CHRISTOPHER WILOCKI PHOTOGRAPHY

Selling my baby.

2012-01-29T20:44:00.000-06:00

I decided that selling this camera deserved something more than a "tweet" or Facebook post. So here it is.
4 years ago I purchased parts of this camera on Ebay and slowly built it. And ever since, it has been THE way I see the world. It sounds weird, but I see things @f/2.0 and so does this camera. During shoots I would hold it up and let people look through it, telling them its like looking into a magic camera. Because it is.
I have used this camera almost like a crutch for the last 4 years. Portraits, travel, weddings and fashion this and only this camera was used. And I can honestly say, its never failed.
But, visions change. The way we see things change, and the subjects we desire to shoot change.
Which is why I am selling my baby. I have changed and lots of changes are on their way.

So here is the entire kit.
Contax 645 body
Battery Grip
2 - backs
2- 120/220 inserts
2- insert cases
Contax Baffle
80mm f/2.0 Carl Ziess lens (the magic lens of all lenses)
It works flawlessly.

Here is the link to the Ebay sale. --------> HERE

Priceless Hand Made Bowls by Joe

2012-01-17T17:54:00.000-06:00

Apparently its a new year and I forgot to post some "best of 2011" group of pictures. Sorry about that.
I have spent the end of the year with friends, family and working. I think I logged about 30 hours in the darkroom since the beginning of December, and have almost forgot that I own a computer.

Little about this post.
My Father is a woodworker a craftsman. In fact he can pretty much give Mosses a run for his money. If it consists of wood or any other building material, he could make it something useable.
These are just a few of his HANDMADE bowls. Yah, Handmade. Not made is China or bought in some hipster store like my roommate thought they were. He uses many types of wood, anything from giant logs washed ashore in Door County to regular oak.
If anyone is looking for one to use for keys, money, watches, anything you and put in a bowl made of wood in a cool place to show off. Let me know.

Dani

2011-12-15T04:48:00.000-06:00

Dani

Hand Developed Kodak Tri-x
Camera: Contax 645

BMG comp covers for NY Fashion week.

2011-12-11T16:38:00.000-06:00

Stevie

Sarah

Isabelle

I was asked by BMG to shoot some simple polaroids to end up on the covers of their models comp cards for NY Fashion week.
Just want to say thank you to Shae Cooper at BMG for the chance to shoot these and in this format. And for Stevie, Sarah and Isabelle for being beyond easy to shoot.

Camera: Polaroid 600SE
Film: Fuji Fb-3000b
All window light.

A Print.

2011-12-03T13:23:00.000-06:00

Its winter. And winter in Chicago means semi-hibernation. So I decided to move back into the darkroom. For me the darkroom is so many things. Its first and for most a place to slam some headphones on and get lost in a new album and zone out. I could very easily get into a rant about how everyone should go and print in the darkroom and how only REAL photography is done in the darkroom, but thats just a bunch of shit really.

Instead I want to explain what prints mean to myself.
I was thinking about this today, we {as in photographers} are always trying to get to someplace with our photography, weather we are trying to rule the world, or just trying to get our colors right when we shoot in the sun. Mediums really do not matter anymore, we capture. Thats all we do. We capture weddings, parties, the weather, the landscape, a building, a model, a moment. All we do is capture these things the way WE like to see them. But what is the end game? Where are these moments going to end up? On Facebook? On twitter? On a blog we obsessed about designing for years and still don't like it? For me, the things I capture, the things that I capture end up in a box. In fact they end up in 6 different boxes. All filtered out depending on size and if they are color or not. These boxes, will be with me for as long as I live {barring a house fire or any number of natural disasters} and if that does happen all my negatives are in another home.

One day these boxes will be open, they could be open hopefully one day by my children, or Vivian Meyer style, by a stranger. Either way, my pictures WILL be around for many many years. My passion of photography and view of the world will be seen one day.......

Which leaves me with no choice but to ask, will your vision of the world, or style of seeing it go any further than the story page of Facebook? Or even more scary, the lifetime of your hard drive?

If your pictures mean anything to you - Find your favorite pictures and find a way to print them.

Prints above: Ilford RC Paper, Hand developed negs and print. The bottom print is a small contact print.

Mike and Taylor Thornton Wedding

2011-11-27T20:18:00.000-06:00

I would first like to thank Taylor and Mike for having faith in my skills with a camera. I hope I did not let you down. And I hope that the 600 prints of the entire day end up in a box, only to be opened by your children one day.
Second, to Ryan Timm for being just the best help and mentor during this day, could not have done it without him.
And last. There was a moment during this wedding that has had a VERY lasting meaning in my life. And being the complete sissy I am, I almost broke down and sobbed during the ceremony. But being a complete professional...I held it together.....
Anyway..... Mike and Taylor, I have never seen love like yours at a wedding. And I am in awe of it.

For prints and more of the wedding click -------> HERE

Polaroids with Dani.

2011-11-26T15:28:00.000-06:00

Its amazing what can be done with a window and Dani.

A walk with Seivert

2011-11-17T20:55:00.000-06:00

A perfect walk with my boy Seivert in the Pilsen Neighborhood.

Leica M6

Kodak Tri-x

I just love shooting. This post proves it.

South Zapata Lake Trail, CO

2011-11-10T19:29:00.001-06:00

This hike made me realize how semi-out of shape I am.

Woke up at 8k, 6 hrs later we were at 12k.

Minor altitude sickness ensued.

First alpine lake I have ever been to.

Camera: Leica M6 w/ 35mm lens.

Film: Kodak Portra 400//160 & Tri-x

Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

2011-11-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

This National Park is one of the U.S newest parks. I have wanted to visit and see it for years.
It is one of my favorite.

Contax 645 w/ Kodak Ektar 100
Leica M6 35mm lens w/ Kodak Tri-x

Ryan and his bike

2011-10-31T21:24:00.001-05:00

Amazing Friend.
Amazing Bike.

Graflex 4x5
Ilford HP5

Santa Fe, NM

2011-10-27T17:36:00.000-05:00

I dream of being a travel photographer/writer.
Santa Fe is a great great town. I almost got sick of art while there.

Contax 645
Kodak Ektar 100

Kate @ BMG

2011-10-19T17:16:00.001-05:00

This shoot was done on my rooftop on an perfect afternoon.
Kate is the best.

{Masterfully} Scanned and Developed at Richards Photo Lab
Contax 645 & Rilleiflex
Kodak Tri-x, Kodak Portra 400 and Ilford XP2

Honor Flight Chicago September 30th 2011

2011-10-09T17:51:00.002-05:00

I was asked by Honor Flight Chicago to not only get the chance to shoot another flight, but this time I was asked to fly with them to D.C. to experience the entire day with all of these men and women. The day lasted from 3am to 11pm.

I would like to thank first and foremost Mary P. from Honor Flight Chicago. Her leadership is one of a kind and her excitement for each and every flight is beyond contagious.

Tim R. and Audry J. from Kodak for donating {a lot} of the best film ever made! And their ability to get behind a good project and help out the best way they can.

Angela M. and Brin G. at the greatest photo lab in the world, Richards Photo Lab for donating ALL of the flawless developing and scanning. {little testament to their amazing work, I "edited" over 200 pictures for this blog in 2 hours}

[See links on the left]

This is the story of an entire Honor Flight Chicago day.

Again, To all the people that help me document this day I am so thankful.

If you ever get a chance to see a night filled with the happiest, gracious and loving people giving thanks to the greatest generation, then

Click HERE to visit the Honor Flight Chicago site

Camera: Contax 645 80mm lens

Leica M6 35mm lens

Film: Kodak Tri-X

The NEW Kodak Portra 400

{ I am not going to lie or give a cheep plug, BUT. I shot Portra in EVERY lighting situation possible. And its performance is spectacular. And don't even get me started on Tri-X. There is a reason it's been around longer than I have }

Any questions, comments or if you see yourself in a picture and want it,

Just let me know.

For a deeper look into this day

Click HERE

Street Texture

2011-10-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

There are only two things that take my mind off of anything and everything going on in the world. Playing Ice Hockey, and spending a couple hours with headphones on with some great music while walking around taking pictures.
These were shot in one day walking around far west side of Wicker Park
Shot with: Leica M6 50mm lens. {its amazing how I shoot 99% horizontal with this camera}
Kodak Tri-x

To be different..

2011-10-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

My Friend and photographic genius is having a giveaway for a spot in his workshop. I highly suggest trying to win a spot.
Only because I was part of his workshop. And it changed the way I do everything.

Thanks again Jon.

Click HERE for a link to the spot.

Recent and old 4x5

2011-10-03T19:07:00.000-05:00

I have finally gotten around to getting a scanner large enough to scan 4x5 negatives.
I must say, I love 4x5. I love the process. I love the result.
These were shot with Kodak Tri-x and Ilford HP5
Sorry for the large pictures, I wanted to make sure they came across as nice as they could.

Taylor and Mike

2011-09-22T17:38:00.001-05:00

I can't decide who is better looking?
Really looking forward to shooting their wedding in Oct.
I think Taylor might be my most photographed person..........

Caitlin @ BMG

2011-09-19T05:13:00.001-05:00

Friends. {the kind only film could bring}

2011-09-14T19:48:00.000-05:00

Love these people.

Leica M6 w/ 35mm f 1.4

Bunch of different B&W films.

{Starting to believe that only B&W should be shot in a Leica}

Summer..When I had a camera

2011-09-05T17:58:00.000-05:00

Its just about over.

But this is how my summer looked.

99% of these were taken with my Leica on anything from cheap film from China and developed by walgreens and even RPL.

Gonna miss summer.

Kate...Finally

2011-08-29T21:36:00.001-05:00

I have been searching.

Cant wait to work with Kate again and again.

Hair and MUA: Claire Latronica

Shot with: Polaroid 600SE

On: Fuji FP-3000b

Muddy Buddy.

2011-08-28T22:43:00.001-05:00

If you ever get a chance to do this race. I would do it. Its a stupid blast!

Shot on: Rollieflex and Leica M6
With: Forgot.

Caitlin @ BMG

2011-08-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

Shot with: Polaroid 600se
on: Fuji FP-3000b.

More from the shoot soon.

Heather @BMG

2011-08-08T17:32:00.000-05:00

It was as easy as it looked.

THE Jenn.

2011-07-29T20:20:00.001-05:00

There is only one Jenn Ruppert. She is much cooler than these pictures can even express.

And she still owes me a beer.

Styling: Caitlin Peters find her HERE

Honor Flight Chicago, June 29th 2011

2011-07-20T17:53:00.002-05:00

I am going to have to start this post with words this time.

About a year ago a friend of mine sent me the link to this foundation called Honor Flight Chicago. Turns out, I was extremely excited to do anything I could to get involved. About a year later I finally got the chance to photograph a flight this June.

I cannot exactly remember what I expected. But I remembered that I was extremely excited. What I found out was that this day and night was the most emotional and humbling event I have ever witnessed.

The day started at 3:15am at Chicago's Midway airport.

My day ended at 12:00am

This was the greatest thing I have ever experienced. And I may or may have not almost cried AGAIN while putting this post together.

I would like to thank Mary from Honor Flight for putting up with my persistence

Kristopher Orr, Mitch Issel and the FIND lab for their downright flawless development and scanning of this shoot.

And mostly. I will forever be humbled by these men and women who we all sometimes forget.

If you want to donate, volunteer or in anyway be a part of Honor Flight Chicago or ANY Honor Flight

Click HERE

the end

Camera info:

Shot with Kodak Tri-x

Contax 645 w/80mm & Leica M6 w/50mm

Amy @ BMG Orlando

2011-07-07T20:13:00.000-05:00

Amy @BMG Models Orlando.
We could have shot all day.

1st Day with my Leica. One roll. 8 hours.

2011-06-28T17:44:00.004-05:00

This was what the first day with my Leica M6 & 35mm lens looked like. I wanted to document my trip from my home, to the gym, and out at night, on a Monday. This is ONE roll of film. 1 frame was a repeat and 1 frame was WAY out of focus
Film: Kodak bw400cn

Kodak Dualflex

2011-06-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

What can I say about this little camera. Well, it was cheap. My mom got it at a garage sale for $5. It takes a little bit of work to get film loaded though. First you have to buy a 620 roll on ebay for $3. Then go into a completely black room, unroll any roll of 120 film, REROLL it on the empty 620 roll and then your set!
This camera is fun and so stupidly easy to use. The only settings it has are "hazy sun"(f8)"bright sun"(f11)and "bright sun on snow or sand"(f16) and only one shutter speed 1/30th

I really like how the color film looks. (Fuji Reala)
Here's to cheap cameras!

Ray LaMontange and the Pariah Dogs.

2011-06-24T19:50:00.000-05:00

Ray LaMontange is my favorite artist in the universe. No question.
About 6 months ago I got an idea in my head that I wanted to photograph Ray LaMontange personally. So I went on a mission to figure out a way to get to shoot him. After 5 months of emailing, learning how to put myself out there and ask people I do not know and learning how far friendships really go I finally got in touch with Ray's personal manager. After a couple of emails I learned that Ray, like many photographers I know, ranks being in front of the camera at the very bottom on his "things I want to do" list.
Instead I got a photo pass and a whole lot of knowledge... Which I was very grateful for.
The photo pass was actually a pretty big deal. No one was allowed to take pictures of anything, which I found pretty amazing.
This is what the night looked like for me.
Side notes and info. - So if you ever want to shoot a show at this venue, DONT. Photographer have to be 40 rows back and off to the right, and stay in one spot. You cannot be in the front because you block peoples view. So buy front row tickets.
Camera info
Contax 654 & Leica M6
Films
Kodak Ektar 100 - Kodak Portra 400 - Fuji 800z
(The night shots were on a Leica M6 hand held! )
Scanned and Developed by North Coast Photo.

Joni.

2011-06-16T21:04:00.000-05:00

It was the darkest day I have ever shot in. Joni was without a doubt one of the most professional and fun people I have ever worked with. Sure to see more of her soon.

Home//Studio

2011-05-29T17:36:00.000-05:00

Now you know all there is to know about me.

RAW Chicago Gallery Show.

2011-05-16T21:27:00.000-05:00

Couple weeks ago I was selected to show at a RAW Chicago show at the Dana Hotel. RAW is a non-profit that works with artists in the city. Great organization.
Thanks to Richards Photo Lab for all their help with printing and the amazing flyers they provided.

Stream of Inspiration.

2011-05-16T21:03:00.000-05:00

  I came home late the other night. I drank just enough to keep me awake and have the side of brain I rarely use open up.
  I realized that the problem with shooting constantly is that the concept of a "good" picture gets compressed smaller and smaller as time goes on. I show less and less to the world what I shoot. And in return, I end up with hundreds of pictures that no one sees.
  These pictures are not amazing, or good, or even great. But they tell stories, which is what I love to do.
They inspire me to look again and again at what I consider a "good" picture.
I have started to put together lots and lots more of these.
  These are mainly from this year. Many more coming.

Test with Nicole @ BMG

2011-05-16T20:54:00.001-05:00

I finally started testing with BMG models of Chicago.
Just a simple test with Nicole who is now enjoying Milan Italy.
Good Luck Nicole!

Cover and much more for INK Magazine May Issue

2011-05-02T21:26:00.000-05:00

Much more can be found here ------> http://issuu.com/inkmag/docs/may_11
And buy the magazine in print here-------->http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/190506

Jasmine

2011-04-06T19:04:00.000-05:00

Jasmine.
Provo, UT

2011-04-01T04:10:00.011-05:00

Its hard to go on a road trip with 3 photographers. In fact, the first 6 hours of driving contained some of the best places in the country I have ever seen. We drove south from Salt lake straight down to Arizona. More small towns that I have ever been through.
As usual, the west never lets me down.

2011-03-30T14:52:00.000-05:00

Hoover Dam.
Shot with : Contax 645
Mostly Kodak Ektar 100 AND The NEW Kodak Portra 160!

2011-03-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

If you live in Chicago, and have not been here. Thats too bad for you.

I am working on formatting my pictures and trying to get a firm size for Facebook, blog and everything else. Let me know what you think.

Utah. Nevada. and A long drive home.

2011-03-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

I am still getting film back from my trip out west. This is the first time in a long time that I have been so backed up. I have been posting HERE more often than not.
Ryan Timm and Jake Morland above.

Jordan. Provo, UT

2011-03-14T04:35:00.000-05:00

So much class.

Thanks Jordan.

Jasmine. Provo, UT

2011-03-11T04:31:00.001-06:00

We have tried to shoot together for over a year. Finally.
More from this shoot coming soon.

Jasmine and Kelli. Provo, UT

2011-03-09T20:39:00.001-06:00

I still cant explain this shoot. Except that Kelli and Jasmine might be the best models I have ever worked with.
More to come.

INK Magazine March COVER!

2011-03-09T20:22:00.000-06:00

Got the great pleasure to shoot the FIRST monthly issue of INK magazine. The Magazine has been running for over 2 years and has now become a monthly magazine.
I hade a really great time working with everyone on this shoot. My home was filled with tons of great music, and lots of laughs.
This issue will be out soon. In the meantime look HERE for past and future issues.
Thanks again to John Troxel, it has been so great creating a friendship with someone who has such great vision in fashion and photography. Tori McBride, May Guthrie, Alyssa @Factor models and Viva.city.dance.

Utah. Nevada. and A long drive home.

2011-03-06T13:11:00.000-06:00

I spent some time in "the west" about a week ago. There are few places that I love more than the west. I have always been sucked in by mountains, open places, high places, places that seem to be older and wiser than us humans. I spent a week with a large group of friends and had a very memorable time.
I must say that I started this year off in a really great way. I was able to shoot with some extremely talented photographers, meet some people I only knew from a computer screen. I still have over 40 rolls of some great work yet to be developed. I am looking forward to a great new year and am forcing my work to be much better than I could have imagined.

Please check up every once and a while for some amazing work with and of:
The Hoover Dam.
Ryan Muirhead and Lianna Michelle Hartley.
Taylor Stevens
Jordan Turner.
Southern Utah and a 36 hour non-stop drive home.
and maybe a cookie or two.

Falling in love with photography again.

2011-02-18T04:56:00.001-06:00

This weekend Taylor and I shot together for probably the 5th time. I got to use my "New" Speed Graphic 4x5 camera. Nothing about a 4x5 camera is "speed" which I find funny as a title for a camera.
I fell in love with photography again shooting Taylor with this camera.
These are all instant sheet film and they are all 4"x5"! The computer you are looking at does not do these pictures justice at all.
No Photoshop or editing was done on any of these. Just straight from the lens!

Recent Out-takes

2011-02-17T04:51:00.001-06:00

Behind the scenes is always a mess.
- Ask me how happy I am about having an iPhone again! For those of you who have one, how awesome is the Hipstamatic app!

San Francisco leftovers

2011-02-16T04:36:00.006-06:00

The thing about being a 100% film shooter is where and, in this case WHEN you get your film developed. This year I am starting to use 3 different labs. 2 in LA and one in Utah. Reason being, I like the way different labs make different films, and subjects look. Problem in this case is when you get film back at different times.
There were developed at North Coast Photo in Carlsbad, CA. Great prices and I love how my black and white is developed.
This is cheap color processed "black and white" film from China. Shot on my Contax G2.

A fundraiser at a tile studio. (not for a tile studio)

2011-02-15T04:28:00.000-06:00

These were the first shots taken with my Contax G2. I've been in love ever since.

Test session with Alma.

2011-02-14T04:19:00.011-06:00

This is what a successful test session looks like.

Whoever said "the eyes are the doorway into a persons soul" must have been a photographer.

Real furniture by my parents hands.

2011-02-12T15:22:00.001-06:00

My Father recently used his amazing talents to hand craft this bookcase for Jamie and I's place. Its is a real piece of craftsmanship. Built in his home workshop and stained by my mom. It now resides in our extra room in our basement. These pictures dont really give it credit for how big it is. Its about 8' tall and 10' wide.
I have great and talented parents.

INK Magazine March Cover

2011-02-08T08:36:00.000-06:00

I recently shot the March cover for INK magazine and had a blast doing it. My living room was filled with balloons, party poppers, a 2 man band and 7 other people.
Thanks again to John Troxel and Tori McBride and everyone else who helped.

Alcatraz Island.

2011-02-07T04:46:00.003-06:00

As mentioned before I loved this island. Everything about it fascinated me to no end. I was so surprised how small it really was. The cells were no more than 5 feet wide. I always pictured the jail as this HUGE place that held thousands of the most famous prisoners ever. I was very wrong.
The day we were there we were lucky enough to have a LOT of sun coming into the prison. Even then, it was dark, and damp and cold.. You can see in the pictures that there is one row of cells in sunlight. I guess it was "the place to be" if you had to be in a cell.

The top 7 rows were shot on a contax G2 with cheap film from China, I decided not to edit any of the pictures, I liked the rawness and all the flaws.
The bottom square pictures were shot on my Rolleiflex with Kodak Tri-x 400 pushed to 1600. And developed by Richards Photo Lab. It was really dark in the prison.

My New Site.

2011-02-04T04:47:00.004-06:00

For those of you who have not clicked the link right there on left.
Here is my new website. Its clean, simple and easy. I know how much it sucks to be on someones site and find it so hard to figure out or there is too much stuff all over the place.

Thanks to my favorite artist in Chicago Emmy Star Brown for all the designing of this blog and the site.

Enjoy.

San Francisco - Part 4 - The other side of Alcatraz

2011-02-03T04:43:00.000-06:00

The National Park that is Alcatraz blew me away.
I am a huge National Park nerd and I have been to so many around the country. But this "park" is by far the most interesting.
When you think if Alcatraz you think of one thing, the prison. But what I never knew is that the island is gorgeous! The plants, the animals all with this erie and ominous backdrop of the most famous prison in the world.

Pictures of the "real" Alcatraz coming soon.

San Francisco - Part 3 - Golden Gate State Park

2011-02-02T04:18:00.001-06:00

You can spend a whole week in this park. Central Park has got NOTHING on this park!

These are from the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Gardens and random places in the park.

San Francisco Part 2 - Golden Gate Bridge

2011-02-01T04:08:00.001-06:00

The fog does some really cool and strange things to light when taking pictures.
It was a really cool experience walking across this bridge. Its just amazing.

San Francisco. Part 1 - The City. (a little of it)

2011-01-31T04:24:00.002-06:00

I have been told great things about this city. And it was everything and more! I must say this is one of this countries greatest cities. Jamie and I spent 4 days with no car and no plans. We ate, drank and walked our way through the city.

Lots of Ektar 100 and Fuji 400H shot with a Contax G2 and a Contax 645.

New Year in Algoma WI

2011-01-27T04:09:00.000-06:00

It was yet again, a great New Years eve. It involved the town of Algoma, a "taxi" driver named Todd, the thickest fog I have ever seen, an empty bowling alley, a great bartender and a lot of pictures that I already buried in the back yard.

All of these were taken with a Contax G2 35mm lens with cheap B&W Chinese film and a flash.

The forest for the trees

2011-01-24T04:26:00.006-06:00

These were taken in Algoma, WI over the new year in a deep fog.

Shot with a Mamiya rz 67 pro II on Kodak T-max.

Inna

2011-01-21T04:39:00.000-06:00

All her great film work ---->HERE.