YouNeedaHelmet When You’re not Particularly Punctilious

The dictionary.com Word of the Day is punctilious (puhnk-TIL-ee-uhs), an adjective meaning “strictly attentive to the details of form in action or conduct; precise; exact in the smallest particulars”.  After a tedious morning in-service on rubrics and assessment, I found myself with a couple of free hours. Since I’m starting a black and white film photography class on Wednesday, I tried to make good use of the time by preparing.

Several months ago at an auction I bought a Nikon FG 35 mm camera and two extra lenses. The FG is the camera I wanted in the 80’s but couldn’t afford. I had already gotten batteries for it and tested it to make sure it powered on. One thing I noticed was that it had a roll of Kodachrome film in it. Yeah, as in “I got a Nikon camera, I like to take a photograph, so Mama don’t take …. “  More importantly they don’t make it any longer. Even though that old roll left in that old camera for who knows how long might not be any good, I was optimistic and proceeded to use it up.

I referred to my manual. I carefully adjusted and readjusted the settings. I practiced using the complicated focusing screen.  I framed each shot with the greatest of care. I worked at this for over an hour. I shot 32 frames and was feeling great. Again I referenced the manual for precise instructions on how to rewind and remove that precious roll of Kodachrome. Alas, when I opened the camera back, I discovered that the spool was empty.