John Sexton's "Expressive Black and White Print" Workshop

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Since you were interested in my plans for that workshop, and you helped select my prints for the review, at our last get-together, I thought I would share back my experiences from attending it, as it was all pretty amazing... It took me a while, but I put together an article about it on my blog:

Dead Link Removed

Happy reading, and see you soon.

Rafal

 

[monosnaps]

Thanks Rafal had a read of the blog, thanks.

 

[thefizz]

Well done Rafal, looking forward to hearing lots more at our next meeting.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Thanks, Peter and Eddie. I hope to be able to put some of the lessons to practice in time for the meet-up. In the meantime, I have been focussing on finishing, mat cutting etc—now that I have seen it is possible, I am on a mission for zero overcuts when cutting bevels. See you soon!

 

[brucemuir]

Rafal,
Thoughtful writeup that I enjoyed reading.
You have a knack for writing.

Could you share any tips on eliminating the dimples/bulging in fibre paper that you mentioned in the article?

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Bruce, thanks for your kind words—it is nice to hear that you liked the writing, that makes me want to do it more often.

As for the "edge-long dimple", I have just posted a full recipe how to avoid the problem as post #29 on my original APUG thread. You can find that post here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Please let me know if that works for you, I am curious.

Rafal

 

[walbergb]

As for the "edge-long dimple", I have just posted a full recipe how to avoid the problem as post #29 on my original APUG thread.

Rafal, what is an "edge-long dimple"? I dry mount MGIV FB double-weight paper in large sizes (11"x14" and 16"x20") and I don't see a problem, but I may not know what I'm looking for/at!

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

I can only describe it as a very gentle, edge-long dimple parallel to all four edges of the print, less than 1 cm (1/4") from the edge. I can only see it when looking at the print at an angle at which I can see a light reflection along the edge, otherwise it is not visible at all. If you have a look at this thread, (there was a url link here which no longer exists), there is a photo of the issue attached to post #4. If you have never experienced it with this paper, I am pleasantly jealous.

Rafal

 

[walbergb]

I can only describe it as a very gentle, edge-long dimple parallel to all four edges of the print, less than 1 cm (1/4") from the edge. I can only see it when looking at the print at an angle at which I can see a light reflection along the edge, otherwise it is not visible at all. If you have a look at this thread, (there was a url link here which no longer exists), there is a photo of the issue attached to post #4. If you have never experienced it with this paper, I am pleasantly jealous.

Rafal

Good example, thank you. I can't say that I've ever seen that on my prints, but I will be more aware of it now. I dry mount my prints to acid-free foam core with light pressure and at 195 degrees for 2 minutes. I also use a sheet of butcher paper on top. I don't know if any of what I do makes a difference. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the problem.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Mentioned on John Sexton's Web Site - A Happy Day for Me

I suppose the flexibility of foam-core works to your advantage. In any case, this issue is not a widely reported one, perhaps it is a function of the working methods and materials. Also, it is faint, and not easily noticed...

By the way, I am over the moon, and very happy to see a lovely mention on John Sexton's web page. I noticed it today, and it has made my day! While I realise that I am beating my own drum, I hope others might share in my happiness. Have a look at this page, and scroll to the bottom, where my article got mentioned: http://www.johnsexton.com/workshop_endorsements.html

Rafal

 

[Henry Alive]

Let me say that your article is an inspiring one. I have always thought that this meetings allow you to improve your level immediately. I hope I will be able to attend some day a workshop like you did. Congratulations and good luck!
Henry.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Thanks, Henry. This workshop has kindled up my enthusiasm a lot, too. It was such a pleasure to be in the company of people who share my obsession. Sometimes I am jealous I have not lived on the West Coast of US in those days... Their photographic community stood out.

 

[seoirse]

Great blog, Rafal.

I really enjoyed reading it.

Cheers,
George.

 

[mike c]

Rafal,hello and thank you for your post on John Sexton's print class. How much info does Mr. Sexton need on the prints we being, I just moved and almost all of my darkroom stuff is in storage right now and would be very hard to locate? The class starts next week.

Mike

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Mike, I'd suggest you contact John, as he will have a better idea how to respond as he must have seen your situation before, many times. The portfolio review was very important to me, and gave me, I think, the most actionable feedback from the entire workshop. If you are not in position, however, to bring prints, and some of your negatives, to the workshop you would still learn a lot, but I think you would miss the most personally relevant aspect of it.

I am also not sure if I fully understood your question—perhaps you are asking only about information about the prints. If you mean any printing notes etc, then in our case John did not review those himself. He focused solely on the prints and negatives. However, as he was questioning different aspects of the technique that was used to arrive at a print, I, and some of the other participants, have been referring to our printing notes a lot. For example, this enabled me to remember what paper/developer I have used, what contrast grade was selected, or how did I burn some sections. Also, notes from negatives were useful to me, in particular when answering questions if a negative was N+1 or not, and what developer I have used. Having said that, not everyone seemed to refer to their notes, so they are not critical, especially if you have a good memory.

Rafal

 

[mike c]

Thank you Rafal, have negs and prints but lack notes. With out notes it is hard to remember what was done to a finale print. Hope the class will improve my organizing and darkroom techniques.

Mike