Marfa, Texas: A Visual Diary on 110mm Film – Lomography Fisheye Baby

I have been exploring the rebirth of 110mm film.

Last year Lomography started producing 110mm film and I tried their b&w the first week it came out.

I used an early 90s Kodak Star with the first roll of film and I was disappointed with the results.

The viewfinder on my 110 camera is terrible and the portraits I took were way off center, cropping out the tops of heads in all of them.

These shots were taken with the Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 camera – my first roll! I used the cross process “Peacock” film.

The camera is SO tiny that you can fit it in your shirt pocket or your clutch. It doesn’t have a flash, but it does have a bulb setting for long exposures.

Bonus: It’s like a space-age spy camera.

Grab your own here: Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 White

This is a double exposure of the train passing through the middle of town.

Of course my beloved Food Shark under the pavilion.

A women sharing our communal table came over after she saw me take a photo with my tiny 110 camera. She took our photograph with it and was marveled, calling it divine.

She turned it sideways when she took the photo, which is why the black border has shifted. I love it. I hadn’t done that yet.

I really liked her and her family. Her eldest of two was very fond of Carlos. She yelled, “Bye Carlos!” and waved until we were a good block away. She could still see us – we smiled and waved back with each goodbye. It was cosmic.

I love that about Marfa and eating under the pavilion at Food Shark – you get to know your dining companions because you are sharing a table. In larger cities, it seems to be easier for people to ignore each other. That doesn’t happen here.

May your journey be your muse,

Rachel

Related links: Marfa, Texas: A Visual Diary on 35mm film: Part One

Marfa, Texas: A Visual Diary on 35mm Film: Part Two & the Marfa Lights

In 2006, I took my husband (then fiancé) on his first overseas adventure. It was also his first trip outside the United States.

We flew into London Gatwick and were whisked away by our friends Matt and Kathy whose wedding we attended in Brighton.

Our first stop was the South Downs, a place Matt and Kathy took me during my first visit in 2002 – rolling hills with the English Channel in the distance. So green!

We enjoyed ice cream and the views, as well as much cooler summer weather than we have in Texas.

Then we headed to the seafront for a pitcher of Pimm’s.

Our friends tended to wedding details while we enjoyed Brighton Pier and our Bed and Breakfast, Brightonwave (great vegetarian breakfast).

by friendly Europeans who offered to take our photo

The wedding was held at the beautiful Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

I fell in love with Terre a Terre, a gourmet vegetarian restaurant. I’m happy to see that it’s still open, seven years later!

I really adore Brighton. Before I met my husband, I was trying to figure out a way to live there. It’s been three years since my last visit. I am looking forward to going back, visiting my friends, and sinking into the rocks on my back along the seafront.

May your journey be your muse,

Rachel

photo by Carlos Jackson

I’ve seen the mystery lights. You can too, but you have to be patient and relax – which is the entire reason I go out to West Texas – to slow down. There is a newish observation area that has a lovely viewing patio. It’s nice, but when I stood there, I didn’t see anything.

I’ve seen the Marfa Lights three times. Actually, every time I’ve gone to look for them, they have made an appearance.

HERE IS MY VIEWING TIP: Go to the viewing area, turn into the parking area, park & turn yourself back toward Marfa and the road leading to it, then wait and look up.

Everyone else will be looking to your left, but you will be looking toward a red blinking light (water tower) and eventually you will see little amber and white lights appear, slowly, with no precise repetition.

The only thing I can compare it to is a firefly, but even that doesn’t do it justice.

It’s more mellow than I bet most people expect. It’s mysterious and peaceful.

It goes without saying after dark is when they are visible. My best viewing was around 11:15pm, but I don’t think it’s necessary to go that late. I’ve seen them around 9:45pm as well.

I always stop by El Cosmico (it’s right across the street from Fat Lyle’s!). Visually there is something new there all the time that inspires me. I took the photo above about a minute after they turned on the sign – the sky still had some light to it and I used cross process film.

Stay the night there for a one of a kind experience!

I took this one as I pulled up to the property (about 40 minutes before the above photo). It’s an easy bike ride, with plenty of room on the side of highway 67, between the center of town and El Cosmico.

May your journey be your muse,

Rachel

Related links: Marfa, Texas: A Visual Diary on 35mm film: Part One

Marfa, Texas: Where Do I Eat?!

Travel Trend: Marfa, Texas: Stay in a Vintage Trailer or Teepee!