Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

On October 12, 2024, we took the train to Coney Island to try to capture the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as it appeared in the western sky just after sunset. After nearly half an hour of fruitless skywatching, we were convinced that there was too much light pollution from Manhattan for us to see it from our vantage point.

Suddenly, Beth spotted it through the viewfinder of the camera. Using the camera as a guide, we were, in fact, able to make it out with the naked eye. A family walking along the boardwalk, interested in what we were doing with a tripod out in the middle of the night, approached us and we were able to help their children watch their very first comet.

It was a wonderful cool night, with a clear sky. A perfect time for photography.

Argus Day, 2024

Every year, in August, the Argus Collectors Group celebrates “Argus Day,” a celebration of the (now largely defunct) American brand of Argus cameras, most famous for the Argus C3, affectionately dubbed by many as “the Brick.”

This year, we took our C3, an heirloom from Emily’s grandmother Nancy, to Coney Island to try our hand at street photography in one of the most interesting locales. If you are ever visiting the city and looking for some novel sights, check out the Coney Island boardwalk - its a sight like no other.

We went through two rolls of film, using a lens that we had not had a chance to use before - the Soligor 35mm, a somewhat unusual lens that Emily had picked up on a whim a few months ago. We shot a roll of the classic Ilford HP5 and a roll of the new Harman Phoenix film, famous for supremely crunchy grain and interesting color shifting.

The results were very interesting. The Soligor gave everything a very strong vinette that we were not expecting, and the Harman was even grainier than anticipated - many of the details we hoped to get were largely lost, and the contrast-heavy nature of the film meant many details (especially faces) were lost to completely dark shadows.

in all, an excellent day, but one we might prepare for better in the future with a different lens and a film stock we were more experienced with.

Happy Argus Day, everyone!

Pride 2024

While we were sadly unable to attend Brooklyn Pride this year, we were able to spend several hours wandering the streets of Manhattan Pride and viewing some of the SIX hour long parade from the packed sidewalks. It warms the heart to see young people just finding their way mingling with those who fought for their rights to exist, with many of the pioneers at Stonewall still in the city and attending Pride every year.

We know that it is more important than ever that we go out and continue the fight for our rights, celebrate our individuality, and lift up our LGBTQ+ friends, siblings, parents, and children in joy and strength.