An interesting detail of a train platform.
Looking down the stairs from a train platform.
An interesting abstract of a bench in a courtyard at Union Station.
Graffiti on the back of a street sign in Chinatown.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
To Live and Die in L.A.
We went to Union Station and then Chinatown our last day in Los Angeles. Very interesting place... kind of reminds me of New York City a little. Anyway, I was able to make a few interesting abstract images with my D300. Of course, I wish I had the big cameras with me... but that's for another day... I'll be bach!
An interesting detail of a train platform.
Looking down the stairs from a train platform.
An interesting abstract of a bench in a courtyard at Union Station.
Graffiti on the back of a street sign in Chinatown.
An interesting detail of a train platform.
Looking down the stairs from a train platform.
An interesting abstract of a bench in a courtyard at Union Station.
Graffiti on the back of a street sign in Chinatown.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Pictures at an Exhibition...
Well, I didn't get to take the big cameras out during our little trip to Los Angeles. Too much to do, no time to do it in. Anyway, I took hundreds of photos with my Nikon D300, mostly snapshots for family scrapbooks, but a few "artsy" shots, as well. Also a few funny ones. These are my favorites from our Getty trips. More to follow from LA.
The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is a wonderful place to spend the day. A re-creation of an ancient (very wealthy) Roman villa, it specializes in antiquities. The cafe is a great place to have lunch. We had the Tuscan Seafood Soup, which was out of this world.
Lindsay, getting a "feel" for the place.
Lindsay scaring one of the statues.
Lindsay and me.
Lindsay enjoying a Malibu sunset.
The end of a beautiful day.
The Getty Museum - Day Two
As impressive as the Villa was, the Museum is overwhleming. Their collection is vast and contains excellent examples of artworks of many different periods and disciplines.
Below are a few random shots of the grounds... the modern architecture is a photographer's paradise.
And, they have an original R. Coda on exhibit!
We spent the whole day there, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, taking several of the tours. They had a Carleton Watkins exhibit on display, with many 16x20 and larger contact prints from Mammoth Plate cameras. They had a replica of the camera, as well... now that's Ultra Large Format! I did have to correct the tour leader, though, as she told the group that there was a mirror inside the camera. She asked how I knew that and I told her that I use similar, though smaller (4x5, 8x10, 11x14) cameras. She did not know that people still use these types of (view) cameras.
At the end of the day we had dinner in their beautiful restaurant. The food was incredible. I had rabbit for the first time... something I want to have again.
Can't wait to go back, as the exhibits change 1-2 times a year.
The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is a wonderful place to spend the day. A re-creation of an ancient (very wealthy) Roman villa, it specializes in antiquities. The cafe is a great place to have lunch. We had the Tuscan Seafood Soup, which was out of this world.
Lindsay, getting a "feel" for the place.
Lindsay scaring one of the statues.
Lindsay and me.
Lindsay enjoying a Malibu sunset.
The end of a beautiful day.
The Getty Museum - Day Two
As impressive as the Villa was, the Museum is overwhleming. Their collection is vast and contains excellent examples of artworks of many different periods and disciplines.
Below are a few random shots of the grounds... the modern architecture is a photographer's paradise.
And, they have an original R. Coda on exhibit!
We spent the whole day there, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, taking several of the tours. They had a Carleton Watkins exhibit on display, with many 16x20 and larger contact prints from Mammoth Plate cameras. They had a replica of the camera, as well... now that's Ultra Large Format! I did have to correct the tour leader, though, as she told the group that there was a mirror inside the camera. She asked how I knew that and I told her that I use similar, though smaller (4x5, 8x10, 11x14) cameras. She did not know that people still use these types of (view) cameras.
At the end of the day we had dinner in their beautiful restaurant. The food was incredible. I had rabbit for the first time... something I want to have again.
Can't wait to go back, as the exhibits change 1-2 times a year.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Hoooorrrrrayyyyy for Hollywood!
Bbbbbrrrrr! We took a short trip to Los Angeles so the girls could see Wicked and to visit the Getty Villa and Museum. We were also able to get Jay Leno tickets... it was a blast.
Anyway, we left right from school, right after Lindsay's last final, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday. It was raining in Scottsdale when we left, but cleared up as we made our way to Interstate 10 in Phoenix. However, around Palm Springs in California, we encountered some very strange weather. It was raining, but we could see snow on the mountain tops to our north. When we started reaching civilization a short time later, we went through a brief snowstorm. We couldn't believe it... the temperature was 33 degrees!
Finally, it warmed up a little and we made it to the hotel. We were running out of time and Hollywood was 35 minutes away in no traffic, and the girls had 8:00 tickets for the show.
We were able to get something quick to eat at Mel's Drive-in and I dropped the girls off at the theater. I decided not to attend as I usually sleep through any type of Broadway-type play. I figured I would photograph Hollywood Boulevard at night. I had hoped to use the big cameras, but it was drizzling, and still cold. So I used my Nikon D300 digital. It was a lot of fun, but Hollywood is so sleazy! Even in the rain. Anyway, I walked around for an hour and a half and photographed whatever caught my eye.
I would really like to come back here with the big cameras when the weather is better and I can take my time... maybe next time I'm out here for business.
More photos will follow after the end of our trip.
Anyway, we left right from school, right after Lindsay's last final, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday. It was raining in Scottsdale when we left, but cleared up as we made our way to Interstate 10 in Phoenix. However, around Palm Springs in California, we encountered some very strange weather. It was raining, but we could see snow on the mountain tops to our north. When we started reaching civilization a short time later, we went through a brief snowstorm. We couldn't believe it... the temperature was 33 degrees!
Finally, it warmed up a little and we made it to the hotel. We were running out of time and Hollywood was 35 minutes away in no traffic, and the girls had 8:00 tickets for the show.
We were able to get something quick to eat at Mel's Drive-in and I dropped the girls off at the theater. I decided not to attend as I usually sleep through any type of Broadway-type play. I figured I would photograph Hollywood Boulevard at night. I had hoped to use the big cameras, but it was drizzling, and still cold. So I used my Nikon D300 digital. It was a lot of fun, but Hollywood is so sleazy! Even in the rain. Anyway, I walked around for an hour and a half and photographed whatever caught my eye.
I would really like to come back here with the big cameras when the weather is better and I can take my time... maybe next time I'm out here for business.
More photos will follow after the end of our trip.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Show at Photomark extended... photographs make wonderful holiday gifts!
My show at Photomark has been extended until the end of the year. The show is called "Observations". It is a collection of black & white images from the past 27 years.
Photographs, or artworks, in general, are one of the classiest gifts I can think of. If I had a choice of gifts from a friend or loved one, I would ask for art. Just a subtle reminder that all of my prints in this show are for sale ;^)
Photomark is a complete photographic experience. They have a 6,000 sq foot retail showroom. Photomark retail includes a lighting showroom, a rental department, a repair department, a photographic classroom, an industrial division, and a Fine Art Photography Gallery. They are located at 2202 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006. Hours are M-F 8AM-6PM Sat. 9AM-5PM.
For more information, please visit their website at http://www.photomark.com/ or call/email Judith Andersen at (602) 244-1133, or judith@photomark.com.
I hope you can make it to the show.
Photographs, or artworks, in general, are one of the classiest gifts I can think of. If I had a choice of gifts from a friend or loved one, I would ask for art. Just a subtle reminder that all of my prints in this show are for sale ;^)
Photomark is a complete photographic experience. They have a 6,000 sq foot retail showroom. Photomark retail includes a lighting showroom, a rental department, a repair department, a photographic classroom, an industrial division, and a Fine Art Photography Gallery. They are located at 2202 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006. Hours are M-F 8AM-6PM Sat. 9AM-5PM.
For more information, please visit their website at http://www.photomark.com/ or call/email Judith Andersen at (602) 244-1133, or judith@photomark.com.
I hope you can make it to the show.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Unprintable...
Until now! Almost 20 years later!
This image, "Moonrise, Glacier Point, Yosemite NP, CA," was made in September 1989. I had rented a house in Carmel for a month and took a side trip to Yosemite with my friend Alan Grossman. Neither of us had ever been there before, so we were both awestruck to say the least.
One day, we had heard there would be a good moonrise up at Glacier Point, elev. 7214 ft. We figured out what time we had to be there and were set up a little early. I made a few negatives, this one being the widest view. The negative looked nice, but the contrast range was so immense that I could never print it, and it went into a box for 20 years.
Fast forward to 2008. I had the 4x5" negative drum scanned at 4000 dpi. The file is 650MB. I did all my Photoshop work, cleaning up all the remnants of my less than pristine processing from my early days, and working to even out the huge contrast range. First I worked on the shadows in the gorge in the foreground. Then I worked on the area in the midground with the pine trees. Then the distant landscape, the clouds and the sky, in order. I think the image came out fairly well... much better than any version I had ever attempted (and discarded) in the darkroom.
My plans for this image are twofold. 1) Make a new silver 4x5" negative from my file that I can print in the darkroom, no larger than 11x14". Or maybe an 8x10" negative for contact printing only. Not sure yet. 2) Make a very large inkjet print, up to 40x50" and see what that looks like.
When I have attempted each, I will post my results.
This image, "Moonrise, Glacier Point, Yosemite NP, CA," was made in September 1989. I had rented a house in Carmel for a month and took a side trip to Yosemite with my friend Alan Grossman. Neither of us had ever been there before, so we were both awestruck to say the least.
One day, we had heard there would be a good moonrise up at Glacier Point, elev. 7214 ft. We figured out what time we had to be there and were set up a little early. I made a few negatives, this one being the widest view. The negative looked nice, but the contrast range was so immense that I could never print it, and it went into a box for 20 years.
Fast forward to 2008. I had the 4x5" negative drum scanned at 4000 dpi. The file is 650MB. I did all my Photoshop work, cleaning up all the remnants of my less than pristine processing from my early days, and working to even out the huge contrast range. First I worked on the shadows in the gorge in the foreground. Then I worked on the area in the midground with the pine trees. Then the distant landscape, the clouds and the sky, in order. I think the image came out fairly well... much better than any version I had ever attempted (and discarded) in the darkroom.
My plans for this image are twofold. 1) Make a new silver 4x5" negative from my file that I can print in the darkroom, no larger than 11x14". Or maybe an 8x10" negative for contact printing only. Not sure yet. 2) Make a very large inkjet print, up to 40x50" and see what that looks like.
When I have attempted each, I will post my results.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Entering the library "abstractly"
We went to the Mustang Library in Scottsdale a few weeks ago to get some books for my daughter. I had never been to this branch but was immediately struck by the entry to the library. There is some renovation construction going on, but this seems to have been part of the original design and structure. I checked the time and decided to come back the next day at the same time.
Next day I show up about a half an hour before our arrival yesterday. Started setting up my 8x10" camera. As I was setting up, one of the library workers came out for a break. He asked what I was doing so I explained to him. He asked what I was photographing so I pointed to the area. He said, "I don't see it." It was an abstract pattern of shadows created by beams overhead. I showed him under the cloth and then he saw it. He then asked me why I hadn't switched to digital. I explained to him that the best DSLR out there is about 20 megapixels. I told him that my 8x10" film camera has 55 times that. I finished my exposure and we talked for a few more minutes. Then he took out his cell phone and snapped the same image I just had made! I hope that doesn't put a dent in sales of my image! :^)
Hooked on Jerome, AZ
We had a field trip to Jerome a few weeks ago. Went to an old mining museum... really quirky place with tons of stuff to photograph. Just a few here...
First for all the ladies who let me get away... here's the other woman!
While we were waiting for everyone to meet back up later in the day a few of us went up about 20 feet of stairs to an outdoor park where there was a hippy family picnic going on. They were, of course, as intrigued by our cameras as we were of them. This image is looking down on the main drag in Jerome where there was some sort of biker festival going on.
First for all the ladies who let me get away... here's the other woman!
While we were waiting for everyone to meet back up later in the day a few of us went up about 20 feet of stairs to an outdoor park where there was a hippy family picnic going on. They were, of course, as intrigued by our cameras as we were of them. This image is looking down on the main drag in Jerome where there was some sort of biker festival going on.
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