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-----------------------------> Original photo; taken in PA of a pink dogwood tree in bloom


Sometimes I am an idiot. Seriously stupid.

About a year or so ago... I briefly had a Nikon D70 (2nd hand equipment, bought from a friend). Before that; I only shot photos with film. I love film. At one time, I specialized in hand coloring of infrared photos... and it was awesome (note to self... do more)... but I digress.

Last September, all my Nikon equipment was either stolen, broken, or hopelessly worn out. Selling the remains, I was able to buy a Kodak Easyshare camera... a simple "pocket" digital camera ... for about $140. And... this is the only camera I have used since. (so yes, all the photos on my blog and such were shot with the Kodak).

I mention this only to show that my experience in the world of digital photography is pretty slim.

One of the types of photography I absolutely adore; is TTV. Through the Viewfinder photography is simply that... you take a photo.... through the viewfinder of another camera (*usually an old one... I have a Kodak Duaflex for this purpose). Since getting the Kodak, it is darn near impossible to get a good shot TTV with the Duaflex because the focal abilities on the Kodak just aren't what they need to be for this kind of thing.


-----------------------> 2nd stage. Photo is cropped and the color somewhat overly tweaked, etc....

So... missing this type of photography very much... I decided to explore other ways to get that look. Using PhotoShop or some such program (I use a free program online called FotoFlexer)... you can get this effect by using a "layer" on top of your photo that you want to make look TTV. This "layer" is actually another photo that you essentially collage on top, and then lighten so that you can see through it to the photo below.

But to find a TTV photo frame to use as a layer..... ah. FlickR! There are tons of textures and layers available for people to use. However; most of these images come with copyright rules and regs.... so you need to be aware of that. Or... you can make your own layers/ textures... which frankly... I have never tried.

I have been using a TTV texture with my photos these past 2 weeks ( I also used it once about 7 months ago for a project... then quickly forgot about it or where it was from). I thought this layer was free from copyright laws... and I was madly in love with it. But last night I discovered that it was copyrighted work. What to do? I certainly have the utmost respect for artists and creative people everywhere and completely understand the importance of copyrighting your work. I did not want to offend anyone, or use anything without permission. I was awake all night worrying... and sad at the thought of not being able to put these photos in a show ... or to potentially sell them should the occasion arise... and then... thinking that maybe I shouldn't even post them on my blog or FlickR and that I would have to take them all down... or...or .... I was frantic....

The texture I fell in love with; happens to be the creative work of Deborah Gwinn. She is a fabulous artist, and after writing to her today, she graciously gave me permission to use her texture on my photos for personal use as well as for selling/ showing. WOW! I am thrilled. Beyond happy. And very fortunate... and very blessed... and in awe of the niceness of people...

So... show her some love folks... and check out her links♥

-------------------------------->the final rendering with Deborah's awesome texture layer

Deborah Gwinn's photostream on FlickR: here

Deborah Gwinn's Etsy shop: here

Deborah Gwinn's website: here

20:365

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


My love affair with photography began at a very early age. I think at first, it was a self defense mechanism. See... I was very very shy. Painfully so. And I absolutely hated to have my photo taken. So ... at the very early age of around 6... I started volunteering to take the photos... rather than be in them. It worked out to my benefit... because my father (who had been taking all the photos up til that point.. for the most part).. had a nasty habit of cutting people's heads off and such when taking photos. So .. he was happy to let me take over.

My father had a Polaroid. One of the ones where you still had to peel off the picture... after letting it sit for a minute or so. I loved it. Instant gratification. The caveat; was that the film was expensive... and I think we only purchased less than a handful of packs a year.

My first camera was a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I loved it. It went with me to Girl Scout camp... field trips... school...fishing trips to Canada.... everywhere. When my best friend moved in 7th grade... I gave her my camera. It was my most prized possession. I have since gotten one just like it... and still love using it.

As an exchange student to Germany in High School... I bought the newest camera... a Kodak 110 with a macro function! Woo-Hoo!!! Course, it had to be replaced when both it ( and almost me ) got knocked over a castle wall and off of a cliff. Believe it or not.. I was still able to salvage the film.. and the photos were ok. .. even though the camera was shattered. I replaced it with a similar camera... and it carried me thru the next few years.

When I graduated from college... I spent my very first paycheck on a brand new Ricoh 35mm with a couple lenses and a flash. I also signed up; and started taking classes through the New York Institute of Photography ( and graduated a year or so later). In 1986; I started working freelance; and selling my prints. I even made it into some national magazines, calendars and cards...

A few years later... all my equipment was stolen while at a park in Omaha, NE. I then replaced it all with a Nikon set... and started filling my spare time with freelance photo gigs.... weddings, portraits, kid shots and more. I also did a few advertising shoots and promos for companies and apartment complexes.

My specialty became Infrared Black and White photography, with an emphasis on hand-coloring and re-touching of vintage photos. I became one of a handful of people in the US doing this kind of work... and I loved it. Still do.

I used Nikon equipment exclusively until this past summer; when it all either died... or was sold. It had been well loved, and well used... but it was time. Unfortunately, I did not have the money to replace it with more pro equipment... so I opted to get a simple Kodak EasyShare camera until I can save up enough to get a new Nikon.

So... these are the cameras I currently own:

• A vintage Polaroid Land Camera with flash attachment, additional lenses and leather casing. It's cool... but it is mainly a decoration at this point. When my husband and I were on our honeymoon... I found a beautiful version of this camera, and bought it immediately. A few years later, I was forced to sell it for "diaper money." Yah, stuff happens. But .. last year I was gifted with this one... WOW!

• A Kodak Brownie Hawkeye... just like my beloved one I had as a kid. Complete with flash unit and original boxes. I still use this. I was able to find this one off of Ebay... how cool is that?!

• A vintage Kodak Duaflex... the original version. I use this for TTV photography. I love it. It is a really, really, cool camera. Very portable... and it has awesome effects. This was also an Ebay find. I am so grateful to have been able to get this one...

• A Polaroid instant camera. I have had several different Polaroid cameras over the years... giving them away at different intervals to students, kids... lovers of photography. This one was given to me recently by a dear friend... she even gave me a pack of film... which is increasingly hard to find.

• Finally --- a photo of my little Kodak EasyShare camera that I got for $140 last summer. It has saved me in so many ways. I do not think I could survive *as an artist/photographer* without a camera... and for a little point and shoot... it is freakin awesome.

kicking and screaming into the digital age.....

------------------------photo by Elaine A. Russell

So -- I have discovered the wonderful world of digital effects. Now, mind you... I am VERY VERY old school when it comes to photography. I believe the simpler, the better.... and I am very weird about this whole digital craze.

That said.. my daughter is a child of the digital age.. and loves the crapped out Nikon D70 we have that barely works. Instant graitification, not unlike when I used to have a Polaroid.

So. I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the very confusing world of digital effects.. but I think I have found a program that even I can use to tweak some photos and play around.

What do ya think ?