I'm going write my impressions in the next few days, but here is a brief introduction.

This new 35mm 400 speed negative film is distributed in Japan and according to the marketing material it is actually designed to reproduce Japanese skin tone in a pleasing way. I didn't actually know this particular fact when I stepped outside to try it out. But, I guess I'm going to be shooting some photos of Japanese friends soon to see what the result will be (I'm sure they will glow radiantly in the photos).

I'll be posting some shots soon, but here is one that has been scanned in using the default profile ("other") in Silverfast. I haven't retouched or color shifted in this image at all.

Released in March of this year, the film is still fairly new. Much more to come soon. I may even have some film available for resale if people are interested.

Notes:
Shooting outdoors without foliage against a muted gray and brown background doesn't do much to show off how this film reacts to Green and Blue, but I will rectify that in the second round.

Being a consumer film I developed this roll at a local quick photo shop and then scanned on an Epson v750 in silverfast using base defaults w/out color modification.

Nikon F4S
Nikon 105mm f2.5 AIS
Fujicolor Superia Premium 400 (type135 27exp)
High-contrast Scene, high sun.

enjoyed the beautiful weather with 2 full days of BBQ and friends.

of course, I also shot some climbing which will be posted soon. but until then, a change in style. A bit of snap-shooting.

oh the mix of food (the foil is corn on the cob).

too many ribs can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Jess being Japanese... I feel like I could take this same photo 20 years from now.

not the most flattering photo, but my Amie is my hero so why not have a heroic pose (though candid).

having just watched a nature program on the artificial insemination of pygmy rhinoceros, I felt awkward watching chris apply his sun screen. (I'm not kidding about this either, weird when life mimics TV).

our primary entertainment... the Foibles (Faybles?).

three beers and a twisted tea. (that's a wetsuit in the background drying, we didn't go hunting gumby)

thankfully the singing didn't last long

the light... it burns. oh pale winter skin, sunning for the first time this year, how you blind me. (for what its worth, this pic is right out of the camera)

and thats a wrap. much food and ice cream and potato salad and chips were consumed. until next month, that's a wrap.

photos © James P. Jones 2009 - please don't republish or hot-link the images without asking.

Timing is everything. I was walking into the woods behind two climbers who happened to pull in to the lot moments ahead of me. Although we had met previously (sort of) we had never actually been introduced so it was pleasure to make some new friends out there. While they warmed up more people arrived and soon there was some life in the "warm-up area." It turns out I have been following bits and pieces of the 'beaners (a rock gym) crew from southeastern MA over the course of the part couple of months. The only difference on Sunday was that there were a lot less people and a lot more flies.

I want you guys to be in a band. Then this photo would be stylistically appropriate. As it is I like the contemplative stature.

Watching everyone slice up their hands gives me pause. I like my hands.

I may post some more from the B roll another day. Good times... maybe next time we'll follow up with BBQ.

photos © James P. Jones 2009 - please don't save/copy the photos without asking.

Many thanks to the climbers who I am terrible at remembering the names of. I know who you are by sight; names just slip my mind (ask my family).

These pictures are from a few weekends which have not been posted here yet, starting March 6th and ending April 2nd? Or something like that. These aren't "climbing photos" per se. Portraits may be more accurate; but it's about getting a glimpse into a time and place and a group of people (or multiple groups of people). Drop me a line or use the comments - happy to hear from people.

SLIDESHOW BELOW - click an image to see the gallery