Yo Hablo Analogue / I speak FILM

Testing Mamiya c330

2010-07-21T01:31:00.000-07:00

First roll with Mamiya c330, as I'm getting used to its weight and functions, the Mamiya is becoming my favorite camera for my street/documentary work.

Internship time!!!

2010-03-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

Day one of my internship at Mary Ellen Mark studios, she's an amazing photographer and it's a huge honor to be given the opportunity to work with some one who has been in the business for almost three decades. Mary Ellen is an important landmark in the history of documentary photography. The experience I will earn during this internship I'll take with me forever.
Some of Mary Ellen's inspiring photographs

Fun fact : Mary Ellen Mark did the promo shots for the Alice in Wonderland movie!

2010-02-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

Found summer

2010-01-11T22:44:00.000-08:00

I had some unknown film in my Nikon F, processed it and found some great summer memories. Winter go away already!

Accidentally opened the back of the camera thinking I winded all the film. Lesson learned. But I do like how both photos work together. Nice diptych.

I guess the more you try to look invisible you actually raise your chances of being picked to stand in the line.

Nikon F 35mm
Portra 400NC

Tony the Deli cat

2009-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

After shooting at a new Hostel in Brooklyn, I passed by a deli and saw the most gorgeous and content cat sitting on a newspaper bin. I assumed he was friendly and reached out to pet him, well he wasn't...he replied with the most ferocious bite to my hand. I had to actually pry his sharp teeth off my knuckles. Wasn't the best experience. I was expecting him to dash off the bin and run away from me but he just sat there, I'm sure I saw a smirk. *shakes bruised fists*

2009-12-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

West Indian food shop
Flatbush, Brooklyn

Hasselblad 500cm

2009-12-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

Hostel,
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Hasselblad 500cm
Portra 400 NC

2009-12-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Got a great deal at Strand, going to immerse myself in this.

Taken with Panasonic Lumix lx3

Lawrence Annunziata

2009-12-05T01:26:00.000-08:00

Perfect imperfections.

2009-12-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Perfect imperfections. One of the many reasons I'll always love film.

If you want to know why this happened it's because I previously loaded this film into a pinhole holga camera and it was the wrong format (220 not 120) and during winding some light got in there. So I rolled back up the film in the dark and loaded it into my hassy, hoping I could salvage some images on the damaged film. So I saved half a frame.

Hasseblad 500cm
Portra 160NC (220)

Testing and some special effects film

2009-12-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned in the previous post I have a studio class this semester and I get to play around with artificial lights and such (not really my type, I prefer to be outdoors). But it's all a learning experience and it was fun. Some test shots from today.

Hasselblad 500cm
ilford sfx 200

The glowing skin is one of the cool effects of the sfx film, maybe I'll play around with this film outside and see what I can cook up.

Hasselblad 500cm
Ilford 320

Studio stuff

2009-10-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

Playing around at the studio in my school. Using lights is sort of new to me, as I prefer to work with natural light.

Hasselblad 500cm
fp-100

This photo is funny to me. It reminds me of an old high school photo. One of those cheesy ones.

Digital revisted '07

2009-09-21T23:54:00.000-07:00

Some shots from I believe back in 2007...I forgot the band's name. If you do please let me know and I'll put it up. These are some of my fav event/night shots using no flash just the stage lights and very steady hands. For me flash ruins the mood of a moment, especially at a concert scene where there are all these cool lights and special effects. For some of the weird photos below I have no idea how they got like that, I guess it's just the beauty of accidental photography. Although it's rare to get a good "accidental" photo with digital...as once the settings are automatically put in for you, you basically know every photo you take is going to be perfect exposure. So predictable. So disposable. (and definitely no fun)
Enjoy.

Canon Xti
NY, 2007

Union Sq

2009-08-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

I don't come here anymore as I usually do, but the vibe is always good and there's always free entertainment. There's always somebody doing something.

Hasselblad 500c/m

BBQ

2009-08-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

More from this set on my Flickr.
Hasselblad 500cm

2009-08-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

Hasseblad 500c/m
Ilford Delta 100
Coney Island

2009-08-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Couldn't choose between the two, I think I prefer the top on for the focus in the eyes..

Hasselblad 500c/m
Fuji Acros 100

2009-08-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500cm
Coney Island
Fuji Acros 100

2009-08-12T23:19:00.000-07:00

click Image to enlarge

Hasselblad 500c/m
Ilford 100

2009-07-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m

2009-07-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m

Atlantic Ave

2009-07-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m

Lime Swirl Icee

2009-07-24T23:51:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m

2009-07-23T00:36:00.000-07:00

Union Square
Hasseblad 500c/m

Coney Island at Night

2009-07-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500cm

(My first attempt at using long exposure on this camera)

To view all from this set go to my Flickr.

2009-07-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

Somehow I always catch myself at the Manhattan Color Lab ready to give them some rolls to develop and the roll in my camera just has a few more frames left so I end up having to quickly use them on the nearest object without any thinking.

Hasselblad 500cm

Couldn't decide.

Rocks & Bubbles.

2009-06-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m
Fuji Astia 100
Coney Island

I love looking at slide film through a lightbox but the colors always come out weird and I'm forced to edit them. No more slide for a while.

As you can see my horizons are not perfect, which desperately calls for the need of a tripod. Carrying a tripod + my Hassy = Shoot me.

Fishing, sort of.

2009-06-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

Location: Coney Island
Film: Kodak Portra 400nc
Camera: Hasselblad 500c/m

The last time I been around fishing was many years ago when I was about 12 in Trinidad. I didn't cared much for it then, I was just excited for my "bake an' shark"(you Trinis know what I'm talking about). So yea, spent the day in Coney Island shadowing the fishermen. I saw the most beautiful dog with straight, long bangs and shaggy, dreadlocked hair, I took lots of pics but I realized too late I didn't advance my film so none came out, sigh, still love you film.

"What does it taste like?"
"chicken"
"Oh"

Poor fella was floppin' around for dear life. He had a lot of heart, for a fish. I was tempted to stealthy kick him back into the ocean but I would have a mob right after me, and it's kinda hard to run with a 50lb camera around my neck.

It's a strange feeling seeing something die slowly and possibly painfully. I don't like fishing too much now. I'd hate to be plucked out my bed and have a pillow cut away my air supply. I feel for you!

Kinda sucks knowing you live just to be bait.

I spy with my little eye, a hermit crab.

2009-06-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

Hasselblad 500/cm w/ Polaroid Back

Portra 160NC

2009-05-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

Finished off a roll with a friend, Langston. Other random photos taken in Soho.
Hasselblad 500c/m
Kodak Portra 160NC

2009-05-19T22:01:00.000-07:00

-Long Island City
Hasselblad 500c/m

Mister Dixon.

2009-05-19T21:38:00.001-07:00

Hasselblad 500c/m
Delta 100

2009-05-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

She was moving her big head around.

Hasselblad 500cm
Kodak 160nc
The brokeh on my Hassy wows me everytime.

Mamiya C220

2009-05-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to foster a Mamiya C220 for a couple of months, and it sadly sat collecting dust for most of the time. I only shot one roll of it which sat inside for months until I had to return it to it's rightful owner. I finally took the roll out and dropped it off to develop. Didn't even expect anything to come out since I wasn't sure if I was loading the camera correctly. Soooo....

(couldn't choose between the two)

DIY Mother's Day present.

2009-05-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers Day!!!
I still think it's a very Hallmark holiday, and most people miss the small stuff and decide to go above and beyond and buy things that will probably be useless in a matter of months.
So I figured to scratch the perfumes and gift certificates and spas and get her something a bit more long-term and well, inexpensive. Some photographs! So I snatched up my pet ferret and my pet sister and hurried to Prospect Park to take some "family" shots and frame them for my mom. I took my Hassy with me and my Polaroid sx-70 (RIP my other sx-70 which uh, ahem Geena Whyte stole) and headed to prospect park which is conveniently located 3 blocks from my home. And why don't I go there as often again?
Yes so, below are the polaroids, I was going to give em as mini gifts to my mom also but I'm a bit attached to them, she'll just get the pics from my Hassy (will be developed soon).
I didn't expect my sx70 to work so well, it's missing the ND filter so I cranked the brightness/darkness setting all the way to dark and crossed my fingers. But the pictures I'm very pleased with...

PSST...TO GET THE FULL EFFECT, CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW LARGE!

My favorite in the set, this captures perfectly her Curious George personality.

Falling asleep.

I gave her a million directions on how to take my photo. Someone told me that many photographers do not like their photo taken because they believe no one else can capture them as how they'd like to be captured, I stand by that reasoning.

I asked this cute Russian couple to take my picture, with the language barrier I couldn't explain how to press the shutter halfway until it focuses and then press it all the way, well he figured it out while the camera was facing down. Hehe.

I plan to go to the park more often, with ferret in tow, on Sundays they have the African drummers that bring together the most diverse and friendly crowed I've seen in Brooklyn. Excited, yes I am.

(None of these images were edited in any way, I feel sorta naughty for editing my polaroids, even my film)

Marco- Brooklyn, NY

2009-05-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

Nikon F
Pan F 50.
Developed in HC110 - B

Stalley interview (2008).

2009-05-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

I did some photos last year for Stalley while he was being interviewed by this magazine from Germany. Who knew hip hop was big over there? Anyway, here they are. The interview is in German, but you can scroll through the 4 pages of photos up. If you haven't heard of Stalley you should check his music out, it's definitely a fresh change from the crap that flood the airways. Tell him Verne sent ya! Links below.

Interview

Stalley

LIC (Long Island City)

2009-04-27T22:51:00.001-07:00

Just some bits from my class project...
My first time developing B+W 120 film...very excited to try other film types.
Hasselblad 500 c/m
Delta 400 and delta 100.

Met these guys on the day I was shooting, I told them act like I'm not there, and they started the funniest conversation ever. I felt like I really knew them.

Light leak or problem during development.

Dominican men playing softball. They told me that they come all the way from the Bronx to play in this park because they don't have the resources in their neighborhood. Kind of sad, really.

Kid running in front my shot. Don't worry kid, you actually made it better. Reminds me of this old pic I took in 2007.

Coolest taxi man ever, gave me a ride to the train station for free. He saw I was melting into the sidewalk with my 50 pound hasselblad.

On the way.

2009-04-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Took 2 rolls of black and white using my Hassy yesterday, for my school project. I never used B+W with my hasselblad so I'm very anxious to develop and see what the results are. I should develop them in class tomorrow...so come back to see if I put anything up!

-VB

Be You.

2009-04-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

-"Vally"

Brooklyn Heat

2009-04-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

We got our first stroke of real heat last Saturday, boy was it hot. But where did it all go?! Such a teaser. Ya, that's me in the last pic. I don't like my photo taken too much, I'll let this one slide.

Nikon F
Ilford Pan F 50

Conversations.

2009-04-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

I like to take pictures at the most natural times, especially during conversations. The subject is comfortable and at ease. Doing something they do everyday. I can't stand posed photos, or anything that looks like the photographer tried too hard and said "Okay, now smile, turn left, look over there". Usually if I'm out shooting and I have someone I'm interested in capturing, I let them know I prefer that they do not look into the camera, pretend I'm not here. We talk, I listen, I nod, I talk, and I press the shutter. And they're unaware that I'm intensely studying their every action, like a lion eyeing that baby elephant..watching..anticipating their next movement. I'm an avid follow of Henri Cartier Bresson (though I'm not nearly on his level of brilliance)..."compose and wait"..

Nikon F
Ilford FP4 PLUS 125

Throwback fav

2009-04-12T14:05:00.001-07:00

Found an old goodie in some lost files. Taken on the set of a music video where I had the opportunity to be the behind-the-scene photographer. I think it was in '07. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. His face tells so many stories.
Does anyone know this guy? I'd like to have a mini-shoot with him.

Couldn't help it

2009-04-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

I know this blog is solely for my photos of my everyday ventures, but I just couldn't help but post this awesome video!!
No more vids I promise!

Mr. Hassy, je t'aime

2009-04-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Shot on Monday or Tuesday, when it was raining like insane. In a cab, to a destination.

Hasselblad 500c/m
kodak portra 400nc

Self - portrait

2009-04-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

A hasselblad self-portrait, with that mysterious light leak.

In & Around Union Square

2009-04-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Shot using Hasselblad 500cm, Fujipro 160

I'd take these dogs on the spot, if my mother wouldn't burst a blood vessel.

As always, much more on my flickr page.

Prospect Park

2009-04-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Nikon F
Ilford Delta 100

I prefer to shoot in color. But I love how using Black and White film makes me sort of think more. I look at a scene and I'm like wow these colors I have to capture but then I realize the film in my camera is Black and White so I think wait, the colors won't show so how can I capture this seen in a way that shows how I see it, but twisted in a way that you wouldn't have to think "I'd like to see this in color". Does that makes sense? Probably not. Better explained in person. It's something I'm going to work on, since I'm a color fiend. Enjoy.

Dumbo we go.

2009-04-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Elle and I visited Dumbo, brooklyn, with my Nikon F. Bought these awesome opera binoculars from this vintage flea market. Now I don't have to ask someone what the next street is. Can't really remember what film I used, I don't think I like it too much though, it gave off inconsistent color casts which I had to try to fix up in Photoshop. And I have that stupid Adobe Elements crap, can someone please hook me up!!

I put up my favs here, much more on my flickr page.

Here you go.

2009-03-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Hasselblad 500cm, Kodak 400NC and Fujipro 400H

No using without permission of course.
I'm always happy to share, just ask me first and give credit.

Today

2009-03-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

I went to prospect park today and I was humbled by it's beauty. Here this amazing thing in the middle of the confusion of Flatbush. It's definately the diamond in the rubble. It holds the skeletal remains of my beloved pets (a hamster and a ferret), and the memories of budding love, summertime BBQs and family cricket games, island men gambling and african drummers throbbing.The sun sets so perfectly, casting a gold tone on the shimmering waters. The lake's surface is gently broken by the gliding ducks, leaving a V-stream behind them. Everything for those moments seemed all right. All the grass and trees are still brown and I'm going to be a bit sad when it turns green again. The muted fall-like colors makes me feel at peace, for some reason. Annnd, I met a very friendly and very beautiful white swan. She/he was literally 1 feet in front of me, the only thing separating us was a border of stone that kept her safe in a murky home. I took lots of photos of our encounter with my hasselblad, I'm going tomorrow to develop them, I hope it came out how I saw it with my eyes. It is possible the shots might not come out at all, I've been having trouble with my film magazine and when I open up the back to retrieve the film, the frames are still exposed. [insert long Sigh here]. I'm trying more and more to interpret a scene on film as accurately as possible. I find that easier said than done though. As for now, I'm going to take more afternoon trips to the park, and get closer and closer to some ducks. Maybe scale a tree or two and get a good view. The rebel in me.

Nikon F

2009-03-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Finally took my Nikon F for a stroll. I have to say I'm very impressed with the quality of this camera. Here's some of my favorite shots taken today, much more are on my Flickr account.

The photos are of a cool kid babysit, the rest are taken around Union square of this magician guy, he was pretty good, gave him a buck. I'm sure he makes more money than me though. If you think about it, he makes about $10-15 each "show" and a show will last about 15 mins, so that's 4 shows in an hour, approximately. Do that for about 6 hrs and this guy packing more than $300 at the end of the day! It's good (and cheap) entertainment, but I can't help but feel a bit suckered.

Anyway, everything was shot in one day, I was very excited to see what the pictures would come out like, I even ordered matte prints with white borders. It's actually my 2nd or 3rd time ever doing prints. I think I'm going to go though my stacks of negatives and order more prints. I hope my Hasselblad doesn't get jealous. Still nothing beats a Hassy, IMO.

Fujicolor 400H

All in one day.

2009-02-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

Hasselblad 500cm Kodak portra 160NC
Union Sq, NY
Square Format <3

VERNEB.COM UP AND RUNNING

2009-01-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

Loaded some of my favs on there, just need to figure out how to make a frontpage so that I can put all my bio/contact information on. Check it out!

Edit.

2009-01-14T21:43:00.000-08:00

Went back to a recent photo, trimmed borders, fixed color a tad.

Nikon F

2009-01-11T23:37:00.000-08:00

Got a new piece from Ebay, well not new, a couple decades old. I read "Annie Leibovitz's At Work" book, and the Nikon F was the camera she used in her early days and it was with some of the best photos she took. Of course I had to try it out. Used some crappy film I had laying around to test it out. Hopefully when my hands doesn't turn to icicles outside I'll take some more shots, & more interesting than me and cats. The color balance is sort of wacky, no more indoor shots with outdoor film.
Enjoy

sx70, Hasselblad 500

2008-12-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

Stalley, Sharpie the cat, Laura.

11/4/08

2008-11-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

Took a stroll through prospect park...Here's my view
Shot with sx 70 sonar

6x6

2008-11-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

Tried out some square format using my Hasselblad 500. Also took 4 photos with my Polaroid sx-70, gotta be scarce with the polaroids nowadays when a pack of 10 exposures cost $16.

2008-11-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Soho, NY

Soho, NY

Brooklyn, NY

SX-70 trial

2008-10-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Sx-70 sonar
600 film
ND filter

Took my new sx-70 for a spin today, and I'm in love.

Finally

2008-10-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was trying to figure out how to format my scanner so that the film type shows up on the image also. A piece of 8x10 non-reflective glass did the trick.

Latest with the 'Blad

2008-10-16T19:38:00.001-07:00

Newly Scanned

2008-09-18T23:14:00.001-07:00

Scanned about 3 rolls of film, here's some favs.

Hasselblad 500c/m
fujifilm

I like bikes.

First day w/ Hasselblad 500c/m (polaroids)

2008-08-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

I met up with fellow photographer paul [paulcrispin.com] and he showed me the ins and outs of my new Hasselblad 500c/m. I used his Polaroid back that can be attached to my Hasselbad to take a couple shots. Here's a taste..

*film used was Fujifilm fp-100c

[My personal fav]

[Me!]

Shoot w/ [Face]

2008-08-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Shoot with Brooklyn hip hop producer/rapper.
Location : Prospect Park

Prospect Park,Brooklyn

2008-06-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

*All images taken with Canon xti and 50mm f/1.8 lens.*

Spent the day with some friends at prospect park. Enjoy the view...

NYC Pillowfight '08

2008-03-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

I heard there was going to be a huge public pillowfight in Union Square, apparently it's an annual event. It's pretty much what I expected, I should have brought a plastic bag to protect my camera since I was cleaning out feathers for days. It was an awesome way to let off steam and where else can you bash strangers in the head and they laughed? If you weren't there try to make it for the one in '09!

This kid stole the sign LOL

Video Shoot backstage

2007-11-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

I did some backstage photog work for the shoot of Jaheim's new vid "Never"...The actual vid should be in circulation soon. Here are a few of the pics I took while on set

Here's a clip of the vid, enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmM8x8If-8I