Both Sides of the Pacific: A Winter Film Diary

Sights | Hannah Weinberg

Reflection is a beautiful thing;

We often look back at times past and romanticize our memories. Some of us love to remember the highlights and let go of bygone stressors, but others struggle a bit more to identify these good times, whether it be in the moment, in the past, or when planning for the future. I would characterize my journey of shooting film photography as being in its infancy, but I am overjoyed to share these photos with you. If you find yourself struggling to put on the ‘rose-colored lenses’, try looking through the viewfinder of a camera. I have learned to relish the stillness of focusing my old fixed lens, the act of framing my loved ones as a part of the scenery, and the brief, ecstatic decision to appreciate the moment as it happens. Follow me into the recent past where I journeyed back home to Portland, Oregon, to the small coastal town of Gearhart; traveling through the stunning beaches of Oahu, Hawaii; and landing back home in the comfort of a student’s life in Toronto.

Most of my photos were shot on an old Chinon DP-5, but a few were taken on a disposable! I bet you won’t be able to guess which photos were taken on the nice camera…

Pictured: Geoff Weinberg, sharpening his wood ax. Welcome back to the PNW, Hannah! Disposable, or real camera? Ahh, you guessed it: Disposable. I promise: The photos get better from here.

My lovely friend Rachel, who I called in for some major puzzle wizardry. We have a good setup going: I wax poetic, she puzzles.

My partner, Haden, waving a sparkler on New Year’s eve. I love this photo because he looks like a bit of a magician when indeed, he’s one of the most magical things in my life. Eww!! Sappy moment over, moving on…

I have been going to this beach on the Oregon coast since I was young. We became friends with the person who owns the small cottage that we rent out, and we always make sure to stay at his place when we come to the coast.

Hey, look, it’s me! I always make sure to write an entry in the guest book at this cottage. While on this trip, I flipped back through the pages and was surprised to find the messy scrawl of a twelve-year-old version of myself. The handwriting never evolved, but the person who penned those words certainly did. Ah, the memories that this beach holds.

Off to Hawaii, we go! Pictured: Perry the Penguin, on his first voyage to a tropical locale. This bird has become quite the world traveler.

A picture of a picture :) This was taken on my disposable camera at the north shore of Oahu. Let’s see how the other camera picked up these waves..

Pictured: A surfer on the way to surf the Banzai Pipeline, known for its record-high waves. We spent a few happy hours watching the surfers catch waves, dodge each other, and coast to the shore.

Pictured: Suman lit by the filtered light of a handy sun tent.

A shot of Waikiki beach. This moment felt almost out of time, and I feel really lucky to have captured it on film. The historic pink building across the water is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, also known as the ‘Pink Palace of the Pacific’.

Pictured: Bill the pigeon, named by our very own Howl editor-in-chief, Rebecca! Bill was standing in front of my towel for a few minutes before I looked up from the pages of my book to pay him some attention. He refused to leave until I took his portrait—what a personality, that Bill.

Here’s the view from the balcony of our rented room.

Pictured: Allen, a mentor from my high school days, throwing up a shaka. Behind him: the distinctive volcanic cone referred to as ‘Diamond Head’.

A statue at the head of the Polynesian Cultural Center commemorates Hamana Kalili, a historic Hawaiian fisherman and the father of the shaka. The plaque describes that when Kalili lost his three middle fingers, every greeting that he gave included a wave of his hand. This gesture is permanently commemorated in the ‘shaka’ wave that we now know today. 

We took a quick stop to sip on some smoothies! Yum.

Pictured: the best poké of my life.

We decided to poke our heads into a hotel to watch the last sunset of our trip.

Here was that final sky of our time in Hawaii. It was a beautiful trip, and I know I’ll carry these memories with me for a long, long time.

Back home I came! Pictured: my lovely roommate, Roxana, hard at work. 

Another cheeky little disposable camera shot… I like the effect this camera provided to this sleepy, peaceful morning. Pictured: My friend Fae, also hard at work.

Can you guess the destination of my walk when I took this shot?

Ahh, Gerstein. Everyone’s favorite library! :)

Finally, perhaps my favorite photo in this series. I was on a walk to the library during the holiday season when I saw this couple dancing to live music outside of a local pub. They seemed so joyful and were dressed so wonderfully that I asked to take their picture. When I offered to send them a copy of the photo, the gentleman in the hat told me that the photo was “for me,” and to simply “enjoy it.” I leave you with the image of this happy couple slow dancing in the street.