On our last adventure we traveled to, and photographed in; Yosemite NP, Zion NP, Arches NP and along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Here are a few videos we made during our trip.
Enjoy!
JB
We shoot film. . . doesn’t everyone?
On our last adventure we traveled to, and photographed in; Yosemite NP, Zion NP, Arches NP and along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Here are a few videos we made during our trip.
Enjoy!
JB
For 20 years the best selling ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV FB paper has been the product of choice for creative photographers and printers the world over. BORN following extensive R&D, significant improvements have been made to the product that is now renamed ILFORD MULTIGRADE FB CLASSIC. The new paper is available in Glossy and Matt surfaces and offers sharper images, improved maximum density and shorter exposure times. The new MULTIGRADE FB CLASSIC has also been developed to better respond to traditional toning techniques than the product it replaces.
For those that are truly interested, a peek under the dark cloth is always a good way to confuse them even more. The first thing they do is stick their nose right up against the ground glass. With that point blank view you see nothing. I have to explain that they need to back up. That it is like looking at a TV screen. After getting a good look they suddenly realize everything is upside down. I have to explain that it is also reversed left to right. Comments range from silence to questions about how can you do anything when the world is upside down and reversed? I usual just say that you get used to it and it becomes part of how you and the camera work.
The truth is, nothing will improve your overall composition more than looking at it upside down. It is a way to trick your left brain into shutting up and allowing your right brain to take over. The left brain is your engineering side. . . it deals with facts and figures. Your right brain is the creative side. . . it deals with form and shape. We are taught from an early age to be left brain dominant, so we get used to ignoring our creative side. The quickest way to shut your left brain up is to show it something it cannot readily identify. With the composition upside down, the right brain is in its natural environment and unimpeded by the chatter from the left side.
>With the inverted view on the ground glass it seems that the subconscious sees things that the conscious mind does not pick up on. I see things on the ground glass that are interesting, they have absolutely no meaning, yet there is something inside that says this is something of interest. There are abstract images that I have made that did not register until I looked at the proofs. There are times that something just calls out to be framed and photographed. It may have no rhyme or reason at the time of exposure, but later becomes something of great interest, even something totally different than originally envisioned.
Do not be afraid of the inverted image. It is one of the most powerful assets you have when making photographs. You will quickly get used to seeing things this way. It rapidly becomes part of your connection to the camera and your subject. Do I recommend you get one of those reflex viewing hoods that turn things back around? Absolutely NOT!
JB
Personally I have never been one to adhere to the current ‘trend’ or ‘fad’ nor do I give a rat’s rear about whatever is ‘in’ today. I have no interest in what is popular, nor in fashion. To be an artist you have to, first and foremost, be true to yourself. If you pander to the wishes of others, you will do little more than chase your tail trying to please everyone else. What is most important is to cater to your own vision. Truly meaningful images only occur when you have an internal connection to what you are photographing. If you are following some sort of fad, or the perceived wants of others, all you create are hollow nothings. This is what advertising photography is to me. I look at the images in magazines and TV commercials and all that is there for me is something visual to catch the eye for the purpose of selling something. My personal definition of salesmanship is, convincing someone to buy something they don’t want, don’t need, and can’t afford. I want nothing to do with this mindset. But I digress from my original thoughts.
I have a different view as to how I want to present my subject. I really wish I could find another planet to photograph. I want to show a world that is unseen by human eyes. This sort of thing being impossible, I have to resort to finding things that I can interpret in such a way as to portray them as otherworldly.
JB
It was great to catch up with John and Anne. We feel so fortunate to be able to spend two days saturated in photography. John is one of my favorite speakers and maybe I should say favorite photography speakers. His stories of working with Ansel Adams are always informative, interesting and funny. He is also a never-ending wealth spring of knowledge. He shares my deeply-felt philosophy of not having secrets. I believe I first heard, never photograph with anyone that has secrets, from Fred Picker, but I can assure you that John and Anne share this view. They also radiate an enthusiasm for photography that is contagious.
Susan and I, and the Metroplex as a whole, are certainly fortunate that John and Anne were able to visit and we hope they will be returning soon. Though, it might be well advised that they plan their next visit during cooler weather!
Again, Thank You John and Anne for a wonderful long weekend and we hope to see you both soon!
JB & Susan