Darkroom Workshop in NE?

[SuzanneR]

New England APUGgers,

I've decided it's time to start planning another get together/workshop for our region! This time, in the darkroom!

Papagene has a friend who makes marvelous photograms, and he has agreed to give a demonstration. I would like to find someone local to give perhaps a pt/pd demonstration, (Peter Schrager???) or other non-silver processes... VDB, cyanotype, whatever. Any other ideas for demos??

Let's start with firming up a date... sometime over the summer, or would early fall be better? We can probably use the darkroom at Whitey's school in Belmont, but if not, I will be calling around to a few more schools that I know have darkrooms ti find out if we can borrow (or rent?) them for a Saturday session.

The floor is open... any thoughts on dates, and any other demos?

Thanks!!
~Suzanne

 

[jgjbowen]

Hi Suzanne,

Far be it for a guy from Richmond, VA to suggest a date, but Richard Ritter mentioned a few days ago that there is a Fred Picker exhibit scheduled for a Brattleboro, VT gallery in August. There is also a Fine Focus Workshop (Richard Ritter, Ted Harris and Bruce Barlow) scheduled for August 11th-13th. It would definitely be worth the trip from Richmond, VA if your event coincided with the Picker exhibit and Fine Focus Workshop, say Sunday August 6th........ unless the Picke exhibit is after August 13th, then perhaps Saturday August 19th may be better.

 

[SuzanneR]

Thanks for the heads up on that! It'd be great to coordinate with any APUGger's travelling to the incredibly beautiful New England area over the summer (a perfect time to visit, btw, )

I'll look into that Picker exhibit. And, those Fine Focus workshops look great, too, btw. Ted and Bruce came to our last big NE get together, and are excellent instuctors!

 

[JHannon]

Suzanne, here is the link for the Fine Focus workshops.

http://www.finefocusworkshops.com/

I would like to attend one this year. There seems to be very few workshops in the NE area.

--John

 

[gr82bart]

I tell ya Suzanne, you're in the running to organize the next APUG Conference...you keep saying no, but.... you know you want to....LOL

I'm in. When, where, whaddaya want me to do?

I have equipment to demo polaroid transfers. Students would just need to bring a slide - either 35mm or 120. I'll bring the rest - paper and film. Well, maybe I'll take up a collection for the film! No darkroom required, just a dark room.

I am by no means an expert on PT printing, but I've been cranking these puppies out like sweat lately. I can demo a very basic, probably chaulk full of mistakes PT printing as well. I have a very portable UV unit as well. We can all chip in for the PT Printing Kit from Photographer's Formulary and some decent paper. Doesn't really need a darkroom, just a dark room.

Also, if I can get some new Ilfochrome developer kit, I can bring my Jobo and show some Ilfochrome printing as well. Need a darkroom with a dichromatic colour head. Students will need to bring slides - 35mm and also chip in on the Ilfochrome paper.

Just some thoughts.

Art.

 

[JamesG]

I signed up for the August zone system workship with Richard. I am concerned, however, that he has not answered my last two e-mails and has failed to deliver on a small part that I ordered. Is he OK? Does anyone know if there are some problems, either personal or otherwise, that he may be dealing with? I am just concerned because he has maintained good communication prior to that.

James

 

[jgjbowen]

I see Richard posted here last on June 3rd. I just saw him in late May at the Fine Focus Workshop. I'm sure he is fine.

 

[jgjbowen]

I received a private message from Richard. Seems his phone line has been down for most of the past week. Richard has a quaint home situated in Vermont's God's Country and when something like the phone line goes down, it can take a little time before things get squared away.

 

[JustK]

I'm interested in getting together for some darkroom fun, thanks Suzanne and Art! Let me know what I can do to help! Krystyna

 

[bdial]

Lith printing might be something to add to the possibilities list.

 

[gr82bart]

Hey Suzanne,

What's the latest on this?

BTW, rereading my post, it sounds like I would do ALL of that. Actually, I'd only do one of the three - I prefer to do the Polaroid transfers. They were just suggestions.

Regards, Art.

 

[SuzanneR]

Bumping this...

Would Saturday August 19th work for folks? Or is it too close to the planned show (and opening on August 27th) at Whitey's school? I was thinking, if anyone is doing the fine focus workshop the weekend before, and are still in New England this might be a great way to meet more APUGgers! If summer is just too busy, then we can move it back to some time later in the fall. Also, we need to see if the darkroom is available that day at Whitey's school. If not, I think I may be able to find one in north central Massachusetts. Let's see if there's enough interest/participants!!

I'm thinking, the photogram demo with Gene's friend, a polaroid transfer demo with Art, and a pt/pd demo with... well, not sure yet!!

Thanks!

 

[winger]

That weekend is one of the few that's good for me. I'm in.

 

[papagene]

If I set a date of Aug 12 for drop off of work at the VPC for the NE-APUG show at Whitey's school, then the 19th would be OK. Otherwise I think we should get a list of available dates from Whitey and go from there.

gene

 

[BBarlow690]

I may be going to see Grandma in Santa Fe after the Fine Focus August workshop, but depending on dates, I'd be happy to bring my paper/developer exercise for folks to see. If you've all seen it, I won't be insulted if no one wants a rerun, just say so.

I tested 12 b&w papers in 12 different developers using 2 different development times, and have 4 4-inch binders of the test prints. Articles were in View Camera a couple years ago, but I do an exercise where you look thru my work and choose your own favorite. It's a lot of fun, and useful.

I always look forward to our workshops. We have at least 1 alum returning in August, which is flattering and fun. I know what kinds of work he's been doing, but I haven't seen recent examples. I look forward to his print review.

I'll stay tuned on dates. Hope I can make it.

 

[Whiteymorange]

Not to be a mystery man here...
I have to check a few things first to see about dates. The school has the entire arts facility taken over for much of the summer and I can't check any dates until this week. I also have a possible personal conflict for the 19th myself.

Time to check other spots, Suzanne? I'll get info in as soon as I have it.

 

[SuzanneR]

First, Bruce... thanks for the offer! That sounds like an excellent demo.

Whitey... can you just check the schedule, and post dates that would work for the school? I'm sure posting that information next week will be fine. Then we can see who might be around! We certainly want to see YOU there!!

If we have trouble coordinating with Belmont Hill, then I will inquire at Groton School and Lawrence Academy near me. Groton has a nice darkroom, but I haven't seen LA's. Or if anyone else in New England knows of a school or public darkroom that we can use for free, or nearly free!!

Thanks!

 

[Drew B.]

I find myself slowly getting back into this photography thing... Although I don't have a ton of interest in darkroom processes right now...I will keep a watch on dates and subject matter to come and watch the participants. Hmmm, maybe I'll move off-cape to be able to even have a darkroom....

 

[JustK]

I just want to say thanks to everyone who is working on this next darkroom workshop, it means a great deal to me to be part of this group of committed B & W and darkroom enthusiasts, I am looking forward to hearing about dates for everything, and please keep in mind the Vermont Center for Photography exhibit and talk about Fred Picker on Thursday, August 17, if anyone is interested we can carpool from Springfield.

Blessings to All,
Krystyna

 

[SuzanneR]

All,

Well it turns out that the 19th will not work with the school's schedule. Whitey suggested we try Saturday August 26th. We can make it an all APUG weekend in Belmont, as the show will have it's opening on the 27th. Whitey and Gene plan to hang on the 26th, so we may be able to offer assistance. (Get the show hung quickly so they can paricipate in some of the darkroom demos!!)

Gene is checking with his friend for the photogram demo if this date works.

So... quick show of hands, will Saturday, August 26th work?

 

[winger]

As far as things stand now, the 26th is good for me. I'm mostly booked up through the 12th of August, but okay after that.

And I echo Krystyna's comment.

 

[BBarlow690]

It looks like August 26th would work for me, too. Grandma in Santa Fe looks as if it will happen early in August.

I can bring the paper/developer tests, and I'll bring a supply of my Film Test Kits. I'll also bring some of Richard's "Camera Repair in the Field with Richard Ritter" DVDs for the large format folks who might be interested (no darkroom stuff on it, but useful for LFers nevertheless). Without having to ship them, I can offer both items at a discount off the web site or eBay prices.

Bruce Barlow
www.circleofthesunproductions.com

 

[JustK]

I can make it on August 26th, and if we can help Whitey and Gene hang the show, that would be great, I don't know right now if I'll be able to stay over for the reception on the 27th, but I'll work on that later! Cheers, K

 

[gr82bart]

I'm in for the August 26. I booked myself in the Hilton Garden Inn at Waltham, MA for Saturday evening.

Really Suzanne, I know you want to organize the next APUG Conference. Come on. Admit it!

Regards, Art.

 

[winger]

Does the 26th still look good? And is that an okay date for those of us in the eastern part of NE to bring our art to hang? I can drop it off earlier if Gene and Whitey want to see it before hanging everything.