Many years ago had a small photography blog. I think I wrote more than 400 posts. I even had a few followers. In fact, back then I fell into a sort of photo blogger fellowship along with some really talented people. We had many interesting conversations, and we even had a few print exchanges going. I don’t remember them all, but I do have a couple of prints by Paul Butzi, Doug Stockdale, Martin Doonan and a few others (I must check my old print boxes again). Well, that blog ended about the time I had my first child. And my photography took an abrupt turn into documenting the growing family. I guess that’s how it goes.
But then years pass by, and the kids are becoming more self documenting. I started to enjoy photography like I used to again. About two years ago, when Covid was a thing, I went out and got an old Hasselblad. It was a dream camera from my youth, but I had never even held one before. I was sold. Back to processing B&W film and all the stuff. I have much to say about that, but not right now.
So, why this blog? It’s not about publicity. I’ll count myself lucky if more than 10 people will read it. The blogging era is long gone, but I enjoy writing and I can just pretend to have an audience. The real reason for starting again is that I want to document my “One camera, One lens, One year” project. Ever since that project was proposed by Mike Johnston back in 2009 it has been lurking in the back of my head. It was out of the question back then since this was about the time my son was born. But a few weeks ago, I bought a used Leica M6 and a Zeiss 35mm on impulse. It was a bargain, and I was already into B&W film again. I remembered that old article, and here we are.
The project has already started. I loaded the first OCOLOY film on Sept. 1. Here is how I plan to play it:
- One camera (Leica M6), one lens (Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8), one film… not really.. any ISO400 B&W film
- At least one roll of film each week
- Try to take at least one frame every day
- Starting one month in I will print one frame each day. Knowing my schedule I will allow myself to do this maybe two times a week, but I intend to produce 365 prints by the end of the year.
- I may allow myself to change the rules as I go along if there are compelling reasons to do so.
So that’s it for a start.