Category Archives: WHERE”S KENT  It’s Not The Camera, It’s YOU It’s Not The Camera, It’s YOU Stop! Please, just stop talking about the latest model, feature, brand, bell, whistle. If you’re looking for a new camera, I understand, it can be confusing and frustrating. But let’s face it, you have a price range and an expectation. Narrow it down... 
Kent: I agree with your post. Once digital came along, I started by testing a 6.5 mp Canon Rebel and was able to capture beautiful images that were routinely published. Although now I rely on more expensive equipment (ie. 5D Mark II) because my Fine Art work needs to be enlarged for gallery exhibition, since most shooters don’t need to worry about that, as you teach, they should concentrate on their technique, not their equipment. Thanks for all the great photographic content on your blog. 
Bravo! Amen! stunning work as always! 
Seriously, when will you just move to Colorado and teach me all of your wisdom?! Those pictures are incredible – I haven’t seen something so inspiring for a very long time! Well done! 
This has to some Photoshop something. I mean, a photo taken with a camera with no batteries???? How can you use a P (professional) mode with no juice? Really, it’s a relief to see some very basic stuff and experimentation. Photography is fast becoming one of tech over ability. This is from someone who began with a Pentax K1000. Very nice shots. 
what is photo paper exactly? 
Carla you crack me up. lol Perhaps you can rent me?? 
Kent, these are fabulous! No developer or fixer? How do you prevent further exposure of the paper once you remove it from the can and why doesn’t the scanner further expose the paper? I completely agree with the gear argument. I’ve seen a lot of,umm, not so good photos out there with top of the line gear and some brilliant work with the bare bones essentials. It truly is the imagination behind the viewfinder. You proved your point beautifully! 
I’ve been waiting to see this. It’s amazing. Thanks for the perspective, too.
Scanned into the moment. Analog to digital and saved. The paper will degrade and move on. 
You did it! I was JUST thinking about this the other day wondering how your experiment went. Well done! So I totally agree with you on the gear – I have the d700, 24-120 f/4; 28-300 f/3.5; 105 2.8; 50 1.4; and the 16mm 2.8 fisheye and NONE of them have made me better at what I do. Not.a.single.one. Purchased all of these in the 1st year of photography (can we say ridiculous?) and what I have learned is that all those lenses will not make me better – but education and practice will. So 2012, I’m spending educating and practicing NOT buying gear.
me too! 
Kent. I LOVE this. Totally, completely love this. You are my hero. 
I would like to know this too. Paper that you expose to light through a negative I am assuming?
Yeah!!!
*blushing* Thank you!
This is standard photo paper used in dark room. Negative is projected to the paper and processed. It usually takes chemicals to process, but the intensity of the sun “etches”. The paper would need to be chemically “fixed” to remain stable over time, but once it’s scanned that is the saving method. 
This is fabulous! Love the images AND the patience. My balcony faces south. Definitely something to consider. Did you set up the winter solstice-to-summer solstice “photographic” equipment to capture the second half of the year? It would be interesting to see how the second half of the year compares to the first half. I do believe that it is the photographer and not the equipment that delivers the best results consistently. Love your blog. Thanks! 
WAIT. You are for RENT?!! Sign me up!
Yes, second half of year. I may do one now going back to summer solstice.
Hm? Now you’re making me think. Thank you! LOL 
I agree. I remember reading about a photo editor at a New York newspaper back in the late 40s or early 50s who said “I could send so & so photographer out to Yankee Stadium with a Brownie box camera and he’d come back with great images.” It’s the photographer, not the equipment.
Brownie Box camera, makes me smile
can I afford that!? 
True words of wisdom! 
Excellent work! I had seen a photographer do this in the past, but had not seen the process behind it. Now I know, and am excited to give it a try. It looks like you shot these for 6 months? I may try shorter periods of time and see what i get. You used the tall boy beer cans correct?
Yes, taller cans will hold the 5×7 paper. Good luck 
These turned out great! Beautiful colors! 
Love it! I am in the process of doing a pinhole camera with my son and came across this post! Not only helpful, but inspiring as well! Thanks!
Rock your pinhole camera. I hope you have fun and open a mind or two. 
Kent, I’d forgotten that you were doing this but was thrilled when I saw this post. Your images are incredible. You must be a very patient man, as I think I would have been tempted “to peak”. Bravo. BTW, I’m a little confused by your response to Denise’s questions back on Dec 22: “How do you prevent further exposure of the paper once you remove it from the can and why doesn’t the scanner further expose the paper? ” You answered: “Scanned into the moment.” Could expand upon that please. Did you have to close your self in a dark room, open the can, place the paper on the scanner and hope it scans quickly? Great post and great image. Thanks for continuing our education and your delightful sense of humor!
Claudia, PS ~ It’s pretty fun. I’m betting you’ll be doing this in the near future, if you haven’t already started, right? 
Exceptional Kent! Wow what an amazing project. Thanks for sharing the shot of the cans set up, love seeing the process not just the result. 
I had to look at this for many minutes just to take it all in! Astounding! I did have a question after reading your excellent explanation of the streaks. Why are there no red-ish streaks of a glorious orange and magenta sunset along with all the blue-ness? 
Good stuff. Two questions. 1) Is each of the final images from a single pinhole camera, or did you combine them? 2) Where did the color come from. This was B&W paper. I’m guessing you did a bit more Photoshop manipulation here, or did you?
Well the sun is only orange magenta usually near sunrise and sunset, so the light is mostly white. As for the blue, I’m guessing it has to do with the night time exposure portion. Remember half+ of these exposures were in the dark of night as well.
#1 Each is its own single shot, no compiling images. #2 Honestly, I’m not sure where the color came from. I must confess ignorance about the paper. The one I used was a RC Multigrade, it doesn’t say B&W or color either. The paper maybe color, or the sun may have effected the paper and created a color due to the long exposure. The paper, when pulled from the cans, was brownish orange and in film negative. So when the scan was made and inverted to positive it became blue. If you know more about the effects of photo paper, please let me know. Thanks! Grateful Thanks Grateful Thanks There are so much reasons to be thankful. I’m thankful for being able to photograph the things I love, in this period of time where the process of capturing light and arranging pixels to form images is so accessable. My many clients who come back time and again trusting me to... by Kent Weakley show 1 comment 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well Kent!  Capturing Time with Photography Capturing Time with Photography There is this tree, ‘My Tree’, not far from me that has become a part of my life. In many ways she is a friend and, unfortunately her days are numbered. The eventual end to this inspirational figure is nearing and I have felt the call to... by Kent Weakley show 5 comments 
awesome. 
What you have done here is wonderful. The orbit is amazing, the four-section finish is stunning and your full-moon photo is breath taking. Your tree is a treasure to remember I also collated photos from one daisy over two months of changes. I have learnt so much about these flowers from doing this. Nothing as stunning as your photos but a delight for me to trace and watch.
This.is.brilliant! Are you going to start selling these? This is such a signature piece for you… like the horses that are infrared are. Can’t wait to see your stuff in a gallery someday! 
Really cool, this just prove how creative you are. Enjoyed yesterday, great shoot, can’t wait to see your work… 
I’m *lovin* these!!! So cool! I’m loving that last collage of the 4 different pieces put together.  The Most Honorable Flight ~ Photo Assignment The Most Honorable Flight ~ Photo Assignment From time to time, as photographers, there are photo assignments that come up that are more important and challenging, than others. When these events come along they make us step up, work harder and perhaps do so more passionately. When... 
by Kent Weakley show 23 comments 
Kent, thank you for sharing such an experience. I was tearing up just thinking about reading it, as I knew what it would be about from your title. But what you shared was much more than I expected. Amazing photos and story behind it. 
Wow, I had to leave for a tissue or two and come back! It’s hard to put into words how incredible this story is, let alone that you were able to be part of such an honor. I know of at least one family member that served in WWII, but he never made it home. I had the privilege of accompanying my friend to welcome home and record her husband and his troop coming home from Iraq and this really brought back some very raw emotion that was felt that day. Thank you for sharing this Kent! (and Max nailed that shot!) Now, to go see all the rest of the photos – making another pot of coffee!! ; )
This is such an incredible tribute and the pictures tell a beautiful story Kent… Well done! Drat if I hadn’t been sick I could have lent you my 16mm fisheye and then you wouldn’t have had to go all panoramic
Thank you Tyann,
Kim,
Thanks Jenny, BTW, the 16mm would have been fun for several shots, but not the group shot. The people would be very small unidentifiable specks. The advantage of the pano is that I can shoot chunks of the scene at about 80-90mm and build up the total resolution of the image by adding images together. The final composited image (around 400mb) has incredible detail and I can print it on a billboard, if I’d like. PS – Love visiting ‘your backyard’. You really need to go spend an afternoon walking the roads of Arlington…uh…like RIGHT NOW! lol 
You told this so beautifully… in words & images. My grandfather did this last year and oh how I wish I had gone to capture it all. Our WWII vets are a true treasure – definitely the Greatest Generation – and I love that they get recognized like this. Thanks for posting. Now where did I put those tissues? *sniff*
Thank you for your appreciation Stacy and please thank your grandfather for me. 
Really beautiful Kent. Such an honor and a treasure.
Oh, I cried through the whole thing. 
Kent, You did a beautiful job in both your photos and your writing. Living in Maryland I love to visit the monuments and it is always an honor to see veterans there. Thank you for sharing this post.
So sorry, that was not the intention, however the experience was very powerful and I found myself afflicted in the same manner.
Thank you Lizzy, your words warm me. It must be nice to be that close to so much American history. 
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful event. I had tears in my eyes for most of this article. I love the spirit of our Ocala residents. I am deeply grateful to our war veterans. They fought and sacrificed to defend the freedoms we enjoy in this great country. Again, thank you for sharing. By the way, I shared it on my facebook page. 
Thank you for sharing your experience! The photos are wonderful and I so enjoyed your retelling of the day. I also needed tissues but that just shows that you are doing justice to a great day. These men and women are so important and what I wonderful day for all of them.
Kent, 
Kent Thanks for doing such a great job remembering all those that gave of them selfs. what wounderful story and photo documentary. As many others that have read those words tears did come to my eyes remembering those who never came home to live a full life. 
Emotion drives my photography. This set of photos, and your narration of the event here, gave me goosebumps. I think you honored everyone who was honored at the event, AND everyone who participated in making it happen. Thank you for your inspiration.
Kent! Wow! Thank you for sharing all this! I had tears or was crying the whole time! Our military all hold a special place in my heart… We owe them so much, for all they’ve given and sacrificed and cared!
Stunningly told & illustrated story. You’ve outdone yourself. 
A very moving account with some briliant photo’s to reflect the emotions of the day. 
I sat here and cried like a baby. Anybody that can read this article, and look at these wonderful pictures and NOT do that has no heart or soul. I am 72 years old, so I am not as distanced from these marvelous vets as the youngsters in the group, so I realize how time is running out for all of us. I am from Florida, so am very proud to see ‘home folks’ doing such a good deed. Far more respect needs to be paid to our veterans, and active service people than is. Some of these ‘protesting’ young people (and the old ones too) need to use these wonderful people as examples instead of the ones that they seem to chose to follow. Our great country would become a great country once more if they did. They would acquire the moral fiber, dedication to God and country, and realize that, as the marble sign said, “Freedom is not free.” 
Beautiful, beautiful article, and such lovely images. My grandfather served in the Coast Guard during World War II. He was always so proud of his service. |
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by Kent Weakley
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