Art and the Familiar

I really like this photo of the train in Strathroy, Ontario. I've driven through this crossing many times, but I've only seen the train occasionally. One day this Spring, on my way to pick up a friend who lives near the tracks, I heard the the train. At just the right moment I managed to jump out of the car and click the shutter.
Later I told my friend, "What a great photo I got of the train by your house!" He replied, "I don't want to see it! That train is always waking me up when I'm trying to sleep! I've had enough of that train."
So much for art.
Taken with a Diana+ toy camera, Neopan 400 film. Duotoned in the Gimp.

A Pretty Picture

This is a significant image for several reasons. First, she's my lovely, charming, and ever-patient wife of (almost) 30 years!

Second, it was taken with my newest camera, a Pentax ME Super. Alas, time has been harder on that camera than on our marriage, the exposure circuitry seems to be on the fritz. (ME Supers were made from 1980 through 1986.) Only 2 photos turned out from the first roll I tried to run through it, so now the camera is on its way to visit Eric in Tennessee.

Third, it was taken with Fuji Acros 100 film and developed in Rodinal, my favorite developer. Slowly but surely I seem to be getting the hang of using Rodinal. It seems the key is gentle agitation.

Fourth, it's a pretty picture of a pretty day. I'm coming to the conclusion that God gives us these days as a demonstration of his mercy towards us, and we should be more grateful.

And did I mention what a wonderful wife He gave me?