Justin Day

A stark black background with bold white text that reads “FORCED EXPOSURE” above a simple illustration of a camera. Inside the lens is a lightning bolt. Below the camera it says: “A CHRONICLE OF UNCHOSEN MOMENTS.”

White serif text on a black background. It reads: “Every morning I roll a die. The number decides which camera I’ll carry for the entire day. A random timer lives on my phone. When it goes off, no matter where I am or what I’m doing—I stop. Unplanned. Interrupted. Unchosen.”

A minimalist cream-colored illustration of a clock face on a black background. The clock hands point to about 10:10, and the face has large cracks running through it, suggesting broken time or disruption.

A cozy mustard-yellow armchair sits in the corner of a room with gray walls and dark wood floors. On the chair are two plush mushroom dolls with brown caps, white stems, and ruffled undersides. A hanging basket with green trailing vines hangs on the left wall, casting shadows.

New project! Forced Exposure: each morning I roll a die to pick a camera. A random timer goes off, and no matter what I’m doing, I stop + take the shot. Today it went off as I brought up an old chair I’d cleaned—my first capture. Unplanned. Interrupted. Unchosen.

#photography #art #photojournal

“Things just aren’t sticking today.” A muffled voice from within the cluster. It slowly floats away. “Not ‘bad’. Just difficult to be productive in this state is all...”

Today, the knot of sticky bean-tipped goblin fingers and toes that hold all my thoughts to the wall of focus are half-zapped - quietly swelling and shrinking with breath. (Standing still as sheets of my to do list slip down the wall to the abyss.) Dazed, squeezing for some form of circulation.

A narrow gravel path curves into dense greenery beneath a rusty train trestle, rail cars rolling overhead in soft evening light.

An woman in sunglasses sits on a small stone bench under tall, leafy trees; late-day light filters through the canopy.

A child lies on their stomach in the open bed of a silver pickup, legs kicked up, watching something, probably an ipad.

Close-up of a Minolta Hi-Matic E on a desk beside a Fuji Superia X-TRA 400 roll; purple keyboard lights glow behind it. Pink text across the top: “SHOT ON THIS CAMERA…”

Random roll, cottony chaos: a gravel road under a rusty trestle; a stone bench and my partner; a truck bed turned summer entertainment nook. My Minolta caught it all—proof a touch of blur is just memory doing its job.

#MinoltaHiMaticE #35mmFilm #AnalogVibes #Superia400 #FilmPhotography #Photography

Through the Eye of a Holga — a 40-second drift through moody B&W: bison at rest, night path, bridges, a garden giant, a lonely clock. What's your fave Holga trick?

#Holga #120Film #FilmPhotography #BWFilm #Photography

If you like my work, check out my portfolio here: www.spiritcraftcollective.com

“Three bison resting in a field under an overcast sky—two adults sitting upright and a small calf stretched out asleep. Faded green meadow, fence posts dotting the mid-ground, dense trees forming a dark backdrop.”

“A single curled brown leaf in crisp focus against a softly blurred forest path that curves to the right. Dreamy, shallow depth of field with a dark shadowy band on the left edge; early-fall greens fading toward amber.”

“Arched stone footbridge over a calm pond in a leafy park. Early-autumn color just starting in the trees; soft, even light from an overcast sky. Flat stepping stones lead across the foreground toward the bridge.”

“Tall, multi-tiered fountain with bronze figures; water pours from raised hands and cascades into a wide basin. Urban backdrop with glass-and-stone buildings; low, gray sky gives the scene a moody, cinematic feel.”

Took my Fuji GW690 to Cincinnati (with some expired film) to see what it could do. Turns out it’s got a light leak, so this one is heading back to Japan.

Still, I’m smitten with the camera & will get another. I just prefer to keep the light leaks on my Holga.

#FilmPhotography #Photography #GW690

Thanks so much! :)

Greater Cincinnati, but make it Holga: portals of soft edges and enough grain to season a cast-iron skillet. Everything looks like a German horror film. I packed a light leak and a sense of occasion; the camera brought the drama. Turns out the Midwest does gothic just fine.

#Holga #FilmPhotography

It didn’t feel negative in any way to me. Pretty much like a renaissance festival but just for Vikings. I didn’t feel any bad intentions or bad vibes at all. I really enjoyed it. I’d recommend checking it out next year. :)

That’s awesome! I don’t know a whole lot about Viking ancestry. I attended because someone my partner works with put on the festival. It was fun! And I learned a few things too! :)

Celebrating 666 followers. The most metal milestone a porch-sitter like me could hit. Here I am this morning, experimenting with my hair. So on the street you won’t have to wonder if it’s me—you’ll know. Consider this my “wanted poster,” but with slightly better lighting.

#photography #selfportrait

River Valley Viking Festival at AJ Jolly Park, Kentucky: tried Viking bread—sourdough that lifts. Met some amazing people! Great art! Amanda snagged shiny necessities. Came for shields, stayed for carbs. See you next year. 🛡️🥖 #VikingFestival #CozyAdventure #Kentucky #EventPhotography #Photography

Meet Hachiyama. A dignified late-’70s sumo who never made it home.

I wrapped the camera in linen, brewed a little tea, and promised him good light and better company.

Welcome!

If you want his full story, you'll find it here: www.spiritcraftcollective.com/hachiyama

#FilmPhotography #Photography

Weekly pilgrimage to the farmers market. Came home with 2 tomatoes, 3 cucumbers, 4 bell peppers, and a suspicious amount of “other goodies.” Tortilla soup is on deck.

Snapped a few photos while the light was sweet and the watermelons were posing.

#farmersmarket #photography #streetphotography

Meet my Minolta Hi-Matic E—let’s load a roll together! 👋📷
#MinoltaHiMaticE #MinoltaLovers #FilmLoading #35mmFilm #StreetPhotography #AnalogVibes #FilmCommunity #CameraNerd #FilmCamera #FilmTips #RetroCameras #PhotographyTutorial #Photography

She had 10 min away from the grind. I took 30 seconds. That was enough. The rest was hers. She let me keep the photo but was in no mood for chatting. I respect that. I’ve had days like that. We all have.

Read the deep dive on my blog: substack.com/@lightkeeper...

#streetphotography #photography

It certainly was! I’m excited to see the film as well. We found some other oddities I did not mention yet. Some weird stuff! Stay tuned! And thanks for checking out my work! :)

Kentucky, Devou Park. Yesterday's adventure. Amanda and I took the a new path and found a rust-boned bridge and a very polite, unsupervised campfire. These are the digital frames; the film’s at the lab. More soon.

My site: www.spiritcraftcollective.com

#DevouPark #Photography #StreetPhotography

Yes! There is history of a whole life well-lived alive in them! :)

I agree. :) Thanks for checking out my work.

Ozzy, I'll remember you. Is that enough? Our paths met briefly at Devou Park's Overlook. We sat with the view. Tried to swallow it all. It's so big & time is so short. McDonald's for lunch on your last day.

#StreetPhotography #Photography #FilmPhotography

See more: www.spiritcraftcollective.com

Meet Ol’ Tater: plastic lens, big vibes. Plus some samples from my first roll! #Holga120 #AnalogPhotography #ToyCamera #Holga #Photography #filmphotography #BernheimForest

Want more lore? Get the story behind Ol' Tater on my website: www.spiritcraftcollective.com

A mountain in sweatpants. Holding down the corner—immovable. Stories folded deep in the lines. We only spoke for a moment, but he left me with the sense that some people are whole landscapes.

More at: www.spiritcraftcollective.com

#streetphotography #foundmoments #photography #b&wphotography

First roll with my Holga at Bernheim: judged by a tiny “No Fishing” sign, charmed by a forest giant with A+ toes. New Blog—free, always—on shooting this diva and what I learned. Photos + tips inside. Link below.
#Holga #FilmPhotography #BernheimForest #Photography

substack.com/@lightkeeper...

Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback! :)

Been diving into street photography—this shot’s on my site with many others. My portfolio blends images with a little ghost lore (fictional, but fun). Just enough to spice things up. Peek at www.spiritcraftcollective.com if you’re curious.

#streetphotography #spiritcraft #ghosts #photography

I’ve been quiet here, but busy building something strange and wonderful: a photo portfolio woven with fictional lore. My cameras are haunted, each with its own personality—showing up in the images. Curious? Visit www.spiritcraftcollective.com

#hauntedphotography #streetphotography #ghosts

You’re welcome! I hope your library carries it! I did have to wait in line for a couple of months to borrow this copy but it was worth it.

I agree. They always put them on her. I love it.

Agreed!!