Minolta XD-11

Oct 28

- "Armstrong" by Eduardo Kobra amongst Downtown Cincinnati office buildings.

Part 2 in a series on getting back into film.

- Sixth St., Downtown Cincinnati.

My grandfather had given me a Minolta XD-11 a long time ago. I attempted to use it once, shooting half a roll of film around Downtown Cincinnati in 2009. I never finished the roll, though, and ended up destroying it when I found it nearly a decade later. Known as the XD-7 in Japan, this particular camera had once been a flagship model for the company. It was produced from 1977 until 1984, my Grandfather stating that he bought one as soon as they came out. I wasn’t sure if the 40 year old body would have any light leaks or if I was even operating it properly, but the film came back alright. I shot this roll after work one evening, hopping a streetcar into Downtown and then wandering around. Not everything turned out perfect, but I was just happy that the thing still worked and produced pretty good results. After the photo lab uploaded the shots, I did make a few touch ups with digital software.

- September shooting memorial at Fountain Square. The text reads: "I'm sorry for people that died cincy strong."

- Gyro and fries, Al-Amir Cafe.

Note: Al-Amir Cafe used to be one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall spots. It's seemingly terrible now, which is a shame. Not seen in the photo: the incredible amount of flies buzzing around.

- Hyatt Regency.

- Fading Advertisements in an alleyway.

- Paul Brown Stadium.

- Mosaic murals, convention center.

Note 2: These mosaic murals, historic pieces of Union Terminal, were originally relocated to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport when part of the train station was destroyed. After the airport was renovated, a new home was found for them along Central Ave. outside of the convention center. It's great to see them back in the city, but they're facing a highway and lightly traveled road. They also sit directly in the setting sun. That makes them easy to photograph, but I wonder how/if that will wear them down. Not entirely too sure about the location choice here.

- Carew Tower.

- Convention Center and Carew Tower.

- Cincinnati Streetcar at 5th/Walnut.

- Streetcar interior.

- Goodyear and the Times-Star Building.

- Hamilton County Justice Center I.

Note 3: If you look closely, you can see the handmade messages placed on the windows of the justice center's jail cells. There's also a few faces in the windows and hands waving to passersby. It's not uncommon to pass people on the street who are stopping by to say hello to those that they know who are experiencing a stay in the local jail.