52 Projects is an adventure in discovery. Every week, for 52 weeks, do something. Something you’ve never done before. Something you’ve always wanted to do. Something that scares you. Something that inspires you. Something that inspires others. Something that tickles your fancy. Something that caught your eye. Something that just popped into your head. It can be big. It can be small. It can be whatever you want it to be. Find out how doing something can lead you to discover things about yourself, your world, your God. Then, come here on Sundays and share it with others. I'll write about mine here, you write about yours on your blog, then use the tool in my post to link to your something. Please feel free to jump in and participate anytime throughout the year!

Jane


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Weeks 43 and 44

It's hard to believe that I skipped my post for last week. I'm not quite sure what happened. The week just slipped away and I was not here last Sunday or Monday. I was doing an apron show. Which brings me to last week's project (week 43); the apron show.

Week 43: The Apron Show.


Sure I've done a few shows in the past but never for aprons. I spent weeks putting together some fabulous one of a kind aprons. Short ones. Long ones. Half ones. Full ones. In two days, only one sold. It was a very disappointing experience to say the least. My show was held at a synagogue near my house. The crowd (mostly the members of the temple) flocked to the mass produced items. They loved the over sized (and over priced) handbags, the scarves made in China and machine knit texting gloves. Unfortunately they did not respond well to my handmade goodness. But I will move forward. I've got a wonderful product. I just didn't have the right crowd. I learned some great lessons there.

1. How to display aprons in a very crowded and tight space.
2. Research the venue more before committing to it.
3. Never give up; rejection is just fuel to try harder.
4. High maintenance women don't wear aprons :)

Week 44: Through the Viewfinder Photography (TTV)

Let me just say that this is the week I've been waiting for. This is the project that gave me a shot of adrenaline for the 52 Projects. Let me give you a little background.

A few weeks ago my dear friend Kristine told me about a TTV workshop she was taking in San Francisco with a fellow blogger/artist. At first I wasn't sure what she was talking about. TTV photography is the technique of using your digital camera to take a picture through the lens of a vintage camera like a Kodak Duaflex that has the viewfinder on the top of the camera. I had seen lots of those dreamy style Polaroid photos and always figured they were taken by old school photographers with a passion for film. I was so intrigued that I started to look for my very own Duaflex.

I found one on Ebay and won the auction. I paid for it immediately and waited like a love sick teenager at the front door for the post man to deliver her a love letter. I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more. Nearly two weeks had passed and my beloved little Duaflex never arrived. I was heartbroken but not deterred. When I got a refund from the seller, I bid on another camera that evening and won it. This time I made sure to ask the seller for a tracking number and it arrived three days later.

Now the thing about TTV photography is that you have to build a "contraption" to filter out all the light between the vintage viewfinder and the lens of your digital camera. This is when I became a deer in the headlight. I'm a highly visual/hands on learner and there was no way in Hell that I was going to build this contraption. So I casually asked Breen to research contraptions if he had a little time. Oh my God. The man was all over the project like white on rice. The inner engineer came out of him like I've never seen before. I haven't seen him so immersed and excited about a project since we made the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty from driftwood we found near Ground Zero. My partner in crime was back and I was thrilled.

We went to the store and bought some foam core. Breen got to work. Observation: there is a whole lot of man love for duct tape.



The first one turned out like this:

Of course I say "the first one" because Breen hated the Ghetto look of it. So back we went to the art store for new materials and Breen finally constructed a new contraption with a professional sleek look and an adjustable top.

Here's the top view. Obviously the hole is where you put your digital camera lens.

So off we went to play. Here are some of my favorites that we took. And the best part? Breen was so loving the photography that he came home last night and bought himself a Duaflex. Now we can spend hours together getting lost in the world of TTV.


















What did you do this week?

7 comments:

  1. just started following your blog:: and i LOVE the ttv photography.

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  2. ~jane and well breen too!!! how amazing this project is...i l♥ve it...those pictures you took are unbelievable...you have my wheels turning now!!! warm wishes and brightest blessings~

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  3. I don't know which is more amazing, the camera, the pictures, Breen or you, Jane. What an incredible project. And to have a companion like Breen--well, I truly can't imagine what this would be like. I just don't have it in me. Thank you for posting this! xoO

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  4. This project has been so much fun. You totally inspire me baby!!!!

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  5. you and Breen have made my day such inspiration I am learning how to use a digital camera my hubby got me last year and now this will add to the fun!
    I'm going to order me a Duaflex, and where did Breen find the contraption pattern?

    peace and hugs

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  6. You're back!! So glad. Afraid world was spinning off axis. (Well, that was a bit hyperbolic... ) But still; whew. Great post and wonderful story. And you know how much I loved your driftwood skyline (I'd still buy it, you know, even though I know you'd not part with it) so I was very excited to see the results of this joint venture. They didn't disappoint. Loved the VW Bug van toy and the pear the best. But props to the super-tough softball player. Thanks also for the TTV education. The shots have a great glowing quality.

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