My calendar is generally an expanse of blank squares with an event every week or so. A statistically rare cluster occurred recently, with a week of daily events, two on some days.
The first was the formal installation ceremony of the new Chancellor of the University. When I got the invitation to retirees to march in the academic procession, I casually asked Sarah if she knew where my robe and hood were. She knew exactly where, but it took some digging into the deepest corner of the closet to get them. I never marched at commencement while I was working (I used to do the PA and record the speeches in my youth). It sounded like an odd experience to try. I even wore a suit that I had only worn previously to pose for a picture. I was skeptical I would be able to take any pictures, but ya never know. Fast Portra 800 went into the piercing gaze of the EyePA 30.
Some of my robed former colleagues probably would have been willing to pose, but not without drawing considerable attention to myself. However, after we had stood ready for the procession for ten minutes with another five to go, I asked permission to step out of line to get a photograph.
Immediately following was a public reception. The offerings were not bad for food service catering. Most of this exposure was taken up explaining what I was doing to the fellow in the green shirt - a biology prof maybe. I had to end the exposure when I smacked the camera gesturing.
I joined my Art Historian friend, and she introduced me to the Gallery Director, who teaches History of Photography. As we talked about
Julia Margaret Cameron and our feelings about working in the darkroom, I pointed the camera and opened the shutter. She watched me and didn't mention it until the exposure was over.
I don't think Chancellor Singh chose the narrow, dark passageway to greet visitors; he probably just got stopped there, and people piled up to talk to him. There wasn't going to be any better opportunity. Maybe I would at least get his brilliant Golden Turban floating in a misty crowd. It turned out that most of the moving well-wishers in dark coats didn't reflect much light, or stay long enough to block it, leaving the stationary Chancellor relatively well rendered.
U Club occurred later that night, but I also had to take a guitar out to Heid Music, and forgot the camera.
The next day was the weekly underground jam in Hortonville. I made an exposure, but it was ruined by an accidentally opened shutter while trying to haul a guitar, amp and tripod around at the same time.
That evening, a three-session planning event for the Oshkosh Area School District began, which I was triggered into attending by the current political climate. Everyone who registered was sorted into tables to include a broad range of voices in each group. Mine included a high school art teacher, a middle school principal, a mid-sized business owner, a parent of students, a retired education professor I had sat on many committees with, and a retired school bus driver.
It took place in the large multi-purpose space at the front of the new Menomonee Elementary School. Every effort was made to highlight the achievements of students. During registration and while we ate the contributions of local restaurants, the High School Polka Band played. For an inevitable team-building pep activity, we all stood up and clapped along to a public education-themed parody of a polka, which we were reassured had no reference to beer. In the back corner of the room, I tried to take the opportunity to hold the desktop tripod above them against a column, which kept slipping around. I quit when I noticed the shutter had come open for most of the attempt.
I gotta increase the drag on those shutters, i.e., slide a bit more cardboard behind them.
The music the next evening was provided by the High School Jazz Band. There was a spot for the tripod on a table right in front of the band, and an explanation for the surprised women whose shoulder appears at the right.
Then a two-day break with no place to go. Oh, that magic feeling.
No high school band on Saturday morning for the final session of the school planning event. I had been outed with my pinhole cameras during a discussion on the Arts, so I brought the full-size tripod.
Tables were combined for the final deliberations. It was a very interesting event. I was rather surprised that MAGA didn't appear at all. Critical thinking and evaluation of evidence, and diversity, inclusion and equity were prominent themes. There was an emphasis on private-public partnerships, not only for internships and learning opportunities, but also to fund special facilities and programs, which our businessman participant said they were eager to do. Wouldn't it be easier just to pay some taxes and let everybody decide what to do with it?
My calendar is completely clear now, including basement band practice skipping a week, but back at it with a workshop in Wausau in two weeks. During all this interaction with other humans, I got to talk with a lot of people about Pinhole Photography and how a volunteer might get involved doing it with students, at the University, the school district and the Boys' and Girls' Club. I hope someone follows up.
The EyePA 30 has two .23mm hand-drilled pinholes, on the axis and 11mm above it, 30mm from a 6x6cm frame. The Kodak Portra 800 was developed in a Cinestill powder C41 kit.
