In what’s become a bit of a tradition, I returned with my kit this August to Coney Island, Brooklyn’s answer to the Côte d’Azur. As with my visit here last year, I opted for what might be considered the least subtle of photographic conditions: intense midday sun with plunging shadows and murderous contrast.
While I am determined to return down the line in the evening—the better to document the rising mists, the nocturnal Boardwalk happenings—my noontime visits from the last several years have left me convinced that there’s still very much to see in the bright glare of a summer afternoon—including more than a few folks who approach asking to have a portrait taken. At such times the Boardwalk and nearby Luna Park amusement rides barely register; my focus instead is on the beach and the people. There, cheek-by-jowl with their fellow humans, unburdened from as many layers of clothing as New York City ordinances permit, they recline, read, build sandcastles, check Instagram and…still cheek-by-jowl with their neighbors… bob together in the gentle surf.
My 1959 Tele-Rolleiflex (Sonnar 135mm f/4) was my primary tool once again on this year’s outing, supported for the first time by the wide-angle 1986 Hasselblad SWC/M (Biogon 38mm f/4.5; I’ve included one color frame from it to highlight its spectacular rendering). Together, shooting Tri-X 400, the cameras helped me continue my exploration of the essential Coney, in all its sweaty glory.
Thanks for having a look.
Technical note: I used Kodak Tri-X 400 (metered at ISO 320, rotary processed in HC-110 Dilution H) for the black and white photos. Individual 10×10 inch darkroom prints on Ilford MG Classic RC and Ilford MGFB paper were digitized at home for the monochrome images. Photo Life Brooklyn developed and scanned the color frame.
Feel free to visit my website at www.leica1933.com to see more.
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