Looking for photos of Friends of Photography workshop, 1973

Christopher Nisperos · May 2, 2020

Back in [about] 1973 I was an assistant at —and participated in— a week-long Friends of Photography "Creative Experience" workshop —or some name like that— in Carmel Valley.

It was a great experience and is a fond memory but, unfortunately, many years ago a lot of my negatives were lost and now, at my late age (65) I'm on a mission to try to find some photos of that event, especially a few which might include me!

In case you’ve attended several FOP workshops and need a memory jog, this one featured Minor White, Brassai, Jack Welpott & Judy Dater, Jerry Uelsmann, the Newhalls, Morley Baer, Brett Weston, Darryl Curran, Robert Heineken, Wynn Bullock (whom, I believe, was sick but made a 'cameo' appearance), Al Weber, Ansel ... and the kitchen sink (as well as artists from other domains).

But I don't remember names of fellow attendees anymore (other than a Chuck "Rosteucher" (?), Richard Gordon .. and .. um). However, I do remember a certain Art Hall (who worked at a camera repair shop in Palo Alto, I believe ... something like "International Camera Repair"?), who took pictures of our group during a demonstration in Ansel's darkroom (on infrared film using a Pentax and a flash covered with red gel).. I'd LOVE to see some of those shots!

Any feedback would be really appreciated. Even if you, yourself, don't know, I would appreciate if you could provide me with contact info of anyone who could.

By the way, I hope you all keep this nasty coronavirus at bay!

Best regards,

Christopher Nisperos

Tom Kershaw · May 2, 2020

I can't help on the practical aspects of your question but that sounds like a tremendous experience, especially with the participation of all those names.

BradS · May 2, 2020

I wonder if Larry Janss was in attendance? He lives (or lived, I only met him once) down in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Christopher Nisperos · Jun 21, 2020

BradS said:
I wonder if Larry Janss was in attendance? He lives (or lived, I only met him once) down in Thousand Oaks, CA.

I don't recognize the name, Brad, but thanks for the response (and sorry for the delay).

Merg Ross · Oct 1, 2020

Christopher Nisperos said:
Back in [about] 1973 I was an assistant at —and participated in— a week-long Friends of Photography "Creative Experience" workshop —or some name like that— in Carmel Valley.

It was a great experience and is a fond memory but, unfortunately, many years ago a lot of my negatives were lost and now, at my late age (65) I'm on a mission to try to find some photos of that event, especially a few which might include me!

In case you’ve attended several FOP workshops and need a memory jog, this one featured Minor White, Brassai, Jack Welpott & Judy Dater, Jerry Uelsmann, the Newhalls, Morley Baer, Brett Weston, Darryl Curran, Robert Heineken, Wynn Bullock (whom, I believe, was sick but made a 'cameo' appearance), Al Weber, Ansel ... and the kitchen sink (as well as artists from other domains).

But I don't remember names of fellow attendees anymore (other than a Chuck "Rosteucher" (?), Richard Gordon .. and .. um). However, I do remember a certain Art Hall (who worked at a camera repair shop in Palo Alto, I believe ... something like "International Camera Repair"?), who took pictures of our group during a demonstration in Ansel's darkroom (on infrared film using a Pentax and a flash covered with red gel).. I'd LOVE to see some of those shots!

Any feedback would be really appreciated. Even if you, yourself, don't know, I would appreciate if you could provide me with contact info of anyone who could.

By the way, I hope you all keep this nasty coronavirus at bay!

Best regards,

Christopher Nisperos

Christopher, your search caught my attention. Unfortunately, I can not help much, but was somewhat involved with the FOP at its formation. My father, Donald Ross, was an early trustee, and over my long career in photography have known many of the photographers you mention,. Most, as you are aware, have passed on. I believe Curran and Uelsmann are still living, also Judy Dater. I saw Judy last year, as we are involved in a project here in the Bay Area. Wynn Bullock died in late 1975 and was responsible for my exhibit at the FOP Gallery in 1970; it was a three-man show with Don Normark and Ed Putzker. Others that may have been around at the time you mention, are the writer Susan Ehrens, and her husband Leland Rice. They are living in Oakland. I think Leland was a trustee at some point.

That was an exciting time in photography. You mention Carmel Valley as the location for the workshop; was it in a residence? I know Bob Byers lived in Carmel Valley and was also on the board of the FOP. He had a nice darkroom at his residence. Brett later lived in Carmel Valley, but I don't recall if he had yet moved from the Carmel Highlands. Ansel, of course, had a pretty nice darkroom at his place.

Hope you have a successful search.

Best,
Merg

Christopher Nisperos · Nov 24, 2020

Merg Ross said:
Christopher, your search caught my attention. Unfortunately, I can not help much, but was somewhat involved with the FOP at its formation. My father, Donald Ross, was an early trustee, and over my long career in photography have known many of the photographers you mention,. Most, as you are aware, have passed on. I believe Curran and Uelsmann are still living, also Judy Dater. I saw Judy last year, as we are involved in a project here in the Bay Area. Wynn Bullock died in late 1975 and was responsible for my exhibit at the FOP Gallery in 1970; it was a three-man show with Don Normark and Ed Putzker. Others that may have been around at the time you mention, are the writer Susan Ehrens, and her husband Leland Rice. They are living in Oakland. I think Leland was a trustee at some point.

That was an exciting time in photography. You mention Carmel Valley as the location for the workshop; was it in a residence? I know Bob Byers lived in Carmel Valley and was also on the board of the FOP. He had a nice darkroom at his residence. Brett later lived in Carmel Valley, but I don't recall if he had yet moved from the Carmel Highlands. Ansel, of course, had a pretty nice darkroom at his place.

Hope you have a successful search.

Best,
Merg

Thanks kindly, Merg. I've sent you an email.

Best,

Christopher

Christopher Nisperos · Nov 24, 2020

Christopher Nisperos said:
I don't recognize the name, Brad, but thanks for the response (and sorry for the delay).

Tom Kershaw said:
I can't help on the practical aspects of your question but that sounds like a tremendous experience, especially with the participation of all those names.

It was incredible experience, Tom, but would have been even richer if I'd had a bit (a LOT) more culture and photo history under my belt, to understand who many of these people actually were, and where they fit in the grand scheme of the history of photography. I particularly regret not knowing who Brassai was (not to mention not being able to speak French at that time). By the greatest of coincidences, here I am now, in France, shooting —among other things— Paris street photography; people in cafes; wall graffiti and night exposures!

I think it goes to show that —while we are still at an age of being 'formed' for life— it's wise to be open to many things, because we don't yet know where we're headed. But few of us can be "wise" at 17 years old, so I guess it's just a matter of luck!

Best,

Christopher

Christopher Nisperos · Nov 24, 2020

BradS said:
I wonder if Larry Janss was in attendance? He lives (or lived, I only met him once) down in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Hi Brad,

He may have been there, but I don't recognize his name. Perhaps I'll reach out to him, so thanks for the lead!

Best,

Christopher

jeffreyg · Nov 24, 2020

Christopher, I can't help with your request but somewhere about that time I was in Carmel. My wife was starting to get a migraine headache and we saw what appeared to be a school. We went in to find a water fountain so she could take a pill. It happened to be the FOP location. Who ever was there suggested we relax and see the Edward Weston exhibition that was in the gallery. I had no idea who he was and remarked to my wife "look how good his prints are compared to what we get back from the camera store -- I bet he has his own darkroom". (I joined and was a member until they folded.) When we got home I bought equipment and set up a makeshift darkroom. I've been doing my own printing ever since in a dedicated home darkroom. I just finished having my 50+ exhibition. A one man at the IPC ArtSpace owned and curated by Carl Juste. Maybe some things were meant to be ?

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Moa Petersén · Oct 1, 2021

jeffreyg said:
Christopher, I can't help with your request but somewhere about that time I was in Carmel. My wife was starting to get a migraine headache and we saw what appeared to be a school. We went in to find a water fountain so she could take a pill. It happened to be the FOP location. Who ever was there suggested we relax and see the Edward Weston exhibition that was in the gallery. I had no idea who he was and remarked to my wife "look how good his prints are compared to what we get back from the camera store -- I bet he has his own darkroom". (I joined and was a member until they folded.) When we got home I bought equipment and set up a makeshift darkroom. I've been doing my own printing ever since in a dedicated home darkroom. I just finished having my 50+ exhibition. A one man at the IPC ArtSpace owned and curated by Carl Juste. Maybe some things were meant to be ?

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Moa Petersén · Oct 1, 2021

Dear Christopher,
There were three FOP workshops during 1972 and 1973 - in August 1972, and then a six days workshop in April 1973 & a 12 days workshop in June 1973. If it is the one that happened in 1972 you are after no. 2-3 of FOP's journal Untitled covers the event with a lot of photographs from the workshops, articles and sections with quotes heard during the event. Maybe you can find something there?

I myself was not born at this time, but I am currently writing a biography on Jerry Uelsmann and therefor have knowledge about this. If you - or anyone else - happen to have any kind of information about Uelsmann during the 60s and 70s you are more than welcome to e-mail me!

Best,
Moa

Looking for photos of Friends of Photography workshop, 1973

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