. On the rare occasions when I do have a few loose dollars, the mind starts to wonder. I sometimes ward off this inclination by purchasing a relatively cheap camera bag- certainly, I'm worthy of at least one cheap camera bag- (yeah, I've now got a few). But not fully sated, the feeling can come back even stronger, more all consuming...

Lately, I've been fixated on four possibilities- in price ranges from feasible to fanciful. Let's start at the top and and work our way down: 1) The Leica Q- a work of art capable of producing high quality images for a premium high quality price! I almost pulled the trigger on one in LN Cond for $2900, complete w/box and accessories (incl the cute little Leica handle)- usually a $4,500 package used! Still a pricey morsel, particularly when I would then finally feel obligated to purchase adult photo editing software (as opposed to my outdated, prepubescent Elements 9) to do it justice- and an equally obligatory quality monitor... all for a nominal increase in image quality, and less DOF (creamy, buttery bokeh be damned). Did I mention my desktop's well over five years?

 

 

Well, if the Q is unobtanium- how 'bout meandering down a wee bit to: 2) the digital Leica CL. Cute as a button (like a pre-M analog Leica) and another premium product capable of quality results- but one in decent condition with an 18mm (28mm e) lens goes for... 3 grand! And just how much better is that Leica pancake than Fujinon's mediocre 18mm pancake anyway? Better be a lot, but definitely not as good as the Q's 28- Shoot, might as well go back to the Q for a coupla hundred more...  

 

 

 

Now we descend to more reality based daydreams. 3) I've loved the Fujifilm X-E3 since it was introduced- cute little sucker. I located one for $560 on Amazon, Used- appeared as if never touched! Great every day camera, only one problem... If I did get it, what lens would I use? It's literally made for the 27mm or 18mm Fujinon pancakes (40 and 28mm e, respectively). I've used a FF 40mm for waist up, vertical portraits; have had the 27mm for like 3 years now- supposedly great lens (and I believe it), but have yet to use it! And the 18mm is Fujifilm's most mediocre (ie- worse) lens to date. Sharp in center, soft everywhere else with chromatic aberration up the yazoo throughout- hell, I got a superb everyday performer in the GR with its much superior 18mm. So why pay for something that'll get me inferior results- no matter how much the looker!  Better to save the dough for...

 

4) The 18mm f1.4 Fujinon, one handsome lens that probably rivals the Q's 1.7 in optical performance- it's also fairly chunky in, size weight... and price. And handsome for its size as it may be, I just don't fancy big optics- impractical for daily carry, they can get top heavy when ya can least afford it. But no doubt about its performance; I'm no fan of the Fujinon's 14mm 2.8 (21mm e) physicality- oh, but the results! If I do find myself with a particular project in mind in the near future that requires a solid 18mm (and an EVF), I may just gulp and lay out the grand I don't have. 

In the meantime- I've got a new bag!

Another Reason To Print...

I used to print all my B&W work back in the analog darkroom days. Since going color and digital back in 2016, my work has quadrupled at the very least- wish I coulda done it 40 years ago! But I literally don't have the room (live in micro-studio), patience or resources to print my work now- analog or digital. I have round about 2 dozen color prints, a small (very small) fraction of what I'd like. One of the reasons it's always good to print (even if just in cheap book form) is that it's the final, ultimate arbiter as to whether you nailed the exposure the way you want. The illuminated monitor screen, as efficient a miracle as it is, can mask close calls where the light and overall exposure is a delicate, nuanced balance- and lord knows, every monitor is to each its own, even when calibrated...

Case in point, the backlit photo below. I had already lightened the billboard, and on the monitor- it looked OK, at least to me... Then I put it on the back cover of P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A!  and... Whoa! The billboard was waaay underexposed- the printed form revealed it's Achilles Heel to the hilt- what was I thinking!? The printed photograph is the finessed end product on which the photographic image is forever judged, appreciated and archived. That hasn't changed, analog or otherwise...

'New & Improved'                         Photo: © Stan Banos

In Memorium

360 Blowback!

Walking through much of San Francisco, I feel as if a ghost- surrounded by memories of happier times when it felt like I actually had... a life. I've avoided the block where I used to live for seventeen years while married in San Francisco since the end of 2019. Just couldn't bring myself to walk past- too many remembrances, too much pain. This week I did, not for the reasons one might think, but because I wanted to reconnect with the guy at the neighborhood bodega called O'Looney's (hilariously named since it's been owned by a Palestinian Muslim named Mohamed for longer than I've known). I got to know two of Mohamed's sons when I lived there, and we would get to talking about life in America and Israel/Palestine- the latter of which I obviously knew nothing about. I learned for instance how the wall that Israel constructed separated Palestinian farmers from their olive trees, which would then wither and die- and would then allow Israelis to comment on how typical of Palestinians to squander and neglect whatever assets they supposedly owned.

This time I learned something truly shocking and enlightening- that Israel had directly contributed to the creation and empowerment of Hamas! Huh- Wai... Wha!?! I almost told him to stop, to reconsider what he had just said- ya know, the self serving, delusional, propaganda part. Fortunately, the wiser part of me told me, "Shut up and learn, dumb ass!"  Long story short- in times past Israel thought it a smart move to aid and abet those directly opposed to Arafat's power base. Divide and conquer- Win-Win! Done and done. What could go wrong?

Something most worthy of American exceptionalism and hubris! America could have made Afghanistan terrorist proof had they simply invested a mere coupla million for schools, doctors and basic infrastructure after chasing Russia out with Stingers; but it was voted down- way too expensive. We rather wait and spend Billions later on down the road while we kill several thousand! But I digress... Later that evening I saw Final Account:

A Little Of This, A Whole Lotta That...

Been an interesting week, we started with one lying SOB deluxe- one to the point of complete laughability. And as dark as that humor may be, it was a good buffer to what was to follow... the usual genocide that always follows an apartheid regime and policy. Don't know how many times I've heard that "Israel has the right to defend itself" (Absolutely!)- but I have yet to hear the very same declaration expressed on behalf of Palestinians... So far, over 200 Palestinians dead, less than 20 Israelis killed- so who exactly needs to defend themselves from whom!? 

And last and certainly not least- what I think finally, finally, FINALLY marks the official beginning of THE END of... Donald J. Trump. Thank you, Letitia and Cyrus!

P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A!

A year and a half in the making, P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A! has been something we have all experienced- to whatever extent (hopefully not the most extreme), wherever we live. Those of us who have emerged whole with jobs, homes, families and health intact are the lucky ones! We can look back at our discomfort, inconveniences, trials and tribulations as a rather unique and unfortunate chapter in our lives- not the trial by fire others did not escape.

Now that we start to reclaim the lives we led before the great disruption (or begin the new ones we have forged) is perhaps the best time to: let loose, reflect, mourn, rejoice, plan, relax... do whatever required to make ourselves whole- and perhaps realize that we can much better face future calamities working together for a common good.

P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A! is not so much the solemn, somber look back at the worst of times (those are yet to come), it's more a somewhat light hearted reflection on the daily disruptions, adaptations and insanities to a situation we did not foresee, but nonetheless endured...

Please Note: Once at Blurb, make sure to click on arrows on upper right to view and embiggen. Copy discount should you choose to purchase (I do not make profit- either way).

Pandemania!

By Stan Banos

In A New York Minute

Manged to eat 14 slices of (Two Boots) pizza in the six days I was in New York on 'family business,' also salvaged a few precious hours to attempt photography. People are slowly, gradually making there way back to the streets of NY- as they are in the majority of towns and cities throughout the world. It seemed however, that everything I wanted to photograph was perplexingly occurring across the street from wherever I was situated, and Manhattan avenues guaranteed the moment died a natural death long before the traffic light changed. Didn't think I managed anything worthwhile, but these few didn't look half bad on the big screen...

 

All Photos: © Stan Banos

 

 

 

 

 

Adapt or Die

Photo: © Stan Banos

After my recent sojourn to NYC to deal with the continuing saga of my mother's elderly care needs, I decided to decompress for a coupla days in Vegas. I don't gamble, but on my previous stay there, I had realized that I had only scratched the surface photographically. And while that no doubt remains true, I've pretty much exhausted what I can do there on my own.

I've never quite understood the term "American Exceptionalism," but if anything is in constant, in your face abundance in Vegas- it's the exact opposite of whatever that term may mean. And that's good enough for me. That in mind, I proceeded to walk the entirety of The Strip from Fremont St. to The Luxor Casino (approx 7mi) in 100 degree midday heat. Despite that rather impressive take no prisoners approach at near self immolation, I came up with all but one keeper. The casinos, once separate worlds unto themselves, have now metastasized in size into their own separate galaxies with little relation to the surrounding streets, immediate environment, or the people they supposedly serve once they exit their air conditioned emporiums. It's an oddly isolating and disorienting experience- combined with the excruciating heat, it's rather difficult even contemplating photography.

The next day, I took a decidedly different approach, from casually drinking cappuccinos in air conditioned cafes to Margaritas in air conditioned bar/restaurants- and achieved the exact same results... one more keeper. There's definitely more to be photographed in Las Vegas than I've let on, whether it be street shots in cooler temps or landscapes with the luxury of someone driving you about to scan for possibilities. I just don't think I'll be chancing the opportunity again anytime soon...

PS- The Bungalow Cafe in The Arts District in Las Vegas serves caps the equivalent of liquid gold!

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Wanna Get Published?

 

Good luck with that... No, REALLY!

 

Lyin' Piece Of... Photograph

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Debated on whether I liked this photo or not, and although nothing gangbuster for sure, decided I do. Below were a few thoughts that came to mind...

1) Simple, yet handsome lighting with complementary blue, grey and brown earth tones, subtly monochromatic in effect!

2) Reminds me of large format color photographs made popular from the eighties to present day- 'cept shot with a palm sized camera, arms outstretched fully overhead to 'manually' straighten them verticals.

3) And... this banal image lies like all hell because of its very context:

I'm not going to get into the reasons, causes and consequences of homelessness in San Francisco, another conversation I've engaged many a time here. Suffice to say The Bay Area is beset with rampant inequality and homelessness, and San Francisco's downtown streets are rife with the absolute filth and squalor of those both mentally ill and addicted.

The photo above however almost makes it appear as if someone rather casually chose a scenic urban setting, as opposed to a rural one to spend the day... 'camping,' like kid's in their backyard- an idyllic scenario nestled within a clean, metropolitan canyon. Probably good eats just a block or two away, no doubt- maybe with a cool, clear brook beside it! 

The reality, of course, is much different- someone desperately avoiding the stench and insanity of the more crowded street encampments, trying to maintain whatever control of their lives they may have left for one more evening...