36 Comments
User's avatar
Frederick Fullerton's avatar

I love your photos--sharp and well composed!

Susan Niemann's avatar

Thank you! It’s a relaxing and fun hobby! Appreciate your kind words!!

Chris Rey's avatar

Ooooh. Susan!

This post could save lives.

Your photos are delectable.

Though I did contact printing with a Sears lightbox-kit in the basement with Dad about 60 years ago, and have SLRs and lenses within reach, collecting dust, I haven’t done B/W since some micrographs published 40 years ago.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Susan Niemann's avatar

Morning Chris...and thank you so much! I'm glad my essay brought you some good memories. I remember going into the lightroom at the newspaper where my dad worked. Watching the pictures magically appear in the emulsion to me was magic! I use Lightroom to edit my photos and have learned a ton. Grab those cameras and get out there! Your blood pressure will drop, I guarantee it. 😂✌️ Have a great week!

Armand Beede's avatar

Susan Niemann: Your preservation of the classic Argus C3 camera and your fine framing of pictures, crisp and clean, tell stories in each photo, and this post says a very lot about you, which leads me to believe there is a great deal of poetry and transcendent experience in your being.

Thank you so very much for sharing!

Susan Niemann's avatar

Good morning Armand, and thank you so much for your kind words (and the restack and joining me!) I suppose I'm a sentimental person and try to find the good in life. Hobbies, no matter what they are, I believe are so important. Creative expression is good for the soul! Substack has been a wonderful platform to share thoughts and meet new people-like you! Have an excellent week! ✌️

Charlotte Thompson's avatar

Love your photos, Susan. I see that you also have a calico cat. Ours is Madame and she is a diva. The other one is Onyx my personal panther. She is sweet natured. I'm glad we are getting to know one another, Susan. It feels like we have been friends for years. I always like to say we knew each other in a past life. Have an enjoyable day.

Susan Niemann's avatar

Agree! Enjoy your Sunday 🥰

the real pambo's avatar

Older cameras are pieces of art! As a kid, I started with a Kodak camera (with flashbulbs!) that used 1-26 film. The subsequent camera models our family moved through were not as memorable: the “110” camera and the Disc camera. Photography, even with our iPhones, is a calming escape. For a little while, after focusing on a few images, you’ll forget what you were fretting about. Thank you for the reminder to take a break from all the noise 😌📸

Lisa's avatar

Good morning everyone! Beautiful photos and sentiments Susan! My only fond memories of high school, in the rural hellscape where I attempted to grow up, are of my days spent alone, in the dark room with my photos and my thoughts! Thank you for evoking this memory in me, especially today, as I am struggling. Have a great day and please share today’s photos with us soon.

🫶🏼Lisa

Susan Niemann's avatar

Lisa! You are not alone in your struggle. Ugh. Together, friends who have never met, can support one another. 😘✌️

Mike Phelan's avatar

You’re a written word communicator going for a visual expression of your experiences. Nothing could be more natural and positive

Geoff Anderson's avatar

Ah, you have brought back memories of photography class in high school. I learned composition, exposure, and how to process black and white film. It was about a buck a roll (the teacher loaded it from a huge spool) and we were off to the races.

I got my grandfather's Canon SLR that he brough back from the war (at the time it was prohibited to be imported into the US, so the name was ground off to get it through customs) and a couple of lenses, including a phenomenal 50mm f1.2 piece of glass that I wish I still had.

So much fun. Thanks for sharing!

Lisa's avatar

My favorite memories from high school are my time in the dark room!

Susan Niemann's avatar

“Remember when?” Thanks for sharing your memories Geoff!

Charlie Austin's avatar

Great photos. It's too cold today for golf or fishing, so I'm stuck with my anger and frustration.

Charlotte Thompson's avatar

Anytime you want to vent Charlie, I'm a good listener.

Susan Niemann's avatar

Movies. Books. Gym. A museum. 😂😂😂 Thinking of you, my friend.

Charlie Austin's avatar

I'll watch the game later. Thanks.

Charlotte Thompson's avatar

What team are you for Charlie? I'm going to support KC since they are closer to me than the 49ers.

Charlie Austin's avatar

I actually like both teams.

Charlotte Thompson's avatar

Right now, it looks like the 49ers are ahead.

Charlie Austin's avatar

16-16, 2:00 warning.

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Feb 11, 2024
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Susan Niemann's avatar

It really is so incredibly stupid what else can you do but laugh. 😂

Charlie Austin's avatar

Unfortunately.😄😄

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Feb 11, 2024
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Susan Niemann's avatar

😳😳 a Leica!?!? Girl! Go get it! I could never afford such a prize but I’ve seen the imagery they create. Nothing quite like it. I’m jealous 😂

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Feb 11, 2024
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Susan Niemann's avatar

That’s very kind. Thank you. And If you find the camera and it doesn’t work it can likely be refurbished-it would be worth it!