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Paul Contino | Photographs

Photoletter Issue No. 33

February

It’s February, with a bit more light during the dawn hour, hanging around a bit later these mid-winter days.

For this photoletter we’ve got remarks on instant cameras, access to prints, and a single word of advice for your approach to photography.

But first, I want to say “thanks” for the feedback on the last photoletter:

New Year’s resolutions included displaying personal photographs in a public space and pursuit of a PhD overseas, as well as ambitions for starting one’s own photography business.

Consensus on black and white vs. color was, as expected, very subjective. One individual loved seeing everything in black and white. The majority of the feedback I received liked some in color, and others in black and white - including a comment on color reflecting “life” and black and white portraying “death”.

Looks like we’re having an early spring, as I just read that Phil did not see his shadow this year!

-Paul

Fun with Instant Cameras

My most recent camera purchase was a Fujifilm Instax “hybrid” camera known as the mini Evo.

It’s a very basic digital camera with a built-in printer.

Though I’ve used various instant cameras in the past, this model is particularly nice as it offers a preview of images before choosing whether or not you actually want to print them out (instant film is not cheap!).

It is a fun little device to carry around that offers a basic solution for those that want to take photos and print them on-the-go.

And not just printing of images taken by the camera itself, as it acts as a stand-alone printer as well - meaning, if you end up taking photos from your phone or another digital camera, images can be wirelessly sent to the mini Evo to print.

Not a fan of Fuji or looking for alternative options? Polaroid is still a thing, and Lomography, Kodak, Leica and Canon also have versions of instant printing cameras.

Print Shop

Print shop is open.

I’ve been working on sharing more photographs with the opportunity to allow you to take some home yourself.

The three images below were portrayed in the last photoletter and taken on the eastern side of the Teton Mountain range in Wyoming.

Descriptions of sizing and photo paper are also included below - you can purchase by clicking on the title links or the images themselves.

For black and white photos, my display recommendation is to frame in black with a white matte - a silver frame may work as well.

Images are printed and sent to you directly from the professional print company I work with. If you are interested in different size or material options (e.g. canvas, metal, acrylic) send me an email and we can discuss what may work best for you.

Click here to browse full selection of photographs available

One Piece of Advice

(image from Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse)

I was once asked a very prominent photographer for a single piece of advice in how to make better photos.

His response: “be curious”.

That’s it. Be curious.

Next time you are out taking photos - be it of nature or family or a street scene or still life - approach your subject with as much curiosity as possible and see what results.

Oh, and if you’re up for it, curate a selection - in color and/or black and white - and send my way. I’d be … curious … to see what you come up with!

WHAT I AM …

Eating: Taste-testing various soups from across the world

Appreciating: Norman Rockwell’s reference photographs

Listening to: Freakonomics on the curious Feynman

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