I have been an APUG member and reader for a while but not active. So I finally decided it was time to introduce myself to the APUG community!


I have been making black and white photographs since I was a kid growing up in Buffalo, NY, where I started out with a Kodak Brownie my parents gave me. Things moved into high gear when I got my first Instamatic and then my Argus C3. When I was 15 the next major step occurred – my parents let me set up my first darkroom in our small basement. There wasn’t any running water, but it got me started and there would be no turning back!


I am largely a self-taught “amateur”, having never attempted to make a living from photography. I almost decided to go to RIT for college but got cold feet. That having been said, I have been making black and white photographs and prints for over 45 years. Along the way I took a few classes as electives in college, read a lot, self discovered a lot more, made many great friends near and far and attended some interesting workshops along the way.


Several years ago I abandoned a safe existence living in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, for as some like to say “something different”, and moved to a small town that pretty much shuts down on Sunday and is barely open on Monday. I now live in Doylestown Pennsylvania, in the heart of Bucks County; an area filled with picturesque scenes, small towns and villages, yet near the Philadelphia metropolis and even New York City by train.


I recently launched a website … if you have a moment take a look and let me know what you think!

www.michaelmarksphoto.com

Also, I have started having occasional get togethers in Doylestown at a neat coffee shop to discuss black and white film photographs we have made over a cup. I was thinking of hosting this once a month on a Sunday. As I mentioned on my site:

"Let’s get together! Yes, how about getting together to chat about our photographs and the stories behind them. What was your intent in making the photograph, what were you trying to say, was it a success? If you made your print, were there any particular challenges involved?

This is not a discussion focused on gear — the idea is to share insights, get constructive feedback, learn a few things, relax and make new friends!"

Let me know if you are interested and we can set a date!!!!

Many thanks in advance, and I look forward to participating in APUG!

Hehe, hi Michael! Yes, I too am a Pennsy Photo Pholk! This group has not been all that active, but perhaps under the newer and more consistent navigation available more will happen.

For any other readers in the SE corner of the state, Michael has some interesting ideas and so far I have attended one little gathering that produced some interesting discussions (and some good coffee!) Stay tuned ...

I wish I could get to Doylestown faster. I likely won't get to any of the coffee get togethers due to time, but if anyone heads somewhat west, I might be able to meet up.

Dave,

Good to hear from you again. I know we just spoke on the phone this morning! Glad we met met through APUG and many thanks for the kind words! It was a fun gathering and I hope to do more of them... monthly if possible. The Zen Den in Doylestown on a Sunday morning turned out to be a perfect location for a casual discussion of photographs we had made. I will post a date on my my website and here as well, but if anyone is interested and has a date in mind please let me know.

Best,

Michael

Bethe,

Nice to hear from you again! I checked out your website...very impressive!!!!! Well I am not sure exactly where you are located but maybe we can work something out.

Best,

Michael

I'm about an hour from Pittsburgh, near New Stanton. If anyone wants to check out Ohiopyle State Park, I'm just about always up for that. A fair amount of my website shots are from there (and thanks for the compliment!).

I just checked and Ohiopyle is about 5 hours from Doylestown. It does look inviting though... I am relatively new to PA (although I did get my Master's from Pitt in 1978). Is there anything interesting someplace in between?

Michael

There's a whole state full of interesting in between.

Rick A is correct -- there's something for everyone! I tend to think in terms of days rather than hours for more serious excursions, but there are a fair number of things that could be a day trip -- perhaps a lon-o-ong day trip. I do get out near Bethe's area once a year or so, but it's usually going to or coming from family visits in the Indianapolis area, and thus viewed through the windshield at 55+. I have old friends who live in Indiana, Pa. and we occasionally connect with them on such excursions. A shot of the falls at Ohiopyle hangs on my living room wall, in fact (color film shot even!)

For a guy like myself who likes olde rust, there are significant railroad museums in Strasburg and Scranton. A number of our Faire Commonwealth's state parks are centered around historic sites such as iron furnaces, battlefields, etc. Many of the large number of counties in the state have some interesting old 19th C courthouses and are old enough to contain quite a spectrum of architectural examples. There are also quite a few museums and interpretive sites -- and tourist railroads. There are also many "significant" bridges, such as the old PRR Rockville bridge across the Susquehanna above Harrisburg, Starrucca Viaduct up in the northern Poconos, Nicholson ("Tunkhannock") viaduct above Scranton. State parks with waterfalls and other interesting scenery ..... It goes on.

But to me at least, these need much more thought and prep -- and time -- than a couple of hours at the Zen Den!

(Well, off to clean up some last minute art show details ...)

+1 to Rick's comment about a whole state of interesting between there and here. Sometime, when I can do a 2 or 3 day trip, I want to take Nate to SteamTown near Wilkes Barre. There are so many state parks within an hour or so of here that I never get further than those. And numerous car shows at Carlisle, too. I haven't been to Gettysburg, yet, either.

Hey Dave, I enjoyed our get together at the Zen Den! And I want to do more of those...great to discuss our photography!!! Any takers?

Well, I feel like I started something here so I would be willing to get together with anyone that wants to at a mutually agreeable location ... say for an afternoon of photographing. I am the least expert of the area outside of central Bucks Co and nearby so I won't be the best to make a suggestion.

Michael

If you want interresting, you need to explore the Rt. 6 coridor. That trip alone, with stops to see everything, takes days to get from one end of the state to the other.

Planning this year is a bit erratic, as My Faire Spouse is making the transition to actually being retired, but we have more Grand Ideas(tm) than there appears to be time for! Anyway, I am a member of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Last year they published an article on "Rails-with-Trails" which is how I became aware of a tourist railroad operation down in the York area. One of the more remarkable things about that line is they had an operating replica built of the steam locomotive that pulled Lincoln's train to Gettysburg. (Check the 'Photos' link at that site.) So I do want to do a photo project on it, but I also want to ride it -- and maybe ride the bicycle trail too, if my fat little body is up to it. (Odds are that will not all happen on the same day. ) Anyway, that's another of many things that lurk in this Faire Commonwealth.

Rick,

Thanks for the tip on Rt 6! If anyone is interested in meeting half way or thereabouts in some interesting location I would be up for it.

Michael

I'm up in Cameron County, a short hop south of Rt 6, and a big fan of everything between Warren and Mansfield. Let me know if you ever plan on heading out this way, maybe we could meet somewhere.

Rick,

Looks like about 3.5 hours from where I live. I think I used to drive through Mansfield when I lived in outside DC and drove home to visit Buffalo. I don't have any current plans to be going by there but could if there was something interesting and people wanted to get together.

Michael

All,

I will be hosting another "Photo Chat Get Together" on Sunday, June 5th, 10:00-11:30am at the Zen Den coffee shop, located on ‪20 Donaldson Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.

The idea is to get together to chat about our photographs and the stories behind them. What was your intent in making the photograph, what were you trying to say, was it a success? If you made your print, were there any particular challenges involved?

This is not a discussion focused on gear — the idea is to share insights, get constructive feedback, learn a few things, relax and make new friends!

Well, if this sounds interesting and fun, how about joining me in beautiful downtown Doylestown, PA, in the heart of scenic Bucks County, and we will get together over a cup of coffee.

Bring a couple of black and white prints to discuss.

Email or call me at 215-348-9171 if you are interested. First come first serve!

I look forward to meeting you!

Best,

Michael

July is turning out to be an action packed month for me! I am excited to announce that I will be having a one-person show at the Manu Propria Photographic Studio, 13 W Beverley Street, Second Floor, Staunton Virginia. The exhibit will be on display from Saturday, July 16th through Sunday July 31st and will focus on some of my favorite photographs of people.

An open house will take place on Saturday, July 16th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm hosted by photographer and Manu Propria Studio owner and Richard Pippin.

I hope to see you there!



Two weeks later I will be back in Virginia conducting the Shenandoah Valley Workshop, together with Richard Pippin on July 29th-31st. Richard is a fine black and white film photographer; expert practitioner of black and white alternative processes, and runs Manu Propria Photographic Studio, located in historic Staunton Virginia, in the heart of beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

The workshop will provide a unique experience in a friendly environment for photographers who wish to make satisfying images using black and white film, printed to the highest archival standards using traditional wet processes. Participants will get first hand experience shooting black and white film using 35mm cameras that are inexpensive and accessible, as well as a unique experience of making beautiful hand crafted archival contact prints from large digital negatives derived from original 35mm negatives.

We know that many people interested in black and white film photography and the artistry of making traditional wet prints do not have access to a darkroom or are intimidated by the concept.

This introductory workshop is designed to quickly make you familiar with using 35mm film cameras, proper exposure technique, film development and how to use composition to create compelling images. We will demonstrate how to create handcrafted prints with a minimal amount of equipment and no darkroom requirements whatsoever. This can be accomplished using digital negatives that can be easily produced and thenprinted to the size of the final print, working with either Platinum/Palladium or Kallitype emulsions that are hand coated on paper and then exposed with either the sun or a UV light source for exquisite results.

Participants will be able to leave with a finished 8x10 contact print they have made, as well as the confidence to be able to make and print meaningful personal images back at home.

For complete details please check out my website at http://www.michaelmarksphoto.com

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who came to the open house that launched my show on Saturday evening at Manu Propria Photographic Studio, in Staunton Virginia. I especially wish to thank my family and dear friends who came to share this moment with me, as well as those who could not be there but encouraged and supported me in this endeavor!!! If you are in the Shenandoah Valley area and have a spare moment, please stop by and take a look at my show.

Fourth Photo Chat Get-Together


Let’s get together! Yes, how about getting together to chat about our photographs and the stories behind them. What was your intent in making the photograph, what were you trying to say, was it a success? If you made your print, were there any particular challenges involved?


This is not a discussion focused on gear — the idea is to share insights, get constructive feedback, learn a few things, relax and make new friends!


Well, if this sounds interesting and fun, how about joining me in beautiful downtown Doylestown, PA, in the heart of scenic Bucks County, and we will get together over a cup of coffee.


Photographers of all levels are welcome.


I think a total of 3-4 people is the right size. Bring only a couple of prints to discuss. Obviously the prints should be Black and White and should be film based!


The get together will be on Sunday, August 28th, 10:00-11:30am at the Zen Den coffee shop, located on ‪20 Donaldson Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.


Email or call me at 215-348-9171 if you are interested. First come first serve!


I look forward to meeting you!

I have signed on (subject to a few caveats -- such as I may not be able to find time amidst current chaos to do prints by then ).

Dave,

I have faith in you... in any case you can discuss your great cross country road trip!

Michael

Hello all,

I am now a member of a new Artist Coop Gallery called Gathering, located at 65 W State Street in Downtown Doylestown. The gallery will be having a Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, September 23rd from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. I will be there, but most importantly there will be food and music, so it promises to be a good time for one and all!

I would love to meet you!

Best,

Michael

October Photo Chat Get-Togethers

Due to a popular uprising we will be meeting twice in October! Your choice … come to one or come to both events!!!

Yes, how about getting together to chat about our photographs and the stories behind them. What was your intent in making the photograph, what were you trying to say, was it a success? If you made your print, were there any particular challenges involved?

This is not a discussion focused on gear — the idea is to share insights, get constructive feedback, learn a few things, relax and make new friends!

Well, if this sounds interesting and fun, how about joining me in beautiful downtown Doylestown, PA, in the heart of scenic Bucks County, and we will get together over a cup of coffee.

Photographers of all levels are welcome.

Bring only a couple of prints to discuss. Obviously the prints should be Black and White and should be film based!

The get together will be on Sunday, October 2nd and Sunday October 9th, 10:00-11:30am at the Zen Den coffee shop, located on ‪20 Donaldson Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Email or call me at 215-348-9171 if you are interested. First come first serve!

I look forward to meeting you!