Howard Finster's Paradise Garden

A hot, humid day in north Georgia visiting Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden.

Howard Finster’s was still alive and would let visitors wander around the expansive yard of his former house at no charge; he would sell his art pieces to those interested. While his mix of folk art and religion did not appeal to everyone, he acquired a following over the years (thanks in part to R.E.M. and Talking Heads using his art for their album covers). Still, Finster’s garden still wasn’t what you would find on Georgia tourist brochures. But I was intrigued by this outsider art.

rock pop gallery about Howard Finster

I was given handwritten directions to his place. I stopped at a downtown Summerville store to double check directions. There were no signs to his place. But it was unmistakable when I arrived. The entrance was a modest house and front porch. Inside Finster’s “garden” was a sprawling yard (likely several backyards) where Howard Finster worked on and displayed his art with spiritual quotes, religious advice and ordinary objects. Some I talked with loved their visit; others thought it was an overground Juno yard. In addition to documenting the grounds, I also took a few self-portraits.

American Art - Smithsonian

Howard Finster held court in the house as I left, evangelizing to the visitors. Some stayed and listened to his words. I didn’t stay as I was drenched in Georgia humidity and had a 2 hour drive home, but I purchased one of his art pieces (which I still have) on my exit. I visited Paradise Garden a couple more times, but things do change.

Here's a link to the other photos from the 1992 visit

Sadly, the innocence of Howard Finster’s garden wouldn’t last as pieces were sold off to museums and collectors. The garden entrance changed and charged admission to tour the place. Perhaps something growing organically might spiral itself into mismanagement. I don’t know. If those moves kept his art and livelihood going that’s fine but it’s an example of something organic which grew by word of mouth, only later to become more regulated.

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Taken with Kodak Ektachrome in 1992.
Submitted to Roll Film Week July 2020.

flickr set 

'roid week 2018 - instant film love

the 'roid week group on flickr offers a great opportunity to view and share instant film photography. Upload your Polaroid, Instax or other instant prints. Autumn 'RoidWeek will run from October 21st through October 26th, 2018.

Links to view my Polaroid/Impossible Project images and my Fujifilm Instax prints.

Oakland Cemetery View of Cabbagetown, Atlanta

 

circa 1991- View of Cabbagetown. The view or urban landscape of Cabbagetown hasn't changed all that much.

I remember doing a lot of dodging & burning (too much on the sky) on the print; partially 'cause I never got the handle on effectively using the zone system when metering in the camera.
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Scan of darkroom print
Roll Film Week 2017
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Oakland Cemetery Print with Tea Stain

Printed the same as the adjacent print but I applied a tea stain to the print; let it soak for a good while in the cooled-down tea.

Believed I used Lipton's over the counter tea.  :)
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Scan of darkoom print
Roll Film Week 2017

Impossible Project film - Polaroid One Step 600 camera

Pigeon Key, Florida

Primarily used now as a marine research camp for students, this island was pivotal in the construction and maintenance of the Seven Mile Bridge across the Florida Keys. Photos taken with iPhone 5.

End of Year Self-Portrait

Black & White image taken in January 2014 but it has stayed in the files long enough to be used.

I decided to focus more of the photography I uploaded on other subject matters but I liked the lines of this image leading out to the balcony. I guess one option would be for a nude pose out there but I was looking for something less of an attention getting juxtaposition and more fitting to a "day in the life" moment in this hotel room. 
Since I wanted to upload other subject matter in January such as new topographics and other urban landscapes this photo stayed in the pending album until now. 
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JeffC-images/posts
https://www.flickr.com/photos/passionate_photography/

Expired Polaroid Film

I found my wife's Polaroid One Step camera in the attic with my old camera gear. To my surprise there was still film in it. According to the film box it expired in 2004. The emulsion shift is remarkable. Here are three images taken in June, 2014 with the expired Polaroid 600 film. 

Backyard


Alley Behind the House


Living Room

Instax Around the Neighborhood

An imcomplete neighborhood portrait but here are a couple April Fujifilm Instax images from around the Grant Park:

Front yard, Easter morning:

Part of our backyard, late afternoon:

And a couple in the adjoining neighborhood of Summerhill:

Feel free to visit my flickr stream if you have a few minutes to browse. :)

Expired Film at the Beach

Here are a few images from summer, 2013 using old, Kodak MAX 400 ISO film with a compact point n shoot camera. I don't remember where or when I picked this film up. I don't even remember a color "MAX" film but I guess it was for general consumers versus serious amateurs or silly professionals. :)

Savannah Cemeteries through the Instax

Savannah cemeteries and some neighboring islands 
photographed with the Fujifilm Instax instant print camera. 

Thinking of circles at the DREAM hotel

ACE Hotel Nights

Look West - Downtown Los Angeles New Topography

Via some Fujifilm Instax instant film prints:

Look West, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

SWANSON, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

Lingerie Fashion, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

Marilyn - instax version, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

01-17-14 ACE Hotel Pool, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

Oswego and Lake Ontario - 1982

Going to college on the shores of Lake Ontario made for some interesting weather.; gorgeous sunsets, a lake so big it seemed like an ocean, and cold winter winds.

Above is the view of the lake from my dorm room; January 1982. It's a small photo but notice the ice formation on the edge of the lake. Below is another view from my dorm during a winter storm. This path was between our dorm, Seneca Hall and a line of trees/tennis courts which created a wind tunnel effect for those who had to walk up or down the path. When the path was iced over the results were dramatic, comical or just frustrating trying to navigate getting to class, because school was only closed one time in the four years I attended.

Beach Homes / New Topographics

As mentioned in a previous post, I love the beach atmosphere. Here are a few compositions of various houses on or near the beach. I used a Fujifilm Instax Wide 200 instant print camera.

Old Photo of Mine Finds Life Again

South Writ Large - Into the Woods, Cicero!

I am an infrequent blogger but this photo, from one of my blog posts almost a year ago about the Father/Daughter camping weekend my daughter & I enjoyed, is used in a new article in the quarterly online literary publication, South Writ Large. 

'RoidWeek 2013

Print for this Couple on Ponce, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

The following were four images I took for this week, 7/15/13 - 7/19/13. fortunately it allows any type of instant film - not just Polaroid - so my Fujifilm instax prints were ok to submit. :)

The first photo:
I just finished taking a snap of EATS and this couple was stopped at the traffic light. I emailed them my flickr link if they want to download this photo of them. I was trying to type his address on my blackberry so I hope I got it correct.

The photo below is EATS on Ponce deLeon.
 

 
The above image is small "new topographics" attempt on Howell Mill Road.

The fourth photo is AZAR, a liquor/spirits store on Memorial Drive; just caught the last of the setting sun as it hit the sign.

Sunday Morning Fishing - FujiFim Instax Prints

Sunday Morning Fishing, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

My daughter, Katie was aware of the camera's presence but was not posing for a shot. These two photographs were taken with a FujiFilm Instax 200 camera. For those not familiar with it, the camera is a contemporary option to the Polaroid instant film cameras. After using digital cameras for a number of years it is nice to take a break and return to the simplicity of not just film, but seeing an image develop before your eyes. Holding a photograph in your hands right then & there.. The novelty of this for kids - or even adults who might have forgotten about Polaroid - is great to watch. I like the color pallet the instant film produces.  I'm not going to enter into any "is this better or worse than Polaroid" conversations as I just enjoy the tones and atmosphere from these shots.

For the above shot, the in-camera flash used to bring out more detail in the foreground. It started raining - as it did most of this weekend - so Katie has the hood over her head.




 
This version taken without a flash still has some nice light on my daughter. I also like that she had her hood off in this shot. It was taken before it rained as my daughter put her hood on as seen in the above photo.

As for fishing? We didn't even get a bite! But I like being able to see these memories. Next time...

13 year-old Expired Film + a Fuji plastic point shoot camera

Fuji FZ-6 plastic point shoot camera, a photo by Jeff* on Flickr.

I've had this plastic point n shoot camera lying around the house for so many years I forgot how or when I picked it up. I used a roll of expired film branded "CVS" film (it is a pharmacy store chain), ISO 200 with a "develop by 2000" date.  Below are some shots from the roll; taken on the Santa Monica pier in May 2013 - not bad for an old film. How the film is stored can affect its quality; I honestly don't remember how this film was stored but if it was stored outside I don't think the results would have been as nice.