Inspirations – Saloon by Pete Eckert
© Pete Eckert
The image “Saloon” I did using a Zone Plate. A friend lent me her new zero 2000 camera. I used Illford 125 film. I like high contrast B/W images so I looked for a situation that I could get white to black. Since I am blind, I listened to the chatter of the patrons to compose. I picked out a table, went leisurely up to the bar, touching empty tables and chairs as I went, I listened intently at the bar. I lingered listening to sound bouncing off the objects to solidify my minds eye image. I went back a different route collecting more information. The shot took five minutes. I timed this with my Braille pocket watch as I sipped a Manhattan. The tripod I used was old . I’ve replaced it with an articulated new one to make leveling easier. The old fashioned camera attracted attention. People noticed my guide dog and dark glasses. I was busted, giving up shooting to answer questions. ~ Pete Eckert
Darwin Wiggett 
May 15, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Amazing and very inspiring!
May 15, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Very cool! Talk about making the best of the tools one has. Inspiration indeed! Go Pete!!
May 16, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Interesting. I’m still struggling to get something I love with a zoneplate.
May 16, 2011 at 10:26 AM
I found just speechless photos in his web-site, and I am so moved by his bio. New to ponhole, I found pinhole is more difiicult to make good works than I thought, zone plate is even harder. It is not magic tool.
May 16, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Very inspiring and beautiful image!!!