by Matthew P. on April 30, 2019July 31, 2019

Embarcadero Station – San Francisco
Matthew Pak

by Matthew P. on April 9, 2019April 9, 2019

by Matthew P. on March 27, 2019April 9, 2019

The shots below are from my first roll ever of Ilford HP5. I really love the look it provided. It is a very contrast-heavy film. It does a really good job of bringing out details within the shadows if exposed correctly, but if there is harsh light or over-exposure, particularly outdoors, you lose some mid-range and depth. At least, that’s how I feel about it so far.
When indoors and especially when shooting portraits, the grain of the film suddenly becomes more noticeable. I would say it is more on the looser end of grain than fine. It provides a classic film look, and the higher contrast helps create a cinematic, dramatic vibe.
All of the images were shot with a Leica M6 35mm f/2 Summicron on Ilford HP5 400. Enjoy and view my Flickr for more.

Nature Feels..

by Matthew P. on March 5, 2019April 9, 2019

by Matthew P. on March 1, 2019April 9, 2019

Antioch Bridge, underneath, 2015. Matthew Pak

by Matthew P. on February 15, 2019April 9, 2019

by Matthew P. on February 15, 2019July 31, 2019

Marin County in the distance at Sutro Baths, San Francisco. 2016. Matthew Pak

Risk and Reward

by Matthew P. on February 13, 2019July 31, 2019

Rebirth

by Matthew P. on February 12, 2019February 14, 2019

I’ve been feeling creative juices ripening within me as of late. There are multiple possibilities as to why, but that’s of less importance to me now.

What I do know is that I have energy built up that has to be well spent. I have a soul and a body as a vessel for that soul that I need to nurture well. Part of that nurture is accounting for my mental health, my freedom of expression, and my accumulation of life experience and the skills granted to me through such. It also includes the physical and the spiritual; in all, the mind, body, and soul. I find they all tend to be connected by the energy flowing and shared within the body.

I had been thinking lately about the skills that I do have, and what kinds of skills I’d like to improve on or introduce myself to completely. Things that will carry the most value for my channeling of creative flow and energy throughout time.
The way I see it is, we can’t be the Jack of Every Trade we wish to be. We can’t be everything we vision, or achieve each and every possible path of life that speaks to us. It is merely because we see ourselves able to understand and place ourselves within the position of an understood “future” reality as it is affixed to the one we already experience. It is so tempting, yes, to venture out after every aspiration… but, the parallels of consciousness and reality teach all the same lessons, no matter where you go, no matter who you are and the reality you find yourself experiencing.
In short, you will go and be whoever you are meant to be. It ain’t gotta be everything or everyone, and it sure as hell ain’t gotta be right now. You have to sharpen and hone the building blocks of your character.

I know it’s tough.
I know that it feels like as much. . . good, sincerity, and love that I see in the world. . . I have full awareness of the darkness that rests in the shadows, gutters, and filth. It’s a part of us all, and for some more difficult to deal with. More difficult to keep your head up toward the light. But look up and ahead; your canvas is waiting… your redefining, your rebirth. The future is looking bright, sage.