Collections: Analog Cameras

This guest post comes from one of our customers, Meghan Hollister. We are so excited to share her collection, analog (film) cameras with you!

Hi everyone! I'm Meghan and I'm here to share my budding camera collection with you. My love for photos began when I was young--when I started collecting old pictures to make a family tree. I knew I wanted to start capturing my life and what I see/do/experience, so I started studying photography in high school while living in Southeast Asia. I moved to SLO to study Art at Cal Poly, and have lived here ever since taking photos working mainly as a product photographer. I am constantly fighting off (but usually giving into) the travel bug, something I get from the fact I moved every couple years growing up. I lived in Ecuador, England, Thailand, and Malaysia--often traveling to other countries capturing what I saw through a lens. 

I started taking photographs about 11 years ago while living in Malaysia. Our family friend was my photo teacher and he would take me out to local markets to photograph the buzz of the early morning produce hauls. Because of him, I shot a lot of film in the beginning. I lived in the darkroom and was hesitant to start shooting on digital cameras. He always had some “new” camera for me to try out, and I loved them--so I started collecting them.

Actually, I didn't even realize I had a collection of cameras because I’m never looking for a specific camera to add to a collection. Some of the cameras work (or sort of work) and some don’t, but I don’t mind because part of my collection is adding something cool to put on my shelves, and the other part is exploring a fading art form through the evolution of film cameras.

I was given a Pentax ME from my uncle, a Minolta Hi-matic from a friend, and a Polaroid LMS Sun 600 from my mother. I bought a Kodak Automatic 8 movie camera at a flea market, and the Cambo Calumet 4x5 at Jim’s Campus Camera. I found the Brownie Starflex at a thrift shop in Chicago and bought the Polaroid Highlander from Ruby Rose!

I’ve only shot with a few of the cameras, but I look forward to experimenting with them soon and adding more to my collection!

Three Wise Guys

From time to time we all need inspiration. Usually we go looking for it, and sometimes, it finds us. In the last couple of weeks, inspiration found me.

I wouldn't say that I'm a huge Oprah fan, although I am a fan. Knowing that Oprah's stint was coming to an end, I tuned in to the last few weeks of her show...she is Oprah after all. I was hit with inspiration from her.

(Image via Cohabitaire)

This inspiration was from a poster that hung in Oprah's dressing room which had been given to her by a guest she interviewed, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. Dr. Taylor wrote a book after suffering a stroke that affected the left side of her brain. The poster simply said "take responsibility for the energy that you bring into this space". Simply taking responsibility for your life, the energy you create for yourself and the energy that you bring to others...brilliant and something to be more aware of!

(Images via USA Tour on a Harley-Davidson and Nathan Hale)

The second stream of inspiration hit during the Ralph Lauren interview (of course). Oprah seemed as in awe of the man as some of us are here at Ruby Rose. She asked him how he went about creating his image and how it came about. His response was profound. Something to the like of, "It wasn't something I created, it was and is the way I live my life and you always need to keep a clear vision of it."

I was also moved by the a film I finally got a chance to rent--180° South. It had been on my must-watch list for some time.

(Images via Orlando Sentinel and Wallpaper Web)

I love love loved the movie. Besides Ralph, Mary Randolph, Chanel etc., I have always admired Yvon Chouinard and all that he has accomplished. His clear vision and the way he lives his life is something to aspire to. Written on the front of the movie, his quote was "the adventure begins when things go wrong'". So true, on many levels. How many memories are made up from a perfectly planned and executed trip?

So, it has been a good couple of weeks. I was flooded with inspiration by a few words of wisdom from a couple of my favorite people. These words are not just simply words but words that these people live by, and I will now do the same. Inspiration found me then, where will I find it this next?

The Ruby Review: Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed: 2 stars

Probably because I am a teenage girl who spends the majority of her free time seeing movies, I get really excited when I see a trailer for a romantic comedy. This movie had promise- cute John Krasinski, some other hot guy, generally entertaining Kate Hudson, and personal favorite Ginnifer Goodwin, all wrapped up in a silly plot about best friends and the man they both love. But I was sadly disappointed. Friends have disagreed but I found the film unrealistic and frankly, depressing. Simple summary of the movie is this: Goody two shoes lawyer Rachel (Goodwin) is in love with her best friend Darcy's (Hudson) fiancée, with whom she went to law school with. She waits around for him to tell her she's his one true love, while lying to her best friend since childhood about having an affair with him. Is there not any other man in New York for you Rachel? You have to steal back your true love from your best friend? High point was Krasinski being adorable and sweet as always. Don't go see it. But in a few months, when you are at the video store in your sweatpants looking for a typical romantic comedy, by all means, rent it.

The Ruby Review: I AM

I Am: 4 stars

My mother and I needed something to do this Mother's Day and like many afternoons we ended up at the Palm. I wasn't exactly sure what this movie was about based off the rotten tomatoes summary, and after seeing it I know this was because it is an extremely hard to explain documentary. I know that may sound precocious but even I, as a movie reviewer myself, don't know quite how to explain the story. Basically, famous director Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura, Liar Liar) was in a nasty bicycle accident and after going through a bout of depression caused by his concussion, he decided to abandon his materialistic life, in search of what is wrong with human nature and how we can fix it. Recently in my English class we read The Lord of the Flies, the novel in which William Golding expresses how man is ultimately evil. And this movie gives a more positive view on us humans. Not that we are without flaws, but that it is in our nature to be loving, compassionate people. Definitely a mind blowing film, not one for those looking for a laugh. Low point of this movie was not actually related to the movie at all but instead was the man sitting next to me who incessantly tapped his popcorn from the bag into his mouth. Shame on you, dude. Shame on you.

The Ruby Review: Limitless

LIMITLESS- 4 stars

A great movie. Maybe it's just my love for sci-fi films, but I'm glad I went to see it the day before it left theaters. Limitless stars Bradley Cooper as a poor and unfocused writer living in New York, who, after trying a little clear pill he believes to be safe, is turned into a super-genius who can recall everything he has ever read, seen, or heard. Although this sounds like perfection, the stakes are suddenly raised, and life becomes a little complicated. Like most thriller movies, there's not a lot of depth or realism, but it is definitely worth renting.

The Ruby Review: Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer - 3.5 stars

Since I was a little kid, I've heard about the incredibly unfortunate shark attach on Bethany Hamilton. This movie may not have been the best I have ever seen, but it is sure an inspiring story. Starring Anna Sophia Robb as Hamilton, this film shows the life of the girl known for losing her arm to a 14 foot tiger shark. Living in Hawaii, surfing was her life. Most would abandon the sport after losing an arm, seeing it as an impossible task. But Hamilton, a truly brave soul, overcame the challenge and is today one of the top female surfers around. Highlight was the beauty throughout the movie. Not only were the islands lush and pristine, all of the actors looked exactly as dedicated surfers should- very tan and very blond.

The Ruby Review: Biutiful

Biutiful: 4.5 Stars

Starring the forever gorgeous Javier Bordem, this movie was terribly sad but definitely worth seeing. The film shows the months leading to his death, in which he struggles with his bipolar ex-wife, adorable yet sadly neglected kids, and his high stress job. Downside: some parts of the plot weren't fully explained, like his ability to communicate with dead people. I realize that the picture I'm painting here doesn't sound ideal. But I would highly recommend this film. Highlights for me: modern day Barcelona provided a unique background, and to put it simply, Javier was looking fine.

The Ruby Review: No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached: 3.5 stars

From the trailer, this movie appears to be just another romantic comedy, with a meaningless plot and lots of gorgeous people. But the lack of a date for winter formal led me to this adorable movie! Ashton Kutcher plays the predictable cutie, who seems like an airhead but really has a heart of gold, and Natalie Portman portrays his emotionally guarded childhood friend who can't help falling for him. The first part of the movie is a fun distraction from reality, with the couple 'using each other for sex' and nothing more. But as you can guess, that doesn't work out and it blossoms into a perfect love story. Highlight was the amazing homes they live in and the cars they drive; I guarantee you you'll be jealous. -R.

The Ruby Review: The King's Speech

The King's Speech: 4 stars

Being a teenage girl, this wasn't exactly at the top of my films-to-see list, but it was my mother's birthday, and I can never say no to a movie. I have to say I'm glad I went. The King's Speech may have been predictable but it was truly inspiring. All of the characters were vivid and real, and at many points this very dramatic film made me laugh. Helena Bonham Carter was beautiful and eloquent and Colin Firth did an impeccable job with not only a stutter, but playing King George VI with believability and passion. Go see it! -R.

The Ruby Review: Blue Valentine

With the Academy Awards approaching, coupled with the numerous amounts of movies Ruby watches, we thought "The Ruby (movie) Review" would be helpful (or not) and certainly entertaining for all of you. All movie reviews will be written by the Ruby of the Rose. First up, Blue Valentine.

Blue Valentine: 2 stars

Blue valentine was a letdown. From the trailer I expected a more intense, indie version of The Notebook but it was far from that. Ryan Gosling was gorgeous and Michelle Williams was incredibly talented as always, but their characters were disappointing and lacked depth in my opinion. The entire movie jumped around, from fighting parents to unplanned pregnancies to random love scenes. Good movie idea but too many subplots. Highlight was the music, with surprising singing talent from Gosling. On a whole, it was a letdown but not a total waste.