APUGers in Arizona

[white.elephant]

Anyone up for a local Field Trip on January 25th?

A gent on Fred Miranda approached me to guide him around the local area on Sunday, January 25th. He's flying in from St. Louis Saturday, wants to shoot some desert southwest on Sunday, and then fly back Monday. So the travel radius is limited.

I offered to help him out, but I'm thinking that maybe we can do more than just a two-some. And, to boot, there are others in this thread who have been locals longer than I, know more special places, etc.

I suggested places I know, such as Lost Dutchman and Sedona. He came back with a desire for "the place with the cactusii (sp?)" so I asked him whether he meant Saguaro or Organ Pipe. I'm waiting for a reply.

Anyhoo, if anyone is interested in joining us, let me know. I'm the de-facto organizer. My Mamiya will seemingly still be in the shop at that point, so I'm probably just bringing my Bessa R2a and playing documentarian to the whole thing rather than carting tripod et al around. He said he's bringing some high-end Canon DSLR (I think one of the full-frame ones), a short tele, a wide angle and a tripod.

I'm up for suggestions and I'm up for company, if anyone is interested. I only have a two-seater vehicle (well, it's technically a four-seater if your passengers are munchkins) so we'd need more car seats.

Lemme know if your interested.

 

[Robert Hall]

I had great luck at McDowell Mountain Park north of Fountain Hills. It's a state park with a $6 entrance fee. I saw and photographed quite a bit.

I was offered access to a closed site up there and was able to photograph a ruin and petroglyphs.

This was my 8x10 hovering gently over one of the petroglyphs. (this image taken with my iPhone lol)

 

[white.elephant]

This was my 8x10 hovering gently over one of the petroglyphs. (this image taken with my iPhone lol)

What kind of tripod do you use? I'm in the market for a new one.

As I am acting as guide, I'd probably only go somewhere I've never been if someone joins the group who has been there. Partly to avoid the following conversation:

"Place 'X'; oh, what's there?"

"uhh, don't know, I've never been . . ."

My knowledge of the whole Phoenix area is spotty, so I am hoping that if a new place is suggested, the suggestor will either give me some solid guidelines or will join us. n I had suggested places like Jerome and such, but the 'cactus' idea seemed really appealing to him.

I'll ask people here at the office whether they've been there, though, and I really do appreciate the suggestion. I wouldn't have thought of it. Thanks! And the image of the camera was priceless.

 

[Robert Hall]

I have several, this one is a lighter one and works well with little wind. It's a basalt gitzo 3 section. the 8x10 is a little close on the weight limit but I use it mainly for the Mamiya. But the Ball head was quite awesome. It's a Kirk BH-1.

This is a hard place to get lost in, check it out on google maps. not a large park by some standards, but loads of places to get images.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.676354,-111.732674&spn=0.191709,0.280151&z=12

Check it out. Nice place.

 

[white.elephant]

Maybe what I'll do is go there this weekend and scout it. Thanks again for your suggestion!

 

[rcoda]

Richard, I got in to see your work. Good stuff for sure. My wife really liked the cloud image and I liked several. Best of luck with your large format work.

Thanks, Robert. Glad you and your wife enjoyed my work.

 

[rusty_tripod]

I might be in for this on one the 25th. I have a major state exam on the 24th and might need something to distract my mind from the stress. Keep me informed.

 

[Shadow Images]

Glad to see some more locals. I'm in northwest phoenix

 

[white.elephant]

Does anyone want to try tp get together for coffee or something this Saturday afternoon (the 17th), say around 1:30 or so?

 

[rusty_tripod]

I was planning to drive down to the Casa Grande Street Fair. Perhaps, I can go on Sunday. White.elephant and I are in the east valley. If others are interested, we need recommendations for a meeting place. suggestions?

 

[Dave Martiny]

Sounds like a great idea. It seems we have members scattered about the metro area. A suggestion for a central location might be the Starbuck's at Park Central Mall, located on Central Ave. between Thomas and Osborn. There is a light rail station in front of the mall. A bit selfish on my part, perhaps, since I live close by, but I'm more than willing to drive anywhere else if someone would suggest a better location for those who will attend.

Regards,

Dave

 

[white.elephant]

Sounds like a great idea. It seems we have members scattered about the metro area. A suggestion for a central location might be the Starbuck's at Park Central Mall, located on Central Ave. between Thomas and Osborn. There is a light rail station in front of the mall. A bit selfish on my part, perhaps, since I live close by, but I'm more than willing to drive anywhere else if someone would suggest a better location for those who will attend.

Regards,

Dave

I reach at the Art Institute Saturday mornings so I will already be 'central,' so that works for me.

How about 2pm?

 

[Robert Hall]

I reach at the Art Institute Saturday mornings...

It's good to stretch for artistic goals.

 

[Robert Hall]

BTW, just finished my development of my work down there from over the first. It looks very exciting. I can hardly wait to print this weekend. (I would start sooner but I have some other film to do first.)

 

[Dave Martiny]

I reach at the Art Institute Saturday mornings so I will already be 'central,' so that works for me.

How about 2pm?

OK then, 2 pm at the Park Central Starbucks, out front in the patio area. Just look for the tallest guy, and that will be me.

Who else is coming?

Regards,

Dave

 

[white.elephant]

BTW, just finished my development of my work down there from over the first. It looks very exciting. I can hardly wait to print this weekend. (I would start sooner but I have some other film to do first.)

Be sure to post some. I am looking forward to it.

 

[white.elephant]

OK then, 2 pm at the Park Central Starbucks, out front in the patio area. Just look for the tallest guy, and that will be me.

Who else is coming?

Regards,

Dave

Well, I am. Rusty, can you make it? I'll email Rich.

 

[rusty_tripod]

Saturday morning I will be studying for my upcoming math test. I would like to try riding the train over. It has been years since I was at Park Central so I might need some directing along the way to find the Starbucks since Park Central has changed over time. I will bring my cell phone. Is Starbucks in the mall itself or on the street?

 

[white.elephant]

I exchanged emails with Rich, and he knows about it and said 'maybe.' Well, I'll be there at 2. Let's just say I'll be carrying an old Canon film slr over my shoulder. The password will be 'swordfish.'

 

[Dave Martiny]

Saturday morning I will be studying for my upcoming math test. I would like to try riding the train over. It has been years since I was at Park Central so I might need some directing along the way to find the Starbucks since Park Central has changed over time. I will bring my cell phone. Is Starbucks in the mall itself or on the street?

Rusty --

The Starbucks is on the west side of Central Ave., at Earl, which is a light between Osborn and Thomas. When you go west on Earl at Central, you are entering the mall parking lot and the Starbucks is the first thing you run into.

Regards,

Dave

 

[mgonzale]

I want to attend, but am not sure if I will be able to do so. If I do attend, you'll recognize me as looking like a Carlos, even though that's not my name.

 

[rusty_tripod]

Our gathering yesterday was small but quite good. If you did not make it, we have scheduled another for Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Starbucks in Park Central. I have sent a request to the moderators to create an Arizona regional group.

If you can make it on the 28th, bring some gear and some examples of your work to share. Let's get a local group active and sharing.

 

[keith1phx]

Well, crap....... I just found this thread this morning. I was out yesterday morning at South Mountain Park running some film through the new 4x5 (there is a building that I use as a test control subject see http://benandkeith.com/SM_Trials.html). I would love to have attended. I will make a point of attending the next.
I am in Central(ish) Phoenix.
I had thought about asking for an Arizona Regional Forum, so I am glad someone has, thanks.
I will definitely bookmark this thread until we get our own spot.

 

[white.elephant]

Rusty, maybe I'm hallucinating, but I don't think we agreed on meeting at Starbucks, did we? I thought we talked about meeting at Dave's . . . but I could be wrong.

 

[white.elephant]

Keith, I think you and I have communicated by email before about Photomark and scanning negs, haven't we? Didn't you do some shooting up on Route 66 last year?