Chicago...

Music | Basique by Little People

Just got back from Chicago. The city becomes even more amazing when you go back and go thru your existence as you did from your memories. The weather is a typical day of coolness, a bit of a bite in the air. Colours of the trees were starting to change. Nothing like Chicago in autumn.

On this great visit, I met up with a gent I haven't seen in close to 30 years, another 2 that I haven't seen in over 15. As time flies by, my relationships with people start to have more meaning, with the time of shared paths of our past. I guess this is what happens when you get older. I can see now where wisdom starts to set in, at least in respect to some things...

I revisited old haunts and discovered new ones. I tasted the ambrosia from when I was a child, teen and thru my time up until I left Chicago over 13 years ago. Eyes of the city thru the CTA was magnified - it's a great way to get to know the neighborhoods and some nuances if you look.

I've had my visits back to Chicago often over the years, but this one, my shortest stay has had a big effect on me. I'm still sorting out why. One thing for sure... I am older and the city has changed, perspectives have changed, but I still think of it as my city.


Skyline from Lincoln Park




Jackson St.


Cermak St. Bridge over the Chicago River



The Loop

G.G.

Music | In the Waiting Line by Zero 7

It has been a difficult 2 weeks to get sitters to come to the North Light Studio, aka the dining room, side yard and now the living room. I got blown off 3 times during that time, but did manage to get 4 portraits in. It is important that I keep working at getting better and figure out the things that will make me a better photographer/wet plate collodionist.

Today was a great afternoon. I got my long time muse, G.G. to come and sit for me. As usual, we had a great shoot, pushing some boundaries. Even though we've known each other and have worked together for close to 10 years, it is great that we haven't stayed stagnant and able to move forward.

Lately, I've limited my shooting to 2 to 4 plates per session. So long as I know I have one piece that I am happy with, I shut it down. Today, we started out with a great shot, but we kept going, working and building to an end result we both wanted to achieve. In order to get there, we knew it was a building process. I ended up shooting a total of 7 plates in 3 1/2 hours. By far, that has also been the longest session I've worked through and it was really satisfying. Of the 7 plates, I am happy with 5.

Saddened and Amazed at the Fact Time can Travel so Damned Quickly...

Music | Mad World by Alex Parks

There are some people who are always kids, children in the minds eye. Kids of friends, friends of your kids... Suddenly a decade goes by and in a matter of seconds, you realize you've just gone thru a time warp.

Cole is a prime example of how time travel is possible. I can only remember vague recollections of her playing violin and seeing a 10 year old stopping by her Mom's café with her older brother.

Fast Forward...

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...

Music | Triumphant by Royksopp

North Light Studio has been in full swing since Thursday and will be for the next week. In the last 3 days, I've managed 3 shoots, one commissioned and the plates are looking good. Repetition is a great way to fine tune and learn the process. I can learn from my mistakes and hopefully not make them again in the future.


Nej


Tony


Dara

Aesthetics, Respect and Days Gone By...

Music | Porecelain by Moby

Remember as a kid, going thru family photos, either thru albums or boxes of loose prints? Remember going to museums and looking at actual art pieces, sculptures, paintings and photographs? Having seen images thru magazines or books, then seeing the actual work was just so much better! I realize the tides are changing and viewing art electronically has become the default.

In these times, I wonder if the painter is painting with the end result being on the screen as their main intention. I guess if so, they could paint with the computer, lose the feeling of dabbing brush into paint, then onto canvas. Command Z for mistakes and just as easily change colour with the press of a button. Of course I know the answer to my question. Painters are painters and they do what they do because they have to. What true painter would forgo the subtleties of pressure, feathering and all the techniques they have learned over the years?

With photography, I realize the end result is not always the print. Not that tangible object that you can hold in your hand and feel, study, look and think upon as an object of desire in itself. The camera phone, android, iphone has made things where we no longer even think about the photographic print.  I'm just as bad as the next, shooting photos with instagram and posting for the world to see. I get my pats on the back and hope my number of comments and likes increase...

The electronic and digital age we live in has managed to devalue many aspects of our lives. It has also stripped away man's view of aesthetics. Now, we have access to everything, in overt abundance where more people are capable of doing more bad things and compare themselves to those who have worked hard and paid their dues to reach where they are. But since we live in a "Good Enough" society, only those that have been able to keep a smidgen of aesthetics can see a difference.

55

Music | Everloving by Moby

While working with a new model, I got the chance to shoot some Polaroid Type 55 film that Tom Moratto sent me. Of course that film has been gone since 2008, but if you can manage to find it, you can buy a box of 20 sheets for upwards of $200. Tom had sold all of his 4x5 equipment and gave me the sheets he had left.

I loved going thru the motions of loading that film, delicately sliding it into the holder and even more gently, pulling up the cover to enable exposure to the film. Memories of using that film to check composition, lighting ratios and the general look of your scene brought on a great nostolgia. Besides enjoying the moment, I felt history sliding thru the rollers of the holder as it meshed chemicals to film to process the instant photo...

Nej Rose

It is no wonder I love Wet Plate... the closest procedure to get that instant photo again...

Out of the Comfort Zone

Music | Shh by Frou Frou

Not a planned for today, but it appears Brandon was as wired to shoot as I was. I had mentioned wanting to shoot at Peninsula Park and he was ready to go. I was thinking it would be nice to have 2 shooters as one watched over gear while the other prepped to shoot.

This was a good exercise for me as I hadn't shot out in the field with wet plates in over a year. I made the mistake of forgetting my dark cloth and loupe. Brandon brought along his dark room tent that we shared. It was nice and refreshing being outside, under a lot of shade which was good. The temps rose close to 90º.

I don't think either of us however became too inspired. I managed to shoot only 3 plates and only one of those was worthy. I went thru 6 plates as my collodion started to thicken. I then realized I should have some alcohol available to cure the issue.

I have come to the realization that I should be much more consistent when working under more controlled circumstances. So many things can go wrong as it is, but on location that becomes ten fold. Working at the studio, in a real darkroom, controlled lighting and temperatures should make the process easy... hmmmmm... what am I doing wrong...


Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Don't Be Afraid of Light...

Music | Hear Me Out by Frou Frou

... or the lack of it. It was awhile since I shot in a nice hotel. We were at the Governor's in a gorgeous and large room. The building has to be over 100 years old, but kept up very nicely. Light thru the window was a bit sparse as the view out of it was other windows of other rooms. Between my lights and the room lights, there is no way to get a feel as to how the room looks in its natural state. As we finished up our last shot, I started to turn the lights off and noticed the fabulous light coming thru the window taking over the space. The lone chair sat where it is in the photo and I just kept telling myself not to be afraid of the lack of light. Shadows are a good thing. My client had the perfect garb for the shot and naturally lounged on the chair...

Your Way or the Highway...

Music | Minor Seventh Heaven by Oscar Pettiford



Strobed and shot on location at a rental studio of Pam and Nick.


I have to remember that I don't have this beast under control like I do otherwise. Wet Plate Collodion demands respect, or it will spit you out and stomp all over you. It took me several plates to get into the groove and I just have to remember to take deep breathes and relax, just like I ask my subjects.

Shooting several hundred photos during a digital shoot makes the process easy. Time, effort and costs are minimal and with so many to choose from, there is bound to be a few nice selections. This day, we shot 9 exposures during our time together. It wasn't until the 3rd plate that I started to feel comfortable. This was the 4th plate and I think it was the plate of the afternoon.

There is no resting on one's laurels when shooting wet plates. Not for me at least. The only laurels I have is my past work, and only the good stuff I show. I do love that each time I go out and shoot, I have to be in that mode, that groove to be able to produce. It takes effort and thought. It forces me to work! In the end, if I meet my end of the bargain, I'll get nice plate.

Studio, aka One Car Garage...

Music | All at Sea by Jamie Cullum

It has been almost a month since I did my last shoot. It's nice to get back into the saddle and make a nice piece of work. G.G. has been a muse for me for years and there hasn't been a time where we didn't come out with something nice.

Today I set up the garage as a studio, background, strobe, reflector and camera. There was plenty of room to work and actually, the surroundings of hanging bicycles, lawn mower, rakes and such sort of disappeared with only the model light illuminating the set. I'm realizing I really don't need a lot of space to work my portraits and still life.

Today was more of a test to make sure all my chemicals were in order. I knew my existing collodion was going to be slow because of age. It was nice to make a comparison with the old and new... about a stop and a 1/2 difference! Having this reference point is comforting and brings on confidence. I hope to shoot a lot in the next few weeks.

I had the results I needed from 3 plates, but we pushed forward and shot a few more. I'm glad we did because this is what came out with the last one...

Hang Your Own Work..

Music | Flite by The Cinematic Orchestra

It is nice to know that my printer is actually sustaining itself and putting a little money in my pocket. Actually it is just going to get more materials for me to keep shooting, but that is good too!

One of my clients saw some of my food wet plates I shot late last year and the early part of this year. I was happy that she ordered 2 prints, possibly 3 prints a bit larger than I have sold in the past, and framed. Since putting up the show at Sesso, and also helping a friend hang her show, I was feeling confident in finding the right size frame and style. I often go simple and use black metal with a mat with coverage around the actual image. My client couldn't decide weather a dark brown wood or black frame would be best, so I presented her with both. Of course she went with my standard black frame, which left me with the brown. I printed up an image of a squash to put in it and it turned out looking amazing. Holding it in my hands leaves my perspective of it, limited. However, hanging it on the wall just transformed the piece.

It is kind of sad when a photographer gets this feeling so rarely as I do... My photo suddenly was a work of art. In all my sincerity, I was very proud at what I created and seeing it as art, or a perspective that was a bit foreign to me was astounding.

Cannon

Music | Out of This World by John Coltrane

My stunning God Daughter...

The Day After

Music | Time is the Enemy by Quantic

My first solo exhibition opening was a fabulous success. Not only did a fair number of familiar faces show up, there were tons more that came I didn't know. The unofficial count was a bit over 100. The art work was nicely hung, the food was impressively good and the crowd very interesting and interested.

I didn't get to see my work on the walls until mere minutes before the doors opened. Surprisingly, I was fairly calm, though traffic jams delayed my original entrance 45 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised to see all 20 pieces nicely mounted and spaced. Honestly, I wouldn't have changed a thing. As the doors opened at 6, a slow steady stream of people started to enter. I was fortunate enough to have my good friend Sherri with me to be keep me grounded. As the place started to fill up, I was told I should start to mingle. I quickly found it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. Most of the questions was about the process and what I had planned to do beyond the show. Only with a few folks that I had known did questions come up about philosophies and involved art speak.

Since the setting of the show is actually a night club, it was natural to have the after party right there. The transition went easily as a lot of friends stayed. Only the music changed and the alcohol poured a bit freer.

Tic Tic Tic

Music | Chelsea Bridge by Billy Strayhorn

Plates and prints are done. Matting and framing, descriptions, pricing, done. Yesterday at 5:30, I rolled my box of artwork into Sesso, set them up on a lit table for the committee to see. As I pulled images out 2 at a time, under the lights, I was feeling really good about myself. I thought in advance that I needed to be aware of how I felt as I presented the images. It is going to be a good show!

Stress Begins... Now!

Music | Passion by Nightmares on Wax

I had my last photo shoot today for the Sesso Exhibition. This was a great transition going into phase 2 of getting my first solo show complete. Having only met once with Sophia over coffee, and the fact that she wanted an escort to come with her for the shoot, I wasn't sure how it would go... Turns out I got some great photos with a subject that wasn't photographed in a professional manner before. I shot 4 plates and frankly, I could use any of them.

I picked up frames today from Ray Bidegain, who is lending me 15) 11 x 14 inch black metal. The cut mats I picked up yesterday look fabulous. Just placing a few plates in for positioning transforms the delicate image covered bare piece of metal into a very nice presentation of a work of art. I'm really happy how it is all coming together.

I just moments ago selected the final 20 images. I just have to decide what will be presented as prints and what will be as plates. I'm thinking 5 and 15 are good numbers. I don't foresee any issues with the final matting and framing. Monday is the big day where I drop my work off...

Music | Fidelity by Regina Spektor

Less than a week to go before I have to turn all the pieces to Sesso. As time thins, my actions will become more acute and I'll see where I stand. I've got one more shoot planned for tomorrow and I've been feeling good at what I've accomplished.

Not only has there been a lot of photography, I managed to get back my, www.eriomishima.com domain, as well as getting www.kenjiphotographie.com. I also got some nice little moo cards to hand out during the show. I'll have to work on getting that website up, which will consist of a simple gallery of pertinent images, ready to sell as well.

Upon picking up some mats for the plates, I asked the gallery owner where the frames shop was, what I would need to do to submit work for a possible show. Turns out she had all ready thought about it and offered me a solo show next year, but also a shared show with another photographer in July... I'm not sure if I can get together more frames and mats for July, but that is something I'll be looking into in the next few days.

More updates forthcoming...

Solo

Music | Lets Go by Frou Frou

As the music title states, Lets Go! Through a variety of happenstance, luck, good people looking out for me, I got the opportunity to have my first solo exhibition. Club Sesso, a unique nightclub here in Portland follows the 1st Thursday tradition of hosting an opening of new art work in their lavish space. Apparently, the original artists had some difficulty and wouldn't be able to show his work. With only 1 month notice, my name came up coinciding with the sudden new opportunity. Julie, a model who came thru the studio in February to be photographed had been showing off some of my work that we created together. Along with my website, key members of the gallery committee at Club Sesso, I was offered the month of June to show my work...

To make things even more difficult, I decided to shoot all new work within the month of May, with all of the work based on Wet Plate Collodion. Though I have a vast archive of digital erotic photography, I didn't want to waste this opportunity to show what I am now passionate about. I need to come up with 20 pieces by the end of the month. I'm happy to say I've gotten off to a good start with 3 images in the box. Both plates and prints will be shown.

The hardest part I can all ready tell is keeping the new images under wraps until the exhibition opens. Only a few number of people will be getting peaks at the work, and no one will see them in their entirety until the show is hanging.

Virtuous Patience

Music | On the Radio by Regina Spektor

It never has been easy for me to ask someone to sit for a portrait session. I don't know why that is. It was even more so a problem in the past. I know for the longest time, I seemed to rush thru my sittings, as if my subject matter had better things to do during my scurrying around trying to figure out what it was I was trying to do.

Over the years, I've come to realize that people who sit when asked and they are there in front of my camera are there because they want to be. I'm not so tense as I used to be, but I do still have issues asking.

I've known Ann for over 10 years I think. She once came to my rescue back, early in the decade when she had a café named, Madrona Hill. She let me set up shop there for 2 days and allowed me photograph her customers. Some of them I knew, most I did not. During the deep rut I was in, I forced myself thru this project which sort of jump started my re evaluation as to where I wanted to go with photography. Ironically, for some reason, I don't think I photographed Ann at that time. I don't know why...

Ann sold the business shortly after that and moved on with her life. It was infrequent when we saw each other, but on occasions, thru gatherings, we are able to spend a few hours catching up, always great times with friends, wearing sarongs, dancing, making pasta... We are and can be a strange group...

So, over 10 years in the making, I finally got my opportunity to formally photograph Ann.

Sad News...

Music | Dry by Carley Baer Fuji Film Price Increase is surely another big notice that film photography days are numbered. It is times like this where I wish I had a stash of cash to buy out a few cases of film...

Ian Ruhter

One of the most inspiring pieces involving Wet Plate Collodion. To see what Ian is doing with Wet Plates puts to shame any possible reason I come up with not to shoot a Wet Plate everyday, under any circumstance.

Portraits of March

Music | Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap


Click HERE for Gallery

The fruit of my beloved labor during a 2 week span in March...

The little North Light Studio, aka the dining room and the bathroom which conveniently converts into a makeshift darkroom works quite well.

With the exception of Dara, I wanted to make sure I photographed only new people for this series. No one had sat in a formal setting for me before, though these subjects are mostly all my friends. I have my favorites, my muses, but I wanted to step out of a comfort zone. And though I know these people, very interesting and people I have respect for, I wanted to see what I could get away with, what I could do to manipulate the person, the image.

I think because I know these subjects, I wasn't pushing as much as I thought I would. I was able to get exactly what I wanted with some, but for the most part, my usual way, my philosophic idea of taking a portrait took over. I am more a voyeur, giving instructions, but allowing the subject to have room to open up an be themselves. For whatever reason, I felt like I couldn't push with some and with others, only minutely.

I'll have this experience in the back of my mind for the next few sessions I'm sure. I won't think too much about it as long as I keep coming up with what I deem as strong work.

The Payoff

Music | Lay Your Head Down by Keren Ann

Fingers black stained of silver...



Black Stained Fingers

mixing more batches of developer than I thought I would, actually varnishing plates shortly after washing, scanning, correcting, printing, then back to my fingers again, using them to put the final stamp on the back of the prints for delivering.


hanko

It isn't over yet. I've got 2 more days and at least that many more sessions to shoot. It has been a great 2 weeks. Every time I go through this process, I gain just a little more knowledge and confidence.

Nothing but portraits this time around.


a few of the portraits...

Photographers

Music | Name Taken by Massive Attack

For this series, I was fortunate enough to photograph 2 photographers whom I hold esteem to in high regards. Both are older than I, have much more experience in the world of photography, and put out amazing work.

Dennis Purdy, I've known for maybe the last 4 years through introductions from a large format group that used to meet once a month in Portland. His artistic vision is far beyond my own, but within the grasp of my own imagination - Meaning, his work, though on a higher plateau than I am accustomed to, I still get it. There is sincerity and honestly in what he tries to accomplish that makes it accessible.

I've known of Jamie Bosworth for almost as long as I have been living here in Portland. After being introduced to the photography community, Jamie's name was always passed around as being one of the finest journalistic photographers in the city. Paying great attention to detail of her weddings, she captures truth and beauty on a consistent basis with the sensitivity only a journalist has.


Dennis


Jamie

Both Dennis and Jamie will die with cameras in hand. Always shooting and creating is what I hope to emulate from these 2, as great examples to follow.

1000

Music | Travel in Time by Kate Havnevik

I had posted on my Facebook account that I had hit for the cycle yesterday, meaning I went 4 for 4 with my portrait session with Shannon - each shot progressively better than the last. I wasn't sure what to expect from this session, as it was mentioned to me that she doesn't like being in front of the camera. So I put undo pressure on myself when she agreed...

After the 1st photo was shot and processed, and it looked beautiful, I had a great sigh of relief, especially after sensing that Shannon too liked the photo. If we managed not to shoot anything else, I was all ready happy. The culmination of the hour we spent came to this fabulous portrait...

Beginnings

Music | Can't Take it In by Imogen Heap

I've begun my push within my time constraints to get as much work as I can get done. Just under 2 weeks where the dining room of the house turns into a studio and the bathroom turns into a darkroom. I ended up creating a few epic pieces that I really liked the last time I did this, so I'm hoping to just keep that flow going this time around.

We're almost all ready in the middle of March and I'm hoping that we have a real spring and summer this year. Though I do enjoy shooting indoors with the strobes, I'm again looking forward to getting back to the outdoor studio along with getting some location shoots in as well.

Today, the second day into my project, I knew I needed to get some plates shot to decipher whether or not my chemicals were usable or not. It was nice to nail the 2nd plate for exposure and get 3 out of 4 usable plates. Tomorrow I continue and shoot another portrait.

I've got tomorrow lined up for another portrait, and a few days next week as well. As with one of my early wet plate projects, the shoot with the floral head pieces and Cain, I'm feeling good about this project. Though it is much less structured, so long as I keep shooting and pushing myself, I'm feeling good.

Exhibition at the Artist Repertory Theatre

Music | Star Eyes by Bill Evans

I had roughly a week to put together images for submission to a group show that would accompany a David Mamet written play, Race. The venue would be at the Artist Repertory Theatre, brought together by the Open Door Gallery. This would be one of the biggest shows I would be a part of, so I was quite excited to try and be a part of it.

Though I didn't have all the necessary incidentals for presentation, I had determined I'd get it done no matter what. Fortunately, my photo gods fell into place and I picked up a few commissions to purchase frames, glass, mattes and boards. With an hour to spare, I promptly dropped off my work. Unfortunately, I didn't write a bio or description of my work and how it pertained to the show itself. That evening, I wrote the following...

Ted Mishima - Photographer. Studied at University of Illinois at Chicago. Lives in Portland, Oregon. Divorced. From Chicago, Illinois. Born on December 10

Since taking up photography seriously in the early 80's, photographs of people have always interested me. Being able to capture a moment in the life of someone and have it tell a story thru time - minutes, hours, days, months, years just seemed magical to me.

Having grown up in a diverse and unique area of Hyde Park, in Chicago, IL., I didn't have to deal with racism until I left to go away to college. Everyone I knew lived no more than a few blocks from people of different ethnicity's Conflicts never arouse because of the colour of skin.

But as Dr. Seuss puts it, “Adults are just obsolete children...” The simplicity of life became more complicated and the issues of black and white and my relationships with people of "colour," black, white, and other ethnicity's became more sensitive.

In a profound aesthetic, I imagine all my photographs of people I may have been trying to decipher the differences of people. In the end, I don't think it is the differences that matter, but the similarities.

I just found out today, all 5 of my submissions made it into the show... The play opens this Friday, opening to the artwork will be determined...

Finishing Strong...

Music | Last of Days by A Fine Frenzy

With a rough start to my week of shooting, I'm very happy to have ended on a good note. As stated earlier, I wasn't too happy with the beginning of the weeks work. A strong finish however is what is important. Today, I had Will stop by for a sitting. Because my materials are becoming limited, I had decided on only 3 plates and some 4x5 film. All 3 shots of Will however were really nice.

Having the "studio" set up for the week and being able to shoot every day, I was able to get into a mode where I was learning, from both mistakes and accomplishments. Having this level of being able to learn has been a huge tool to work off the positives and work on the negatives.

Dara...

Music | Kiss Them for Me by Siouxsie and the Banchees

How Fickle We Are...

Music | Deranger Les Pierres by Carla Bruni

Not more the 20 minutes ago, I was concerned about keeping my spirits up, as I was having difficult times with my plates, worrying about materials, worrying about this and that...

Dara is over this evening and after having dinner and finishing up homework, I changed the studio over from shooting still lifes to portraits. That is what I decided to concentrate on for the rest of this weekend and next. Dara was intuitive in that she wore a great top to be photographed in. We worked on the shot and made an exposure, which rendered a black plate... Getting frantic, I looked over all my settings and the lense and packs and found one error. Still unsure I fixed the issue, we worked on the 2nd exposure and we slowly came upon a beautiful portrait, slowly surfacing in the fix. Dara was surprised at my delight as the image came to its brilliance. One shot... That is all it takes for me to have a 180º attitude adjustment.

Minutes after that, I was emailed for a commission for next week... WhaaaHOOOO

photo forth coming...

Fleeting Beauty of Time...

Music | Af607105 by Charlotte Gainsbourg

Amazing how fast time is passing. All ready the beginning of February is gone as we move towards the middle... I've been quiet with the Wet Plates and it has been difficult having to wait to shoot. My time had come at the beginning of this week and now I find tomorrow is Friday, the end of the week and I've only shot one successful plate. I hope to change that this weekend and the following week, but as I check inventory, I'm running out of plates. Always something... So now, I must be judicious with what I shoot.

I do have some 4x5 sheets of film, that I will no doubt shoot with. I also have a few rolls to run thru the Rollieflex.

Trying to keep the spirit up...

R.I.P. Asta

It's been a few days, but I write this still with a heavy heart... Asta, beloved companion for close to 15 years had to be put down for health issues. Until dementia started to settle in, he had the spirit of a puppy. Always curious, playful and friendly, his sense of adventure always made him special.

Asta wasn't a ball or bone chaser. He was a master squirrel stalker, never flat out chased them, but got close enough to get really close enough to get them. But he was no killer, the chase was his forté. He had trail blazing abilities second to none. Walks thru Forrest Park led to him being gone for a time period until he decided to come back, bristles and cuts all over his body, but with a huge smile on his face. That was his time and his time alone. We still don't know what went on while he was out there.

As a puppy, before we became owners of him, he was fed sugar cubes and left in the bathroom because it was said he was just too wild. And while it seemed to take us over 2 years to somewhat manage him, he always seemed thankful for us and Ruby for taking him in.

I'll miss you so, Astaboy...

Confirmation

Music | In a Sentimental Mood by The World Saxophone Quartet

Seems I have reached ground zero and all my tests have come out with a positive outcome. Current collodion and developer, a darkroom that is actually dark, strobe equipment with enough power to gain me correct exposure, even though I'm sitting on the bottom end. I know I can accomplish some things in the studio environment while it is cold and rainy outside. It has taken me months to reach this point and I'm quite excited about it.

I knew I wanted to get in a test to shoot a portrait, which is what I really wanted to do. The still lifes were good, but ultimately, I wanted to get a person in here and see what I could accomplish. Sherry, a long time muse was available to come in short notice and spend a few hours with me. 4 exposures and in the end, 4 useable plates... This one however was both our favorite.



It will be nice to get a bigger light source with more power, but as I said, I'm happy to be where I am at. I'm sure there is room to push the envelope a little wider.

The Squash

Music | Harmonique by John Coltrane

I wish I could bottle the feeling I have when I complete a Wet Plate session and I've rendered at least one great image. I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment and leaves me in some state of euphoria. The only problem is that I want to keep going and produce more images and see where it takes me.

The end of the year has been tough in that I couldn't shoot outside where my main light source is, because of inclement weather - rain, colder tempuratures and overcast skies. I have been able to finagle what I was hoping was going to be enough indoor light, but realized my colodion had aged to a point where it became unusable.

It is great to have friends who share the love and know the feeling one gets by producing images. Both Ray Bidegain and Brandon Fernandez graciously gave me some chemicals needed so I could test my indoor lighting to see if I could produce an image. If it weren't for these to gentleman, I would not have made the last 2 images posted along with the one here. Thanks guys!



Latest wet plate, photographed last night after midnight. Noticed I had about a 1/3 power over, so it is nice to know I have a tiny bit of leeway.

Angry Dara

Music | Blues Minor by John Coltrane

Getting back into the swing of things, my first pour to photograph Dara was horrendous. But because of the lack of all chemicals, I decided to just work thru with what I had. The somewhat angry look fit well with the angry looking plate. It works...

Old Habits, Relived

Music | Fables of Faubus by Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy

It is past midnight and I'm sort of reliving a time in my life that I've spoken often about and reminisce. After I visited Japan for 3 weeks, decades ago, I left a body of work I needed to take care of when I got back. Jetlag was killing me for weeks, so I thought of, instead of fighting it, I would work thru the night while I was at my finest, which happen to start around 11 p.m. Darkroom set up, windows open bringing in fresh air and since it was mostly dark outside, I didn't have to worry too much of my leaky dark room contaminating my film and paper. For weeks, I would get my late start and print thru the morning, often finishing up at 3 or 4 in the morning.

I loved the solitude, the quiet and aloneness. I was freely able to process my film, make prints, tone, alter my images without any distractions. It became somewhat of a ritual for me to start late, finish later...

Since finally figuring out my lighting scheme at the studio, I've been again starting somewhat late, setting up my still lifes and setting up the trays and chemicals to shoot wet plates. The bathroom has become the darkroom once again, with way too much light leaks for me to work with during the day. However in the evening, it is perfectly operational, even with a nice exhaust fan.

I shot my aged pomogranate the other night and worked on and completed a squash this evening. The plate is in the wash rinsing away as I type... It feels wonderful to be shooting again!!!

Ede

Music | Kiss the Sky by Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra



What are a curves best friend? Highlights and shadows...

What will preserve an image of you that could be the icon image that your children and grand children will remember of you? A great photograph...

I call Bullshit!

Music | Someone to Hurt by Client

At what point do you finally draw the line and say what you feel, not caring about how egomaniacal you come out looking at the other end. I'm tired of being polite and sucking up my true feelings of the direction photography has gone to. I know that technology has made the medium more accessible and I think that is a great thing, honestly, I do. I love that we can create an immediate image and call it our own, post it on the internet and have it judged by our peers and anyone else who can find it. What gets me is the Political Correct attitude that everything has worth, to the point that we should not suggest anything negative, because there in life, we are all winners... In my daughter's fencing class, there is a sign that says, In Battle, there is a winner and there is a loser. Sometimes life comes to that. There is a winner and there is a loser, there is a positive and a negative, there is good, there is bad... Pick a side baby, because we're gonna forget about political correctness for a moment...

Is it that we want to falsely believe that we can be anything we want, without working hard endless hours to work on a craft we want to succeed in. It used to be you needed to find a mentor willing to work with you and teach you methods and techniques to accomplish a task. But now, we expect to google upon a subject, read about the trials and tribulations of some dramatic writer who also has read thru endless websites on the internet and dabble at that same task we want to achieve? That seems to be the way to get to the milestones of our desires. Where are the sore muscles, banged up fingers, worn thru leather, hours of latenight caffeine stupors til the sunrises?

I hate the easy way out. I hate that there are "photographers" these days that only know what they have read about, and follow the same paths as everyone before them. I hate that techniques in photography now require a key stroke, a cursor and mouse. I hate that reality has gone by the way side and even 5 year old boys and girls has a softening feature done to their skin tones. At what point will we recognize that the portrait of ourselves is not us?

Wake the fuck up and say something...

Through the Portal

Music | Cheryl by Paul Motian Band

Dare I say getting sick might be a good thing? I got to do absolutely nothing for the past several days and never once felt any stress in doing so. I did things I don't usually do, I thought things I normally don't give myself time to think about... I lit candles, took hot baths filled with lavender salts, drank an assortment of various teas, watched intently several movies I might not have otherwise given a chance. I layed in bed and thought of things from a different perspective. And now I feel like I'm coming out of the other side, refreshed...

Nothing Lasts Forever...

Is the time coming for one of the icon companies of the 20th century to fade to black...

Speed of a Turtle...

Music | Dawn by The Cinematic Orchestra

It has been a tough 2.5 weeks for me. As it was, the last time I did shoot a wet plate, it was difficult. And now, because of bad weather, trouble shooting issues and finances, I haven't been able to push forward with more shooting and exploring. The build up of frustration however is a good thing because it shows me I still have the fire burning to create. With the lack of work, I'm not able to figure out what to do next. It has been a difficult time, but I think I'm finally able to have some wiggle room to at least think about shooting. At this point, I'm just lining up my pieces of strategy to be able to at least think about shooting. Sun Silver, make a box for the silver tank, prep tent for location shooting, nail down my strobe issue to shoot indoors... Every step I take to get closer to shooting, the happier I will be...

180 in 912.5 Days

Music | Lush Life by John Coltrane

In conversation with one of my peers, I came upon and amazing statistic, regarding my love of all things Wet Plate Collodion. I have worked with this medium for the last 2.5 years, more so this summer. I remember saving and eventually purchasing the necessary equipment, chemistry and other expendable materials where I was finally able to do wet plates on my own. One of the things I recalled was that the cut sheets of aluminum I purchased was in the quantity of about 130. I also remember that at the beginning of this year, I had to put in an order again, since I was running out. What this enabled me to figure out was, in the 2.5 years of shooting wet plates, I've only shot approximately 180 plates total. That means I've tried to take 180 exposures in 2.5 years. On the average, I've shot per month, 6 exposures.

The humorous aspect is that number... In the digital realm that now pervades us all, I could shoot 180 exposures in an hour for a portrait session. We can now shoot frame after frame, memory card after memory card until we eventually get the photo that will be pleasing to both creator and client.

This goes back to a post I made about Chance and Intent. The idea that as we shoot less, we are more apt to creating what we want as opposed to shooting until we get something we want.

Life in the Balance...

Music | Rain by RJD2

I have always been in the mindset that things do happen for a reason, which I guess makes me somewhat of a believer that some things are destined... However, my life and beliefs are hardly consistent, so any judgements can make total sense or none at all. I go on and live the way I do, hoping for the best things to happen.

For the past day and a half, I had an event occur that made me think that my life was somewhat in jeopardy. Surprisingly, I've held it somewhat together, not mentioning it to a soul, until I found more affirmation, one way or another. As my existence hung in the balance, I stayed home, took care of business that I had been putting off to keep my mind occupied. On occasion, I was reminded I was in a floating world, on the edge, at least in my mind.

It really is too bad that we have to get to this point, of thinking we are not going to be among the living to start appreciating life. As soon as I was put into this mindset, I immediately wrote to my daughter, my appreciation for her, my feelings, my love... I hoped that the message would come across as I had meant it.

Unimportant things fell away, things I felt important to accomplish became a check mark on my to do list. All the sudden, things were crystal clear...

This morning, by the happenstance of nature, I got my answer to my future. I took a deep breath and the impetus of my fears were washed away, at least for now.

Where will I go from here...

2011-10-15 Pair of Pears...

Music | Someone Like You by Adele


2011-10-16 Bosc Pear>


2011-10-16 Asian Pear

Time Waits for Nothing...

Music | Anonymous Melody by ORG Lounge

Another step of the eventual demise of film occurred where there are no longer any manufacturers of motion picture cameras. Those that have survived and the new start ups are all making digital cameras. Soon, just like the recording industry where there is no longer any recording tape being made, film will soon follow in its footsteps, still and motion...

I'm not sure what the statistics are, but I wonder how many brand new still cameras are being sold. Anyone interested in film cameras have huge selections to choose from at great prices, mere fraction of the cost of anything new. The same can be said for anything related to film photography... Why buy new cameras, lenses, enlargers, etc... when the used market is so huge.

Over 2 years ago, I did buy a brand new film camera. In my lack of faith in being a creative in the digital world, I decided to go back to film, go back to large format and bought a 4x5 Chamonix field camera. It wasn't until this year where the camera is getting a nice work out, being used often thru spurts of shooting. Ironically, the last 3 cameras I've purchased were film cameras. A few years ago, I couldn't pass up on a Nikon FM with a 50mm f:1.4 lense. A few months later I got a nice inexpensive 35mm lense too. Sometime last year, I picked up my first Rolleiflex tlr. I haven't shot with it a lot, but I do enjoy taking it out and shoot when I can. The experience is totally new, since I have not had history with it. My next film camera will be the camera I regret selling the most. A Hasselblad cm500 with an 80mm t* lense and an A12 film back. I sold mine back in 2002, but yearn for one now.

I wonder is it that I'm in the age range when folks think things were so much better in the past that I feel so nostolgic about mechanical analog devices, or that digital is just bowling over everything and really changing the way we do things. I'm just not ready to let go.

Jaimey

Music | Blue Lines by Massive Attack

What I Hate...

Music | Jericho by Weekend Players

I hate bad lighting... What I love? I love the fact that I can shoot a Wet Plate Collodion, process it, scan it and show it. I'm not taking an image, processing out the raw file, adjusting and fine tuning and making it look vintage or adding textures to change the photograph and the scene all together.

I like the idea and taking time to create an image, a scene and work towards the goal. It is so much more fulfilling, direct and meaningful. I am lucky to find something I love doing, and the ability to create a piece from it.


Grace Page Ryder

Location, Location, Location...

Music | The Chartreuse Mean by Ravi Coltrane

Today was a stellar day. Brandon Fernandez and I finally took Wet Plate Collodion on the road. Because a dark room is needed to prep and process the Plate, all of our shooting has been done at the studio. After months of talking the talk, we finally made efforts to shot at an industrial area in North Portland. We both hired models to work with, and brought everything we could think of that we might need.

The weather threatened rain since the beginning of our morning, but no one spoke of it. My guesstimation of a 6 sec exposure was nicely off by one stop. 3 Seconds wide opened worked fine for my 2nd exposure, but because the clouds were varied thru out the morning, I had some difficulty reading the light. Though I managed 9 plates, I only nailed 3 correctly exposed.

Fortunately, this was one of them...



As it turns out, this is probably one of the technically most dead on plate I have shot to date. It was a last minute shot and just before the rain started to fall and gusts of winds picked up. A fantastic way to end our shooting day.

Floating...

Music | By Many Names by Fred Anderson

It's a strange place to be, riding the wave and knowing you own it, at least for now. Along side other life's issues, I've been meandering on a cloud of productivity and shooting and feeling like I'm getting some wonderful images. From a visit to the market bringing home objects to shoot, to varnishing the plates, scanning and finally printing; I look over my work from the past 2 weeks and feel great about the collection of photographs I've done. They belong to each other and work as a cohesive unit.



Pomegranates next... Any other suggestions?

Is Photography Over

Music | Meditations for Moses by Charles Mingus playing piano

There was a symposium at the SFMOMA recently with the subject line of the title above. There was a question that was brought up, "What facets of photography could you do without?" One of the members on the panel said first, art photography. He went on down a list that included, fashion, sports, and a number of our everyday connection to photography. He came upon a few specific photographs that was created to define our history. as to what he felt he could not do without. Though as I agree that we as people, the photographs were somewhat important, my view of what I could not do without in regards to photography are the images that define ourselves and of family. The people that are important to our lives. It is in fact the history of ourselves are what define our own selves.

Though we have memories that keep alive the things that are important to us, it is the visual reminders that clarify our past. Often times, I can look at a photo and remember that moment that the photo was taken. Both my Mother and Father have recently passed on. I have photographs in my head that bring back strong emotional ties to each of them. I have actual photographs that do the same. I know as I get older, I don't often remember the things that are important. However, it is the photograph that can re-trigger those inner images that bring upon our wonderful memories.

This brings me to the point that I believe photography can never be over. This brings me to the point that photography, though it has been taken for granted recently with so many pictures randomly being taken, the devaluing of the photographic image needs to be taken a bit more seriously.

...on a roll...

Music | Shine by Arkestra One

It has been a very good 9 days since I shot Pears to start getting out of my rut. Since then, I shot some tomatoes and garlic. I also got my Wet Plate Collodion website going as well. I just want to start getting my images out there...

Not shooting in the comfort of people these last almost 2 weeks, I didn't have too much to transition to. When I felt like shooting, I just did. I didn't have to plan out and meet schedules in order to get going. So long as I had subject matter to photograph, I was comfortable. The weather however did cooperate and I had great lighting conditions to work with. I had almost no work to show under my Still Life catagory of my site to at least having an acceptable number to show and put the site up, without feeling I wasn't ready.

Inspiring Pears...

Music | Taurus in the Arena of Life by Charles Mingus

In my continuation to work at creating, today I finally photographed the pears I've been meaning to shoot for the past 4 or 5 days. I actually think the wait was not a bad thing, though not intentional either. The pears aged just enough where the texture and feel seemed right. But in all honesty, the wait was just because of my procrastination. The evil devil has been rearing its head lately and I've been having to really convince myself to get back on track and start my trek back to creating.

Yesterday, feeling pretty sorry for myself, I got a gift of a call for coffee from Ray. It was just the thing I needed to get out of the house and talk shop, talk art, talk about creating... I managed to come home and print up some of my photographs to put into a portfolio of sorts to have with me at all times to show people my work. The result would be to be able to shoot more people and maybe sell some work. However, the point was merely to exercise movement to get from point A to somewhere else. I've been stagnant and it is certainly time to move.

Today started much like yesterday, but at least I had some inertia from yesterday. Out came the pears, camera, tripod and background. The rest seemed to move much more easily. I was so happy that the first plate came out a winner. It was much easier to focus on the rest of the morning.





So it is apparent that I am battling some demons right now. In order to get beyond this situation, I do hope to keep myself busy and at least hone my skills of the Way of the Collodion. No point being stagnant and starting from the same place I left off...

2011-09-09 | 12:15p.m. | Vivace

Music | Spinning by Zero 7

It happens a few times a year and I am always held hostage to my own insecurities... The morning is cool, slight breeze in the air and just about perfect in the shade. At Vivace, I sit al fresco and to my right is this amazing looking Italian woman. She has long auburn hair, amazingly large beautiful eyes. Her figure is long and slim, what every woman desires to look like. But she dresses in such a way that is both alluring and yet simple. A rust coloured dress, black belt and black sandals adorns her well. She casually wears her glasses on her head, with diamond ear rings and 1 ring on each hand. Her posture is perfect as she types away on her computer. I just had a thought that she is most lovingly describing me as I do the same with her... but I doubt it...

Old Ladies...

Music | Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police

I'm amazed how fast time appears to be moving this summer. All ready into the month of Sept, I haven't done a lot of work on the Collodion Process. I did however manage to get in a personal project with my daughter and one of her friends. We were over their place and I was reminiscing about how they would play dress up and be queens, fairies and such. I suggested that they do it again, but this time they surprised me. The came out looking like this...





Lydia had her dress and wonderful hats and Dara wore her latest fancy dress. To be a kid again when time moved much slower...

The Things that Make a Good Person... Be Honest, Humble and Patient

Music | Do I Love You because You are Beautiful by John Coltrane

The process keeps you honest. You have no choice but to be humble. Never have the attitude that things will go well, because soon, something will bite you on the ass and bring you back to reality. I've heard this story from others, and now I know and respect that sage opinion. Only patience will keep you sane and allow you to maybe figure out your problem.



I had to have my friend Brandon over, look over my issues and make quick recommendations. Could have been bad collodion, a lens where the flash did not sync along with other smaller issues. I worked with the extreme problems first and did a few quick tests. By the time Cain, my model came over, I was a little more confident I'd get a nice plate or 2.

This is what I love about Collodion. No fix all button, nothing to save your ass but your own devices, or friends in this case. As I shoot more, I'll hope to have the necessary knowledge to figure out issues that may arise. No matter how much you try and control your process, things will change and the process will need adjustment.

True Satisfaction...

Music : Undenied by Portishead

Last few days, I've been going back and forth with Analogue and Digital. I mean, I shot some Collodion and shot some digital and at the moment, processing out images from a digital shoot I did last Saturday. I've been shooting analoque on a professional basis for about 15 years, not counting my foray in Wet Plates, and now, surprisingly, 11 years in digital. I just thought of this fact and I am amazed at how close the gap has become. I feel like I'm proficient at shooting digital, where I can pretty much get a nice exposed image with good contrast, depth, composition... What I end up missing at the moment of exposure, I can do some tweaking in post. I am not of the school of doing this intentionally, but stuff happens and if I have tools to fix issues, I can and will...

I also know I'm not proficient at shooting Collodion. I get caught in a mix of variables and often put myself in a maze where nothing makes sense. My first day of shooting this week, after over 2 months of not shooting any Collodion, I had to have Brandon come over to put me on the right track. The process is frustrating, humiliating and often times stressful. However, when that intended image comes up ghostly in manner while sitting in the fixer, slowly exposing its final image from the depths of blue, the moment is magical. I felt this while making black and white images from film in the dark room. The satisfaction is immeasurable.