My Olympus IS-3 Photo Gallery

Goodbye to Kodak Kodakchrome slide film

2011-03-11T11:05:00.000-05:00

This blog has been underperforming for a while, because I've been running low on general interest photos from my collection taken with my Olympus IS-3. The Sam's Club I go to no longer sells or develops camera film. The Costco doesn't sell it anymore, but it does still develop it. Also, I mostly only take family pictures anymore, don't have the time or money to spend on a photography hobby anymore. I suppose someday I'll make the jump to digital photography, but who knows when. I don't even use the camera on my cellphone.

I never really used slide film very much, but I do possess a box of Kodak slides from my father, taken from the early 50s to the early 60s, one of which is above. They are clearer and crisper than many of the print pictures our family has from the 70s. (I shudder to think where all our digital pictures will be in sixty years' time.) It's been said that the better recording technology becomes, the worse music gets. Maybe its also true that the better imaging technology becomes, the shorter the image's life expectancy is. Thing is, I don't believe digital imaging is as good as film imaging, not yet at least.

Oh well, sic transit gloria mundi.

Farewell to my late mother-in-law

2010-08-11T21:32:00.005-05:00

She outlived her cancer prognosis by nearly a year. She was never in serious pain. She was well-cared for by her loving children, and more than a thousand people came to her visitation and funeral. Meanwhile I, stuck here half a world away, can only post a few pics, and hope that they along with these bald words will communicate the love & appreciation I had for her. I like to think that she was rather fond of her giant, horse-faced American son-in-law, too. RIP, Omoni...

Newfound Gap, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Gatlinburg TN

2010-07-22T21:10:00.005-05:00

From the family trove of Kodak slides. My father on his honeymoon. The punch-holes are from the original slide processing. Click on the image, both to enjoy what a rustically handsome fellow he was, and to dig all the now-classic cars.

Korea Trip 2009

2009-09-05T21:04:00.004-05:00

On the observation roof at Imjingak, at the border with North Korea.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-19T20:55:00.003-05:00

Jeju Island, Seogwipo shore, down the stairs from the beach condo we stayed at. Note the creek flowing into the ocean.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-19T20:48:00.003-05:00

Jeju Island, Seogwipo shore. Taken during a very hazy summer day.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-07T21:35:00.002-05:00

Seoul, folk village. This woman and these musicians were re-enacting a traditional funeral chant. We were in the area for a good forty-five minutes, and she didn't let up once. I went in the little courtyard to watch a couple of times, but the view was blocked by the video crew. These were the only decent shots I got.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-07T21:14:00.003-05:00

Seoul, Myeongdong shopping district. I felt like a giraffe among a herd of gazelles, in this crowd of Koreans (though note the lone American in the foreground, there). And, although I did see poverty in Korea, it was here that I saw the only beggars I encountered during the trip. The folks in the caution vests are street preachers.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-07T21:02:00.005-05:00

Seoul, Lotte World amusement park. There was this very interesting folk museum upstairs. Here are the kids using oldtimey laundry paddles, and listening to a narration from a mannequin.

Korea Trip, 2009

2009-08-07T20:53:00.003-05:00

Seoul, Lotte World Amusement park. Yes, those are Korean performers dressed like Scottish Highlanders, playing bagpipes. There were lots of foreign dancers representing different areas of the world; I'm sorry I didn't get a few snaps of them.

Korea Trip 2009

2009-08-07T20:46:00.001-05:00

Lotte World indoor amusement park. This place was huge, and indoors! The photos were shot from the balloon ride, which circles the perimeter up near the ceiling.

Korea Trip 2009

2009-08-07T20:42:00.004-05:00

These are views of the northeast corner of Seoul, with the Han River in the foreground, taken from our room in the Sheraton Walker Hill hotel. It was very hazy--I don't know how much of that was due to the rainy season, and how much to pollution. I was told that it's much clearer in autumn.

Korea Trip 2009

2009-08-05T21:10:00.004-05:00

To the north of Seoul is this curious place, Imjingak. It's on the border with North Korea. It looked like a Korean rest stop, with bus parking, convenience stores, snack bars, but also with monuments, reflecting pools, even a little amusement park. The pool is in the shape of unified Korea. The landscape shot shows the rail line going over the river into North Korea. The wrecked train engine is from the early days of the war.

There were fences with ribbons and banners, wishing peace and unity to the Korean people. And over the border I could hear automatic weapons shooting, as the Norks were having a live-fire exercise.

Korea Trip 2009

2009-08-05T20:02:00.002-05:00

The harbor city of Mokpo; scenes of the harbor and of a garden on the grounds of a museum. The rock formation is locally famous because it looks like a man wearing a traditional Korean hat, from some angles.

Korea trip 2009

2009-08-04T21:13:00.001-05:00

Jeju Island, Seogwipo shore

Yudalsan Sculpture Garden, Mokpo, South Korea

2009-08-04T20:51:00.002-05:00

I was here last in 1997, and this time was surprised to see that all the sculpture was new. They must rotate the pieces, to keep the park fresh.

Korea trip 2009

2009-08-04T20:41:00.005-05:00

Suncheon, Songgwang-sa Temple

Suncheon, Songgwang-sa Temple detail

Korea Trip 2009

2009-08-04T20:30:00.005-05:00

Seoul, on the grounds of a historical palace.

Seoul, in front of a historical palace. Sorry, but I'm too lazy to look up the names of the different palaces we went to.

Charleston SC, 2008

2008-10-19T20:24:00.001-05:00

Charleston SC, 2008

2008-10-19T20:13:00.000-05:00

Charleston SC, 2008

2008-10-19T19:53:00.000-05:00

Charleston, SC 2008

2008-10-18T22:59:00.002-05:00

Charleston, SC 2008

2008-10-18T22:52:00.002-05:00

Charleston, SC 2008

2008-10-18T22:41:00.002-05:00

Charleston SC, 2008

2008-10-18T22:35:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day, 2008

2008-09-06T22:39:00.004-05:00

Cadets.

Memorial Day, 2008

2008-09-06T22:33:00.003-05:00

Veterans.

Memorial Day 2008

2008-09-06T22:28:00.003-05:00

Meet the bikers who protect military funerals from publicity-mad loons.

A tree reposing on my house last spring

2008-09-05T20:05:00.002-05:00

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T23:10:00.001-05:00

The colors are saluted.

The dignitaries sign the beam.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T22:50:00.000-05:00

The girder from Ground Zero, painted in white and covered with inscriptions.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T22:44:00.001-05:00

A Boy Scout is interviewed.

The honor guard gets ready.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson.

The speakers and guests of honor.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T22:23:00.001-05:00

A visiting police delegation.

Atlanta fire department honor guard.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T22:05:00.001-05:00

An organizer of the 9-11 memorial commission (sorry, I didn't take notes and there was no program), and another man, whose late daughter was a stewardess on Flight 11.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

The Carver High School band warms up.

The boy scout troop makes with their secret handshake or something.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T21:47:00.001-05:00

The twin girders from Ground Zero. They are covered with notes and messages from all over the country.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T21:42:00.000-05:00

A flag suspended from a couple of fire engine cranes, at the entrance to the exhibit.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

The head of the New York Port Authority, before the ceremony.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T19:27:00.000-05:00

The Carver High School Band, with appreciative photo-journalist in attendance.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T19:22:00.000-05:00

Cub Scouts, awaiting their turn on the stage.

Traveling 9-11 Memorial, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Dec. 8 2007

2008-01-12T19:15:00.000-05:00

A bagpiper at Piedmont Park, before the exhibit was introduced.

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-27T21:57:00.000-05:00

Sea of Flags
Jarhead

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

Patriotic bikers
Ranger Baby

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-27T21:31:00.000-05:00

Veteran On Oxygen
Marine Couple

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, 2003

2006-05-27T21:08:00.000-05:00

Hat pair
Proud son of Lt. Cmdr Hartmann
Thank You, A.J.

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Olympic Cap
Patriotic retirees
Flag on hat

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-21T23:37:00.000-05:00

Biker Cat In The Hat
Scouting Family
Proud Parents

Rally For America, Centennial Park, Atlanta, March 2003

2006-05-21T23:32:00.000-05:00

Glenn Beck
Marine girlfriend

Sad News

2006-05-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

My beloved IS-3 has finally bitten the dust. I had it refurbished for the umpteenth time 18 months ago, and it died again last month, and....I can't keep paying half of what it cost new in repairs every two years. So, it's time to tell it goodbye.

I still have a big backlog of photos to post, as time goes on, but there'll be nothing newer than spring 2006. *sigh*

1950s University Scenes

2006-03-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

Something a little different: these are images from my parents' slide collection from 1957. The gothic building is Duke University's chapel, the gardens are either from Duke or North Carolina State University.

I just noticed the chapel image is reversed. Cope.

Nam-Nong Memorial Museum grounds, Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2006-02-05T21:06:00.000-05:00

Mok'po museum
Mok'po museum
Mok'po museum
Mok'po museum

I don't know who this museum was commemorating, sorry. If I recall correctly, it was a writer.

UPDATE 02/11/06: A kind passerby at Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum identified this for me. It was founded by Huh Gun a.k.a. Nam-Nong, who was a master in Korean paintings and descendant of royal artist family, in October 1985 for preservation of family artwork and the tradition of the school of Nam-Jong paintings. In addition, there are 200+ collection of ancient pottery by the family as well.

Harbor, Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2006-02-05T19:59:00.001-05:00

Mok'po harbor
Mok'po harbor

Note the houseboats bobbing alongside the naval training vessel.

Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2006-02-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

Mokpo street
Omoni

Cumberland Island, Georgia, 1998

2006-01-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island, Georgia, 1998

2006-01-09T20:59:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island

The ruins of Dungeness Mansion.

Cumberland Island, Georgia, 1998

2006-01-09T20:49:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island

These make great wallpaper, IIDSSM.

Cumberland Island, Georgia, 1998

2006-01-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2006-01-08T23:17:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island
Cheju Island

Sungsan Peak, Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2006-01-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

Sungsan Peak
Sungsan Peak
Sungsan Peak

Sungsan Peak, Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2006-01-08T22:45:00.000-05:00

Sungsan Peak
Sungsan Peak

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2006-01-08T22:39:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2006-01-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island
Cheju Island
Cheju Island

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T23:45:00.000-05:00

Korean Artworks
Korean Artworks
Korean Artworks
In September of 1997 I had a chance to go to a park in Kwangju, or Gwangju, and see the Biennale. This is an art fair, held every two years.

The art exhibits were great, and I enjoyed them. There were artists represented from all over the world. There was even a display of North Korean art, paintings in the Motel Lobby Socialist Realism style. However, I didn't take many pictures of the artworks, preferring to people-watch, instead.

These pictures were the only artworks I photographed. There was a scale model of some architectural design, a wooden-framed contraption suspended from the ceiling, and this giant metal plaque.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T23:39:00.000-05:00

Sketch artists and customers

As with any fair in the United States, the Biennale had a row of portrait sketchers.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:55:00.001-05:00

School kids on a field trip
School kids on a field trip
Kindergarten children on a field trip

The schoolchildren had matching uniforms. Aren't the kindergarten kids cute?

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:55:00.000-05:00

Korean rock band

This rock band, made of college students, were a flop. They cleared the place in nothing flat. Note the audience in the bottom of the picture heading for the exits.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:39:00.000-05:00

Korean school orchestra
Korean school orchestra
Korean school orchestra
Korean school orchestra

At the park amphitheater. This high school student orchestra was playing a Korean tune on traditional Korean instruments. My guide was worried that I wouldn't understand the music, but I assured him that I was enjoying it.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:23:00.000-05:00

Korean drummers
Korean drummers
Korean drummers

Joining the student orchestra were these four percussionists. They had a traditional Korean drum, some small, thick cymbals, a gong, and whatever that double-headed drum is called. They kicked up quite a spirited racket, and drew some cries of appreciation from the audience. A guide sitting with me told me that these instruments had something to do with harvest time, and also something to do with opposition to the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:17:00.000-05:00

Guide

This is one of the guides at the Biennale. He joined me at the amphitheater, and explained the musical performances to me.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T22:01:00.000-05:00

Korea Nuns
Korean Nuns

I was on the second story breezeway of the park building when I spotted these nuns approaching. I knew that their bonnets would make a great picture, so I raced to the railing and framed the bottom shot as quickly as I could. The top picture was taken as they were walking away.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T21:47:00.000-05:00

Korean school boys
Korean school boys

I was mobbed by these boys, who noticed the giant foreigner. I showed them some American money from my wallet, answered a few questions, and then took their picture, as much for their entertainment as mine.

Kwangju Biennale, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-29T21:34:00.000-05:00

Flower Bed
Flower Bed
Flower Bed

I ended my stay at Biennale Park by taking some snaps of this flower bed.

Yudalsan Sculpture Park, Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-27T00:08:00.000-05:00

Sculpture Park
Sclupture Park
Sculpture Park

Yudalsan Sculpture Garden, Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-26T23:43:00.000-05:00

Sculpture Garden
Sculpture Garden

Note the figure ascending the steps, in the right side of the top photo.

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-26T10:50:00.000-05:00

Rocky islet
On Cheju Island
On Cheju Island

Views from a hotel veranda, by the shore.

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island
Cheju Island

I love these stone walls. As I mention in a similar post, they remind me of Ireland, only with black instead of white stones.

Yeomiji Botanical Gardens, Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

Gazebo

At the gazebo in one of the outdoor gardens.

Yeomiji Botanical Gardens, Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-25T15:36:00.000-05:00

Bowl

This bowl-shaped exhibit was photographed from the top of an observation tower, through a thick cloudy glass. That's why it seems a little washed-out.

French Garden?

Many of the exhibits had regional themes. I think this is the French garden. Leave me a comment if I'm wrong, thanks.

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T23:41:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island
Cheju Island

Cheju Island, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

Cheju Island
Cheju Island

These make good wallpaper, if I do say so myself.

A surprise was these stone walls, tracing all over the landscape in this part of the island. The resemblance was to Ireland, of all places. But the Irish walls are white, while the Korean walls are black basalt.

School teachers, Mok'po, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

Teachers

At a restaurant in Mok'po.

Cemetery, Chollanamdo Province, South Korea, Chusok holiday, 1997

2005-12-24T19:59:00.000-05:00

Chusok
Chusok

A view from a hillside cemetery, on a trip to honor ancestors.

Rooftop Views, Kwangju / Gwangju, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T17:48:00.000-05:00

Rooftop Views
Rooftop Views

Black and white shots of some rooftop views, in the Yong Bong Dong neighborhood.

Rooftop Views, Kwangju / Gwangju, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T17:39:00.000-05:00

Rooftop Views
Rooftop Views

Some views from a rooftop in the Yong Bong Dong neighborhood.

Rooftop views, Kwangju / Gwangju, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-24T17:30:00.000-05:00

Rooftops
Rooftops

These are in the Yong Bong Dong neighborhood.

Up, up, and away!

2005-12-20T00:43:00.000-05:00

Amusement park ride, 2005
Amusement park ride, 2005

Operation Polaroid

2005-12-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

Jim Hake's Spirit of America has been doing a tremendous amount of outreach to the Iraqi citizenry these past few years. Operation Polaroid is just one of their many heartwarming projects.

Operation Polaroid.
Operation Snapshot.

Kwangju, Chollanamdo province, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-13T21:14:00.000-05:00

Two views of the city of Kwangju, on the way up the mountains to Songgwang-sa Temple.

Songgwang-sa Buddhist temple, Chollanamdo province, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-13T21:01:00.000-05:00

Monuments to the temple's illustrious monks and abbots of the past.

Songgwang-sa Buddhist temple, Chollanamdo province, South Korea, 1997

2005-12-13T20:54:00.000-05:00

Two views of the compound. Note the monk carrying scrolls.

Songgwang-sa Buddhist temple, Chollanamdo province, South Korea 1997

2005-12-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

Porch ceiling
Porch ceiling

These are overhead views of the ceilings of some temple buildings' porches. I love the angular clash of shapes in these images. Try them out as wallpaper. Or, get your friends to guess what they are!

Songgwang-sa Buddhist temple, Chollanamdo province, South Korea 1997

2005-12-12T23:40:00.000-05:00

Four enormous statues. If you know who these figures represent, please leave us a comment.

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-04T23:34:00.000-05:00

Living tableau
ARVN veterans

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

JROTC

I took a lot of photos of JROTC units, but for this one I zeroed in on their banners. Wallpaper alert!

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

Airborne
Airborne

If I'm wrong and these aren't Airborne Rangers, feel free to correct me. I'm not military, so you'll won't hurt my feelings, and you'll be doing everyone a favor.

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-04T22:27:00.000-05:00

Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association
Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association

This organization, the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, strives to improve the image of the veterans of that war. Or rather, to dispel the media cliche of Vietnam War veterans as alienated, ramshackle druggies. Note the crisp business suits.

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-04T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hayride
Bagpiper

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-03T23:39:00.000-05:00

Special forces operator?
Sniper in ghillie suit?
Soldier with missile launcher?

I put question marks here, because I don't know if these are real soldiers, or Vietnam War re-enactors, or both. Leave me a comment if you know, thanks.

I highly recommend clicking on these, for the big versions. These were some of my better shots, and the details are great, especially in the ghillie suit.

Veterans Day Parade, Atlanta Georgia, 2005

2005-12-03T23:13:00.000-05:00

Mt. Suribachi living tableau
Civil War re-enactors, Confederate
Veterans for gay rights