ANOTHER MEET IN DC.

This past weekend, I was able to attend my second SMDC meet. I'm trying to go to these a little more regularly. I got there late (damn Metro) so I wasn't able to walk with the main group. However, a few of us other stragglers formed our own group and we did our own little walk. Eventually, we linked up with the main group but it wasn't for long. It was a pleasure meeting new people and I feel like we're definitely going to collab in the future. Check out Kristan and her brand, VISVC. She was dope enough to model for us even though she mostly came to vlog and shoot haha.

I shot a decent amount of digital, cross processed some Provia, and I also shot some black and white but haven't developed that yet since it's still in the camera.

Good times with cool people doing what we love. Can't really ask for more than that.

BYE-BYE, TITO MARK.

Mark's moving out west in a couple of weeks. Izzy's not gonna see him for a while. Crazy that Mark has been there since pretty much a couple months after Isabel was born. Just had to capture some photos from that moment. 'Tis all.

LOVE VA.

This past weekend, we hit up The Block for the first time. It was pretty dope actually. Way too many people, but the food was pretty good. The poke at Pokeworks was bomb. Afterwards, we hit up Tyson's so the kids could play.

In addition to those photos, I had some photos from Lauren's party that were on the roll that I finished up this weekend. 

This post is actually a twofer. Sadly, I recently sold my beloved Hasselblad Xpan panoramic camera to pay for Demi's ring. Lolol. Anyways, those photos are from the SMDC meet a couple weeks back and some random photos since I had to finish the roll before I shipped it off.

Work sucks. I'm writing this post at work. Maybe that's why this post sucks. Haha.

Gear Used:
Contax T3 and Kodak Portra 400
Hasselblad Xpan w/45mm and Cinestill 50

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LALA.

This past weekend, we celebrated Lala's, aka Mabuhay Girl, aka, your favorite celebrity, aka @laaurenfoo, birthday.  'Twas dope. As usual, it was nice being around everyone and having a good time. Food was bomb (thanks, Tita!), music was dope, we were singing (lol), and overall just great vibes. We even had a nice, little impromptu photoshoot haha.
Sadly, this was probably the last time we'd all be together like this since the brother, Mark, will be moving out west soon. I guess we just gotta move the part to the west coast, amirite?!

STREET MEET DC.

This past Saturday, I went to my first Street Meet DC event. Street Meet DC holds photo-walks once a month where photographers, videographers, and other creatives in the area get together and shoot. I've been wanting to go to one of these events for over a year, but my schedule never worked out until now - finally.

I met up with a NikeTalk home, Francis for the first time. We've never actually met, but you know how social media is. You meet people online before in person haha. It was dope. I see more events in the future with this guy.

Anyways, the environment was dope. There's literally dozens of photographers all with their cameras out just shooting away. There were a couple of people who came through just to model. They were the real MVP's.

I can't wait to make it to the next one. Hopefully I'll be able to make it that is. Friends, who's trying to go and either take photos or get their photo taken? Let me know!

B&W: Ilford PANF 50
Color: Fuji Pro 400H

RIVER CITY.

• Spontaneous trip to Richmond to visit friends and fam.
• Went to Brown's island for the first time. Explored the new walkway connecting Brown's Island and Manchester.
• 'Twas dope.
• I miss this city.

Now I just have to scan all the Polaroids I took.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOHAHA.

 Went out for my cousin's birthday. It was wild haha. Here are some photos.

THE REAL POLAROID.

You know how Andre 3000 said "shake it like a Polaroid picture?" Yeah, you're not supposed to shake all types of Polaroid film. Bet you didn't know there were multiple types, huh. The on you're most likely familiar with is the old square looking film that resembles the Fujifilm Instax. You're not supposed to shake those. If you do, you could end up ruining the photo. The film you can shake are the peel-apart pack films. The reason you shake them is to dry them; not speed up development.

It's funny that Polaroid doesn't even make film anymore and  Fujifilm has pretty much taken it's place. They've even created new cameras/film which are extremely popular - the Instax. Although Fuji has made an extremely accessible product, I find myself ignoring it and sticking with the Polaroid. Ironically, the film I use in my Polaroid cameras are made by Fujifilm. Go figure. You can find Instax film literally everywhere including the grocery store. Peel-apart pack film, not so much.

Fuji announced earlier this year that they have discontinued the pack film all together. First it was the FP3000-B (black and white) back in 2013 and now, FP100-C (color). Previously, you were able to buy a pack of film with 10 exposures for around $7. Once they announced the film has been discontinued, prices skyrocketed to around $20 a pack. If you're lucky, you can find them on sale for $15.

As far as cameras go, there are many different models and types. You can get them fairly cheap for around $10-$50. The two I use are a Polaroid Land Model 250 and a Polaroid Big Shot. The Big Shot is really fun. It was made famous by Andy Warhol and it's main purpose was for portraits. The flashes for bot the Big Shot and Model 250 are wild. They're one-time use bulbs. You need to replace the bulb after every flash. Not mention, these flashes are BLINDING.

If you haven't had a chance to shoot this film, I highly recommend that you try it at least once. The anticipation of waiting  a couple minutes (depending on the temperature) and peeling apart the film to view the image is really a thrill every time. Anyways, I know I'm rambling, but I just love this film so much. Try it out for yourself if you can. Here are some of the photos I've taken in the past month or so.

NEW YORK.

Before this past weekend, it was years since I last visited New York. I gotta say, this time around, it was one of the best trips/mini vacations I've ever taken in my life. Good company means everything!

It's funny because Demi and I didn't really have any aim for this trip other than to visit our dear friend, Katie. We literally had nothing planned; Just come up, visit some spots on our list and that was it. Felt good not to rush. I was really hoping to run into Casey Neistat, but yeaaah, that didn't happen LOL. I did meet the legendary, Louis Mendes, though! He's the reason why I got into pack film (Polaroid) photography. He was standing at the corner of the world famous B&H store. (Go figure). 

Overall, it was a great experience. Got to see some faces I haven't seen in a while, good eats, good times, etc. The highlights were definitely the High Line, World Trade Center, Central Park, Fulton Ferry State Park (right next to Brooklyn Bridge Park)  and DEF the POPCORN CHICKEN. The subway was dope too. If you visit for a weekend, I highly recommend getting a 7-day pass for $31 instead of Ubering/taking a cab. The subway is hell of a lot better than the Metro here in the DMV. MTA > WMATA. 

SOME KIND OF UPDATE.

This update contains photos over the past few weeks. 

• Uniqlo Grand Opening at Tyson's Corner Mall
• Apple picking at Marker Miller Orchards
• Shooting range at Elite Shooting Sports

Damn, I really don't know what to say haha. I get lazy. New York is coming up this weekend. I'm excited for that..

Also, just got a new portrait lens. Anyone looking to shoot? Need to try this bad boy out.