I haven't been getting out all that much lately, but it's something I've been craving a lot. In Yerevan it's still (somehow) a bit sunny and warm, the trees are still only just turning their colours. Though throughout the city there are some signs here and there that the summer season has actually ended and a short autumn is to begin. I do miss the longer autumn season that I'd get back in England, especially with the long rain and wind storms that would take place every day in the countryside. Here, there are the odd bits of rain, the slight bit of thunder as the temperatures change throughout the day, but it usually dries up within a few minutes. It's that sort of weird temperature where you aren't really sure how to dress for it; hot in the day and cold in the evening.
Today I did finally get back into the city though, and while it was quite sunny and warm, I enjoyed the brief walk I had throughout it, as well as getting back into the photography of which I have been heavily missing. I've been thinking a lot lately, on different ways to advertise myself, on how to make more passive income and generally get the money coming in a bit more for some essential gear upgrades. Mostly as I long to return to the world of video and the current camera just wasn't made for that. Perfect for stills shoots. But limited by time and its features regarding the video side. Sometimes I love just walking around and capturing stills, but other times I really just want to sit somewhere with the camera in hand or on a gimbal and just shoot video. Still, I use the current camera to do so anyway, shooting at 1080p 30fps, which isn't too bad.
I walked around quite a bit in the same streets today, roaming around hoping to find something new. I also had the 35mm film camera with me which I hadn't used in forever. I really felt the interest return, with a mostly-finished roll of black and white film sitting in it that's begging to be done with. But the more I walked under the sun, the more I realised it would look so much nicer a bit later on. So I didn't shoot any of the film until evening when much of the light had disappeared and it felt like there was more of an emotional contrast within the surroundings with the artificial light that appeared as street lights, shops, and cars turned on their lights. Spreading more colour into the environment.
I think this has been a problem I've been facing over summer in general. Where colour was mostly removed. An ND filter essential under the Armenian sun, otherwise there's too much of the colour washed out. That or you simply only shoot around golden hour to get that colour back. Anyway, I walked the streets in search of some signs of autumn. I found little cafes and restaurants which had placed out Halloween props and decorations which was a nice surprise. I didn't think Armenians really cared for the holiday, but I think as it modernises, its youth longs for more life, more fun. It was nice to see, and I suspect that as the holiday approaches this will only continue.
I saw some beautiful opportunities to capture some great images, mostly with the 35mm film camera, but I chose not to, to use that film stock a bit later. At times I felt a bit bad for walking around and taking nothing, but I remembered that I did this because getting out into the world is what makes it so fun. To see and experience life and new things. Even if I go home with no photographs taken. The main thing is that I did get outside. Either way, I switched to the digital camera and started shooting as it seemed like a storm was brewing. A few droplets of rain got me excited before quickly fading off in some cruel form of torment. For some reason, I've been really enjoying the 4:3 aspect ratio. I've never really shot or edited for it before, so perhaps trying something new is also getting me a bit more inspired. So if you're curious as to why the images are squared, that's why! Beautiful 4:3.