Roll 16 with a Canon AE1

my AE1

My Canon AE1 is my go-to street camera. It’s easy to carry, makes a decent photo and gets a little attention. As you know, from past posts, I like to wander the streets near home. One day last week, when it wasn’t raining, I opted for a walk in NW and inner SW Portland. I return to this area often and always find something knew that captures my attention. I’ve had a difficult time choosing what photos to post as I exposed 3 rolls. I decided to post a sampling that might give you an idea of the flavor of Portland on the street.

a day in the sun

sculpture in front of the US Bank

If you watch the TV show “Grimm” then you’ll recognize their police station

The AE1 was manufactured from 1976 to 1984 and was the first microprocessor-equipped SLR. Canon sold more than a million of these to the amateur photography market. One can be bought for about $25 on E-bay. It uses 35mm film and on this day I chose Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Ektar 100. Portland continues to rate in the top 10 of the best cities in the US. Yes, it rains, but we have a moderate climate and the best part is that we are an hour from the Pacific ocean and an hour from the mountains. I should probably also mention that we have more micro breweries than anywhere else in the world.

stopping for a cool drink

I am attracted to the architecture of some of the apartments and houses:

new construction

 

We enjoy a lot of different food choices: food carts line our streets and coffee shops are just around every corner.

food carts

Elephant’s deli

fresh produce

Portland is home to the Timbers and whether you are a soccer/football fan makes no difference. Portland loves their teams. On match night just walk a few blocks away from the stadium and you will hear the Timbers Army singing and chanting for 90 minutes, non stop. The Portland Trailblazers are doing well right now in the NBA playoffs.

GOAL

Portland will be hosting the showing of “Finding Vivian Maier” , starting tomorrow,  at Cinema 21 on NW 21st. This is the story of a woman who wandered the streets making photos and never developing them. Her film was found years after her death and they are now printed in several books and there have been many gallery showings. No one knows if she just didn’t have the money to develop her film or if she knew what she was capturing on film and the taking of the photo was enough for her. The film is touring the country so if you get a chance go have a look.

Finding Vivian Maier at Cinema 21

Oh, and I should mention that we love our books…those things printed on paper.

Cameron’s used books

Powell’s City of Books