These are my best 35mm film photos of 2011.  I hope that you enjoy them.

Nikon One Touch Zoom 90s

Although I developed this roll of film in February, 2011, I think some of these photos were taken deep in 2010.

I enjoy this photo for its dazzling clarity.  A great lens from a 5 dollar camera purchased at a garage sale somewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This next photo is taken at my sister-in-law’s farm in central Illinois.  As I recall, I turned off the flash, steadied myself against the front porch, and took the photo hand held.  It’s a bit quirky but I like it.

Agfa Optima 1a, January and February

In January 2011 I took walks with my like new Agfa Optima 1a.  The camera was sold approximately 1962 and features a built in selenium meter that still works.  The lens is capable of some very nice photos and the camera is inexpensive (mine was $10).

Here’s another nice photo of my Kilbourn Park in Chicago, IL.  I think the lens did a fine job.

On my wife’s birthday in February, the Chicago blizzard 2011 dropped 15 inches of snow overnight.  The newspapers were full of exciting snow pictures.  I didn’t look for adventure but rather photographed my Chicago alley before and after the snow.  Here’s a photo after I and my neighbors shoveled our own alley.

Canon A35F – Chicago Blizzard 2011

This is a wonderful 5 dollar camera.  Learn more about the Canon A35F if you’re looking for a wonderful, almost “point and shoot” Canon.  It’s heavy, feels good in your hands.  Just focus and your done.

I had already tested the Canon A35F long before the February 1, 2011 Chicago blizzard.  But since I like this camera, I popped in some ASA 200 speed color print film.  Then the snows came.

I and a dozen of my neighbors dug out our Chicago alley with shovels, snow blowers, and hot coffee from our wives.  This is a good photo of us working and smiling.

Here’s a photograph of a young father with his two young sons.  I later gave his wife this photograph.  I hope she framed it.  I remember admiring the solidity of the young father proudly standing with his two sons.

This last photo was taken in March, 2011 after the Chicago snows had melted.  North Park College has a soccer field near the Chicago River and I was taking photographs.  I wondered how well the Canon A35F would do if I took a “blind” shot from the running track.  I’m a bit too old to lie down and squint through a viewfinder.  I guessed the Canon A35F would take a nice photo and I was absolutely correct.

Ricoh KR-10, April 2011 in Chicago, IL

This camera was purchased in the fall of 2010 and used in April 2011.  Purchased for 10 dollars at an Oak Park, IL garage sale, I told the owner I wasn’t sure it worked.  I theorized the shutter would work with a fresh battery.  And, I was right.

In spring, this magnolia star tree blossoms in the back yard of our Chicago, IL bungalow.  I photographed it with an 80-200 zoom lens purposely including a neighbor’s chimney and power lines in the photo (urban bokeh).  I thought it came out nicely.

My wife is kind enough to let me photograph her.  This photograph was taken with The Villa neighborhood of Chicago, IL in the background.

I am pleased with this quintessential photograph of frame bungalows in Chicago, IL.  It’s a little overexposed (the light meter had trouble with the light) but I like the photo anyway.

Olympus Stylus Epic, April 2011 in Chicago, IL

I’m very fond of my black Olympus Stylus Epic cameras.  Inexpensively acquired, durable, put it in your pocket and go.  They are simple, functional with a wonderful lens in my opinion.  In researching the Olympus Stylus Epic I found Jim Tardio’s write-up and wonderful photographs on this little camera.  Even after perhaps 18 months of not seeing Jim Tardio’s photographs, I was again impressed with what he could do with an Olympus Stylus.

Again, here is my star magnolia tree from my Chicago backyard.  Just a pretty photo from a Chicago backyard.

This is one of my favorite photos for 2011.  It’s taken from my backyard deck of my Chicago, IL bungalow.  I purposely focused on the flower pot resting on my backyard deck.  This means pressing the shutter of the Olympus Epic half way down to pre-focus.  Then I composed the frame to hopefully see my neighbor’s backyards as bokeh.  I think it came out very nicely thanks to my Olympus Stylus Epic.

Have a moment?  Leave a comment.

2011 was a wonderful year for meeting more people with camera stories, purchasing old film cameras, and getting a little bit better with photography (street photography and perhaps compositional skills).

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.