Hello from Doylestown, Bucks County PA!

[mbmarks]

Great! I look forward to seeing you then!

 

[mbmarks]

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

 

[mbmarks]

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

 

[rpsawin]

Hi all,

I have just relocated from Washington state to Pennsylvania. I'm in Orrtanna (about 15 miles west of Gettysburg) and would appreciate suggestions for shooting locations and possibly participating in regional shoots and get together. Any help would be great.

 

[HiHoSilver]

mb, best of welcomes.

'Noticed the feeler about meeting up on the 20th & thought - bravo. One of the things that doesn't show in these posts is that those in the nearby areas are dang good shooters. 'Don't know what your preferences are, but I think you'll find superb help & support here.

 

[DWThomas]

Hi all,

I have just relocated from Washington state to Pennsylvania. I'm in Orrtanna (about 15 miles west of Gettysburg) and would appreciate suggestions for shooting locations and possibly participating in regional shoots and get together. Any help would be great.

I suppose it depends a lot on what you like to point your camera toward. Gettysburg itself was a major Civil War battlefield and there are all sorts of monuments. and the town itself has some nifty old buildings. A goodly amount of the state is littered with historic sites -- old iron furnaces and the like. And there are lakes, mountains, forests and railroads all over. South of you in Maryland there are more battlefields, old bridges and furnaces, etc. Eastward toward Harrisburg and Lancaster gets you into Amish farm country.

(If you like old rusty stuff and castellated nuts, I can suggest some tourist rail roads and museums that would work as day trips. )

 

[DWThomas]

@mbmarks I hope all goes well and you sell a few. The Shenandoah Valley is a great place to hang out -- even just touring wineries!

 

[rpsawin]

Thanks Dave.

 

[mbmarks]

Bob,

Welcome to PA. I have only been here 4 years but it is clear as Dave says that there is a lot opportunities. BTW, Dave is a really fine photographer!

Maybe we can all get together sometime.

Best,

Michasel

 

[mbmarks]

HiHoSilver,

Thanks for your nice comments and support. If you are remotely near Bucks Co. maybe we could get together. Dave could join us!

Best,

Michael

 

[mbmarks]

Dave,

Thanks for your kind wishes. You just need to drive down to the Shenandoah. Only takes about 6 hours from here!

Best,

Michael

 

[jvo]

welcome to apug!!!

henry chapman mercer fonthill, tileworks, museum - all offer really great photo opportunities!!!!

 

[mbmarks]

Thanks jvo! Do you live in the Doylestown area?

 

[jvo]

michael,

formerly from nyc and visited PA often, now in florida... just nice memories and pix - also checkout the various steam train depot' and rides in the area - stay at the red caboose motel!

jvo

 

[mbmarks]

Thanks!!! It's a great area for sure!

 

[mbmarks]

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!

 

[mbmarks]

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

 

[mbmarks]

November Photo Chat Get-Together

What better to do after the upcoming election is over than discuss our photographs!

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, November 13th, 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!

 

[Arklatexian]

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


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


Ah Bucks County! My wife had a great-uncle and aunt who lived in Upper Black Eddy above the Delaware River. I must say that when we went there for a visit, it was a real eye-opener for a flat-land foreigner from Louisiana. Man, that is pretty country up there and if you like history, showbiz and good literature, it is all around you.......Regards!

 

[mbmarks]

Oldtimermetoo,

Thanks for your nice comment!! It really is nice here. I have made some nice friends ... just wish I had as much time as a really need to do all the photographing I want!

Best,

Michael

 

[mbmarks]

First Photo Walk Meet Up on December 11th

I thought it would be nice to take a break from doing our periodic Photo Chat Get-Togethers and instead get together for a Photo Walk Meet Up!

Yes, how about getting together to make some photographs and maybe grab some coffee in the lovely town of Lambertville, NJ. There is plenty to photograph with interesting side streets and the nearby towpath along the Delaware River. If time permits we can also walk across the bridge to New Hope in Bucks County, PA.

Well, if this sounds interesting and fun, how about joining me on Sunday, December 11th, at 10am. We will meet at the Lambertville Trading Company on 43 Bridge Street (2nd block from the bridge) in Lambertville, NJ 08530.

Photographers of all levels are welcome.

Email or call me at 215-348-9171 if you are interested.

I look forward to meeting you!

 

[Black Dog]

Happy APUGging!

 

[mbmarks]

Thanks Black Dog!

 

[Geoffrey Swan]

Welcome Michael - I only joined yesterday after discovering APUG just 48 hours ago... and just started reading your website. Excellent stuff and plenty of motivation thank you.

 

[mbmarks]

Geoffrey,

Many thanks for your kind words. I happy you have found my website and are finding it useful. Please stay in touch!

Best,

Michael