Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Ramblings of a Riding Eccentric

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Vespa GTS scooter on rural road under a dramatic sky
A fine way to start a day — on a Vespa scooter under a dramatic sky.

Behold the Morning

There’s something thrilling to be on the road with the Vespa on a cold, crisp morning under a dramatic sky. Scanning the horizon the world seems strange, different than the one I normally inhabit. My old hearten quickens and I feel a crackle of energy through my body. For a moment I feel on fire, right there, right now. And that feeling follows me throughout the day.

Sitting here now, looking at this photograph of my Vespa GTS scooter, the memories of that morning feel melodramatic. Almost like a dream. And if it were not for the fact that I’ve experienced that same feeling dozens and dozens of times I might dismiss it as the odd ramblings of a riding eccentric.

Perhaps that’s what I am.

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Relishing Slowness

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Reflection of Steve Williams in car window
The camera asks me to slow down, look, watch and experience the world.

Long, Slow Look in the Mirror

How do I square a motorcycle with 74 horsepower and a top speed of 124 mph with slowness? Or even my 21 horsepower Vespa scooter. The truth is, slowness has little to do with the machine and a lot to do with the rider. It’s a matter of temperament and self-discipline.

More and more I realize I relish slowness — while riding, driving, eating, walking and pretty much every aspect of life. The holiday cold virus I endured did a good job of slowing me down. During the time I was in bed, reading, writing or just thinking, I was thinking about slowing down. A natural progression in life as I enter old age.

In a world seeming obsessed with remaining forever young, my thoughts were moving in a different direction.

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3 Prints Project – Again

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35mm film contact sheet from 3 Prints Project

Shooting 35mm B&W Film – Again

Four years ago I tried to resurrect my 3 Prints Project — shooting film each week and making three gelatin silver prints. It began back in 2008 along with my friend Gordon Harkins and served to motivate both of us to keep working after we got out of art school. It worked for a few years until I faded into the digital world. And when I tried to revive it four years ago — I just couldn’t sustain the effort. Career demands were different and photography took a back seat.

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Damn Leica

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Battery cover on Leica M6 cameraSpent the past couple hours fighting with my damn Leica.  The battery died this morning and when I got home the fight began to get the little round cover off.  It’s always been difficult but nothing like this — heat, attempts to turn it open wearing rubber gloves for extra traction, and eventually tapping a jeweler’s screwdriver with a hammer into the soft brass.  My thumb is so sore now from attempting to break the cover free that I can’t use it on the spacebar while typing.

It’s moments like this that I just hate machines.  I want them to work.  Period.  And I don’t want to tinker.  Pretty unrealistic expectations.

With the Leica out of service I’ll have to turn to the view camera or the Zero Image pinhole camera.  Haven’t decided what I’ll do.  In the meantime I’ll share the three prints I made last week as part of my ongoing 3 Prints Project.

My dog Junior at the doorOur Belgian Sheepdog Junior standing at the door waiting to be let inside.  Can’t remember why he’s outside in the driveway or even what he’s looking at.  I know there aren’t any dog biscuits or bacon in that direction.

View from the drivewayView from the driveway as I head into the garage.  When spring arrives and the leaves begin to grow that little shed disappears from view.

Snow on the Honda FitAn abstract look at our Honda Fit during a morning snow flurry.  Not sure what motivated me to make the exposure, just some instinctual reaction to form and texture.  Maybe.

Maybe I’ll give the Leica another go.  Can’t find the WD40.  Seems like a tool that’s inconsistent with a Leica…

Photographic Reboot

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snow covered roadWith so much snow and cold weather lately I’ve just not been interested in riding lately.  I’ve traversed this sort of surface but I no longer am interested in testing my endurance or skill on the ice.  Instead, I’ve been exploring my photographic roots and am spending more time making photographs on film and working in the darkroom.  A post on a forum this evening spoke of a “reboot” in life. That may be what I’m doing.

View at Saint's CafeSunday morning at Saint’s Cafe has been the place to validate my non-professional photographic life with the help and participation of friends on similar quests.  Everyone should have a time and place to confirm some things in life.  The hot chocolate and bagel is just icing on the experience.

Paul Ruby showing digital printsPaul Ruby has been consistently working and producing gallery quality digital prints from scenes from his life.  Seeing someone consistently show up with new work, regardless of quality or subject, is inspiring.  Everyone is busy with myriad responsibilities and seems to live in chaos so when a person manages to inject some personal creative expression and output into their days is kind of amazing to me.

Gordon Harkins at Saint's CafeGordon Harkins has been showing up for years now and most times with new work.  In his frustration that he’s not doing more I recognize my own awful critic that can’t see how much I’m actually doing myself.  I remind him of the output he’s accomplished but I don’t think he believes it.  I’m familiar with the trait.

Paul RubyPhotography is important to Ruby and his thoughts, words and gestures support that observation.  I often sit back just to watch and listen to the show.

Each week I continue to try and expose two rolls of film and make three prints.  It feels random and unfocused but I trust that it will lead somewhere if I do the work.  So here’s the latest from the photographic reboot:

Leica portrait of Gordon HarkinsLeica M6 portrait of Gordon Harkins made the previous Sunday as snow began to fall.

Kim Dionis making photographsView of Kim making photos of her snow-covered garden.

My Belgian Sheepdog Junior in the snowPortrait of my Belgian Sheepdog Junior in the snow.

So that’s it.  Three prints.  This week I have the 8×10 Calumet C1 view camera out and have been considering a switch for a bit.  The camera is heavy — almost 18 pounds — and the film is expensive — almost $2.50 a shot — so I’m still pondering.  Whatever happens, I trust the process to yield something good if I show up to do the work.

Just like riding the Vespa scooter.