the argus

When you open a magazine today, the images you see are so far from real. Retouching and photoshopping have taken photography to such a greater level that it can hardly be recognized as photography anymore. To be a successful photographer and produce commercial images, you have to strive for this type of “perfection” in your work. I have spent so much time learning the ins and outs of photoshop all to make my images look cleaner, sharper, more flawless, and stunning.

While on my trip across the Middle East and Europe, I shot with my professional equipment to be able to capture this type of perfection and live up to today’s ideals of what is “good” photography. However, I also brought with me, my 1939 35mm Argus C3 to shoot with.

The Argus C3 was one of the first 35mm cameras to be introduced to the USA in the 1930s by Charles Verschoor and became one of the best selling cameras of it’s time. I was so excited when I found one of these in a box of junk a friend was throwing out. Since then, I have cleaned it up a bit and the boy and I take turns shooting with it. The images it produces are incredibly raw and far from perfect and help remind us of what real beauty looks like in the world. Because of the age of the camera and the way it was made, light leaks in through a ton of tiny cracks making crazy colors and effects. Also, the winding of the camera is very unpredictable, making for double and sometimes triple exposures.

These images are untouched and perfectly imperfect.

 

Egypt and Israel, ironically in the same frame.

 

 

Santorini Greece

 

 

Egypt

 

 

Alexandria Egypt

 

 

Alexandria Egypt

 

 

Double Exposure Giza Pyramids