NLFPC

We have just returned from the NELFPC 2014 fundraiser and amazing photography weekend.  Susan and I were extremely excited to be invited to participate in this year’s activities in Connecticut.   The New England Large Format Photography Collective (NELFPC) is an amazing group of the most dedicated photographers I have ever met.  This is truly THE model for any other similar organization to take a very close look into.  Rather than trying to explain further, let me quote from their web site;

The New England Large Format Photography Collective formed from a small but diverse group of photographers in October of 2003 to advance the craft of traditional photography and educate others on its traditional processes. We embrace those with a passion for large format photography, and strive to provide inspiration for others practicing our craft.

We believe Large Format photographers are unique people using unique processes to create the highest quality prints. Simply stated, if you derive considerable enjoyment while viewing something “upside down and backwards” in the dark you are unique! We wish to network with others who embrace this oddity.

For more information on NELFPC, take a look at their Mission Statement.

This is such a diverse and talented group. . . and I might add a light hearted, fun-loving bunch of really great people.  Trying to explain exactly how enlightening this experience was is difficult to put into words.  To be in the midst of so much beautiful photography, dedicated photographers and so much photographic talk, made this a truly inspiring event.  

We began Thursday evening with a fundraiser, “Photographers Fighting Cancer.”  This is a fine art event to benefit the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center and is hosted by NELFPC at the Valentine H. Zahn Community Gallery located at the Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Medical Center.  There were 80 Large Format photographs by 30+ LF photographers up for bids.  Susan and I were proud to each donate one of our prints to this worthy organization and this was a really fun evening that was to kick off a long weekend of more and more photography.

After the fundraiser it was off to Steve and Vicky’s, our hosts for the weekend, home for a meet and greet with all of the members of The Collective.  I got to put faces with numerous names I have seen and exchanged discussions with via the Internet over the years.  The LF community is truly a large and dispersed group, and we are all fortunate to be connected by our love of the medium, if only via the magic of the ether.  Getting to meet many of those people in person is an amazing experience in itself.  The amount of talent, knowledge and dedication to the photographic process within this group is amazing.

 

What followed, starting early Friday morning and continuing until well into the afternoon Sunday, was an intense immersion into the world of fine art photography.  Everyone brought photographs to share.   Steve and Vicky treated us like royalty. . . outstanding food. . . great refreshments. . .  we had access to Steve’s amazing darkroom for demonstrations. . . and did I mention photographs. . .  lots of photographs.  Each day was spent viewing each other’s work.  Susan and I brought about 30 prints each to show.  I did two KeyNote presentations, one on pyro developers and the other on how we travel for 30 days at a time with all those cameras.  Paul did a talk on collecting photography and Steve did a very informative darkroom demonstration on split toning.  We also had two field trips giving everyone a chance to break out the cameras and make a few large format photographs at two interesting locations.

Now it is all over, we are home and we have had time to absorb all that took place, believe me it went like a flash, I just can’t get over the dedication and talent contained within The Collective.  The amount of energy they put into their work and their organization is inspirational.  Only those that have been involved in such an endeavor can understand just how much time, thought and support it takes to put on such an event.  Steve did a bang up job on the schedule and was really on the ball in keeping things moving and on time.  The hospitality was second to none. . . the food outstanding. . . and. . . did I mention the refreshments?

I know I keep repeating myself, but the NELFPC is really a model for any group wanting to promote and sustain the art and craft of fine art photography.  Susan and I cannot express how much fun we had and how honored we are to have been a part of this year’s gathering of the NELFPC.  We would like to express our deepest heart-felt thanks to Steve and Vicky for opening their home to everyone for this truly amazing event, and everyone in The Collective, for your generous hospitality and such a great time!

The only regret I have is that we do not have this kind of a dedicated group here locally. . . it sure is a long way to Connecticut!

JB
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