One Two Three: Rommel Pecson

There’s a beauty in some photographs that makes me wish it were possible to crawl into them for the day, blanket and picnic basket in hand. Whether it be his integral or large format work, Rommel Pecson captures the ephemeral joy around us.

THE CAMERA

“Graflex Speed Graphic that I restored back into working condition is my prime camera, along with a Kodak Aero Ektar lens. The large format camera gives me the disciple and visual training to hone my skills.”

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

“Human presence is tightly integrated to our environment that we tend to dismiss as unnatural. My images shows the undeniable symbiotic connections between human and the environment.”

THREE WORDS

“Harmony, Form, Light”

Over

Collection of Angelica Paez (Snapatorium).

Leaving

Photo by M. Adam Maas.

Wander

Photos by Ludwig West.

Branch

Photos by Samantha Floyd.

One Two Three: Rion Nakaya

In the days of yore, before all of the silly social sites, life online was a landscape of beautiful photo blogs. Rion Nakaya was one of the early New York photographers who shared her images in this way. I tried not to hate her too much when she moved first to Paris and then London, completing the trifecta of my favourite cities. There’s something very special about seeing the cities you love through the eyes of a talented photographer.

THE CAMERA

“My Canon EOS 400D is usually paired with a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8, my staple lens since I tried it out in a Tokyo camera shop five years ago. It lets a lot of light in and has a versatility that I like for street-shooting. My Canon 85mm f/1.8 is also a trusty lens for being visually up close with people while keeping a physical distance, so as to not influence their frame of mind.”

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

“Over the years, I’ve shot a small collection of stern-looking women. In each photo, I wonder if it was the accumulation of her experiences that carved such a grim expression, or was it in response to one thought that crossed her mind in that instant? Is her face a mask worn in public, or is it in naked repose?

The top photo was taken in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, 2008. The bottom photo was in Times Square, New York City in 2005.”

THREE WORDS

“Our perceptions, reflected.”

Black Frame Beauty

Photos from Saintobert Valentin and Rob Spicer taken with the Impossible Project’s PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ Black Frame

If it’s possible to fall in love with a new film from just viewing an image or two, the photos above grabbed my heart and gave a mighty squeeze. Funny, since I distinctly remember thinking “black frame? Why would I want a black frame?” Silly me.

Pool

Photos by Sol and pipe.dreamer.

There’s so much beauty in expired film.

One Two Three: Joseph O. Holmes

Whenever I become nostalgic for my brief sojourn as I New Yorker, I know that Joseph O. Holmes’ photographs of that great city will give me a glimpse of what I’m missing. His images not only convey the sites, but also the sound, scent and taste of that mad, crazy city.

THE CAMERA

“I shot film for decades, but I haven’t picked up any camera for the last couple years but my Nikon D700, a digital SLR, though my favorite lenses keep evolving; lately it’s the 85mm f/1.4 often accompanied by the 14-24mm f/2.8. Plenty of examples are at http://portfolio.streetnine.com.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

“The best thing about being a photographer is having a record of my children as they grow up. This is Sophia at 15, and at 12.
(Sophia, San Miguel (2007) and Sophia, the Marais (2010))”

THREE WORDS

“Photographs take me.”

Bunny Bunny

Photos by aliZmuh and brigette palmer.