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NE Ohio, Bi-Monthly, May 30-31, 2009 Gathering at the Powers’ House

Thanks for the update, John.

I've secured the weekend off so my plans are:

Saturday - arrive for sunrise at the Ritchie Ledges. Finish up in time for 9 o'clock coffee at the Power's place. Would love to photograph with whomever the rest of or part of that day.

Sunday - sunrise at the big waterfall (Brandywine?). I'm thinking even light and less people that early... Again back to John's for 9 o'clock coffee and whatever the rest of the day.

Since it's a one night thing I'll just get a hotel room Saturday night so don't plan on me for camping. Thanks again to both you and Dolly! Looking foward to it. Shawn

Oh yeah, do you have somewhere I can load/unload film holders? Just bringing the 4x5 this time so I won't need much room.
 
I was at the Ritchie Ledges the other day (for the first time) to check it out. AM light on the side toward the cave would be interesting to capture, maybe I'll see you guys there Sat AM.

I am still waiting for a big order of film. I went with Aristo brand sheet film and 120 for the first time as I could get twice as much as the Kodak or Ilford stuff. I ran out of 8x10 film last fall, so I am looking forward to seeing the big brown truck!

I have also been Lith printing LF negatives on a bunch of RC Forte paper (as the FB Forte is all gone). I'm curious as to what you all think of them.
 
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Shawn Dougherty said:
Sunday - sunrise at the big waterfall (Brandywine?). I'm thinking even light and less people that early... .
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Shawn,

Not to second guess you, but to better understand. I have not shot at sunrise, so I may be missing your objective.

The biggest waterfall Brandywine pours to the west from the east. There are three vantage points that are easily accessible especially in the dark. One is on the southern edge of the fall which would probably put the sun SE behind your right shoulder. You would have a guard rail for protection, but would be 7-10 feet from the start of the fall. The sixty foot water drop would be dark. The actual start of the fall would be illuminated. Second is a platform downstream but near the bottom of the falls. Here you would be looking up at the falls, probably through mist, maybe 20-30 degrees off directly into the sun. Third is an unprotected cliff edge just downstream from the falls on the north side, no barrier, no safety net. Here you would be looking directly into the sun while the lower part of the falls would be dark. What do you see as the shot?

Blue Hen and Buttermilk flow from the west to the east. Blue Hen is 1/4 mile down a steep paved track from the parking lot that should not be too much trouble in the dark. Buttermilk is a mile beyond there on a trail that is covered with roots as it follows the cliff edge. You also have to ford the stream picking out your footing in the dark. As your friend and host I would strongly encourage you not to do that for the first time in the dark.

Blue Hen is heavily wooded so you are likely to get diffused light falling right on the fall. If it is humid, and how many waterfalls are not, you also get great beams of light through the woods reflecting on the humidity or mist. I have seen this at 9 AM in the Fall. I am assuming it is that way at sunrise in the Spring. The most likely shot is at the top of the falls with the sun over your left shoulder. You can also climb down to the bottom and shoot up with the sun at your back. I would take a 50 foot rope and use it to steady your footing going down in the dark or more safely, make that your second shot after there is light. It also makes the trip back up easier.

John
 
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This time of year, the sun rises about 30 degrees north of due east. It won't get to due east until just after 9am, when it will be over 30 degrees above a flat horizon.

Here's a map of Brandywine Falls, with standard north-is-straight-up orientation. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...996,-81.538966&spn=0.003632,0.006539&t=h&z=18

This aerial/satellite photo would have been taken about 2 hours before the sun was due south.

Astronomically,
Lee
 
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I got a headlamp just for the occassion! Haven't tried it yet, though. And a lazer beam to focus in the dark. :0

Just out of curiosity, will there be a porta-potty for those of us who are afraid of bears in the woods?
 
Honest officer. About sunrise I saw several of them over by the cliffs. They had five legs, and the back two were thicker and were the only ones that moved. They were about 5 feet tall, had rounded backs and one eye, and seemed to be wearing capes. They kept shining lights around, shooting lasers at the rocks, and eating pieces of something that looked like pieces of black toast from bags.
 
Thanks Lee.

That is great. Let me try to locate the three positions on this map.

Find the furthest east “Brandywine falls upper walkway”. The first position I mentioned would be at the “way” in "walkway". The falls would be 7-10 feet directly north.

The second position at “way” in the eastern “Brandywine Falls lower walkway.”

The third position is along the north side of the cliff edge. I am having trouble remembering exactly where, but I think it would be about NE from the second position and of course up 60 feet. It is completely unprotected. I would not go there without a long line around me and the camera tied to a tree or solid anchor to the north. What looks like footing could drop today or next year.

John
 
djkloss said:
Just out of curiosity, will there be a porta-potty for those of us who are afraid of bears in the woods?
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Dorothy,

I think you are the only one camping unless I misunderstood. At $110 for the porta potty it would be $70 cheaper to visit the flea bag for showers and john, or just stay there. I have several size plastic buckets to loan at no charge. They must be returned as clean as delivered. No brown tracks on the white or orange.

During daylight you are welcome to our bathroom, but I don't think we want you to try to walk by the yellow gauntlets at night. They hold their privacy in high and noisy regard.

John
 

ok, son, I'm sure you did. And how was the toast?
 

Ok, thank you.... I guess it's plan B, which I haven't come up with yet.

and it's back to the darkroom......
 
Hey John - can't wait! We will be camping as well, but can get by without the porta-potty if need be. We hope to be there in time for coffee at 9am.

Hoping to get out and shoot in the afternoon wherever folks are going. Also, is the Wegman exhibit open yet? If so, anyone going?

And of course, Country Maid!
 
As long as Jeff & Eva will be there to keep me company, then it'll be kool. Plan B was $45 for the local Ohio Motel (thanks Lee for the link). I think I can hold it I think I'd like to camp at your place John, if that's ok?

Can't wait to see you guys! (Saturday & Sunday) I got a new lens too. It's a 65mm for a 4x5! It would be great on waterfalls. I also saw a pic of a staircase at the ledges. It's really old. Anybody know anything about this? http://www.flickr.com/photos/ooohiooo04/126560544/
 
BTW - Last call for my Omega D3 with color head. It's set up for medium format but can handle 4x5.

If anyone wants it or knows someone who needs it then it's yours. Free. Gratis. I'll even deliver to John's place!
 
Jeff,

Great that you two are camping and can keep Dorothy company. I got that mixed up and thought your were moteling this time. The bucket offer is extended to three.

Re: enlarger, I will send an email to the head of the photography program at U Akron to see if they would like a donation of your enlarger with a nice tax write off letter to you. Are there any more details about it that I should tell them?

Wegman exhibit and others below. Indoor alternatives.

Cleveland Museum of Art:
http://www.clemusart.com/exhibitions/Friedlander.aspx
375 Lee Friedlander photographs on exhibit
May 31 is the last day of the show.

Akron Museum of Art:
http://www.akronartmuseum.org/exhibitions/details.php?unid=1031
Lee Friedlander's Factory Valleys
through May 31, 2009
http://www.akronartmuseum.org/exhibitions/details.php?unid=1033
William Wegman: Fay
May 16, 2009 - August 16, 2009

Dorothy,

Yes, of course you are welcome to camp.

The stairs in the photo you referenced and also Shawn’s picture can be reached .4 mile from the Ledges parking lot. If for some reason you don’t end up going with Lee, pull up this map http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/upload/LEDGES_Revision_perJennieV_20080414.pdf Drive up the hill east on Truxell road from Akron Peninsula road. Akron Peninsula Rd. parallels the east side of the Cuyahoga River. Turn left into the Kendall Ledges parking lot. Unload and walk N out of the parking lot. At .3 mile bear right. The stairs are the rectangle on the map at the NE area of the ledges. As Lee says there is a sign at the bottom of the stairs and a bench. The sign tells the WPA history and shows a picture of a stone mason or two working on the project. Neat place.

All:
A couple of years ago Lee, his son David and I did a lot of photos together all around the ledges. My pictures, long exposures in the shade, were mostly trees and roots just hanging on to the cliff edges. For me they are another interesting feature of these ledges. In some cases the roots are exposed 20-30 feet down the ledges. There are many trees that have not hung on and have cascaded down the sides. Wear boots that grab wet or dry stone so you do not cascade down with them. Poppa Powers wants you all to be able to come back again.

John
 
jp80874 said:
Re: enlarger, I will send an email to the head of the photography program at U Akron to see if they would like a donation of your enlarger with a nice tax write off letter to you. Are there any more details about it that I should tell them?
Click to expand...

Thanks John. It's an Omega D3 4x5 enlarger with a color head. Currently is has a medium format mixing box, a 6x6 carrier and a 75mm lens I believe.

And also, it's sitting in Eva's office and annoying her. I suppose if no one wants it I could turn it into a nice lamp ....
 


Careful what she uses for a lamp shade.

Thank you. I sent an email to Penny on the enlarger. I don't know if she is in town or where she can get email. She is scheduled to teach a class later this summer. Does the enlarger come with any other pieces parts? Is the enlarger working?

Thanks,

John
 

Works fine as far as I can tell - never enlarged with it but it powers on etc. It has a carrier, lens, lens cone, etc. I got it as part of a set and just don't need a 6th enlarger in the darkroom.
 
The girls and I got so interested in the Ledges talk that we walked the 1.8 miles around the ledges and then on to the 1.5 mile loop at the Octagon next door in 90% humidity. There are lots of springs pouring water out of the rocks so the girls didn’t suffer. I drank what was in my water bottle. Be sure to bring one for yourself.

There are several places where you get into openings in the rocks that lead you into what might be thought of as rooms with no ceiling. It is at least twenty degrees cooler there. The stairs are as described above.

The dogwood trees are no longer blooming but other plants are. The humid weather has brought out a huge array of mushroom fungus. The variety is amazing. Several years ago I did a series of twenty enlarged mushrooms using the 4x5. Later I met a photographer who lives in Mentor, probably 40 miles from here. He also had done a mushroom series of twenty and none of ours were alike.

The deer flies are just coming out. Do bring repellent. The trees hanging on by their roots spread out over the cliff walls continue to fascinate. I wish I could figure a way to get the 7x17 up there without having to carry it. The baby jogger would never get in there.

John
 
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