Crashfaster, a local chiptune rock band, have just released a brilliant new EP called “Superchroma“. A couple months back they invited me to hang out and document the process as they recorded at Different Fur Studios in the Mission. I wanted to pick a format that worked with their lo-fi electro sound, so I created this experimental series of glitched out 3D images of the band in action.

All shots taken on my little Lumix 3D1 then glitched in text editors. BTW, I’m teaching a series of artist’s workshops in The Secret Alley throughout August, including workshops on creating 3D Wigglegrams and glitching images in text editors. Basically, how to create images just like these.

Big thanks to Photoworks SF for supporting these 3D City columns. Ever since I’ve been shooting film, Photoworks has been my go to place for developing and scans.

Crooked rain, fine grains. I’ve been taking advantage of these wet days as a chance to break in my new Nimslo 3D camera.

I had always thought the Nimslo was just another cheap stereoscopic camera, but these things actually have some decent glass on them. The lens is 30mm, nice and wide, and the body is built like a tank. I shot this batch with a roll of Ilford HP5 film. I’m usually a sucker for grainier film, but I think the Ilford might be the perfect fit for the Nimslo. I don’t mean to geek out… I’m just digging this new camera. Luckily they’re still pretty cheap on eBay.

Film photography & gifs have a lot of common. Graininess, sure, they both have that in spades, but they’re also underdog formats. There are easier ways to capture a moment, and less bloated ways to make that moment move again, but these media just doesn’t know when to quit, and that’s why I find them so charming.

I was telling Allan about my transition from smartphones to film cameras, and my current obsession of mixing digital/analog together. He offered to let me share my year long 3D City project here on Mission Mission. Each week I’ll share some new work along with little bits of info on the camera and film I used (for the photo nerds out there). These shots are from a roll of Arista Premium (a Tri-X knockoff) on my Nishika N8000.

Dave Chappelle caught me slyly trying to take a picture of him while we were each eating dinner at Pakwan.  He came over to the table and asked to see it.  Unimpressed by my photographic aptitude, he then asked me to delete it.

As I complied with his request and stammered an apology, a single grain of rice flew from my mouth and landed on the shoulder of his black sweater.  I wasn’t sure if he saw it or not, but I couldn’t take the risk, so I reached up and attempted to brush it off.  Naturally, that darn stubborn kernel wasn’t going anywhere.

Chappelle noticed and said, “I don’t even mind that you just spit a piece of rice on me.  Happens all the time.”  He pointed out that I didn’t really need to delete the photos since he was in a public space after all, but it was cool I did and that I should come outside for a real picture after he finished his cigarette.

When I walked out, I didn’t see him anywhere and figured I’d been duped by a master.  But then Mr. Chappelle emerged from a shiny black Escalade and said, “I wasn’t gonna flake on you.”  As my buddy snapped a photo of us, the beleaguered superstar muttered, “People are terrible.  There, I said it.”

Sorry for ruining your dinner Dave!  We all love you here in the Mission!  Please come back soon!

[Chappelle on 16th by jacobchills]