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Another 365 Photos

posted Feb 26, 2026 by Tom Fasano

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Last year I began taking photos every day and posting them to a gallery. I skipped a lot of days because I didn’t see anything interesting to take a snapshot of. You can find the 2025 gallery here. I have a new another gallery for 2026 going. And now that we’re two months into the new year, it looks like I’m going to keep with it.

I began taking photographs in earnest about thirty years ago. For most of that time I kept to Flickr and was content there. In recent years I’ve found myself leaving the fancy cameras at home and simply taking pictures of whatever turns up along my walks. Most days I use my iPhone. Sometimes I bring along a little toy Kodak camera. Nothing special.

I’ll be turning seventy this year, and I’ve come to see that it isn’t about the equipment. I don’t much care about the gear anymore. What matters now is the walk itself.

KODAK Charmera Camera – a Few Pics and a Video

posted Jan 6, 2026 by Tom Fasano

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Yesterday I went for a walk for the first time with my new toy camera and discovered that the Charmera takes somewhat decent video in the sense that it achieves a low-res aesthetic.

The pictures are okay if you frame it right with decent light. I snapped this at Starbucks while waiting for a cup of coffee.

I thought these signs looked interesting. I like where the camera placed the date stamp.

Retro Vibes in My Palm: Playing with the KODAK Charmera Camera

posted Jan 3, 2026 by Tom Fasano

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I recently got my hands on the KODAK Charmera, and honestly, it’s the most “fun” I’ve had with a camera in a long time. It’s a tiny digital keychain camera inspired by the 1987 Kodak Fling (the world’s first single-use camera), and it really leans into that “point-and-shoot” simplicity.

Part of the charm is the mystery—the Charmera comes in a blind box. There are six retro designs, plus a “Secret Edition” with a transparent shell. I was hoping for the classic 1987 yellow-and-rainbow look, but honestly, every version nails that 80s/90s aesthetic. I ended up with the blue one, and I’m happy with it.

Despite being about the size of a matchbox, it’s a fully functional digital camera. It shoots 1.6MP photos and 1440×1080 video. Now, don’t expect 4K clarity here—the whole point is the “imperfect” look. It has a fixed lens and a tiny LCD screen on the back that reminds me of the early digital era.

I took it for a spin around the house, and of course, I had to test it on the Christmas tree. I captured a short clip of the tree lights. Because the camera has that distinct 30fps “jerkiness” and a 4:3 ratio, the footage looks like an old home movie from thirty years ago. The way the lights bloom on the lens gives it a warm, fuzzy glow that my iPhone just can’t replicate.

The Charmera isn’t about professional specs; it’s about the feeling of a “captured moment.” It’s grainy, it’s a bit blurry, and it has that classic orange date stamp (optional) in the corner—and that’s exactly why I love it. It turns a snapshot of my Olympia SM3 into a piece of digital nostalgia.

A Phomemo thermal print

Front side of the enclosed brochure

Back side of the brochure

Spring and JVC’s Photo Advice

posted Apr 7, 2025 by Tom Fasano

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Shot of the snow on the mountains from the back parking lot of a grocery store.

Sandy inserting herself into the ceramic display

More of the show

Local side yard art I discovered on my daily walk

What’s left of the foundation of a former aviation museum

Beautiful African Iris along sidewalk

My Life (So Far) as a Street Photographer

posted Sep 10, 2024 by Tom Fasano

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Snapshot taken on a beautiful autumn day a few years ago

Side-note: I had carpal tunnel release surgery not long ago, and while the pain’s still hanging around, I’m starting hand therapy today. That ought to ease things up a bit. Funny enough, typing’s not much of an issue—it’s writing longhand that’s the real challenge right now. It seems like pens are giving me more trouble than keyboards.

Tree-Lined Alleyway

posted Oct 10, 2023 by Tom Fasano

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One of my favorite alleys to stroll

The panoramic image captures a quiet, tree-lined alleyway. Dominating the foreground is a unique, circular brick building with a weathered facade and a black-shingled roof, hinting at its age and history. The structure is surrounded by a patch of shrubbery marked off with bright green posts. To the left, a white truck is parked outside a pale green building. The narrow road, paved with patches of wear and tear, stretches into the distance, bordered by trees that cast dappled shadows on the ground. It’s a scene that evokes a sense of solitude and a bygone era, despite the presence of modern elements.

My Most Popular Film Photograph: Help Wanted

posted Oct 6, 2023 by Tom Fasano

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So far, it’s my most popular photo on Lomography.
 
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Ginkgo Tree Turning Colors

posted Sep 30, 2023 by Tom Fasano

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Yesterday I spotted this little ginkgo tree turning yellow — pretty early in the season. December is our autumn here in Southern California, the time when the leaves turn. It’s rare to see any color at all in September.