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Last month, with the return of the outdoor Brooklyn Flea, I checked in at Dan's Parent's House, the booth where I picked up the roll of 50+ year old Royal-X Pan film last year. Dan doesn't trade much in film, but had a few old rolls for sale, so I snapped them up.

The photos posted above and after the jump are from a 120mm roll of Plenachrome, made by a company called Ansco. The other day, Tammi and I rode down to Red Hook to enjoy the spring weather and I figured it was as good a time as any to give this old film a try.

Continue reading "Analog: Expired Plenachrome" »

Posted by ultraclay at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

With City Seen up, I've finally got some time and attention to get shooting for my nightlife column on Examiner.

And just in time for summer concert season to begun. The same day I put up the show, I headed out to Red Hook Park to catch Jay Electronica open up The Summerstage series.

The summer looks like it will be a good one for shows. Big Daddy Kane is playing at Von King (Marcy) Park in Bed-Stuy, Antibalas, the band behind Fela! is playing as part of the River to River festival and all sorts of acts will be in Williamsburg as part of the Northside Festival.

I'm hoping to get out to as many as I can over the course of the summer to put my new camera through its paces. I also want to take another crack at shooting street musicians in the parks around the city.

Posted by ultraclay at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |

IMG_5540, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

Red Hook, Brooklyn. 2006.

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IMG_5210 - Version 2, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

Red Hook Ball Fields, Brooklyn. 2007.

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Yesterday, after buying my new bike out in Red Hook, Tammi and I rode around Brooklyn and then back home. Tammi was my 'wingman,' following behind me on her rollerblades. I was really nervous at first, but managed to get home without incident. I wasn't sure that I'd be riding much when I first decided to get the bike, now I'm planning my next ride for later this week.

I'm heavily resisting joining the bike cult. I will be locking up my bike outside occasionally, I won't be going to any critical mass rallies any time soon.
::c::

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IMG_5355, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

Red Hook Ballfields, Red Hook, Brooklyn. 2007.
::c::

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IMG_5307, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

I -finally- made it out to Red Hook to check out the food at the ball fields that I've been hearing so much about since last summer. It was fantastic.

Despite the picture above, I didn't have any corn. All the food that I actually ate was gone long before I even considered taking a photo of it.

We scarfed down the best empanadas I've ever had, followed by tasty taquitos filled with juicy, braised beef. Then, while in line for something else, Tammi, the love of my life, brought a gigantic pork quesadilla and a pork taco about the same size. They were so long that they had to span two paper plates to hold them.

It's hard to say which of the food I had there was my favorite. The empanada was amazing and unlike any I'd ever had before. Inside it there were olives, raisins and boiled egg whites. Instead of ground beef, the meat was chopped into small cubes. With my first bite, I was intrigued and a little confused. The olives were stationed in each corner. I didn't expect the vinegary taste and firm crunch. When I looked closer to find all these unexpected ingredients adding wonderful nuances and striking contrasts, I wanted another one before I was done with the first.

The pork quesadilla was incredible. It was gigantic, rolled rather than flattened and full of thick, gooey cheese and exquisite chunks of porcine incredibleness. I can't say any more on this or I may burst into tears.

My one disappointment was with the Pupusas, thick doughy tortillas filled with meat and cheese. I had heard talk about them before and then the longest line in the park was in front of the Salvadoran table offering them. I was sure this was going to be the star of the show. Eh. Not so much. I found them to be too grainy and doughy. The meat and the cheese were there, but not nearly prominently enough.

The service behind the table was so chaotic that I had to get my Spanish-speaking friend who came out with us to tell them that I hadn't paid and ask how much I owed. They are probably a victim of their own success. I can't imagine how the influx of business from foodies and hipsters who've read about the place on Gothamist or the New York Times has affected the quality of the food. There were 20 people, at least, in that line. I'm sure the pressure behind the table is to get everyone fed, even if it's a bit underdone. Or maybe I'm totally off and I just don't like pupusas.

In either case, I hope to make it out there one more time before they close up for the season. If I manage to get there early enough to avoid a line, I'll definitely try it again.

Posted by ultraclay at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | |