Summer reflections
Minnesota State Fair | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ Fuji 400
Here in the upper midwest, a false early fall has given the feeling of an end to summer. This isn’t entirely true, as we’ve got a spike back to typical temperatures this weekend. But the die has been cast; autumn is on all our minds.
Minnesota Yacht Club | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ Fuji 400
This summer was a whirlwind for me, it seems like every weekend had a new event or adventure. I kept my trusty Mamiya in tow, always, to capture the sights on film.
One of my favorite excursions was on the Mississippi River for Minnesota Yacht Club. My friends and I paddled down to Harriet Island to listen to music for free, on the comfort of our boats. My Mamiya really shined in these photos, especially for portraiture. I’m learning this camera, or at least the lens I have on it, does well for close to mid-range shots.
On the Mississippi | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ Fuji 400
Another adventure that brought me joy was a Labor-Day trip to Chicago! Jesse and I took the new Borealis train from St Paul all the way to the Windy City. While flying remains as always the fastest mode of transportation, we enjoyed the rails. There was ample legroom, no security pat-downs, and generous luggage allowances. For a city like Chicago, where a car is more hassle than convenience, Amtrak beats a road trip.
I took a roll of expired Superia film from the year 2000 that I sourced on Facebook Marketplace. I asked my online friends on Bluesky their advice on shooting expired film. One photographer recommended going down 100 in ISO for every decade expired. I’m happy to say their advice was spot on! Check out some of the shots I got from the train below.
Train snapshots | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ #FujiFilm Superia
A day in Gloucester | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
In August, I also had the opportunity to visit New England for the first time to see some dear friends who recently relocated to the Boston area. I can attest that lobster rolls are not to be missed!
If you’re in Gloucester, be sure to check out Hammond Castle! The home of an eccentric inventor, it’s a great place to explore and marvel, all next to the Atlantic Ocean.
Medieval meets Massachusetts | 📷 Mamiya / Sekor 500 DTL 🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
After a busy summer of travel, I’m hoping to take some time this fall to relax, save up, and start scheming on my next international trip.
Asia 2026? Time will tell.
