black and white | a life developing

the Rolleicord V

I am enjoying getting to know my new Rolleicord V. I love how light it is and that it comes equipped with its own little case. I have noticed that is exceptional at capturing light and will be metering more on the underexposed side. I took it out to the Huntington Library and Gardens and shot a roll of Kodak Portra 400 and Ilford XP2 400.

Nature never hurries. Atom by atom, little by little, she achieves her work.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.

Rachel Carson

Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.

Gretel Ehrlich

I have a friend that is an amazing photographer and is also posting 12 images today. Really, go check out Alison’s blog. You can thank me later.

10 0n 10: April

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Staci Lee

My oldest daughter, Kyle, is a very busy girl. She is in her last year of college. She works as an art teacher. She has an active social life. While I don’t see her often during the day, she is my morning workout partner. Every once in a while, she has a few hours during the day and we get a date together.

She has always been my shy girl and at the very same time, she is very brave. She loves doing the hard thing… the impossible thing.

She has her mother’s love for food. All food. She especially loves ice cream. There is a new ice cream shop in town. It serves ice cream in donuts. I think she goes there two times a week!

It has been such a pleasure and honor to be her mama. And as we slowly transition from a mother/child relationship to a mother/grown woman relationship, I am enjoying the friendship that is blooming. I feel like I not only raised a strong, courageous young woman but a wonderful friend.

All photos were taken with my Mamiya 645 on Ilford XP2 film.

I am telling stories in ten images with a lovely group of photographers. Hop on over to Maite Pon’s blog for her 10 on 10 then journey through the rest of the stories.

Ilford XP2

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Staci Lee

I shot a roll of Ilford XP2 for a blog post over at the Viewfinders. I am in love with this film! I plan on shooting much more of it. I don’t shoot black and white very often. The film shop I take my film to be developed takes 24 hours for color and a week for black and white. While I realize the humor in me saying I am not patient for the film to be developed, sometimes I can’t stand waiting the whole week. However, the Ilford XP-2 is developed in C4 1 type processing, which means it is developed with the color film. This means I can get black and white film in 24 hours without waiting the week.

I love all the grays this film produces. It has a great contrast in low light without much grain.

Do you have a favorite film? Please share it with me. I would like to discover some more new films to shoot.

push it

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Staci Lee

I am so new to shooting film and feel like I have a long list of things to learn. One thing I really wanted to try was pushing film. Pushing film is when you “push” the ISO to a higher speed. For this roll of Ilford 400 ISO, I pushed it to 800 ISO. I love the grain and the contrast the push caused. Here are a few of my favorites from the roll.

The really cool typewriter street art is created by street artist, WRDSMTH. I am a huge fan of his work. You can follow him on twitter here and his tumblr here. If you want to see some of his work in up close and personal, you can find it in Hollywood in the Melrose area. He does give hints within his photographs and hashtags, so look closely. Happy hunting!

fav 5 on 5, august

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Staci Lee

August was a very busy month for me. I did not pick up my camera as much as I would have liked.

There is something about film and fruit stands that makes me happy.

Canon 1N, Portra 400

This little one was so darn cute. I forgot how chubby babies are.

belly rolls

I had the privilege of shooting a birth this month. Loved this one caught a few moments after she arrived.

new baby girl

My oldest daughter often bakes with me. She also loves glitter. Her pajamas read, “I fart glitter.” I love this just because it speaks so much of who she is.

Canon 1N, Portra 400

My youngest. I can’t believe how quickly she has grown. I loved how the wind blew her hair across her face.

my baby girl

Head on over to Second Spring and enjoy five of her favorites.

welcome, samara dawn

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Staci Lee

Last night I had the honor of documenting a little girl as she came into this world. While I have watched in awe several babies being born, I have never been the photographer for one. For me personally, to watch and record such a sacred event was one of the most holy of nights. The mama was strong and graceful. The daddy was kind and calm. The midwife was supporting and gentle. I felt like I was watching a beautiful dance that had been rehearsed time and time again.