red pears, kumquats

red pears, kumquats
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured, natural light, plus flashlight highlight with Ansco Rediflex viewfinder + Nikon D70 digital.

viewfinder group on flickr

If you have an interest in ttv (through the viewfinder) photography, this is the group to check out on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/throughtheviewfinder/

Here is a smaller group that I organize, and it's just for 'Still Life TTV', now that's a niche! :o) http://www.flickr.com/groups/ttv-still-life/pool/

apples ground glass

apples ground glass
Originally uploaded by valcox

Today I'm playing with an old 4x5 press camera. It has a lovely ground glass back and plenty of potential for
'through the viewfinder' photos. I just need to find the right lens to capture the glass correctly. I'm debating whether to remove these grid lines.

two cats

two cats
Originally uploaded by valcox

The Ansco Rediflex bubble top viewfinder comes standard with a black vignette mask that borders the edge of the viewfinder--because the edge distorion is quite extreme. When you find these cameras, fifty years later, somethings that mask is missing or oddly skewed.

For this contraption, I removed the mask and embraced the distortion that becomes most pronounced when the subject is near the edge, like these pair of cat ears.

cat enters still life

cat enters still life
Originally uploaded by valcox

He doesn't care that I'm working. The still life becomes the hot spot, the place in the sun light, the center of attention, the only place to be. That's where he will settle.

Captured through the viewfinder, Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

still life blackberries, kumquats

still life blackberries, kumquats
Originally uploaded by valcox

I like to take an overview reference shot of the set up. In this case I like the overview was better than the actual. Kumquats in the sidelines waiting, just in case they're needed.

kumquats in red on orange

kumquats in red on orange
Originally uploaded by valcox

textile+dish+food+ single light source (south facing window light, noon)

hot peppers

hot peppers
Originally uploaded by valcox

textile+dish+food+ single light source (flashlight at night)

blueberries on pink

blueberries on pink
Originally uploaded by valcox

these still lifes are painfully difficult somedays, the discipline, textile+dish+food+ single light source, over and over. Like the sit ups I've been doing. But after a couple weeks, doing some each day (still lifes and sit-ups), they are getting easier and faster to complete.

eggs on gold and blue

eggs on gold and blue
Originally uploaded by valcox

still life set up

still life set up
Originally uploaded by valcox

the snow reflected in a nice blue light today.

dusk fog

dusk fog
Originally uploaded by valcox

Captured from the viewfinder or an Ansco Rediflex camera.

pink house

pink house
Originally uploaded by valcox

Nice edge distortion captured from the viewfinder or an Ansco Rediflex camera.

Ansco Rediflex

These are great mid-size cameras from the 1940's, the bubble top is large with a nice edge distortion.

blueberries on blue

blueberries on blue
Originally uploaded by valcox

Captured through the viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70. Natural window light, north facing, with highlight fill from flashlight

cat enters still life

cat enters still life
Originally uploaded by valcox

Nothing will stop a still life session faster than the cat walking onto the set, looking for a sunbeam.

Props include blueberries in bowl (I ate half already), contasting color fabric, Sure-Shot flashlight for highlight, plant mister for dew drops, north facing light, and a Pennsylvania sky that has been white since I moved here, perfect diffusion!

Captured through the viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70.

raspberries

raspberries
Originally uploaded by valcox

Image through the viewfinder (ttv) of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70.

overview--raspberries

Window light studio, bright flashlight used for highlight, same direction as sun.

Overview of set up for raspberry ttv image above.

overview--log cabin on creek

Waiting for the snow to accumulate. The little log cabin on the creek bank, my camera contraption resting on the ledge above, while I take an overall shot.

little log cabin on the creek

little log cabin on the creek
Originally uploaded by valcox

I took the little log cabin to the creek today. It started to snow, I found a tree stump and waited for it to accumulate. My flashlight earned it's keep today by slipping in the front door.

Captured through the viewfinder Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70.