Jasmine Somers, @JasmineDreams on Instagram, is one of thousands of theme park photographers – each capturing the wonderful worlds of themed entertainment. So, what is it that makes Somers stand out? Experience, education, a special eye and the willingness to do something new (technically something old).
Theme park photography, through the viewpoint of vintage lenses. From Soviet Era oddities to 40 year old pieces of camera equipment glass, the history and care can be seen in each shot. As time goes on the nostalgia builds. From fragmented memories of visiting Magic Kingdom to old over-exposed shots of road trips. We have fond memories of what was, and Somers is bringing them back.
Old school lenses, modern equipment
We spoke with Somers, regarding how she moved into this field, and what brought the old lenses to the modern age. She states, “When I first started learning photography back in the early 2000s, I was learning on old film SLR cameras from the 1970s. I fell in love with that vintage equipment and the results that I got from it. When I switched to modern digital cameras years later, I still wanted to keep an element of those vintage cameras in my work. I started adapting old school lenses to my DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and continued to collect and adapt even more of them.”
Where did you learn about and purchase the equipment?
“I learned about it at first in those old high school film classes, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. In recent years, I have started exploring and learning about even more rare and obscure lenses. I find out about a lot of them from online blogs, forums and by talking to other photographers who use and collect vintage gear. I basically go on a research spree when I find one I’m interested in – and usually that ends with me finding and buying one.”
Experiencing a theme park for the very first time
You seem to really love Universal Epic Universe, what is most exciting about this upcoming park?
“When I was 7 years old, Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened for the first time. I got to go to the park during its opening year. My family used to do yearly theme park vacations. I have always been a huge fan of theme parks as a result… In 1999 Universal Islands of Adventure opened at Universal Orlando Resort, and I got to experience that in its first year as well.”
“Seeing a whole brand new theme park open, and experiencing it when it’s still brand new was something that I treasured and will never forget… It’s been 25 years since l’ve had a first hand experience (at) a brand new entire theme park come to life. This time, I’m old enough to truly appreciate it and – even more exciting – to document it in my own unique way!”
“(Universal) Epic Universe is going to be home to some of my long-time favorite properties, from growing up reading ‘Harry Potter’ books, to playing Super Mario games my whole life, to the Universal Monsters of Dark Universe which I absolutely adore… It’s going to be a truly out-of-body experience when I get to step into it and experience it for myself.”
From Canada’s Wonderland to the Canada Pavilion at Epcot
Do you have a favorite photo, or perhaps a favorite place to capture photos?
“Oh that’s a tough one. My favorites are always changing. This might sound cheesy to say, but I often feel like my most recent photos are my favorite photos. I always feel really proud when I capture something new and love the outcome. Or, when I capture something that l’ve photographed a hundred times, but do so in a new and exciting way and reveal a new perspective on it… I’ve been spending most of my time in the Wizarding World (of Harry Potter). It’s definitely a regular favorite of mine, because there are so many details in there. I always feel like I see and experience something new when I’m in those parts of the parks.”
How much equipment do you normally take with you on a park visit?
“Way too much! It’s funny because I told myself that I’d only take one lens per day when I first started photographing the parks seriously, but that idea didn’t last long. I usually have at least one extra lens on me (but sometimes up to 3), as well as a tripod or monopod if I’m planning to stay after dark. I also bring multiple pre-charged camera batteries, and a rain protector of some kind. You truly never know when it’s going to rain in Florida and I refuse to let that stop me.”
Vintage lenses for theme park photography
What is the oddest, most unique and most expensive piece you use?
“The oddest lens is definitely an old Soviet 16mm film projector lens I have, called the PO-109-1A. That was converted into a one-of-a-kind tilt-shift lens. Instead of having traditional dials to focus and set tilt-shift settings, this lens is simply in a sort of accordion tube, so it can move, tilt and focus in way more directions and ways than any traditional lens I’ve ever used. But it’s really hard to work with.”
“My most unique lens as far as unusual qualities is probably that PO-109-1A mentioned above. But if we’re talking about unique results, I’d probably say my 18mm Spiratone wide angle lens. It’s not a popular or coveted lens by any means… and that’s why I love it. I think there are a lot of old lenses out there that have been overlooked and undervalued over the years, and I often hunt for those.”
“This one is not as easy to find as it once was unfortunately. Because, Spiratone isn’t a respected lens manufacturer. But many don’t realize that this particular Spiratone lens was actually manufactured by Sigma, a company which is a very well respected lens manufacturer even to this day. I feel like this is one of my most unique lenses because it has a lot of glass elements – 12 pieces of glass where the average for modern lenses is 4-9.”
“The number of lenses combined with the lens’ specific build leads to a really unique, dramatic, and often flare-filled perspective. If you google this lens, you will see people listing way more cons than pros, and many reasons not to get or use one of them. I think that is sadly why there seems to be fairly few of them left in circulation. But those same weird quirks are the exact reason why I love it so much.”
Making old, new again
“My most expensive lens is definitely my Helios-40 lens. This is a very well known and coveted Soviet lens. An 85mm focal length, this lens is really popular for portraiture. It has a beautiful effect when you take portraits with certain settings that can make it look like the background is spinning or swirling around the subject. Not to mention, the unique color tones, soft edges, and overall dreamy feel that this lens produces.”
“The price of this lens depends on what condition the one you’re looking at is in, but they average from $400 – $1600 depending on the condition. But I have seen some truly impressive, nearly untouched copies of this lens go for up to $3500. I won’t say what I spent on my copy, but I will say it was in near-mint condition and came in its original leather case with the original Russian paperwork and manual. It’s fair to say that I only take this lens out on days when I’m sure it’s going to be perfect weather.”
Vintage photography for a modern day park – Universal Epic Universe
Somers states that her goal is to make it onto the media list for the Universal Orlando Resort, waiting for the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe. As this mega theme park is preparing to open, all eyes are on this new location. The park will have lands based on Nintendo properties, the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Classic Monsters and more.
We have spoken on Universal’s big reveals for this park. With about 16 months till opening, the company is hard at work to make a picturesque new landscape. If you want to stay up to date on this park, join our Facebook Group.
Pursuing passion with vintage photography
Somers is modernizing older lenses with new equipment. While we love the photos of an iPhone, old school lenses create photos you can “feel.” You can follow Somers (and join her cause of tagging the Universal Orlando Resort) on her Instagram account. Or, check out a portfolio of shots with different lenses and locations.
Speaking of vintage, we went to the Blockbuster Experience. This throwback store offers 15,000+ movies, photo-ops and your favorite Disney comfort films on VHS.
