A Night At The County Fair

[JoeFriday]

this weekend was the annual Sheboygan County Fair, and I saw it as a golden opportunity to try some night shots with the Canonet.. it's not a terribly big event, so I didn't have the variety of situations that I was hoping for, but I had fun.. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of it

first of all, I have to tell a little story.. the last time I was at this fair was back in my high school days in the early 80s.. I parked a few blocks away and as I was walking down the sidewalk fumbling with my camera gear, I nearly collide with a man.. apparently he wasn't paying much attention either, and neither of us said anything until his wife looked at me and said "Brett!".. he was my best friend in high school and I was with him the last time I was at the fair.. small world, eh?

 

[JoeFriday]

anyway.. on to the photos.. I'm not saying they're good.. but they were fun to take

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Man, is that sharp or what?

I hope it was good to "run into" an old pal.

 

[JoeFriday]

gotta have a few shots of the carnie games

 

[JoeFriday]

Man, is that sharp or what?

I hope it was good to "run into" an old pal.

fortunately I didn't owe him any money (and he's the Chief of Police now.. LOL).. yeah, it was great seeing him again.. oddly enough, I was the best man in his wedding and was talking about that while I was at the wedding on Saturday that precipitated the "annoying wedding photographers" thread.. I'm a firm believer in kizmet these days

 

[JoeFriday]

and finally, no county fair would be complete without a Tilt-O-Whirl.. my favorite ride

(incidentally, all these images are the very mediocre quality given from the Walgreens cd that I request with my developing.. I was too lazy to scan the images at high rez tonight.. I'll do that tomorrow)

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

More questions... Are the night shots handheld? and what film 😉 (i must have all your technical secrets)

I'm a firm believer in kizmet these days

Either kismet or small planet. He looks kind of young to be a chief of police. That could be a great thing actually.

Back to photos- I enjoy the intense colors one finds at fairs and carnivals. I missed the last one just down the street from my house.

Shows us some more!

 

[JoeFriday]

yes, all handheld.. I'm surprised they turned out as clear as they did.. it was hard to stand still for a photo with all the people milling around.. and it was very hard to focus for many of the shots what with the rides moving so fast.. I had to focus on something else fairly well lit that was about the same distance away, then turn and take the photo I wanted

the film was Kodak 400UC

 

[wlewisiii]

Nice to see a little more lively midway out your direction, Brett. Good work using the other end of the handheld spectrum.

William

 

[JoeFriday]

I hadn't thought of that, William.. you and I were both shooting rides this weekend.. and it's very fitting that yours were b/w and mine were color.. and speaking of.. here are some of the day shots I took

 

[FrankS]

Good job, Brett. Our town's fall fair is next weekend.

 

[dostacos]

anyway.. on to the photos.. I'm not saying they're good.. but they were fun to take

that whirlygig picture [middle one] made me hurl 😀

I liked the first shot a lot too.

thanks for motivating me the Los Angeles County fair is coming NOW and my wife wants to go at night anyway, I hope my Bessa arrives in time

 

[JoeFriday]

and a few people shots

 

[JoeFriday]

glad I could give guys a reason to look forward to it.. my original intent was to photograph all the carnies.. I thought they'd look all gnarly and be major characters.. it turns out that most of them look pretty normal.. well, aside from the shaved heads and tattoos.. but I'd like to see someone like Frank, who is a master of portraits, do a series on those guys

well, that's all the photos I have (worth sharing, at least)

 

[FrankS]

Master? Hardly, but thanks for the prop.

 

[JoeFriday]

Frank, I think your avatar will back up my claim 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Yours too! 🙂 Always makes me smile. Can't help thinking it's really you.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Hey Brett,
I have been running into old highschool classmates recently as well though not with my Canonet. I have run into that one classmate yet I want to run into, I don't think she lives around here anymore, pity
As for the Canonet shots of your fall fair, I think they are good, the QL17 is one under-rated camera that has one tack sharp lens.

Bill

 

[JoeFriday]

I suppose my mischevious sense of humor goes along with that, eh? but no.. what little hair I have is rather dark, contrary to what my scandinavian heritage might suggest.. and I wear contacts 355 days of the year.. ironically, today is one of the 10 with glasses

 

[JoeFriday]

Hey Brett,
I have been running into old highschool classmates recently as well though not with my Canonet. I have run into that one classmate yet I want to run into, I don't think she lives around here anymore, pity

Bill, ya better start carrying that Canonet around whenever you leave the house.. you don't want to run into that certain classmate and not be able to capture the moment.. snap a quick picture of her and then say "I'll send you a copy.. what's your address?"