#3e8life

[3e8photography]

Textures in Black and White - Arcadia Michigan Dunes with a DJI Phantom 3

The drone is finally back from repairs and I am in my happy place. I set off to capture the fall colors of Northern Michigan. When I went to edit the photos, I found myself more draw to the textures and leading lines than I was to the colors. I decided to convert to black and white and the mood was striking. I can’t wait to find more amazing spots from the skies. - Arcadia Sand Dunes, Michigan

[3e8photography]

A full day in Frankfurt, Michigan today. The family started with donuts and coffee at a small cafe, rode from Frankfort to Beulah on the Betsie Valley Trail, stop number 1 at StormCloud, ventured out to the lighthouse pier, then a final StormCloud stop with some great live music and more beer.

I cant go anywhere anymore without bringing a camera. Well, 2, now that I got the film bug. My usual companions are my trusty Fuji XT2 and Canon F1N.

Afterthoughts...I’d have given a limb for that sailboat to have been 50 yards closer to me #ReflectionStatusElevated

[3e8photography]

Tokyo Japan - Film, Fuji, and a Place I Never Wanted to Leave

March of 2017 was the first month of the rest of my life. I quit my job, downsized my belongings, and spent my 29th birthday in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo was tops on my travel list. It’s the birthplace of all of the camera industry’s power players. It’s busy and crowded, but functions like a clock. It’s the denim capital of the world and has one of the most influential fashion cultures in the world. To me it’s the most advanced, progressive society, that is in the most stark contrast to our own. People are polite, shockingly so. It’s quiet. People live in close quarters and treat eachother with respect. It’s beautiful to witness. 

I fell in love, as soon as my friend and I got to the city from the airport. We got in after sunset and walked an hour to our hostel through tiny alleyways lit with neon signs. We stopped at a 7-11 for green tea pancakes and a can of hot coffee. It was all so unique. From getting lost in the fish market at 4 in the morning, to watching the clouds break over mt fuji in an outdoor Onsen, to ringing in my birthday singing karaoke with some friendly Brits, it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. Truthfully, I never wanted to leave. I wanted to sip sake in hostels and get lost in the city lights with my camera forever. 

This was my first time shooting primarily film on a trip. I brought along my Canon F1N and shot 2 rolls of Cinestill 800, 2 rolls of fuji superia 800, and 1 roll of Ilford HP5. The black and white roll, alone, made me fall in love with film. Because I don’t edit the film shots, it seems to represent the moment in a more satisfying way. I also brought along my new Fuji xt2, which was an absolute dream for street photography. It was the perfect complement to my film camera. I could write about Tokyo and why i loved it, endlessly, but I’d prefer to let the images speak to you the way the moments spoke to me. If you have the opportunity to go, please do yourself a favor and go. The first half of the images are film. The second half are digital.

10 days in tokyo, 1 Backpack, 2 Cameras, 5 Rolls of film, 1 trusty pair of boots.