19
Jan
2014
Fine Art Photography
16
Jan
2014
VIDEOS FROM OUR 2013-2014 TRIP WEST
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
09
Jan
2014
WE CAME BACK HOME!
We just wrapped up another trip to the South-West. This year we got a delayed start, due to that pesky ice storm here in North Texas, but we made the best of it and only lost four days. This was one of our usual trips we love to take this time of year. It was nice and cool with snow in places. . . just right. We could have used better skies, but you take what you get. Here are the quick stats:
- Days On The Road: 26
- Days Shooting Film: 18
- Total Miles Driven: 4,326.3
- Total Elapsed Motor Time: 94:26:50
- States Visited: New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado
- Places Photographed: Yosemite NP, Zion NP, Arches NP, Colorado River near Moab, UT
- Film Exposed JB: 114 sheets 8×10 15 sheets 11×14
- Film Exposed Susan: 101 sheets 4×10 12 sheets 8×20
Next we have to start processing film. . . but first a few days to unwind!
We have created an album on our web site from the numerous snapshots we made and we invite you to take a look HERE.
04
Dec
2013
A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY
More good news about Ilford traditional products.
PRESS ROOM STORY
BORN, ESTABLISHED, DEVELOPED! … A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY
4th December 2013
BORN, ESTABLISHED, DEVELOPED! … A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY
ILFORD PHOTO announce a new range of variable contrast Baryta Fibre Base papers, a completely new and improved MULTIGRADE FB and a new COOLTONE FB paper to complement the existing MULTIGRADE FB WARMTONE.
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.
More info here: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=174
and here: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/producttype.asp?n=5&t=Photographic+Papers
24
Nov
2013
WADDAYA KNOW. . . FILM IS STILL NOT DEAD
This is a fascinating little film made by Indie Film Lab and sponsored by Kodak. Rather than try to explain it all, here is what they have to say;
Published on Nov 16, 2013
Earlier this year, Indie Film Lab took a trip from Montgomery, AL to Las Vegas, NV for the annual WPPI trade show. After we decided it would be more interesting to travel via RV than plane, we started planning our trip around the places we wanted to see. Originally, we had an idea to create a 5-10 minute video of our trip, for fun, then Kodak came on board and our project has turned into a 47 minute feature. The film has now turned the focus less on the trip, to more on the photographers themselves and why they shoot film. We can’t thank Kodak and all our friends who helped and supported us and our project. We hope you enjoy the film and are inspired to create things you truly care for, in a way you are truly passionate. Long Live Film.
You can find the film on YouTube at this address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjtphPVchJI&feature=youtu.be
I suggest if you are a photographer or are interested in photography, that you sit down and take the time to watch this 47 minute video. Listen carefully to what the people are saying. Take note that those interviewed are not a bunch of old fogies “dinosaurs” that are bitter about film getting a bad rap. These are young, first generation digital only photographers that are beginning to realize that they have been lied to.
They are beginning to “get it!” They are realizing that digital is not a replacement for film. It is simply another art form. . . another way of working. Listen carefully to how nearly everyone interviewed talks about the look of film being different.
This is a breath of fresh air. Exactly what I was hoping would happen. . . the younger generation has suddenly discovered they have an alternative when it comes to their photographic art. You cannot hide the truth. Truth always rises to the top. Do not be fooled into thinking anything is a dead ringer replacement for anything else. You can bank on it!
Shoot digital. . . shoot film. . . it does not matter to me. Just don’t tell me film is dead and that digital is a replacement for film. Digital can not do everything film can, nor can film do everything digital can. Not so. . . choose your tools wisely. As Fred Picker used to say;
“Different Is Not The Same!”
JB
28
Oct
2013
UPSIDE DOWN
Seems that a large view camera always attracts curiosity. Everyone either gives you a long wondering look or asks questions about that big box on a tripod. Mostly they want to know how old the camera is and if you can still buy film. Is that a Hasselblad is a question that comes up from time to time?
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!
Quit fighting what comes naturally and allow your creativity to flow from within. Quit trying to analyze the subject and allow that inverted view to work its own magic. As I said earlier; Nothing will improve your overall composition more than looking at it upside down.
JB
JB
15
Oct
2013
JBH PHOTOGRAPHY HOW-TO E-BOOKS
We are proud to announce that the JBH photography how-to book series is now available in e-book format. Each book has been revised and updated. This how-to book series has been created specifically for those interested in traditional large format fine art black & white film photography, practiced in the wet darkroom.
All four books are available for immediate download in PDF format to your computer.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER!
Purchase multiple e-books and save.
NOTE: A PayPal account is not required to purchase.
You can use your credit card without having or creating an account with PayPal.
Stop by our new BOOK STORE for more information and to purchase securely with PayPal.
JB
06
Oct
2013
CALL ME PRIMITIVE
I was recently reading about creativity, and I was captivated by a chapter titled, “THOUGHTS ON CREATIVITY” from the book “The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression” First Edition 1994, by Bruce Barnbaum p. 141. He touches on things I have seen but have never really understood.
Barnbaum says that in Western art creativity is all about originality, where Eastern, or as he calls it “primitive art” is more about traditional methods of the original masters. He talks of how the primitive artist works toward the quality and style of the ancient masters, and how any departure is not acceptable in their culture.
Barnbaum goes on to talk about how the primitive art mindset is not in fashion, nor acceptable in Western art. How working in the style of past masters is seen as, “redundant, hollow, and meaningless.” He talks of how even using past known techniques is looked upon as mere “copies” and are deeply frowned upon. He further says that working in the style of past masters is “a good learning experience” yet is not accepted as anything of worth by Western civilization.
I see this a lot in our Western culture. Someone takes a hand full of cow dung and throws it at a canvas and it immediately becomes a fresh new art form. Personally, all I see is BS. I have to admit that there are a lot of things I do not understand. Jazz is another thing I can’t comprehend. . . several people all playing something different at the same time is not music to me. But, that is my personal take and mine alone.
I love the work of the past masters of photography and I fully intend to continue to produce my work in that style. It is what I like, and if you don’t please yourself, you are not going to be convincing to anyone else. Guess I will kick back and put on some Pink Floyd and contemplate making some more primitive photographs. . . maybe some more of those redundant, hollow, and meaningless copies.
So, you can call me PRIMITIVE. . .
JB
19
Sep
2013
ANOTHER WORLD
I was recently involved in a very serious discussion about photography. I was informed that the trend in photography today is for B&W prints to be light and airy. I was told that the deep blacks and brilliant whites I love so much are reminiscent of photography of the 1930’s and 1940’s and is not ‘in’ today. I was also informed that today’s trend is all about color images. I was given the impression that B&W is, in this so-called ‘modern’ world, sort of an ugly stepchild. At least, that was the impression I was given after a conversation with someone that is supposedly an ‘expert’ in the field.
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.
I have no interest in presenting a literal representation, but more literally, I am interested in, and strive to create, my interpretation of what I photograph. I love the abstract. I like to give my viewers a look at something they will not see every day. I have no interest in documenting the boring everyday. I wish I could visit another planet, another world, in another galaxy. But alas, I have to settle for making photographs that match my vision as best I can on this planet.
JB
08
Sep
2013
JOHN SEXTON & ANNE LARSEN VISIT TEXAS
This has been a really great long weekend for us here in the D/FW area of Texas. John Sexton and his wife Anne Larsen came to Dallas for the opening reception of their joint exhibition at the Sun to Moon gallery, to hold a one-day seminar and an enlightening lecture, including a poster and book signing at Richland College. We are proud to say we attended all three events and had a wonderful time.
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
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John & Anne one-day seminar.
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Anne discussing her photographs.
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John telling the story of this photograph.
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John at Richland College lecture.
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Yes, we did get a personalized poster!
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- John & Anne one-day seminar.
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- Anne discussing her photographs.
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- John telling the story of this photograph.
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- John at Richland College lecture.
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- Yes, we did get a personalized poster!