Traditions

Link is in fifth grade now. That means that this is his last year of elementary school. This is wild, because it was only yesterday that Steph and I left the hospital with that little guy in our arms. Regardless of that fact, it seems that he is moving on to middle school next year. And while most of the friends that he has made over these last ten years will be moving on with him, it is a milestone. His school, therefore, sanctions an annual parent-planned trip to Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Steph and I decided to make a whole trip out of it as it was Veteran's Day weekend, and we could easily stay longer and keep the thrill riding going.

This trip also has another significance to it. It is a tradition that Steph and I, both alumni of this same school, also had the good fortune to attend. So it is something of a milestone for us as well. That so many decades later we can still participate in a tradition like this is meaningful.

Not all students in Link's class were in attendance, but most of his friends were. Some even made a long weekend out of it as we did. So it was really like a big family reunion, themed t-shirts and all.

While most whipped their phones out to make quick snapshots, one or two parents took their digital cameras with them to make some nicer photographs. I opted to document this trip exclusively on film. I packed a minimalist set up: my trusty Leica M3 and TTArtisan 50 Summilux, a half-finished roll of Kodak Portra 160, a fresh roll of Kodak Portra 160, and two rolls of Kodak UltraMax 400.

Large group sitting together outdoors in matching gray shirts for a group photo.

Oh yeah, and something unconventional! I packed a Leica R to Leica M mount adapter with an Elmarit R 28mm mounted onto it. That's right, I took Leica's best wide angle SLR lens with me to shoot on their best rangefinder. I know what you're going to say, "But, Dave, this isn't rangefinder coupled so how will you focus?!" And to that, my answer is quite simple! With the zone focus system, of course! Stopped down to f11, just about everything in front of the lens is in focus. So, that's exactly what I did. I took that lens with me to make exactly one photograph, the one above. I'm glad I did too, because how often do all these kids get together outside of school? Back in the bag went the 28mm and I composed with the 50mm for the duration of this trip.

Friends and Film

I put some importance on capturing special moments on film. Because what transpires is a permanent chemical process, to me it seems to matter more. I wrote about my thoughts on the magic of film in this blog a few months back, so I won't rehash that. But I'll sum it up by saying that I believe that special moments should be documented in special ways. Film is the most special of these ways.

While I didn't hang with Link the entire day, feeling it was important for him to have time with his friends - I tried to get some portraits of them whenever possible. These kids are growing up so fast. It seems like I met these kids as toddlers just the other day. But it has, in fact, been eight years. And thankfully, they not only humored me when I asked to make a photograph, they would ask for the picture to be taken as well.

Four youths wearing matching beige t-shirts pose together at an outdoor venue.

One of my favorite moments, a redemptive moment even, came towards the end of the day, when Steph and Link boarded this river raft ride. Last summer we had come to Universal Studios, and I attempted to get this same shot of them as the raft leaves the station and travels under a pedestrian overpass. However, I totally missed the focus. I was left disappointed looking at that photo, wondering why I hadn't stopped my lens down more and ensured critical focus.

I learned from that mistake and made sure that I was stopped down. It also helped that this was the start a fresh roll and I moved from Portra 160 to UltraMax 400. The extra speed allowed me to stop down to f11 and really get some deep depth of field. I also lucked out that the raft had rotated and allowed me to get both Steph's and Link's faces as they passed by.

Theme park water ride with decorative cityscape design and splashing effects.

Three people wearing matching t-shirts sit together on a wooden bench.

Youth in light colored t-shirt looking downward while sitting outdoors.

People interacting at a theme park with colorful clothing and backpacks.

Link and his friends were positively soaked when they were done riding this Popeye-themed water ride repeatedly. So they hit a hot-air dryer and I snapped away as they waited for the dryer to become available. Wes was having fun exploring the area and Link was being as silly as ever with his friends. But once they were dried, it was nearly time for the rest of the group to get back to the buses. We were staying in a hotel and would be driving back in a few days, but we had time for one more ride: The Incredible Hulk Coaster! My favorite photograph of the day was made in front of the monstrous roller coaster. Link and his friends posed, huddled up and hanging off each other with smiles from ear to ear. It's such a meaningful photograph for me. These kids are growing up so fast, but this day they were allowed to just be kids. No schoolwork, chores, or even iPads and iPhones. Just fun and friendship. I rarely see these kids this way anymore.

Group posing together in casual attire at an outdoor attraction.

Family Time

After the group left, we rode a few more rides, but ultimately decided it was time for dinner. We showered and slept soundly in the comfort of our plushy hotel beds (thanks Loews!) and awoke bright and early for another day of theme park fun.

The first thing we did was hit the new Dreamworks Land in Studios. We all love those animated movies, but Wes has become absolutely obsessed with the Shrek series. And wouldn't you know it, there's Shrek and Donkey! We stood in a short line, and I made a very 90's style photo of the family posed with costumed theme park characters.

Its cheesy, yes. But you know what I love? CHEESE! I was recently looking over a few photo albums with my grandmother and these sorts of photos were all over it. It didn't seem so cheesy then. It's memories.

Theme park character meet-and-greet with Shrek and Donkey from the animated film.

Young visitor wearing baseball cap at theme park attraction.

Young child enjoying a playground ride on a bright turquoise seat during a sunny day.

We spent a long time in Dreamworks Land. I loaded up a fresh roll and got one of my favorite kinds of photos, what I'm calling a SHELL (sexy, half-exposure, light leak) with Link eating a Taki that would leave him thirsting for water. I was able to freeze Wes in some high-speed park fun. That's always nice. But after a while, it was time for Wes to nap and Link to ride some big-kid stuff. The natural thing was to head to the Harry Potter section and ride Gringott's. While Link and Steph rode, I made some photos around this part of the park. I was able to snap a serendipitously timed photo of the dragon breathing fire, which on film looks impressively like a still from an old 80's fantasy flick. Wes got up as we were about to have lunch, so the timing could not have been better.

Dragon statue breathing fire against blue sky in a whimsical urban setting.

Historic curved building with domed tower and decorative greenery on brick facade.

While we waited for Steph and Link to finish at Gringott's I got Wes out of the stroller and let him run around for a bit. Of all the people in my life that humor me by permitting me to shove a lens in their face, Wes is by far the person who is most often ready and willing. The moment he sees a camera he is ready to ham it up and have a photo shoot.

In fact, some of my favorite photos of Wes have been made at Universal Studios. Because of the way the park is designed, with many streets mimicking real-life locations, what I have is an opportunity to conduct some controlled street style portraits.

This little alley allowed me to have Wes run back and forth between the gothic style windows in the background and back to me. I eventually captured this one. I've gotten quite good at nailing focus on a fast-moving target. I don't always nail it, but when I do, it's pretty awesome.

Child in yellow shirt running through dark archway with soft lighting.

After lunch we rode some more rides. Link always makes time for a Transformers meet and greet. He and I are alike in many ways, but one of the ways that we are most alike is for our love of Saturday Morning Cartoons, and Transformers above all. I introduced him to the original animated series and Marvel Comics issues many years back, which turned into a rather expensive hobby of collecting action figures. So, I always say yes to an opportunity for us to meet some of our favorite Cybertronian heroes and villains.

While we waited, Golden Hour approached and gave me some rather gorgeous light to make this portrait. Again, I couldn't help but notice how much he's grown, but also how much he has managed to hang on to the wonderment of his childhood. Life has gotten complicated for him, and yet he still finds a way to smile and enjoy life. I definitely want to be like him when I grow up.

Person in yellow t-shirt and baseball cap smiling outdoors.

Final Focus

This was the first time since before the digital age that I have traveled exclusively with film. Even with the ten rolls that I shot in New York last month, I still brought a digital camera with me for insurance. Sure, I only made ten digital photos or so, but it was there. This Veteran's Day Weekend, it was all film, one camera, and - with the exception of one photograph - one lens.

What's more, I was photographing my kids. One of those kids would not know how to stand still if you bribed him with all the Hershey's chocolate in the world. I still made some pretty fantastic memories with these rolls of film.

As usual, I kept wondering why Portra was so much more expensive than everything else. In fact, I think I prefer the color and grain of these UltraMax photos. I don't think I'll be buying Portra for a while unless it is on sale. But I do think I'll continue shooting film exclusively for myself and reserve digital for paid work. So, until the next shoot, it'll be more film for me.