An Unexpected Trip Home with my Rolleiflex 2.8F

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you so much, Ibraar! I hadn't thought of movie stills but so appreciate the compliment. Mom is planning to be here in NY for my daughter's high school graduation in June -- it's a great gift to have her recovering.

Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Nice one!! I wish her the best !!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Wim -- you are right about She'll PLC of course. It was Royal Dutch when the project began, but like a lot of other corporations, they seem to enjoy playing "shell games" with ownership. I gather the subsidiary that owns the site now is US based...

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you so much, Reed! I'm glad that the emotion came through and resonated for you. Ours is a situation shared by so many families. Hoping that your aging parent(s) are well.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you for the kind words, Mike! I treasure her more every day.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Geoff so much. My Dad wasn't much older than I am now when he began developing symptoms of dementia, while my mom soldiers on with a sharper mind than the one I possess late into her 90s. Like you, I hope for the path of health and independence, but know that the decision isn't mine. I hope your kid(s) are enjoying their time with you.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Valerie for your kind words and astute reading of the hovering death theme (which I wasn't aware of, consciously at least!).

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Hi Erik, thanks for your kind words and for mentioning Todd Hido, whose work I didn't know -- but am eager to explore. The water-streaked window was in my case a homage to Saul Leiter, who took so many gorgeous Kodakromes from the back of NYC taxis.

Erik Brammer replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Saul Leiter - yes, indeed, that’s his style, too. Check out Todd Hido. I find his photography fantastic. Have several of his books in transit into my hands. Really looking forward to receiving them. And hats off to your mother!!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

I'm already ordering one of his books! Thanks for the recommendation, Erik.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Art so much! I'm thrilled that the photos spoke to you, especially the one of my Mom, which is (understandably, I suppose) my favorite. Thanks again!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Hi Thomas, Thanks for your post and for clarification on the chemistry of the Shell plant. I'm relieved to hear that plastics aren't literally wafting into the atmosphere with the copious steam as I had feared, and very much appreciate your learned perspective. The bigger environmental concerns about plastics in the waste stream and consumption of fossil fuels at the plant, as well as the recent partial rupture of a gas line feeding it, unfortunately remain. Similar concerns and many more I'm sure were present in the industries that existed around the county when I was a child. The same Potter Township site, visible from my bedroom window, where the Shell plant now stands was at that time a lead/zinc smelter .... ! I sure inhaled a lot of its fumes for many years. Thanks for reading.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Gary! I was experimenting with a studio flash -- harassing everyone at the dinner table as we ate -- and am so glad you liked that one. Cheers!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you Fred! That bench overlooks the Ohio River and the state line is only about 20 miles downstream, so those same waters may have flowed right by you in your Ohio era. Thanks!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Wow! That's a superb insight, David. I carried the same camera today at a political protest here in New York and certainly felt the impact of shooting from the waist in in a large crowd. I would've felt much taller/more grown-up with my Leica, but using the Rollei was also an enjoyable challenge. Thanks again!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 05/04/2025

Thank you so much for your kind words, John. Mom is kind and wise, and I am so glad that came through in the portrait. Cheers, David

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 06/04/2025

Thanks Scott for your super kind words! Yes, my Rollei 2.8 has the Planar lens, but to be honest outside of studio settings I've had equally good results with the Zeiss Tessar on my much older (1949) automat, susceptibility to flare being the only drawback. My relationship to flash is still as we say a work in progress. I bought some studio strobes for $200 on the auction site and have had fun with them, but a speedlight in with a soft box or reflector works well too. I would think in your "day job" you probably encounter all kinds of amazing equipment! As for the protests yes there will definitely be many more! I shot TriX only and on the gray day it could've gone other way. Hopefully 1 per each roll of 12 (I shot 3) will be acceptable. Hope to see your Rye Playland shots one day soon. Cheers! David

Scott Ferguson replied:

Comment posted: 06/04/2025

Hey David, Interesting about the Tessar vs. the Planar. I have a Zeiss Planar 80mm f2.8 that is currently getting repaired from an accidental drop of about 3 feet onto asphalt on Mott Street in Chinatown -- intrigued to look into the similarities and differences equivalent lenses on different systems. I love my 80mm and can't wait to get it back! So far, I haven't really gotten into any kind of lighting gear of any kind, including flash, since getting the all manual cameras. I have a Contax T2 that I might grab if I'm going to a night time or indoor event where it seems cool to grab some snapshots. Having the option of a small flash unit with the Hasselblad feels like it could be fun for some situations. In terms of anything more elaborate or high tech than that, I am finding shooting all-manual still cameras kind of freeing and I might lean more toward low tech solutions available to people like Caravaggio or Vermeer than using modern cinema gear, which might feel like a busman's holiday. I think the best portrait shot I've taken so far was of a friend of mine sitting next to a window without much other light on the scene. Maybe I'll see you at the barricades soon!

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 06/04/2025

Hi Scott, I think shooting with natural light is wonderful, even indoors. Faster films or even better tripods and slower shutter speeds can make for wonderful atmosphere. When added judiciously flash can work with those elements, but figuring out where the line is between judicious and overkill separates the pros from folks like me. Good for you also for drawing a line between your career with its bells and whistles and this new art form you're exploring.

David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 12/04/2025

Thanks so much, Eugene! I'm not surprised that your travels haven't brought you to Beaver as yet. As kids we similarly didn't make it to Pittsburgh much -- orthodontist appointments in the long-ago demolished Jenkins Arcade and Pirate games being the only exceptions until we were old enough to go to the Civic arena for rock concerts. That said there is plenty of material for photography in Beaver and surrounding towns. Looking forward to seeing whatever you come up with!