First Annual Spring Workshop in Virginia

[dwdmguy]

Hummm let me think Jim, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, I'm excited for that for sure.

 

[msdemanche]

That will be great Jim. I have a 5X7 Deardorff that with a 4X5 back. I think I have the 5X7 back but no lens board or lens for that size cone. I will bring her, and maybe we can play with her. This is going to be lots of fun. Anyone up for a hike up Humpback rock with their 4X5's. Michel

 

[jgjbowen]

Let us get back to you with specifics over the coming weeks, but personally: I plan to be photographing at Swannanoa from dawn through night on the days that we have access there. Others are welcome to join, and we can consolidate transport from Charlottesville. We'll also ave other shooting nearby venues and people may divide up into subgroups and then unite in the evenings for show and tell.

John, LF is heartily welcome and it'd be great if folks would be willing to give brief tutorials on different gear types and metering and lighting etc.

We'll have darkroom space for loading and developing and printing and such.

Keith, don't know if I'll make dawn on Wednesday, but I'll be there shortly after dawn if it isn't raining. I'll plan on meeting you at Swannanoa. Sat/Sun are iffy at this moment, but I plan on putting in full shooting days on Wed-Fri.
I was looking forward to meeting Travis, but it looks like our paths may not cross this time.

 

[John Irvine]

How do you get to Swannanoa comming to C'ville on I-64 from the east?

What does hiking up Humpback rock entail? I assume the operative up means it is not level both ways.

 

[keithwms]

Swannanoa is right at the intersection of skyline drive and the blue ridge parkway. Look for afton inn, it's right above that. You drive a *very* short distance (quarter mile or less) on blue ridge parkway after turning off I-64, go up a driveway and voila.

I and Richard will put together maps including locations of all meeting points and contact telephone #s..

To assist equipment sharing etc., I propose that we list gear that we can bring that we would be willing to let people try out. I mentioned a few things I can bring if people wish; I'll just make a list here and others can chime in if they want...

Cambo 8x10 monorail camera with 8x10 & 5x7 backs (and I may be able to arrange two of these cameras);
Poco 8x10 (an oldie but a goodie)
Shen Hao 4x10/5x8/5x7
Rittreck 5x7/4x5
Poco 5x7 (an oldie but a goodie)
Crown Graphic 4x5
Mamiya RB67 pro sd
Mamiya RZ pro 2
Mamiya 6 (2)
Mamiya 645 afd
Mamiya 645 pro
Nikon F100
Nikon D700
Olympus OM1 & XA & XA2

So far I have heard that there may be a 28mp leaf back to check out as well.

We will try to have all film processing options available including b&w, c41, and E6. Drum scan may be available too but it looks like the lightjet will be down temporarily. We'll be able to do Pt/Pd and cyano if there is interest. Whatever people express interest for in advance, we'll see what we can do.

We can have at least one barbecue at my place on grounds at UVa. We are also thinking about having a proper slide show... at least for 35mm but I hope also medium format and we'll have some LF slide-ogling too.

I propose that people mention interesting gear that they'd be willing to bring to show off or lend, and also let us know if you'd care to make a presentation on a subject of your choosing. If there is anything in particular that you'd like to learn, mention that too, maybe it can be arranged. It'll be non-pretentious, informal, fun... relaxed...

I suspect that some of the folks up in the DC group will come down as well.

P.S. The humpback hike is very easy, no serious climbing, but there are plenty of other shoots to do if somebody doesn't care for the brief hike. E.g. there are vineyards nearby.

 

[msdemanche]

Keith,
I will be there. I can meet with folks after I check in with the in-laws Thursday morning. I am really looking forward to the shoots and interactions.
Here is the list of what I will bring
Contax 35mm
Nikon Fm2
Agfa 120 range
Holga
Diana
Hasselblad 500C with 80 lens and two 120 A12s
Wista knock off 4X5 field
Yashica MatG
My Deardorff 4X5 rebuild

I will be glad to share, my plans will be for the 4X5 field, Hassie and Holga.
I only brought up Humpback because I been up her New Years eve sunrise now for two years. Sounds like you have lots planned already which is great. Michel

 

[jgjbowen]

I stopped by the mansion today on my way back from Radford. I wanted to be sure I could find it. It was 3:40 pm and the place was enshrouded (sp) in a very dense fog. If I'd had my cameras with me, I would still be there.

 

[photobum]

John, I'm heading for Richmond Thursday with my wife. First stop is the Civil War Museum. Then we want to visit (and photograph) the plantations along the James River. I tend to bring my TLR Rollie on these sort of trips. Do you think I would get to use my 4x5 or 8x10 at the plantations? Worth bringing? Any advice? 3-4 days.

 

[dwdmguy]

I have to tell you I'm busting at the seams about this event. It's so NICE of you to do this for everyone.

It's also going to be a great weekend for my son (12) to shoot film with not just dad, but all of you. I picture of him working in the darkroom with us, learning....

Sidenote: While I am a Med format shooter as well as 35mm, I'm thinking of picking up a Speed Graphic Reporter (Graflex) to learn. My darkroom classes begin in school in May!!!

Thank you so much. I'll be making hotel resv. (after reading again thru here of where to stay) tomorrow when I get my check.

Thank you all again.
Tom

 

[jgjbowen]

John, I'm heading for Richmond Thursday with my wife. First stop is the Civil War Museum. Then we want to visit (and photograph) the plantations along the James River. I tend to bring my TLR Rollie on these sort of trips. Do you think I would get to use my 4x5 or 8x10 at the plantations? Worth bringing? Any advice? 3-4 days.

I haven't been to the James River plantatinos in almost 20 years. I serioiusly doubt they would permit a tripod in doors, but outdoors should not pose too much of a problem. Have fun and good luck!

 

[keithwms]

MF slide projector???

Does anybody have a medium format slide projector to bring along? We will be having a 35mm slide evening and I thought it'd be nice to show some medium format stuff, and loupe some LF slides on a light table as well.

 

[dwdmguy]

Just for fun, I was thinking of bringing a portable white seamless background for portraits of all the members attending. Does that make sense?
Best,

 

[msdemanche]

That would be great. Michel

 

[dwdmguy]

Done. Whenever we feel we will be somewhere for a couple of hours I'll set it up and clamp it. (p.s. Anyone a two small sandbags) and photographers can take turns taking portraits of others and then collectivaly post them here or where ever.
Tom

 

[dwdmguy]

Very much worth your time.......
http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2009/04/everything-old-is-new-againphotography.html

 

[photobum]

It looks like I'm buying a Linhof Technika soon, so I have to make some space and gather some money.

If anybody is interested in seeing this stuff I can bring;

Calumet 400 18" light tight but a little beat.
Two Rollie TLR mutars #1 0.7 with shade #2 1.5X both in exc. cond.
Leica Elmarit M 21mm exc. cond. on loan to Tom
Horseman 4x5HD exc. I'll be using.
I'll also be using a mint cond. Calumet wide #402 Don't know if I'd ever sell it but take a look at how nice these can be.

Anyone looking for Nikon F-5 or Leica M equipment shoot me a PM. Sorry to be crass but it's a chance to see and shoot something you might be interested in.

 

[dwdmguy]

Still very excited:
I'll be bringing
A white seamless backdrop for photographers to take pictures of anyone they wish, be nice to document the event.
My MamiyaAFD III with the 28meg digital back. (Keith will be using) 120 back as well.
My new (?) Graphic Crown 4x5 (hope to get some good pointers with this in and out of the DR)
Leica M6
Mamiya 1000s

 

[msdemanche]

Has anyone set up any times and places to meet yet? Are we going to send PM's about the first day etc. Just curious.
very excited
Michel

 

[photobum]

Digital Back??? Tom, I retract my offer to loan you those lenses. This is an APUG shoot.


Jim

 

[dwdmguy]

Easy Jim, it's for Keith for use to look at and see if he can use it for a june shoot he has coming up.

 

[keithwms]

Haha, yeah, I'll play with the digital back privately

Michel, after this weekend, Richard and I will have some time to write up the full details, day by day, giving times and locations for everything. We'll post that info here.

It sounds like we're going to have a fair amount of show and tall so I'll try to arrange a good venue. There is an excellent vineyard/winery called Veritas with a "great room" that might be perfect, and will allow us to do some wine tasting on the side.

 

[jgjbowen]

I hope we get some fog at the mansion on day....

 

[John Irvine]

The seven day forecast just now showed rain everyday until next Nonday when it changes to sunny Monday and Tuesday. Cross your fingers for Wednesday.

 

[dwdmguy]

Am I missing something? I thought it begun on Thursday?
Thanks
Tom

 

[keithwms]

Tom, there isn't an official beginning per se... I'll probably be out and about on Wednesday too. Folks are welcome to come Wed and stay through the weekend or whatever- I'll be doing all manner of stuff, as will Richard.

The weather has been dull and that may well continue, so we'll just have to plan a few contingencies; I'm happy to set up a macro shoot if people want and if conditions warrant.

My darkroom is back in operation! As of this morning. So people can come do some stuff there if they wish, but I'll need a list of chems and would ask people to bring anything unusual. Richard's darkroom is also in full swing.

Let me just remind everybody (I think I mentioned it before) that the weekend will be UVa's commencement, so I will be indisposed for some of that. Have to wear my silly robes and march around and all that. But Richard will be "free" (=wife and child notwithstanding) on the weekend. He and I will plot a day-by-day calendar tomorrow, if not later today.

Bring prints! Bring slides! Bring gear! Bring good humour...