Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #66: When Your Photography Inspiration Goes "Poof!"

It's a brand new year and a brand new show ("Our best show of 2024," says Wayne). The Shutter Brothers are back and very excited  about what we hope to accomplish with not only our photography in 2024, but also our podcasting. We are hopeful that our listeners will have plenty of content this year, so lets get started with show #66!

To begin with, we have some really helpful input from our listeners. Our friend, Mike Kukavica (@drunk.darkroom), shares his experience with film testing using a 6x6cm step wedge with medium format film. Film testing is a good way to determine a film's "working ISO" for your particular metering, shooting and developing workflow. Some films are spot on with their "box speed" ratings while others . . . not so much. Determining your working ISO will help you get the most out of your favorite films. Testing film entails using up a certain amount of film to complete the process, so when you are testing 4x5" large format film, one can't help but to consider the cost. However, thanks to YouTuber Mat Marrash, Kevin has heard of a way to save film by using a 4x5" transmission step wedge (this process is also described in a terrific blog post that can be found here). But what about medium format film? Good ol' Kuks has found a way to test 120 film by taping a 6x6cm transmission step wedge inside in his Yashica-Mat 124G. Here are a couple of photos contributed my Kuks:

Mike Kukavica's Yashica-Mat 124G with a Stouffer transmission step
wedge taped inside. The light coming through the lens will pass through
it and expose the film to create . . . 

. . . a negative that can make a step wedge contact prinuseful for
determining working ISO and film development times. 

Wayne has discussed an effective way to test 35mm or 120 film without using a step wedge in UJC Podcast #49, and you can see his notes here.

After reading an email from listener Robert about a resourceful method of using 35mm negative sleeves, the Shutter Brothers turn their attention to a question from Sherry Christianson (Embrace the Grain Podcast and the Frugal Film Project):  What to do when your photography desire and/or inspiration goes "Poof!?" As creative people, all photographers experience dry spells when we just don't feel like being a photographer. Personally (Kevin here), I've experienced times when I felt as though my days of making good photographs were over. However, we must remember that most, if not all, creative slumps are temporary, so listen to the show for ideas on how to get back into the photography groove.

Next, we turn to a topic that is relevant for both Wayne and Kevin:  What camera(s) to take on a vacation cruise? Wayne and his family are taking a cruise to the Bahamas, while Kevin and his wife, Debbie (both of whom have never before been on a cruise), are going on an Alaskan cruise in the fall. Because this will be Kevin's first cruise, we put out the call to our listeners (especially those who are cruise veterans) for advice on camera and film. If you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments below, comment on our Facebook page, or email them to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!

Finally, we've been thinking about our 2024 Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers, and we already have some tentative ideas for location and date. Listen to the show to find out more.

We always are grateful for our listeners who take the time to send us some feedback, so please keep those emails and comments coming! You can send us an email with comments, questions, tips, reviews, and stories to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com.  You also can find us on Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to leave your feedback there. Until next time . . .

Happy Photography!