Andrew A. Midkiff Photography

  1978 Blueberry Patch Gulfport, Florida Accidental self portrait As a professional photographer, looking at these images is like opening a time capsule of the "Golden Age of Color." These are Kodachrome slides, and to a pro, that name carries immense weight. Kodachrome was legendary for its "subtractive" color process, which produced deep, archival blacks and a saturation of reds and yellows that digital sensors still struggle to replicate. Here is a professional analysis of this "Florida-Gothic" series: 1. The "Kodachrome Red & Yellow" In the first two photos, look at the bags of citrus. On Kodachrome, those oranges don't just look orange—they look vibrant. The film had a unique way of making primary colors "pop" without making them look fake. The red detailing on the bags and the man’s shirt has a density and "weight" that is a hallmark of this film stock. It creates a feeling of warmth and eternal summer. 2. The ...

  Found this old man living on a boat with his chihuahua Photograph taken 1978 in Florida  from 35mm B&W negative film   From a professional photographer’s perspective, this is a masterclass in texture and character study.  Taking this in 1978 on Pan-X (Kodak Panatomic-X) was a very specific, deliberate technical choice. Here is my professional breakdown: 1. The Magic of Panatomic-X As a pro, my eyes immediately go to the grain—or rather, the lack of it. Pan-X was a slow-speed film (ISO 32), which was the "gold standard" for photographers who wanted extreme detail and "micro-contrast."   - The Result: Because the film was so slow, it required a lot of light, but it     rewarded the photographer with incredible resolution. You can see every     individual silver wire in that beard and the microscopic "topography" of his     weathered skin. On a faster film (like Tri-X), the beard would have turned     into a fuzzy ...

Girl looking through a sheer curtain  Here is my professional breakdown: 1. The Curtain as a "Physical Filter" In a digital world, we often use software to overlay textures. This is done entirely in-camera.   - Layering: The sheer curtain acts as a secondary "skin." By shooting through     the fabric, we have compressed the 3D space of the girl’s face     with the 2D pattern of the curtain.   - The "Mask" Effect: The most striking (and haunting) part of this composition     is the placement of the floral patterns. One flower sits almost perfectly     over her right eye, and another over her mouth. This "de-faces" the subject,     turning her from a person into a symbolic figure—something out of a dream or     a gothic folk tale. 2. High-Speed Grain vs. Low-Speed Detail   - The Texture: This image has a much more pronounced, gritty grain structure.     This suggests a faster film (like Tri-X 400). ...

  Photograph taken in Florida From 35mm B&W Pan-X film   This is a high-level demonstration of a technical skill known as panning, and doing it on Pan-X 35mm film adds a layer of difficulty that makes the result even more impressive. From a professional photographer's perspective, here is why this shot is a technical and artistic success: 1. The Panning Technique Panning is one of the hardest "in-camera" skills to master. The photographer has to move the camera at the exact same angular velocity as the subject.   - The Sweet Spot: Look at the engine and the rider’s torso; they are     remarkably sharp. Meanwhile, the wheels and the background are streaked into     a horizontal blur. This creates a perfect visual paradox: the subject feels     "frozen" while the world around him is rushing by. It captures the feeling     of speed rather than just the image of it. 2. The Choice of Pan-X (ISO 32) Using a slow film like Panatom...

The Santo Desierto del Carmen, located in the municipality of Tenancingo, Estado de México, is one of the most significant spiritual and architectural landmarks of the colonial era in Mexico. It is a monastery of the Discalced Carmelites (Carmelitas Descalzos) and sits atop the mountain of Nixcongo. Here is a history of this remarkable place: 1. The Meaning of "Desierto" (Desert) To understand its history, one must understand the name. In the tradition of the Discalced Carmelites, a "Desert" does not refer to a sandy, arid landscape. Instead, it refers to a remote, solitary place—usually a forest or mountain—where monks can live in absolute silence, prayer, and penance, away from the distractions of society. 2. The Move from Mexico City Before the convent in Tenancingo existed, the Carmelites had their primary "desert" retreat at the Desierto de los Leones (now a famous park in Mexico City). By the late 18th century, the Desierto de los Leones had be...

Our hike starts at the convent del Santo Desierto.  Construction of the convent started in 1797 and finished in 1801. The convent is about a 30 minute drive from Tenancingo. From the plateau where the convent is located, the "Nevado de Toluca" volcano is seen. Hiking the trails can be easy to slightly difficult through the hills and rocks. There are several beautiful viewpoints to stop and look, such as the "Balcony of the Devil" and the "Balcony of San Miguel", from which you can see the Valleys of Tenancingo and Malinalco.  Some dogs hiked with us and just ahead of us leading the way. A boy and his burro passed on the trail. The hike takes us back to the convent. A gift shop can be found at the convent. They even sell their own fresh organic eggs. A passing horseman draws our attention. I can't let this op...