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D/FW LFG WEEKEND
The D/FW LF Group had another exciting weekend, with two gatherings. Saturday we started off with breakfast at the Original Pancake House in Grapevine. We had ten people join us for the beginning of a usual gathering. After breakfast we then adjourned and moved over to the Grapevine Convention Center for the Camera Show. This one was a productive one. I found several things including some raw chemicals for the darkroom. Susan and I actually made several trips to the van to unload our trappings. Larry made even more trips and needed some help. What fun!
Sunday it was an early trip down to County Road 1118 in Johnson County to photograph a very old iron bridge on the Brazos River. If I counted correctly we had eight people that showed up before, and some after sunrise. Beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind, and it was in the upper 40’s to mid 50’s. Couldn’t have been better for such an outing. As usual we migrated mid morning over to Glen Rose for a late breakfast, early lunch at the Big Cup Cafe. Outstanding hamburger and by a little after noon we were home. Susan and I shot a few 4×5 negatives and, as usual had a great time.
We will be planning more outings and if you are interested in joining us, please watch for our next gathering.
JB
“VIEW CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JB & SUSAN HARLIN”
Hopefully fall is coming and bringing cooler weather and some rain. The Texas summer is just too brutal to get out and do much photography. So, with a little cooler weather finally moving in, it just may be a good time to get out and look at some photographs. Susan and I are having another exhibition of our work that will carry everyone from fall into winter. We will have 28 of our latest Black & White photographs on display including everything from snow, to desert, from 8×10, to 8×20, in living B&W, on display at the Downtown F/W Library.
“VIEW CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JB & SUSAN HARLIN” will run September 29, 2011 through January 12, 2012 at the Central Library West Wing Gallery, Downtown Fort Worth Library. We will be posting our reception date soon, so check back for the date and time.
Library location and parking information HERE.
JB & Susan
UPDATE: We have 28 photographs up and ready for viewing. If you stop by, please drop us a line and let us know what you think.
D/FW LFG FIRST FALL OUTING. . . TWO DAYS!
The D/FW LF Group is heading out for an early fall outing next Saturday & Sunday, October 1 & 2, 2011.
SATURDAY, October 1st
We are planning to meet for breakfast at the Original Pancake House at 9AM then head over to the Camera Show at the Grapevine Convention Center that starts at 10AM. Follow this LINK, and print out the page for $1.00 off admission.
SUNDAY, October 2nd
We are heading down toward Granbury to photograph down the Brazos River under the BRIDGE that is on County Rd. 1175. Sunrise is at around 7:20 so there is no need to be there until around 8AM for us B&W shooters! Before you get to the bridge (from the north) there is a small parking spot on the left. Once you walk toward the old r-r bridge you will see a path down towards the river. I do recommend some good support for your feet!
Breakfast, a camera show one day, and an outing, and I would bet more food the next! Hopefully everyone will be able to join us both days!
JB
WRITING ON THE NEGATIVE EDGE
I was recently asked what type of writing device we use to mark the catalog number on the edge of our film. I had not given it much thought since we have been using the same pens for marking film for many years. I have heard of people using various mechanical pens and India ink. Some say they use a common Sharpie. There are numerous ways to do this, but the easiest and most effective way I have found is to use a pigment liner pen.
Specifically, I have used a Staedtler pigment liner pen for years. They are clean, easy to use, make very dense letters and numbers that easily show up on proofs, and are filled with permanent black ink. The ink used is lightfast and will not fade. One nice thing about the Staedtler pigment liner pen is it will not dry out. The manufacturer says, “The unique cap-off feature of the ink enables pens to be left uncapped for 18 hours without drying up. Even when left open during long breaks in writing, they remain ready for action without delay.” They also last a long time. We have not had to buy new pens in years.
The Staedtler pigment liner pens are available in nine writing widths from 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm. My favorite sizes are the 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 mm widths. I use the smaller diameter pen for small film where the clear edge is very narrow. You still get very legible writing along the film edge that prints well on the proofs. I prefer the larger diameter pen for the really big film. These have worked well for me for over 30 years, and should work well for you also.
Here are a few things I have learned over the years that may help when using these pens to mark your film. I always mark my negatives on base side opposite the emulsion, this way the file number prints correctly on the edge of prints and proofs. Be sure to let the ink dry thoroughly before you place the film into a storage sleeve. It should only take a minute to dry. I have found that if you make a mistake, you can remove the ink using a cotton swab lightly moistened with acetone. And, one more thing; the biggest mistake you can ever make is not using a filing system for your negatives. If you choose to mark your film on the edge, these markers will do the trick.
If you are interested in learning more about Staedtler pigment liner pens, HERE is their web site.
JB
