May 10, 2017

Providence

Music | All Things by The Cinematic Orchestra

My life changed dramatically as of a year ago, yesterday. Actually, it may have been a week before yesterday as my eyes had laid upon the sights of a woman who I did not know how to approach during a gathering. It just so happened that I decided to go to this gathering, one I had not attended for close to a year just to get out. No doubt I would be attending again the following week, just so I could at least see this woman again...

Fast forward to a week later, there she was, again. As I often do, I find my out of the way corner, sit and observe, say hello to the people I know, sit quietly otherwise. Similar to the week before, this woman is social, having at least one conversation going on at a time leaving me no open doors to say... something.

Luck seemed to be on my side, as I didn't have to get out of my comfort zone to fumble words together and introduce myself to her. My little "angel" without any prompting, came over to me with this woman and did the introductions for me. We spent most of the rest of the evening together and talked.

Since then, many adventures, firsts, lovely experiences, lots of time, Vicky and I have been side by side. Our relationship became exclusive later in August and there we stand today.

I can unequivocally say that my life has changed in more ways than I could imagine. The word happy has entered many conversations with people I have known and have known me for many years. Life has been good and now has blossomed into a life I did not know could exist. I am a lucky man and in the midst of the moment, I know it.

March 02, 2017

New Era...

Music | A Laugh for Rory | Rahsaan Roland Kirk

I got back from a trip to Japan and the jet lag really affected me. I was easily up til 3 or 4 a.m. I decided to be productive and print in the darkroom. I fondly remember that time as I knew at that moment I was in a special place. I'd start my sessions around 10 or 11 at night and go on til 6 a.m. I lived in a coach house, my own building with no neighbors to bother with noise. I had my music going and printing or proessing film for 3 or 4 days straight. I could easily work through the early morning with no distractions. Every second counted.

What I remember most about that moment was how lost I became in what I was doing. Granted, this was 1990; There was no texting or iphones, no checking in on facebook. Yet, I remember how totally free I felt to get immersed in the work. There is a magical ideal I always had of being an artist and creating while the rest of the world slept. I was there, in my own fantasy.

I am a bit older now, way older. I feel a bit wiser and knowing. Much less energy, but I am in the midst of being in that special place again. Working on chemical prints with Coltrane playing in the background, wiping down my wet hands from a washing print.

I am down in my workshop, not quite in the midst of the early morning hours, but that feeling of getting lost in the work. Times travels way to fast. I'm working on some prints for an upcoming exhibition, still searching and refining a printing process I only vaguely know. I have to reach the level of comfort when showing these images. Only 2 months away, but I am confident to achieve the goal. I'm certain I will look back to right now, and have a nice sense of nostalgia.

February 19, 2017

Progressions and Movement

Music | Threads by David Ware

A day of accomplishment! Yesterday was good having processed more film and finally getting to make a start at printing, but also, I felt a little disappointed in not being able to get an acceptable print.

Today, lots of errands completed, I got another start with some advice from a master printer, Ray Bidegain. He has helped my in the past with technical problems and he came through again. Since Platinum Palladium printing is still new to me. I have not figured out how to read the prints thru the process. Dry down is much more significant than what I am accustomed to. More difficult is to change my thought structure in working with a dynamic range that I am not entirely familiar with either. It appears that it takes me to ponder finesse changes in a print for several days. However, I do know a bad print when I see one...

Todays printing session started off in the right direction and those finesse changes seemed to come much quicker. I managed to make 3 prints of 2 images that could be in the exhibition. I'm feeling quite elated...


Detail 8x10 Platinum Palladium pour of Contessa


8x10 Platinum Palladium pour of Stephanie

The Platinum Palladium pour is so exciting to me. I won't ever get tired suddenly seeing a latent image come up. With my music in the background, an expresso or whiskey nearby, I'm finishing my session on a high note!




February 17, 2017

1st Step

Music | Firesuite by The Doves

It has been way too long since I've been down in the workshop to make some prints. Earlier this week, I processed two batches of 8x10 and my 3rd earlier today. I've had a fresh batch of chemicals so I decided to try a few test prints tonite. I'm really hoping for an encouraging evening with some positive results. My confidence could really use it. But in any case, it has been a very good day and early evening. I'm feeling creative and productive.


8x10 Negatives, Françoise Weeks and Stephanie

February 14, 2017

What Keeps Me Sane

Music | It's Good to Be in Love by Frou Frou

Two shoots in 2 days. 8x10 film and it feels so good! Shot digital for good measure as well. Having intension and purpose and getting things done is what I have craved for months. Best of all, success!


Stephanie wearing Floral Accoutrements by Françoise Weeks


Ella

January 19, 2017

Moving Forward via History

Music : Calling You by Jevetta Steele

Getting back into hifi, I have certain ideas in my head of what I'd like to recreate, along with delving deeper into this returning passion of mine. There is a ton of new technologies that I have not kept up with and being out of the playground for close to 20 years, there is a lot to catch up with.

I'm wanting to both take advantage of the digital aspect and also recreate the tone and mood of listening to a component system I had in the past. I'm one who is still physically connected to loading film in a camera or adjusting carburetors. In that same vein, I enjoy placing the tone arm on a record and even loading a cd in the player and making adjustments to bass and treble.

Through this process, I hope to hone a sharper, more clear and concise ear bringing back the history of my past listening experiences and also moving forward with the technologies.

January 04, 2017

Revived Passions

Music | Better by Regina Spektor

Music has always been a passion from as far back as I can remember. With the advent of smaller, more, smaller, more, the way we listen to music has changed dramatically and thus I think, the quality of the experience lessens. I've got a nice set of computer speakers when I switched and transitioned most of my CD's to mp3. Got the mandatory ipod and earphones and headphones. I got to listen to a reasonable facsimile of my entire library pretty much anywhere I wanted - at home, my car, on a walk or the bike.

I read an article about a a listening bar in London, where the central theme of the place was the music. Turn off your phones and keep your mouth to yourself. I loved the idea of going back to the very basic idea of music. Let it take you to another place, without it being relegated to the background.

I started scouring the Craigslist ads and noticed the prices for gear was a lot less than I initially thought. I still couldn't afford a nice analogue amp or receiver, but found others that was. I ended up finding the receiver and cd player from the same guy and a day later, bought his speakers as well.


Harman Kardon

So exited to have the components system, I immediately set them up and put on, A Love Supreme. I ended up sitting thru the entire CD with only the music playing with my eyes closed. I have found myself doing this often, falling into the spell of which music was intended.

A few friends noticed my renewed passion of HiFi and one offered up an early 1960's Trio (which later became Kewnwood) tube receiver. It needs a little massaging, but in immaculate looking shape. The 38 lbs.+ beast will hopefully be adorned with a nice turntable and some nice vintage Klipsch speakers. That is the idea...


1961 Trio Receiver
 
-- --