Round about a year ago...

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I started getting crazy stats for my blog- in the mid hundreds, daily! Bonkers for my site in these days when vlogs and FB (still) rule. I've long ago stopped caring about stats, but it was curious; never knew why and will probably never know- though I have no doubt it was more some temporary computational anomaly, rather than actual real live readers. Finally, the other shoe fell last week, and we're back around a hundred. And I certainly can't vouch for how many of those are real- but to those of you who are... Thank You!

The Words of the Prophet...

Must hear video... Here!

Present/Future Imperfect

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Once, you could actually make the assertion that Dems and Repubs were essentially the same- that was until Trump unleashed Republicans to realize their full Fascist, wet dream potential. And now there's no turning back; the only people more delusional than Trump supporters are those that think that nonexistent "Moderate Republicans" will somehow seize the day from the rabid MAGA throngs!  

 

Remember when common wisdom espoused that Repubs would never win another national election? Their backers were too old, too White, too few- well, not only have they awakened and recruited some hard core, White Boy Crazies into their fold... the Repubs are taking the House in '22 (as history informs us) and the Dems have No One to run in '24- they still haven't figured out a working antidote for the orange, con man, buffoon! And even if they do, the fix is in, now that the MAGA universe has been fully positioned to "legally" turn election results in key states- no matter what the results. The Dems have allowed it, and at this point, the only semblance of hope is that their most current of routinely toothless 'investigations' will finally nail Trump's career long, criminal ass, instead of dissipating into nothingness... as-have-every-other.

Five Portraits 2021

Photos: © Stan Banos

 

 

 

One... Two

Well, had been contemplating this for some years now, just didn't have the necessary motivation- until a coupla weeks ago. Although I've been perfectly satisfied with the X-T1's image quality, I had long noticed that every once in a while, my X-T1 would not focus properly- even in direct sunlight! It never cost me a shot I really liked- again, until a coupla weeks ago. It's one thing if I screw up a shot (that's bad enough)- but I can't tolerate the camera doing it, particularly since I don't tax them to the max with Boost mode, video, continuous focus, blah, blah, blah... I just want it to work as advertised, as promised, when I press the shutter for that one shot. And if it can't do that...

Fujifilm X-T2

At first, I thought it might've missed focus because, well- I did drop it once (even though it came out completely unscathed, save for the tiniest of scratches on the LCD film shield. But then I noticed that my other X-T1 behaved similarly- intolerable! So I finally pulled the trigger and got me a Mint Cond X-T2 for $600. And let me tell ya, you coulda put this body in a brand new box and I never would have noticed that it wasn't Brand New.

I trust that all the five year old reviews are correct about it's improved AF (even though I'm not even gonna use all it's fancy focusing options), since I have yet to put it through its paces, and might not have real occasion to do so until next year. But the camera does feel a slight step up in build quality, not quite a Nikkormat to an F solid step up, but definitely a good half step up. Love the oversized dials, and it does feel a tad sturdier, heftier, better made, but hell- I just want it to focus where I point it! If it works out, I’d probably be smart to pick up another some time soon at these prices, since it’s already more camera than I’ll ever need and I definitely don’t aspire to something as bloated in size or cost as the latest X-T3 or 4 models.

I can also now finally let go of the Q fantasy... 

Millenium Farce!

I walked past this week and noticed the site eerily... quiet. Today, I saw the video below. Now let me guess- this option had nothing whatsoever to do with being the cheaper, quick fix!

Well, Uhh... Yeah

 Never quite thought of it like that, but uhh... yeah.

Photo: © Stan Banos

John Alinder Portraits 1910-23

This is the exact 'book review' I didn't want to write. I'm vastly disappointed with John Alinder Portraits 1910-23. I pretty much expected the book reproductions to be (semi) matte, what I truly feared however, was exactly what was  delivered, an even further limited tonal range- in this case, about Three Shades of Grey (OK, I exaggerate- four). It "serves" to inhibit, drain, and suck all the life out of Alinder's subjects, and the portraits themselves. I'm going to assume the original prints walk that fine, subtle line where the total values are just expansive enough to allow the subjects enough breathing room to hint at their inner lives (which his portraits most definitely celebrate). 

That said, I suppose there are those where the flat matte just ain't gonna matter none- wish I were one...

How Crazy???

At this point, I'm actually starting to think that membership in the Flat Earth Society would be a step up for many an American! That's not a joke, exactly- can it possibly get any crazier than... 4:35!

 

And that's the kinda of abject ignorance and stupidity that allows this (or is it the other way around)...

Puerto Rico- La Isla del Encanto

But hey, it's just so much easier to blame everything on just another bunch of brown people while sipping a Pina Colada on their beach...

Like Art?

 Not as much as this guy...

Deep Blue Insanity...

I knew this would be quite informative, but I held off watching it for months, because I knew it would also be incredibly depressing, and hard to watch. It is. And if you eat fish, use plastic, or just plain don't give a shit... you-are-culpable! Point being, dead oceans = dead planet. Translation for Trump supporters- it means you're dead as well: no matter how much you deny, scream "Fake News," try to ridicule, or shoot on full automatic...

Who Says Americans Can't...

Drama of Biblical proportions, or pure entertainment- we got 'em both!    Photo: © Stan Banos

Walk and chew gum at the same time? I mean, we got Covid, climate change, a 'stolen' election... And if it's sordid and/or surreal entertainment ya want- yeah, we got that too! Ya think the missing, vacationing Instagram couple is bizarre? Y'all aint seen nothing yet...

Good On Him!

Doctor does the right thing and tells Texas, Repubs and Trump's Supreme Court to go fuck themselves...

“At the hospital that year, I saw three teenagers die from illegal abortions,” he recounted. “One I will never forget. When she came into the ER, her vaginal cavity was packed with rags. She died a few days later from massive organ failure, caused by a septic infection.”

$300 Million Per Day- For 20 Years!!!

Forget the thousands of innocent civilians killed- so many of them... children, right till the very last drone strike of the very final day. It's all about the money, honey!

 

Reality Check

Shadows can be pretty funny critters with all their particular peculiarities, and yet we see and experience them each and every day. Advancements in computer software has certainly helped suss things out these days. And while it's hard enough to make sense of the things we actually can see, that won't stop certain people from pontificating on what they can't- oh, things like... viruses.

 

Looking For Leo...

Power, Greed, Money, Politics, International Intrigue, Sex... No sex. Huh!? Nope, No Sex- actually, not even a little. Weird, right? But you can easily double down on all the rest. All involving this one little painting originally bought for a few grand and ultimately sold for... $400,000,000! Ladies and Gentlemen: Leo's Salvator Mundi; yeah, that Leo- da VInci. So, who bought it, and... did Leo really paint it? Yup- fun and educational!

 Addendum: And can't leave this one out either!

Scalp Society

Photo: © Stan Banos

Always been kinda ticked off that we didn't get to see this when down that neck of the woods... But, "it is what is," as the famous philosopher says. At least I got to witness and immortalize the the joint above right here in SF, that somehow managed to give off a similar vibe (least to me) and specializes in these very timely services- which I could properly benefit from! I'm guessing I'm somewhere in the $3000 range...

Wasn't sure at first, thought the baseless parking meter and No Parking signs imposing their way into the shot would serve only to detract; instead, I think they add a bit of nuanced dynamism that serves to emphasize a pretty somber composition! And not that anyone cares (or should for that matter), but after studying the compositional possibilities from across the street, I had about 2.3 seconds to dash into said street, compose, snap and hastily retreat before being run over by a serious phalanx of no nonsense, oncoming traffic on one of San Francisco's busier streets (and pedestrian empty sidewalks).

Labor Day Sale- Leica Q2 $40

 

With all the fixins! Yup, you heard right! What's the catch!?! Nuthin! Just pay the $700 Shipping Fee. Too steep? Remember folks, this here's the updated, modern day Q2, a $5,500 camera Brand Spankin' New! And this one's in Primo Cond- straight from a Seller with Absolute (0) eBay sales in the heart of the Russian Federation. Win-Win, Baby! Get 'em while they're... hot, or before I snatch up each and every one of 'em- three of 'em as of writing, all with similar price points, and they disappear from view (not Sold- disappeared) faster than you can zone focus...

John Alinder- Master Portraitist

Think of the greatest, bestest portraitists in the history of photography, and I don't think the name John Alinder readily comes to mind. And yet, I don't see how anyone could realistically exclude him!

 

Perhaps it's the sheer excitement of the novelty speaking, but I may like this guy more than perennial fave, Mr. Sander. The latter's portraits have a more reserved, view at a distance feel (as personality intense as they are); Alinder invites you into his seemingly self made, backyard worlds- a personal meet and greet with the subjects at hand, as if walking into intimate, hand created dioramas. And what a lively cast of local characters from a century ago in the middle of...

The curators* of the exhibit state that there was a certain crudeness to his compositions- hell, I wish I was as confident and competent as Mr. Alinder was in transforming backyard scenarios into such complementary studio backdrops that so endearingly presented his subjects! 

Anyway, definitely more to say once I get said book into hand- this is the kind that inspires and resonates for a good lifetime of views...

PS- I almost (almost) bypassed this book on Photo-Eye, Photo Book Daily because of... the cover! Isn't there a saying about that? Either make it more dynamic or more minimalist, I don't particularly care which- but that clinical, perfunctory and overused presentation is a complete betrayal and injustice to the life contained within.

*who also observantly remarked in the video that smaller pictures make one stop, inspect and reflect- as opposed to larger wall size editions that one can simply scan and pass at a distance!

Giving Credit, Where Credit Due...

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I've always admired photos with written text on the margins, or even on the pictures themselves. There's an incredible book* on Holocaust survivors (whose name sadly escapes me), and of course, there's Jim Golberg's iconic Rich and Poor- amongst others... Again, in the midst of a lull in picture taking in the time of plague, the light bulb finally went off concerning one photo that has always nagged me- a photo of the AT&T building here in SF. While composed as best as I can get it- it's still not a photo that can stand on it's own- there's no real there, there; too much bland, empty space that doesn't accomplish anything. So... text to the rescue!

Now, I ain't claiming it's all that, but... it's better than it was- one can now 'see' behind that uniform, fortress like, metallic exterior without having to ensure the caption somehow, some way accompanies the image itself! Certainly not novel by today's standards (technically or aesthetically), but I'm relatively pleased with my rather primitive** result- and who knows, it may lead to some further project somewhere down the road, particularly one involving unseen history...

BTW, ya shoulda seen my first rendition where I hand wrote (scrawled) said caption- not a pretty sight! But it did remind me that if I had any balls- I would have tagged said building (just 3 blocks from where I now live) with said caption in real life for all to see...

* since donated to Bronx Documentary Center
**would be interesting to see how the text would look running along the lines and receding perspective of the building panels- but don't have the tech chops for that (even though shouldn't be all that difficult)...