Photographers with Good Attitudes...and a Brian Kosoff Appreciation:)

[jovo]

Having contributed to and read the antithetical-to-this-thread thread (Photographers with Bad Attitudes) it is a pleasure to start another that is much more positive. Some really good photographers are also really nice people who will share what they know and buy you a beer into the bargain.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Kosoff (Early Riser) again. He had offered to give me a good deal of paper and film he no longer needed for various reasons if I were willing to pick it up and take it all. My response? "Gee.....lemme think.....(exactly 4.237 nanoseconds elapsed)....Sure, Brian....I'll be there!!" So there we went...my wife and stepson and I. Well....what a treat. We enjoyed a tour of house, studio, darkroom and tools of the trade (and Brian has some very impressive tools of the trade). And, best of all, he holds nothing back about what goes into his photography. Quiz him all day, and he'll answer you. I am grateful and impressed. One of the good guys!

Why not take a moment to acknowledge the photographers you've met with whom you've had a really good experience. They're out there!! Tell us about them..

 

[copake_ham]

Although I've only "virtually met" him here - I'd have to nominate Robert Teague. Robert was the first to welcome me to APUG - something he does for just about everyone who puts a thread on the "Intro" forum (and a habit I've tried to follow). While I continue to resist the siren song of LF/ULF - if I ever succumb it will be in large measure because of the inspiration I find in his photos.

There are a lot of others here too that I'd consider "Photographers with Good Attitudes....".

In my life, I don't get to meet a lot of photogs in person (one reason why I'm looking forward to the APUG 2008 conference) but I've learned so much here from so many that I'd be afraid to list them for fear of leaving someone out.

 

[jd callow]

Ray Manning. Not an APUGER but a long time friend who has been a professional photog all his life. Ray is a brilliant photographer, humble and willing to share his knowledge without reservation.

Don Cardwell. As above but with a unique perspective as it applies to the medium and its usage.

Bill Schwabb Just a nice guy and an ass kicking photographer

Bob Carnie Possibly the best printer I've met. Has no qualms about sharing the wealth.

Rob Kangus. He runs the photo dept at Oakland Community Collage. OCC is larger than many colleges, has 4 or 5 campuses many of which are huge. Here is a guy who day in day out for slightly less than 20years has been preaching the gospel of photography to young and old. His students consistently win or place in all of the local photo competitions.

David A. Goldfarb. Always answers questions, never gets rankled and is a deep resource of information.

I could keep going, but I need to get some work done. Those are the folks that come immediately to mind

 

[Scott Peters]

Many photogs right here have been incredibly helpful, including moderators who take the time to sincerely answer questions! Sandy King, Michael Kadillak, PE have been genreous and helpful with their time and resources....and many others on this forum that have helped answer some of my questions along the journey. I am also in several local photog groups which have been tremendously helpful. By and by, my experiences have been downright very positive with fellow photographers. Thank you for posting this question on APUG as this is what this hobby should be all about.

 

[SuzanneR]

I will second Don Cardwell... he doesn't post here much any more, but he has been enormously helpful to me...

 

[Dinesh]

Don Cardwell
Bill Schwab
Bob Carnie
Les McLean
J.D. (the former Mr.) Callow
and Michael McBlane (aka Blansky)

These folks have been very generous with their knowledge.

 

[Early Riser]

Having contributed to and read the antithetical-to-this-thread thread (Photographers with Bad Attitudes) it is a pleasure to start another that is much more positive. Some really good photographers are also really nice people who will share what they know and buy you a beer into the bargain.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Kosoff (Early Riser) again. He had offered to give me a good deal of paper and film he no longer needed for various reasons if I were willing to pick it up and take it all. My response? "Gee.....lemme think.....(exactly 4.237 nanoseconds elapsed)....Sure, Brian....I'll be there!!" So there we went...my wife and stepson and I. Well....what a treat. We enjoyed a tour of house, studio, darkroom and tools of the trade (and Brian has some very impressive tools of the trade). And, best of all, he holds nothing back about what goes into his photography. Quiz him all day, and he'll answer you. I am grateful and impressed. One of the good guys!

Why not take a moment to acknowledge the photographers you've met with whom you've had a really good experience. They're out there!! Tell us about them..

John, thank you for the very kind remarks. It was my pleasure seeing you again and meeting your family. You do me a favor by putting those materials to good use. I hope it aids you in producing more of the truly fine work that you have been posting here. You now have a sampling of nearly every brand of paper made in the last few years,at the very least a full report of all testing will be expected.

As for photographers who show generosity or offer assistance,etc, I find them in abundance on APUG, it is truly a community, one in which nearly everyone is a good neighbor. All one has to do is look through one day's posts to see countless instances of people who have never met sharing hard earned information and advice. In many ways it's humanity at it's best.

 

[papagene]

Jack Holowitz, a fellow Springfield resident and NELFPC member. Jack is quite well known around the country but is about the most down-to-earth guy you could meet. He is always very helpful and giving with his knowledge and experience.
As I wandered around the Photo Plus Expo last fall with Jack, it seemed like just about every vendor knew him. I finally had to ask Jack who he didn't know at the Expo!
And I would like to thank Jack for all his volunteer help at the Valley Photo Center.

gene

 

[MurrayMinchin]

While John's work is completely different than Brian's there's a quietness in both your approaches to nature, and the images that result. I couldn't imagine a better combination of kindred spirits.

I live too far north to rub shoulders with any big name photographers in real life...just on line.

Murray

 

[scootermm]

my contribution...

Clay Harmon and Kerik Kouklis. Those of you who have met either or both likely know exactly what I mean.
Two generous and genuine people ... I feel lucky to have met.

 

[Early Riser]

Murray you point something out that made me think of something somewhat related or possibly related. John is a classical musician, while I don't know his particular preferences I know that he is a cellist and to me there's a quietness that a cello produces. That is a space between the notes and a contemplative quality. My musical tastes tends to run towards contemporary jazz, Pat Metheny in particular. Metheny's music is nearly a constant companion with me in the darkroom and in my photographic travels. My preference is for the more serene or contemplative pieces of his. I wonder if there's a relationship between my work, or John's, and our musical preferences? I also wonder if other people's musical tastes are mirrors of their photographic style.

 

[wheelygirl]

Hi everyone!
I have to state one of the best gentlemen I've met [virtually, of course ] is Wayne Crider. To me, he is the coolest fellow "pitcher-taker" around!! As he reads this, he knows why he's the coolest in my book .

 

[Kino]

Tony Mendoza and his family. Wonderful people and they gave me their recipe for Cuban Black beans! He was very generous and kind to me when I worked at Ohio State University and was forced to take over management of the still photography labs when the university laid off the only other photo tech in a 4 story building. A fine photographer, true gentleman and he has a wonderful family.

 

[david b]

Sam Portera - the nicest and most genuine person on APUG. And a damn fine photographer.

Todd Stewart - a very good friend who is always willing to share his knowledge of photography and his crappy sense of humor (kidding).

Bill Schwab - I had a fantastic time with him in Iceland and wish we lived closer. Simply a great guy and an okay photographer

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I feel a group hug coming on!

Murray

 

[jstraw]

I feel a group hug coming on!

Murray

Get away from me.

heh

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Get away from me.

Umm...look behind you. Here comes blansky and thebanana.

Be afraid!

Murray

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Murrary,

Do you deliver post in the winter on a snowmobile?

Tom.

 

[Jeremy]

i would be remiss without mentioning that i met my texas church project compadres here on apug. without these gents, whom i consider life-long friends (though i don't know what they would say about me ), i would not be the photographer i am today--they continually push me.

a thank you from the bottom of my heart to David Brown, Lee Carmichael, Mike Castles, and Matt Magruder.

and then i could just keep going with my list of people who have impacted my life as a photographer and as a person in a wholly positive manner: Peter Schrager, Clay Harmon (it's his fault I spend too much money on noble metals and watercolor paper!), Kerik Kouklis (gave me black paws!), Mateo, Jim Collum, John Callow (I still owe you a lens to borrow!), our own Sean Ross, Les McLean, and on and on and on and on........

 

[wfe]

Thank you John for a positive thread.
I have only met Brian here on APUG and even with that I'll agree.

I have met and worked with Les Mclean and he is wonderful. In fact I have met a number APUGers and all of them have been wonderful and generous.

I was also fortunite enough to meet Clay Harmon and see his work in person. I can only say WOW, incredible work and a nice guy.

Cheers,
Bill

 

[papagene]

OK - why can't I open page three of this thread? What did Art do to break it?


gene

 

[jstraw]

You don't get to see the Page Three Girl? That's really sad!

 

[snegron]

There have been quite a few really nice photographers I have had the pleasure of meeting in the past. One non-APUG photographer is Sam Johnson, a local veteran wedding photographer in the Lee County, Florida area. He is a true prince of a man! Very helpful, nice guy, takes the time out of his busy schedule to lend you a hand. Overall great guy!

Here on APUG there have been many who have selflessly helped by providing their expertise on many topics. Overall I think it is a very positive forum.

 

[gr82bart]

What did Art do to break it?

I made a post from my Blackberry. There's something seriously wrong with my account ...

Regards, Art.

 

[mcarmo]

Why not take a moment to acknowledge the photographers you've met with whom you've had a really good experience. They're out there!! Tell us about them..

All of you to begin with…

I have to thank this community for all the support you give us (inexperienced beginners) by just being here and sharing your knowledge everyday, openly with all of those who are willing to learn.

I am going to go a little off topic here and explain that here, on my side of the Atlantic, it gets pretty lonely sometimes for those of us whose passion in photography follows the analogue way. There are countless online photography communities in this country and I have made several good friends through some of them, but when it comes to sharing information or thoughts and experiences I feel as if I am speaking in a dead language.

Ok, back to topic…

I could not let this thread go by and not come here to express my gratitude to two excellent and very generous photographers, both Portuguese, both of them are or were at some point Apug members, they introduced me to this community.
To them I owe everything that I have learned so far and I will always be thankful for the support they have given me.

Nanã Sousa Dias


André Capitão



Cheers
Mónica