Kitschy

This old Christmas tree was one of my mother's favorite decorations. At least that is what I tell myself, since it is one of the last surviving items from those long gone days. It is precious to me in all of its kitschy goodness. Somehow, too, it reminds me of the old Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer animated show from the middle of the last century. This year, the funky little tree is sitting in front of a mirror in the living room. 

The bokeh comes from the Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens mounted on the period correct Rolleiflex SL66. It was shot on HP5+ and developed in DDX. I'm slowly getting in the holiday spirit.

A Contax for Christmas

"At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are. We never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect -- a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is part of the biography by which we want to be known." -- Robert Adams

From the back cover of Why People Photograph, seen in the image below. What is between the covers is also pretty good stuff.

You've stood in front of some interesting things this year, and you've tried to be a decent human being. In other words, you've put some real effort into your bio. You deserve something nice, but that kinda goes against your better nature, doesn't it?

Well, that's old Saint Beatnik standing in the background, with his cool crazy black beard, Dad. I hope he brings you something groovy this year, like a Contax.