July 25, 2016

The Moment...

Music | As the Rush Comes by Motorcycle

As I finish processing some sheet film, they are in the dryer right now, I am reminded of the days when I was learning how to develop my own film in college. The excitement that built up when pulling the reels out of the tank after the fix to see if there was an image was always there. This was the moment that brought me back to the very first time... I still get that excitement!

Before that, the anticipation came from dropping off your film to the camera or drug store. Back then, 1 week to 10 days turn around time was the norm. And black and white always took longer because maybe they hand processed those. I can remember still at the register paying for the photos I had all ready started to go thru them. 2 piles... winners and really bad ones.

I am thinking that some moments you have to pay for, whether that be monetary or with time and effort. I get not nearly the satisfaction of opening files on the computer, manipulate and save... Where is the joy? Immediacy was supposed to be a good thing, but I am just not so sure...

July 09, 2016

Being Put in My Place...

Music | Leave Me Alone by Natalie Imbruglia

In times where we expect most things to come immediately, there are things that take time, make you work and force you to have patience. It is also these things that give us the most satisfaction. My pursuit with Platinum Palladium has certainly taken time even to get to the point where I am. I have no judgement as to the speed at which I have gotten to where I am now, because I feel the learning process to be invaluable.

Yesterday, I spent a solid 8 hours learning about curves when making digital negatives. I can say I only have a remedial understanding, but know so much more than I did the other day. Manipulating the curve will be another whole new ballgame. The increments are small, but I hope to keep building the knowledge base.

July 08, 2016

Sanity, Consciousnes, Unconsciousness...

Music | Play by Funk

I know that one of the huge effects for me to be and stay creative is the health of my sanity. It may work as distraction to the realities of my life, but at this point, I roll with it. I feel positive, I have short term goals that I need to accomplish, which often feeds my endorphins to keep positive. I have in a rudimentary way, figured out how to quickly move out of creative blocks or times of getting depressed. I know that I have been on this wave for several years. I hope to continue til I move on...

Phanthia and I are back on track with working with each other again. We go on runs for several months, then more than several months of not working with each other. I've found in many matters of life, things like this just fall into place and it turns out to be a very good work flow. This time with Phanthia, it was 11 months ago since we shot last...

Without consciously thinking about details, it has occurred to me that if I let things go with the flow for the most part, things fall into place and for quite sometime, mostly in a very positive manner. I'd like to think that I've allowed my unconscious self be my guide. In any case, whether if it is my mind that is slowly decaying, which I really do think is happening, I've lately often let intuition take its course.

Yesterday, Phanthia and I went to Sauvie Island. I had scouted with Susan de Witt about 3 weeks ago and found a great trail to do some images. Of course I hadn't thought of the sheer weight of carrying about the Burke and James, besides the Majestic Tripod. Terrain is such that I wouldn't be able to use the wheeled carrier either. Quickly deciding that I wouldn't even try, I found another location, walking distance from truck to the spot where the camera would be and just easy access all the way around.


Phanthia wearing wardrobe by Elizabeth Rohloff. Sauvie Island

I find evidence in my images, my thought process after the image was taken, was often based on good decisions. The thing is, I don't make those decisions consciously. I remember the only time I made a decision about this image that I at least remember, is that I wanted to raise the camera to where the line of trees in the background didn't intersect with the top of Phanthia's head. Everything else seemed to fall into place...

No reason to try and find an answer to the way things have been going. As I said before, I'm on a great run and hope to continue...

Sanity, Consciousnes, Unconsciousness...

Music | Play by Funk

I know that one of the huge affects for me to be and stay creative is the health of my sanity. It may work as distraction to the realities of my life, but at this point, I roll with it. I feel positive, I have short term goals that I need to accomplish, which often feeds my endorphins to keep positive. I have in a rudimentary way, figured out how to quickly move out of creative blocks or times of getting depressed. I know that I have been on this wave for several years. I hope to continue til I move on...

Phanthia and I are back on track with working with each other again. We go on runs for several months, then more than several months of not working with each other. I've found in many matters of life, things like this just fall into place and it turns out to be a very good work flow. This time with Phanthia, it was 11 months ago since we shot last...

Without consciously thinking about details, it has occurred to me that if I let things go with the flow for the most part, things fall into place and for quite sometime, mostly in a very positive manner. I'd like to think that I've allowed my unconscious self be my guide. In any case, whether if it is my mind that is slowly decaying, which I really do think is happening, I've lately often let intuition take its course.

Yesterday, Phanthia and I went to Sauvie Island. I had scouted with Susan de Witt about 3 weeks ago and found a great trail to do some images. Of course I hadn't thought of the sheer weight of carrying about the Burke and James, besides the Majestic Tripod. Terrain is such that I wouldn't be able to use the wheeled carrier either. Quickly deciding that I wouldn't even try, I found another location, walking distance from truck to the spot where the camera would be and just easy access all the way around.


Phanthia wearing wardrobe by Elizabeth Rohloff. Sauvie Island

I find evidence in my images, my thought process after the image was taken, was often based on good decisions. The thing is, I don't make those decisions consciously. I remember the only time I made a decision about this image that I at least remember, is that I wanted to raise the camera to where the line of trees in the background didn't intersect with the top of Phanthia's head. Everything else seemed to fall into place...

July 01, 2016

Your Daily Photograph

Music | A Love Supreme by John Coltrane

I cannot tell you how honored I am to be a part of the Duncan Miller Gallery's, Your Daily Photograph. Once each morning, you get an email to receive the opportunity to view and purchase photographs from amazing photographers. I was selected by guest curator, Luther Gerlach. He works in various alternative methods of photography along with shooting with Ultra Large Format cameras. If you are not all ready familiar with the links above, I highly recommend you checking them out.


Your Daily Photograph, edition July 1, 2016
Irish W/ Floral Headpiece | 4x5 Platinum Palladium Print
 
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