Photographic Workshop Facility for Photostock and Beyond - Kickstarter.

[jd callow]

Bump...

16 hours to go and just shy of 41k.

 

[Sean]

A very nice APUG bump for Bill's project, thanks guys well done! I PM'd everyone so as you can imagine I've had a flood of replies -I may not be able to answer each one individually. I'll try to get through them over the next few days though.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

It is not in the UP it is in the northern part of the lower peninsula near a town called Cross Village north of Petoskey.

Ohhhh, that's why I keep missing it. I've been driving back and forth across the U.P.

Thanks,

 

[jd callow]

12 hours left and its now bit past 41k!

 

[jd callow]

42k and 7hrs to go...

 

[znmiller]

I've struggled with indecision for the past couple of days, but in the end I've put off my order and spent my film budget on this project instead. Perhaps I've both helped and hurt film photography in a single act. I'll just have to buy extra film next month.

 

[zsas]

42 minutes to go....

Dead Link Removed

 

[DWThomas]

Hey! I just got notice that it's a success!

Best of luck with the project.

Who knows, I might even get out there before I'm too old to travel.

 

[SuzanneR]

Congrats, Bill. I'm bummed that I won't be able to see it at this year's Photostock, but I can see that lots of trips to northern Michigan are in my future! Great to see that you went over your goal by about 12k, the inside, I'm sure, will be sweet!!

 

[jd callow]

Congrats Bill and all those who supported it!

 

[zsas]

Bill - Congrats! Your Kickstarter success is a testament to your love of art and ability to build a community of like minded individuals virtually and not virtually - with hammer and nails - the ultimate analog success!

 

[bill schwab]

Hello Everyone!


Thought I'd post a quick update and let you all know we have finally started! We were still getting snow storms into the last week which suspended the planned start a bit, but not too bad. It is Northern Michigan after all and it was a bit too much to think that I could break ground before April.

This is a photo of the site as of Sunday, April 6th and I am very happy to report that the crew clearing the trees called today to say that all trees you see marked in this photo are down. Tomorrow the stumps are to be removed and then some fill brought in to elevate and level the site. We'll now have to wait until the county lifts the spring weight restrictions on the roads before this happens, but I wanted to let you know that progress is finally being made. We're on the way!


Bill

 

[StoneNYC]

It's a shame about the trees I hope they are put to good use


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bill schwab]

It's a shame about the trees I hope they are put to good use

I feel the same way. I hate cutting them. Sadly, many of them are Beeches with the newly ravaging Beech Bark Disease. They'd all be dead in 10 years or sooner anyway. This way they will keep us warm next winter.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Bill- if it's any comfort, you may have helped slow the spreading of the disease by removing a grove of infected trees.

 

[StoneNYC]

Bill- if it's any comfort, you may have helped slow the spreading of the disease by removing a grove of infected trees.

Yes what he says! yay! Saving trees! Haha.

Man I hope I can make it out there someday...


~Stone

Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1, 5DmkII / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Early Riser]

Bill, I saw the recent kickstarter post and it mentioned the darkroom. It's funny that I assumed there'd be a darkroom but never gave thought about how you were going to deal with the waste water. The site seems fairly remote from public sewer systems and I would guess that in that area in general most commonly septic systems are used. Do you have access to public sewer or have you come up with an alternative means for chemical waste water? I ask that because I have considered building a house in an area without access to a sewer and was hoping that maybe you had a solution I have not considered.

Thanks

 

[bill schwab]

Final Rewards Going Out Soon!

To all of the kind folks who pledged to this, I thank you again... big time. It has been a long time since I've revisited this thread and I wanted to let people know where everything stands.

First, those of you that are still awaiting their rewards, please accept my apology at being slow. As I mentioned, it has been a wild year and part of this was that I was having a hard time getting the "Waterside" book correct. After couple of false starts and delays, the final version is now with the printer and awaiting binding and shipping. it should be here very soon now and I will ship them as fast as I can sign them once they are here. Envelopes, labels... it's all ready to go. There are also a few hand made items to go, but those are almost complete as well. It is my hope that after all the delay, everyone will have their rewards by the holiday. If I ever try this again, or if anyone else out there is considering it, multiply the time you think it will take by 3!

As for the building, it is pretty incredible. I've been able to get much farther than I ever thought possible and have been putting my all into it while still leaving some time for making a living and spending time with my family. I've been pretty much living there since starting in late April and have only recently begun spending more time at home for the winter.

We've had one party at the dedication during Photostock and 2 successful workshops so far. Even though it is still not completed, it is well on the way. All interior walls have been roughed in, electrical wiring is all installed and the insulation is almost complete. Just last week, the dedicated septic system was installed and the water lines laid. Come spring, we'll begin the drywall, finish the darkroom and turn on the water. And by Photostock next year, the place should be fully up and running.

I've also got some pretty good workshops and instructors lined up, so I hope you'll stay tuned to the North Light Photographic Workshops site for updates and announcements.

Thanks Again! Bill

PS...

I ask that because I have considered building a house in an area without access to a sewer and was hoping that maybe you had a solution I have not considered.

The answer ER's questions about septic and disposal of chemicals is in the dedicated septic system. All darkroom drains go into their own 1500 gallon tank. All fixer will be reclaimed and the system will be pumped out by waste disposal as needed. All other sewage (from rest room) goes into an already existing septic system.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Looks great Bill! Please ignore my comment on your last update at Kickstarter. I've found my answer with your last post here. Thanks.

 

[bill schwab]

Looks great Bill! Please ignore my comment on your last update at Kickstarter. I've found my answer with your last post here. Thanks.

Hi Rich!

We're thinking the same thing. I just found your comment on the Kickstarter update. Sorry about that as I don't get notices of the comments. I see it wasn't that long ago, so we are obviously on the same wavelength. I was awaiting the book on yours, but will send off the other prints right after the holiday. As for the workshop or one on one, we have to talk of that for next year, but you already know that. We'll cross that bridge then. I've got some good stuff coming that you may be interested in as well.

Thanks again for being the one to put it over the top!!

Best, Bill

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hi Rich!

We're thinking the same thing. I just found your comment on the Kickstarter update. Sorry about that as I don't get notices of the comments. I see it wasn't that long ago, so we are obviously on the same wavelength. I was awaiting the book on yours, but will send off the other prints right after the holiday. As for the workshop or one on one, we have to talk of that for next year, but you already know that. We'll cross that bridge then. I've got some good stuff coming that you may be interested in as well.

Thanks again for being the one to put it over the top!!

Best, Bill

Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. You can wait until you have it all to ship. Whatever is easier for you. No hurry. Talk to you soon.

 

[Roger Thoms]

Any word on the Waterside book?

Roger

 

[bill schwab]

Any word on the Waterside book?

Roger

It's shipping now, Roger! Thanks for your patience!

Bill

 

[Roger Thoms]

Thanks for the update, awesome, can't wait.

Roger

 

[bill schwab]

Just thought I'd post an update on progress at the workshop. It's been awhile and things are progressing nicely. And, even though the interior is still under construction and I am considering further fundraising to get the place completed, we've already held 5 workshops there with instructors such as Clay Harmon, Holly Roberts, Eliot Dudik and Meg Griffiths.

Although the original Kickstarter goal of completing the shell of the structure was completed over a year ago, work has been ongoing on the interior. Plumbing, electrical, drywall, etc. I've been steadily moving forward on my own and honing my building skills. All rough electrical and plumbing work is complete as are the walls for the darkroom, utility and bathroom. I have just this week completed painting the walls, installing doors, etc. Although my original goal was to have the darkroom functional by this summer, the wicked winter we had made for delays. Add to that the crush of the Photostock Festival and I had to revise that goal to this Fall. I am on track for that and should have things functional, though not fully complete, by October.

It's been a long road since pressing the "go" button on the Kickstarter a year and a half ago, but it is been a great ride. It has already become a really cool place and I plan to have it finished and ready for a full schedule of workshops in 2015.

Please have a look at some of the progress photos and stay tuned!

Thanks, Bill