CordaNation Blog — BENCORDA

Rained Out:
I brought up this old bike that has been exchanged amoung family members. I had used it back when I was in shape for a triathalon. I hope to get back in that sort of shape again. I brought it up to my new home in hopes of switching up my… — Rained Out:

I brought up this old bike that has been exchanged amoung family members. I had used it back when I was in shape for a triathalon. I hope to get back in that sort of shape again. I brought it up to my new home in hopes of switching up my exercise routine between running and biking. Also if it cools down enough one day, I would love to ride and not drive around the city…

Ben Corda June 21, 2011

So the frame that I picked up at Rolling Hills last week got a new look.

Painted red with a clear Krylon coat, it now is my calendar frame!

I make my own month calendars because I love to write all over them… and now they look a tad better … — So the frame that I picked up at Rolling Hills last week got a new look.

Painted red with a clear Krylon coat, it now is my calendar frame!

I make my own month calendars because I love to write all over them… and now they look a tad better on my wall…

Ben Corda June 21, 2011

Athlete Portraits:
The other day I talked about shooting in studio portraits of high school athletes. Here are two image out of the 4 kids, I’ll post the others when the run… — Athlete Portraits:

The other day I talked about shooting in studio portraits of high school athletes. Here are two image out of the 4 kids, I’ll post the others when the run…

Ben Corda June 18, 2011

A full day:
The world is crazy.
This morning I shot the dump sites of two bodies in the small southern town of Tallulah.
This afternoon I shot a fire that destroyed the house of someone I know.
The world is crazy. Who knows what tomorrow will hold&#… — A full day:

The world is crazy.

This morning I shot the dump sites of two bodies in the small southern town of Tallulah.

This afternoon I shot a fire that destroyed the house of someone I know.

The world is crazy. Who knows what tomorrow will hold…

Ben Corda June 18, 2011

Self:
So I have some studio shots of some athletes, but Im waiting on the paper to publish them so I can put them on here. Today I had a few moments to check out more of the lighting equiptment and although I dont really like taking pictures of myse… — Self:

So I have some studio shots of some athletes, but Im waiting on the paper to publish them so I can put them on here. Today I had a few moments to check out more of the lighting equiptment and although I dont really like taking pictures of myself, I had no other model at work…

Ben Corda June 17, 2011

Being Stubborn:
I shot the Junior Regional Angus Show yesterday. Im not a big fan of cows [read very wary] and I was so impressed by the Peewee division that showed animals that are so much bigger, heavier and taller. — Being Stubborn:

I shot the Junior Regional Angus Show yesterday. Im not a big fan of cows [read very wary] and I was so impressed by the Peewee division that showed animals that are so much bigger, heavier and taller.

Ben Corda June 17, 2011

From the vault. Had to dig it off the externals.

Ben Corda June 15, 2011

Retirement Ceremony:

Yesterday, June 14, was Flag Day. The American Legion had a ceremony to dispose correctly of torn and tattered flags. It was a somber experience.

Ben Corda June 15, 2011

More Improvements:

I have never really minded bare walls… until now. I have gone a tad crazy, but I think it adds a little of me to my new place.

Got some great design ideas off www.poopscape.com and have attempted some of my own versions of thei… — More Improvements:

I have never really minded bare walls… until now. I have gone a tad crazy, but I think it adds a little of me to my new place.

Got some great design ideas off www.poopscape.com and have attempted some of my own versions of their ideas including the memo wall. I am actively looking for the right lamp to cover in some of my old negatives and I recently bought an awesome frame and a not so awesome flower painting from a thrift store for six bucks. I have removed the image and am thinking of painting it black and hanging it empty, or doing some spin off of the “cutout mirror.” (all these ideas come from poopscape.com)

On a day off I stumbled into Michael’s ( I usually would never go there) and found a great sale. While the large canvases I was looking for were too expensive, but I found pairs of 16x20’s for just under six dollars and paint for 50% off. Before I jumped in feet first on painting (which I have never really done) I had a friend come over to give me a few tips… The two images on the left middle are the results, hers being the far left (duh because it looks awesome) and mine is more in the middle looking a tad forced. Eh… I have 4 more canvases so Im going to keep trying…

Ben Corda June 14, 2011

Nature:

So there’s this place called Black Bayou, just north of monroe. It is pretty cool. There is a photo blind out there and one morning when I get up early enough, I want to go out there for the sun rise and see what kind of wildlife show… — Nature:

So there’s this place called Black Bayou, just north of monroe. It is pretty cool. There is a photo blind out there and one morning when I get up early enough, I want to go out there for the sun rise and see what kind of wildlife shows up.

Ben Corda June 14, 2011

On Tuesday I was off work and I decided to cook a large amount of asian-ish food, so that I would not have to cook when I get off work late some nights… I didn’t really want to go shopping so I had to throw together what I had in the hou… — On Tuesday I was off work and I decided to cook a large amount of asian-ish food, so that I would not have to cook when I get off work late some nights… I didn’t really want to go shopping so I had to throw together what I had in the house. The resulting meal was Herb and Garlic pork tenderloin sauted in sake, tempora red onions, egg and sticky rice. I have to say it was pretty delish.

Ben Corda June 8, 2011

In The Clouds:

On a recent flight to Nashville, I shot some film on the plane. This resulted in a few annoyed glances due to the old school loud shutter sound. I just got the roll developed by Dawn at my neighborhood CVS and she was a sweetie.

Ben Corda June 6, 2011

I need to wash dishes and do laundry.

Good thing I have the next three days off.

Ben Corda June 4, 2011

Back to film:

So I was looking for a camera strap for my work camera, deep in the dark depths of the old dark room.

Its really funny. The dark rooms. Most newspaper buildings that havent been built in the past 10 years have them. They always beco… — Back to film:

So I was looking for a camera strap for my work camera, deep in the dark depths of the old dark room.

Its really funny. The dark rooms. Most newspaper buildings that havent been built in the past 10 years have them. They always become this jungle. Time stands still there. It is the last remaining vestige of a time in photography.

Huge body Nikon film 6006’s with 8 inch tall digital backs thrown into a box over in this corner. Huge battery packs in another. Key word here is huge. Negative sleeves and assignment envelopes stashed everywhere.

I eventually found a nicer strap than I originally had, with a quick release option…. and I also snagged another find.

I saw this Nikon F4 and just had to grab it. Old and abused. No body cap. It took some tender loving care before I could put a lens on it.

The lens that I paired with it was a 14mm f/2.8 fisheye that also took some TLC. I had to unscrew a couple pieces of metal and bend them so they would not stop the mirror from staying in the upright position.

Long story short, I am going to be playing around with this new toy for awhile taking advantage of and getting ripped off by the few places that still develop film in this town.

Im not sure what it is, but when I shoot my Canon for work, its cold, its work, its like a business relationship. When I shoot a Nikon its my friend. Its comfortable, familiar and it gives me love back in the form of nice images. So as long as my trusty Nikky is in the shop for a broken shutter, then I will turn to this F4 for my after work camera.

Ben Corda June 3, 2011

Photo-A-wheneverIgetthechance:

I hesitate to call it photo-a-day, plus brought on by the multitude of fb’ers that do it and snag “theirs” from the Intraweb, it shall be called, “Photo-A-wheneverIgetthechance.” I rece… — Photo-A-wheneverIgetthechance:

I hesitate to call it photo-a-day, plus brought on by the multitude of fb’ers that do it and snag “theirs” from the Intraweb, it shall be called, “Photo-A-wheneverIgetthechance.” I recently saw one of my followers Ken ( http://kennethlhawkins.tumblr.com ) is doing this and continuing it through his internship this summer.

Of late, I have been complaining to myself that I am only shooting at work, and that is frankly not cool. Though I occasionally do have a cool shot from an assignment that I might want to share, I’m not sure the legal ins and outs of that. Im sure that if I post it after it goes to the presses, no one cares, but that is beside the point.

Everyday I walk out of the “office” portion of my building and into a more industrial section (its an indoor alley that serves as a drag strip of sorts for forklifts). I often find myself looking and wanting to do a shoot in there… and once or twice have almost been hit by said forklift.

The upper door, framed by the red is only open sometimes and I paused to take a shot. The forklift just turned the corner when I snapped the pic and I thought it was a lucky addition to the image.

Ben Corda June 3, 2011

A Residence:
I have lived in my new apartment for exactly one week and one day. Things are starting to find their place, but my walls are still bare and my living room has only the above furniture in it.

My front windows face east and in the morni… — A Residence:

I have lived in my new apartment for exactly one week and one day. Things are starting to find their place, but my walls are still bare and my living room has only the above furniture in it.

My front windows face east and in the morning I love the natural light.

My yellow lamp and side table are courtesy of my sister. I wish they had stores like that down here.

I would like to do this sort of image for all the rooms in the pad. I have been inspired looking at anthropology and interior design web sites including a local stylist. ( www.abchao.com )

This is the first place that I have allowed myself to fully move into in about 5 years. When I finally get a day off that stores are actually open, its on.

Ben Corda June 2, 2011

Today I graduated. I figured that was worth a blog post. Congrats to all others who walked as well!!!! Great things in store for all!!

-b

Ben Corda May 21, 2011

Ben Corda May 18, 2011

freedomforumdiversity:

CAPTION:

Ethan Shame, a designer for the floral decor studio Oshi International, changes the arrangements in the lobby of an office building on Capitol Blvd. downtown Nashville, TN, Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Shame a 22 year-old Nashville resident has been with Oshi for two years and thoroughly enjoys his job and uses it as a creative outlet.

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After speaking with Jason McKibben the visual Chipsters were unleashed on downtown Nashville. Purposefully wandering with no purpose, I ran across Ethan unloading flowers onto a large cart outside of an office building on Capitol Blvd. Ethan was gracious enough to let me shadow him while he worked.

Photos by Ben Corda | www.bencorda.com

Ben Corda May 18, 2011

freedomforumdiversity:

CAPTION:

Casey Carstens, assistant kitchen manager at Paradise Park Trailer Resort, delves single-handedly into the task of making the “best burger in town” just prior to the lunch rush on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Paradise Park, a homage to “all things white trash,” stays open until 4 a.m. and is located on South Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville.

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As soon as I walked into Paradise Park and saw Casey in his faux mechanic shirt and cast, I knew I was going to have to tell the story of the “best burger in town.”

Photos by Ben Corda | www.bencorda.com

Day 3:
Right on Nashville. Looking forward to hearing from and picking the brains of former Chipster Jason McKibben. Check him out here http://www.jasonmckibben.com/ — Day 3:

Right on Nashville. Looking forward to hearing from and picking the brains of former Chipster Jason McKibben. Check him out here http://www.jasonmckibben.com/

Ben Corda May 18, 2011