Crazy Rhythm

I am happy to share one of the numbers from our show, DRAMA: Love Songs & Other Jazz.

Dancers are Thomas Marek, Laura Mogalle, Thomas Kolczewski, and myself.  Kurt Holzkämper playing bass.

New Orleans

Twenty-four hours after I departed Hamburg, I finally made home to New Orleans.  Sadly, I did not get to bring the sweet camera Thomas was letting me borrow, so there are no pictures yet.  Yes, I said yet.  I did however, bring home a camera.

During my final week's stay Thomas helped me pick out a used analog SLR camera.  I've really been enjoying learning how to capture images digitally, but I wanted to really learn how to shoot and focus manually.  Of course the easiest way to do so is to not have an option to photograph any other way.

We went to a local camera shop and found a Minolta XD7 in great condition.  Thomas showed me how to load the film, and taught me how to set aperture, ASA, and shutter speed, as well as how to read the light meter. I caught on fairly quickly because I had been practicing setting the aperture on the digital camera, and once set the ASA is fixed for each role of film.

I am very excited because I put my first role of film in the mail yesterday.  I decided to go with a mail-in developer because they will also scan my film and upload them for me.  Maybe I can find a local place who will do the same, but I think that will take a little more research first.  Hopefully my first scans will be up Monday!

For now, here are a couple of pics of my camera.  Oh and the sweet camera strap was included.

Minolta XD7

Minolta XD7

Back to Hamburg

By the time we were ready to leave Vienna, we were both exhausted.  We had a great two weeks of travel but it was time to get back.  We did the whole trip in one day, staying mostly on the not-so-scenic autobahn.  Given that I only got a few good shots, here are a couple.  Both of these shots are in the Czech Republic.

Vienna!

Vienna, is a drastically different city from Prague, or Berlin.  For one thing, all of the buildings seem massive.  And each massive building is surrounded by statues and/or gardens.  Another is the people.  All of the ladies where their fur coats/shoes/bags everywhere.  I saw one lady in tattered old jeans, walking her dog, yet wearing a fur coat.

We made it to the Museum of Natural History and to one of the Palaces.  I especially like the palace's zoo. Some of these photos are in black and white because Thomas, who has been teaching me a little bit about photography challenged me to try working one whole day in B&W.  I had a lot of fun with the challenge and I think I got some good shots.

Country Roads

The trip from Prague to Vienna was really special.  We had a nice day and, once again, took back roads all the way.   Here are just some of the sights along the way.

Prague, CZ.

We arrived in Prague early enough to take a great evening stroll as the sun set.  It's a good thing we did too, because our two days following were pretty cloudy and rainy.  Despite the weather I couldn't help but taking many, many photos.