Brighten Dam

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Grade crossing at Morgan Station Road
(9 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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happy mother’s day

This was Nilsa’s second Mother’s Day. Not a big celebration. No marching bands or parades, but Tony and I are grateful for all she does everyday.

One of the teaching assistants at Tony’s preschool drew caricatures of all the kids a few days ago. We really like this drawing. Thanks Jen!

Tony and Froggy
Tony and Froggy

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(10 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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i’m one today

Tony turned one this past December. We can’t believe he’s one and we can’t believe that we survived this first year. I’ve been so busy, I didn’t have time to post any photos. I’m only posting one, and this is the best of the lot.

I'm One Today!!
I’m One Today!

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Kodak Porta 400NC

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(19 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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sfx

I’m not sure how many years I had a roll of Ilford SFX sitting in the freezer, but it was more than a few. So one day last September (2007), I thawed it out and went off to the Maryland Steam Historical Society Annual Steam Show in Arcadia Maryland. I promptly got the color slide film developed and scanned, but I put the exposed roll of SFX in the refrigerator as I was planning on sending it off to David Wood at dr5.com for his custom processing.

I’ve written about dr5.com before (see this post). And since that writing I’ve sent more film off to them. I don’t expect my photos to win awards, but I still care about the quality of the processing. I would urge any and every film shooter reading this to at least send one roll to dr5.com. I’d say that the cost to develop and mount one 36 exposure roll is about $14. That is no more expensive than what you would pay at a quality camera store (not one of those national chain stores), so the only excuse you have is taking the trouble to mail the film to dr5. And that is the excuse, along with a bad memory, I used for about a year.

On the dr5 website they refer to SFX as having “a very slight, hazy-METALIC” look in their developer 1-neutral and a “stunning metallic sepia/selenium tones” in developer 2-sepia. I had my roll processed in developer 2-sepia. I can see some of that description in my photos. I shot most of these photos at the Steam Show, and the direct sunlight created deep shadows and high contrast which may not be the best environment for this film. On the other hand, due to SFX’s extended sensitivity into the near-infrared, blue skies and lots of sun can a greater infrared look (i.e., dark skies, bright plant foliage) especially when using deep red filters. For the record, I used a Heliopan No. 25 red filter on this entire roll.

Mail Pouch Tobacco
Compare this shot of the Mail Pouch barn with the one I did using Illford FP4.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Ilford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Three in a row
Three steam tractors lined up.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Stone Crusher
Stone Crusher. Shot hand-held at 1/15 sec.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Peerless Engine
A well maintained Emerson-Brantingham Peerless engine. The wheels and most accent trim on this tractor is bright red, but with SFX and the No. 25 filter it appears almost white.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Frick Engine
A Frick Engine.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Keck Gonnerman
A Keck Gonnerman on the move.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

Mounted Engine
A mounted engine shot hand-held at 1/8 sec.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

The Line Up
A line up of tractors fired up and ready for the parade.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Illford SFX (dr5 dev2)

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(19 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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walking tall

The day finally came that we were waiting for, both excitedly and with trepidation, when Tony would take his first steps. Well about three weeks ago he took two or three steps, and by the following weekend when this photo was made, he could walk about ten or fifteen feet without falling. With each passing day he gets stronger and more sure of himself. Look out world!

Here I come!
Tony taking a long walk down the hall.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Kodak Portra 400NC

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(17 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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little gym

We enrolled Tony in Little Gym and he is having a great time. This is really good for Tony. He’s in a class that has kids from 9 months to 19 months. Many of the kids are a little older and walking, but Tony does very well. The activities they have for the kids are so varied that all development levels can participate. Each child has their own personality and Tony is definitely his own man that way. If he isn’t interested in what the group is doing, he will go off exploring.

I took the photos below during his first two classes.

Miss Ashley helps Tony tumble
Tony tumbles with the help of the instructor, Miss Ashley.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Big finish for "Little Man"
A big finish for Tony!

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

A very happy Tony
A very happy Tony.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tasty fingers
The happy little guy!

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and his ball
Tony and his ball.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and his ball
Tony mingling with the other parents.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony on the balance beam
Tony and some of his classmates try out the balance beam, with help from Mom of course.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and the flexband
One activity has the children holding this flexible band. Tony didn’t stay focused on many of these group activities, but for some reason on this one, he would not let go.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony walking with the flexband
Tony walking with help from Nilsa, still maintains control of the flexband.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

You can do it big guy!
It’s amazing what you can do with some encouragement from your Mom and a binky.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

The parallel bars
These baby sized parallel bars are a big help for those about to walk.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and a classmate
Tony and another classmate examine the equipment.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Just wait till I start walking on my own!
Tony walked easily using these bars for assistance. We will be in trouble soon.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony walking almost too easily
Once again demonstrating his mastery of the parallel bars.

  • Nikon F100
  • Nikon 28-105mm AF Zoom
  • Fuji Pro 400H

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(15 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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tooling around

Tony has gotten big and now he can no longer ride in those “baby” car seats. This has meant an investment in new car seats, as well as a new stroller to keep in my car. The last stroller I had was a $50 Graco that served as a platform for his car seat. Without the car seat the “stroller” was a basket on wheels. And since he can no longer use that car seat the stroller is in retirement too. The expenses never end. Now he is sporting around in a Peg-Perego Aria, which he seems to like. These photos were taken on a cool Saturday morning about a week ago.

Notice how Tony’s teeth are coming in now.

A serious look
Pausing for a photo op early in the walk meets with disapproval from the boss.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji NPS 160

Making me laugh helps
Making me smile helps.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji NPS 160

Look at my teeth!
I got teeth Dad!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji NPS 160

Let's go!
Time to roll Dad!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji NPS 160

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(23 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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hatteras

Earlier this year Nilsa called me over to the computer to look at her newest find, a vacation house she thought we should rent for a week in the Outer Banks. With our busy lives I hadn’t given much thought to a vacation, but fortunately she was thinking about it! It turned out to be just the thing we both needed. Oh, and Tony enjoyed himself too.

Nilsa got us this great little beach house in Salvo, NC. that had a couple of bedrooms, large living room, pool and hot tub. We were only about a 300 or 400 yard walk to the beach. This was our first trip with an 8 month old infant, so it required extra planning, extra packing, and extra patience (on our part).

The house was very family friendly. We were very happy to find a high chair stored in a closet and childproof plugs on all the outlets. The one thing it lacked, and we forgot to bring, was his walker. Fortunately, we found a store in Nags Head that had one to rent for $10 a week. We hopped on that! And as it turned out that was the week that Tony really started to get the hang of using the walker. He was all over that house running into anything and everyone, and trying to open every cabinet and drawer in the house.

All in all, things went well. Nilsa drove down and I rode in the back with Tony so one of us could feed and entertain him. Much to our surprise, Tony was quiet and laid back for most of the trip. He finally reached the stage where he had had enough 15 miles from our destination. That amazed us. He is a good kid.

Vacationing with an eight month old was an eye opener for both Nilsa and me. We knew it would be challenging, but I don’t think we really appreciated how much effort it takes to go on vacation, try and relax, yet provide Tony the continuity and structure he needs and is use to. We learned a lot, but I have to say, that Tony was very adaptable, and he quickly got into his new routine and surroundings.

Personally, I found it fun to pack Tony up in his car seat and place his seat in the beach wheelbarrow and pull him to the beach most every morning. He seemed to really enjoy watching the waves come in and go out. Nilsa and I stood in the surf while holding him. You could almost see the gears turning as he would watch the waves lap at our legs. It was my observation, that our “walks” (one of us pulling him in the beach wheelbarrow) on the beach was a calming influence on him. I would love to know what he was thinking. Those walks on the beach with Tony are some memories that stick out the most for me.

Sunny Side Up
Keep your Sunny Side Up.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Sit and Relax
The front porch. Seeing this just makes you want to sit down and relax.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

The Sunroom
Tony playing with his hat in the Sunroom. The house even included this nice high chair.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Happy little man
A happy little man. This child is so good natured and naturally happy.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Behind the dunes
The weather looked as if it was about to storm, but it didn’t. These houses were behind the dune separating the Atlantic Ocean from the beach houses.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Beach houses in Salvo, NC
Slightly different perspective of these beach front houses.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Early morning in Salvo
Taken on a cloudy morning at around 7:30am.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Salvo, NC beach
Looking south on the Salvo, NC beach

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Pea Island
Pea Island facing the ocean

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Pea Island, Oregon Inlet
Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. This is the Oregon Inlet.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Highway 12 bridge at Pea Island
This is the Highway 12 bridge, that connects Hatteras Island to Bodie Island.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Where we will stay next year
We will stay in one of these houses next year (if we hit the lottery). The location is the Hatteras Inlet next to the ferry to Ocracoke Island.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Ferry to Ocracoke
Departing Hatteras Inlet on the way to Orcacoke.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Tony behind the wheel
We took Tony out of his car seat during the ferry ride. Here he’s learning what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony finds the horn!
Tony finds the horn, and is quite pleased with himself.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Heading back from Orcacoke
Ferry back from Orcacoke.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Tony & Nilsa on the beach
Nilsa and Tony on the beach at Salvo.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Mom and Little Man
Tony enjoying time with his Mom on the beach.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and Dad
Tony was so distracted by the ocean he kept his hat on!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony and I in the surf
Tony and I in the surf. We found out he didn’t like his feet in the sand.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Watching the waves
Watching the waves from the comfort of Dad’s leg.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

My two favorite people
My two favorite people!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Tony in his beach wheel barrow
Tony with Lambie in his beach wheelbarrow.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Tony and Lambie
Tony, Lambie, and the hat he would rarely wear on the beach.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Typical day in the Outer Banks
One morning Tony and I were walking along the beach and I took this photo of a typical sight on Hatteras.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Go fly a kite
With the ocean breeze, you see a lot of people flying kites on the beach.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Hatteras Lighthouse
Hatteras Lighthouse.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

View from the top of Hatteras LIghthouse
This is a view from the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse looking southeast.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Looking northeast from the top of Hatteras Lighthouse
Looking northeast from the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse.

  • Hasselblad XPan II
  • Hasselblad 45mm f/4.0 lens
  • Kodak Ektachrome E100VS

Bodie Island Lighthouse
This is the Bodie Island Lighthouse, which is about 50 miles north of the Hatteras Lighthouse.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Wright Brothers Museum in Kitty Hawk
I went to the Wright Brothers Museum in Kitty Hawk. The Park Service does a great job of running and maintaining the museum and they put on a great demonstration.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 400H

Over the dune
Looking out to the Atlantic from the pathway.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

Morning on the beach
Last photo of the beach and the ocean, till next year.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Fuji Pro 160S

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(27 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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moving forward

So much has happened in the last 30 days, but so much is going on now that I just haven’t had time to update this blog. You will have to wait a little while longer for our vacation photos and other updates. In the meantime, Tony can now fit comfortably in his stroller without the need of the car seat. This is a big deal to him, now he no longer has to travel on his back facing rearward! He now has a commanding view as his “staff” toil in the background. All photos from my taken with my iPhone.
Stop taking photos and start pushing!

Let's go Dad!

(17 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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any color you like

The first two photos were made back in late June, shortly after Tony passed six months, and the rest in early August just shy of his eight month “birthday”. Looking back on these photos a month and a half later, it’s amazing how much little man has grown. There is a level of maturity in his face now that just wasn’t there a month before. We see this little fellow every day, so the changes are more subtle to us. These photographs remind me just how much Tony changes in such a short period of time.

I had a roll of Kodak BW400CN, a black and white film designed for C-41 processing. In other words, it’s a black and white film that can be processed in color negative (color print film) chemistry and printed on color negative paper. This allows you to take it to a place like Ritz camera or MotoPhoto and have them process it just as they would color print film. The prints came out looking good. The grain resembles that of TMAX 400, but I thought they had a slight green cast to them. I’ve used Ilford’s XP2 (another C-41 processed black and white film), and I think that XP2 renders richer blacks than the BW400CN. Like a lot of things, it boils down to personal preference.

Grandfather and Grandson
The food tastes better when Grandpa feeds it to me! Taken around June 20th.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Kodak BW400CN

Luke and Anthony Luke
Extra yummy!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Kodak BW400CN

It's private, do you mind?
Tony, in early August playing with his new “phone”.

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Kodak BW400CN

How not to use a phone
I’ll get the hang of using the phone thing sooner or later

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Kodak BW400CN

Who are you looking at?
Dad, it’s private do you mind?

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH
  • Kodak BW400CN

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(20 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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that hat

Before Tony was born Nilsa found this great little hat. It’s the kind of hat you can put a baby in because, well you can. We liked it so much we decided that when he came home from the hospital he would wear it. Somehow I never made a picture of him in it. So in mid June I assembled Tony and “the hat” and made these photos.

Woof, woof!
Tony and his “doggie” hat

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Kodak Portra 400NC

Tony, "the hat", and "the finger"
Tony in his hat pointing (or getting ready to point).

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Kodak Portra 400NC

Tony and that doggie hat
You wouldn’t embarrass me and show these pictures to my friends in later years, would you?

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Kodak Portra 400NC

Getting worked up
I’m doing what I do best: getting busy!

  • Leica MP
  • Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH
  • Kodak Portra 400NC

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