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...