NE OH Gathering, September 17 – 19, 2010

[Lee L]

John,

I'm really looking forward to it, but haven't been on APUG much lately because of a number of factors, mostly just being very busy with several projects and now school gearing back up for 3 out of 4 in the household. I'd suspect many others are in the same boat. If I can get all my chores done and a test or two run, I may be doing mostly 4x5 pinhole during the get together. Missed the camera show because I needed to work on making a plumbing access cover in the darkroom and get some film processed from a public event I shot.

I wouldn't be much use discussing portfolios, but would be interested to hear what others have to say. I'm looking forward to seeing what you did with alt processes over the summer, and catching up with some folks whom I've missed on the last one or two go-rounds.

Don't have anything new to contribute unless people want to see 4x6 color snapshots of the tile work in our bathrooms or some observatory construction and renovation; concrete and paint drying, etc. I haven't yet photographed the bathroom tile work, so interested folks will have to give me some advance notice.

Lee

 

[Dan Henderson]

Well gang. We need a little help here. This is a gathering of like minded folks who share their interests, enjoy the hobby and learn from each other. We have an event coming in two weeks. We don’t seem to have the enthusiasm, the conversations, that usually fill this thread. What can we do to generate a little momentum? Where is the buzz we have had in the past?

Do we have any more input on building and presenting a portfolio?

Who will have pictures to show, of what, in what media?

Would someone be willing to make a presentation on portfolios or another photo related subject? Peter had a great one on platinum printing a couple events back. Would someone offer something they are working on?

Is there something in the area people would like to photograph as a group, discuss as a group, make plans to accomplish? Unless the hurricane brings us some water the waterfalls will not offer much. Does anyone have any ideas what subjects might be enhanced by a dry spell?

Talk to us. What do you want from the event? What can you contribute?

John

John: I am planning to bring a selection of lith prints of the "entropy" series that I have been working on. I get a lot of valuable feedback from showing prints like these to fellow photographers and receiving constructive criticism. As I mentioned earlier, I think that a general discussion on portfolios would be beneficial. Other than that I am looking forward to some new shooting locations, and general war-story telling.
Dan

 

[winger]

Assuming I make it, I'm hoping to get some general help with exposures of 4x5 (bellows factor or not, etc..) and just be able to talk with adults. And maybe eat something I didn't have to cook one handed. There's a remote chance I'll have some contact sheets or work prints with me, but that's only going to happen if the munchkin decides to go to sleep early enough that I can get into the darkroom. But I'm going to be hopeful and bring cameras, too.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Where is the buzz

It's August, John, and the only things buzzing are the bumble bees and cicadas - the zeitgeist zzz'ing away. I have found the darkroom business to be very seasonal: there is a terrific dip in sales from July through September. Maybe folks could bring their vacation Kodachromes?

I hope to be there for the September get together - they are always very enjoyable. Who knows, I might even get into the darkroom, and damn the soporific droning of insects.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Hey John, Eva & I can't wait to come down. We'll be bringing down a variety of new prints, including new work from 18 days in Utah. We can also bring down Andrew's books - Detroit, Cuba, Russia. Also, Eva got a new camera - Seitz Roundshot 220 VR 360 degree camera. Fun little toy.

We're planning on making it to Andrew's show on Sunday. We're interested in maybe shooting some spots where nature has taken back from man - overgrown sites. Any suggestions would be welcome. Also, Peter took us to a beautiful courthouse last year - that would be a great place to shoot if available.

Thanks again for having us over. We'll be camping again in our new offroad trailer.

 

[jp80874]

Thanks all. That was just the enthusiasm I needed. Let’s hear from some others. It is the buzz that keeps this interest going.

Lee, it is always a pleasure to have you here and enjoy your contributions to the conversations and organization.

Bethe, Hope you can make it. I have read several threads about bellows factor here and on the LF Forum. Remind me when you are here to show you two tools I have for that, one from Kodak given in a view camera course at U Akron and another from Calumet given by a local professional food photographer.

Nick, Thanks for the soothing advice. Needed that. Get back in the darkroom.

Dan, Thank you. You always sum things up so well. I have enjoyed your thoughts and images at Bill’s and am so glad you are bringing them here.

Jeff, Thanks for the support. Looking forward to seeing the new toys and images. In addition to what you posted, Eva added on Facebook that she had just printed the 8x10 she took at the covered bridge.

You all come.

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I'll be sure to have her bring the print. She printed it during one of our darkroom printing parties (we have 5 enlargers now and have people over to print together) - it was very entertaining watching her try to burn in the contact print. She could probably use some pointers there!

 

[jp80874]

I'll be sure to have her bring the print. She printed it during one of our darkroom printing parties (we have 5 enlargers now and have people over to print together) - it was very entertaining watching her try to burn in the contact print. She could probably use some pointers there!

Wait until she sees the tiny little opening for your hands and the print frame on the uv light box for alt printing.

What is this camping off road trailer? Sounds interesting. What makes it off road? Got a link? Have you also bought an off road towing vehicle? What I remember was a very on road, comfortable, Ford product, 4 door sedan. What has changed?

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Wait until she sees the tiny little opening for your hands and the print frame on the uv light box for alt printing.

What is this camping off road trailer? Sounds interesting. What makes it off road? Got a link? Have you also bought an off road towing vehicle? What I remember was a very on road, comfortable, Ford product, 4 door sedan. What has changed?

John

We also have our Jeep Cherokee, which we often leave at home due to gas mileage. Here's a link to the trailer - Little Guy Teardrop. We bought it used and modified it heavily - we had an 8" lift kit built and installed for it. Also put a new lift kit on the Jeep and bigger tires, then drove the whole rig out to Utah to live in. Spent lots of time offroading in the desert, and had a blast! We'll be bringing photos and enough stories to put everyone to sleep.

 

[jp80874]

That looks like fun. Bring on the stories.

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

That looks like fun. Bring on the stories.

John

BTW, what condition is that truck depot in? It was vacant for a while, has it been renovated or is it still sitting? Might be a good subject for my project ...

 

[jp80874]

The truck depot is in pretty bad shape, but it is surrounded by locked fence and we have a pretty active Police force patrolling.

My canal series is all about entropy and some of it is within 2-4 miles of the house. Here is a link to some older pictures and my artist statement. Would you and Dan be interested in any of that? I can show you more recent images when you get here. Half of my Van Dykes are 7x17s from the series.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000479112834#!/album.php?aid=3636&id=100000479112834

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

The truck depot is in pretty bad shape, but it is surrounded by locked fence and we have a pretty active Police force patrolling.

My canal series is all about entropy and some of it is within 2-4 miles of the house. Here is a link to some older pictures and my artist statement. Would you and Dan be interested in any of that? I can show you more recent images when you get here. Half of my Van Dykes are 7x17s from the series.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000479112834#!/album.php?aid=3636&id=100000479112834

John

Hmm ... no security on site, but police patrolling. Probably not worth it, but we'll take a look on the way by.

I think my next theme is going to be something along the lines of entropy - I want to photograph nature recovering land that was previously inhabited. Is there anything in the locks that is less "groomed" - wild and overgrown? Glad to see some of your work making it online btw - great series and it deserves to be seen.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Here's a couple of poor examples of the type of locations I'm looking for ...

House

Porch

Bench

Looking for all types of structures - we actually have many houses in the metro Detroit area like this.

We are also interested in shooting other things if this idea doesn't pan out - whatever works for the group.

 

[jp80874]

Here's a couple of poor examples of the type of locations I'm looking for ...

House

Porch

Bench

Looking for all types of structures - we actually have many houses in the metro Detroit area like this.

Some of the locks look that bad or good depending on your view point. The catch is you have to walk to them, maybe a mile one way. I can loan you the baby buggy if you want to carry gear.

Some of the structures down our driveway on Dolly's mother's land look like your Andrew Moore links only strangely in B&W to me. There is a semi trailer that decades ago was put in the woods for storage. It is now almost flat on the ground, rusted away and over grown. There is a tractor shed and a chicken coop in much the same way. Then there is always the old box trailer in the camping area that Dorothy has photographed.

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Some of the locks look that bad or good depending on your view point. The catch is you have to walk to them, maybe a mile one way. I can loan you the baby buggy if you want to carry gear.

Some of the structures down our driveway on Dolly's mother's land look like your Andrew Moore links only strangely in B&W to me. There is a semi trailer that decades ago was put in the woods for storage. It is now almost flat on the ground, rusted away and over grown. There is a tractor shed and a chicken coop in much the same way. Then there is always the old box trailer in the camping area that Dorothy has photographed.

John

Those all sound like definite possibilities. We hiked 8-10 miles a day in Utah with my 30 pound backpack, so I think a mile or so wouldn't be too bad. I haven't seen the spots on Dolly's mother's land yet - they sound intriguing as well!

 

[ic-racer]

I will plan on being there Sat or Sun. When do you thing people will be showing prints? I'd like to go out to eat with the group also.

I didn't see anyone at the camera show but jameswilliamjones drove up. I picked up another Minolta 16mm camera (Texas Minox) and a new-in-box Peak 1 grain focuser. One less thing to carry back back and forth to the 8x10 enlarger.

 

[jp80874]

I will plan on being there Sat or Sun. When do you thing people will be showing prints? I'd like to go out to eat with the group also.

I didn't see anyone at the camera show but jameswilliamjones drove up. I picked up another Minolta 16mm camera (Texas Minox) and a new-in-box Peak 1 grain focuser. One less thing to carry back back and forth to the 8x10 enlarger.

Dale,

I am guessing we will show prints Friday night and Saturday after coffee and rolls into the afternoon. I think that because there is some interest in going to the Akron Art Museum Sunday afternoon. I remember you and Bill went last time. On the other hand Dolly and I enjoyed a second visit. When the prints will show is a guess at this point not a statement of fact. I am still trying to learn who all will be here.

Sorry to miss you and Bill last Sunday. I was at the camera show just after it opened.

John

 

[winger]

The big question - what is "planned" for dinner Friday?

 

[Dan Henderson]

Jeff: John had earlier described the flats in Cleveland that sounded interesting to me. But I am a little concerned about equipment security.

 

[jp80874]

The big question - what is "planned" for dinner Friday?

We can go to Fishers in Peninsula Friday and possibly Musketeers Saturday. Will you be packing baby? If so does either restaurant serve your needs better? We can switch days if that helps. The wait at Peninsula may be longer on Saturday.

John

 

[jp80874]

Jeff: John had earlier described the flats in Cleveland that sounded interesting to me. But I am a little concerned about equipment security.

If you want to go to the flats security is best with numbers of people. We all watch each other's backs. If several people want to go there we may want to go Saturday. That of course would change when we view prints as stated above to Dale. I am open to ideas so speak freely. What frustrates me is when nobody says anything and I begin to wonder if we will have an event. That sounds certain, so lets work out who wants to do what.

John

 

[winger]

We can go to Fishers in Peninsula Friday and possibly Musketeers Saturday. Will you be packing baby? If so does either restaurant serve your needs better? We can switch days if that helps. The wait at Peninsula may be longer on Saturday.

John

I will have the munchkin, if I make it. Whichever place is more used to babies and can have space for a carseat. He'll probably end up on my lap anyway. I'm doing a 3 day trip this coming week (to the in-laws), so I don't know if we'll be up for it or if my neighbor will watch the puppy posse 2 weeks in a row. But I need a dose of some good photography.

 

[jp80874]

I will have the munchkin, if I make it. Whichever place is more used to babies and can have space for a carseat. He'll probably end up on my lap anyway. I'm doing a 3 day trip this coming week (to the in-laws), so I don't know if we'll be up for it or if my neighbor will watch the puppy posse 2 weeks in a row. But I need a dose of some good photography.

Hope to see you both.

John

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Jeff: John had earlier described the flats in Cleveland that sounded interesting to me. But I am a little concerned about equipment security.

I think if we're in a group we should be OK, right?