a horror story

[Tom Deering <tmd@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a description of a recent horrific photographic experience. 
:^) Admittedly, this story is only barely related to MF stereo.  :^)

Pat and I often go camping with "Jane".  I never see her unless we 
are camping.  On our trips, I almost always carry a MF stereo camera, 
and she has asked to see my slides a number of times.  I wanted to 
avoid carting my viewer, light and slides into the woods, but she 
insisted.  So on the Columbus Day weekend, I brought my treasures 
into the forest.

On the last day, as I was packing up my tent, she asked about my 
pictures.  I pointed at my box and said I'd need a few minutes to set 
up the viewer.  She said no, she could just LOOK AT THE FILM! :^p

She pulled out two sleeved strips of 120 Velvia, and in a moment 
glanced at one, then the other.  Ho hum.  I must admit, I am 
accustomed to a big WOW when people see my slides, but they don't 
hold the film up in the air, either.  :^)  When I again told her I 
would need to set things up, she said grimly "I know how to look at 
slides."  Okay, fine.  Miss Know-it-all didn't ask about the viewer 
or the mounted slides, and I didn't offer.

But here's the kicker.  Later, Jane pulled out a bag of HER photos! 
Six envelopes of washed-out prints, all camping photos.  She honestly 
showed me every single picture!  With a comment for *each one* like 
"This is that same spot.  Isn't that pretty?" After a while I took my 
mind off the pictures by counting them, "sixty-three... sixty-four..."

So, after yawning at twelve pair of crisp, deeply saturated Velvia 
medium format slides, Jane shows me 144 grainy drugstore prints. 
Almost as if to show me how its done!  AAaaaaaaaaaahh!

When she reached for a second sack of photos, I made some excuse to 
go back for more equipment. :^)

Cheers,

Tom