Bill Smith's Photography

Two things, one, Fuji Neopan Acros 100 in medium format sings in Tmax developer in the 1+4 dilution. The other, I still think the East End is cooler than the West End in Toronto. Camera: Mamiya C220f, Sekor 80 f2.8 lens. Film: Fuji Neopan Acros 100, Tmax 1+4 developer

I plan to shoot more slide film, while I love shooting Kodak Ektar 100 and Portrait 400, there's something about Provia 100F and Velvia 50. I can't wait until Ektachrome comes out... Camera: Nikon FE2, Nikkor Ai 50 f2 lens. Film: Fuji Provia 100F, expired a decade ago and freezer stored.

I haven't shoot E-6 in a very long time, a year or two ago I came across a ziplock back full of Fuji Provia 100 slide film expired sometime last decade. Being freezer stored I wasn't too worried yet on the same token you don't want to be using this for critical work. I tried a roll out for a walk around Oakville a few weeks ago. Actually, I think digital shooters would take to slide film like ducks to water as you have to expose for the highlights. Having shot Portra 400 and Ektar 100 for the past six or so years I kinda lost my groove a bit. I also found slide trickier to scan, I have to re-learn. Shooting slide isn't' cheap, you're looking at $20+ a roll for Fuji Provia 100 or Velvia 100, I have no idea what Kodak is going to charge for the soon to be re-introduced Ektachrome 100, as for Ferrania, who knows at this point, some day, maybe. The other challenge is processing. You can go the Walter White route but the temperature is critical, it is easy to sc...

Funny how weather can change in a day.... Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko lenses. Film: Lomography F Squared 400

There's trouble in paradise, there always been high retail turnover in the Beaches, but it has gotten worse over the past two or three years. A lot of retailers are either calling it a day or more moving up to Kingston Rd. Gerrard St. or the Danforth for cheaper space. I don't blame them. The big problem is rent is steep and getting steeper. My guess a few landlords who have the retail strip sewn up got greedy. The recent commercial property tax increases are probably not helping either. Here's the challenge with the Beach, it's a desirable neighbourhood, people will pay stupid money to get a piece of heaven in the 416. My guess there's a more than a few people who are over mortgaged, you could say that with Oakville too. That doesn't help the local retailer because people aren't spending, helps to have a viable business and marketing plan too. One thing I am happy about is Bud's Coffee is still around for now. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko 50 f1.4 l...

Summer 2017 in Toronto has been awful. I spent the August long weekend in the Beaches like I always do and organized a Photowalk with some friends. The forecast for Saturday was 30% showers. Who would have thought we actually would get them. Let's just say the weather has been positively British  (cool and damp) and leave it that on Saturday. I'm running down my supply of Lomography F Squared 400 which any savvy film photographer knows is nothing more than freezer stored (aged) Ferrania Solaris 400. Out of the camera systems I own, the results through Zuiko glass is my favourite. So yeah, Ferrania , get your shit together and make a new batch of Solaris 400 already. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko lenses. Film: Lomography F Squared 400

I've always driven through Uxbridge but never had a chance to stop and look around. A lunch date gave me that excuse and I have come back up here at some point in the fall to explore some more and pay another visit to Second Wedge Brewing company . Camera: Olympus OM-4, Zuiko Lenses Film: Rollei RPX 100, Xtol 1+1.