Ralph Gibson's camera???

[stradibarrius]

Does anyone know what type/format camera that Ralph Gibson used?

 

[Richard Wasserman]

Leica

 

[perkeleellinen]

Loaded with Tri-X and then developed in Rodinal:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[stradibarrius]

I thought I had read he used a Leica.
Which of the books discusses his technique???

 

[perkeleellinen]

I think this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Darkroom-Wynn-Bullock/dp/0912810203

 

[Mike Crawford]

I thought I had read he used a Leica.
Which of the books discusses his technique???

The two 'Darkroom' books published in the 70s under Gibson's imprint Lustrum are essential. He is featured in the first volume which goes into detail about his technique. I remember him writing about how he agitates his Tri X in Rodinal depending on the subject matter. They are quite easy to track down on the second hand market. Have a look at www.abebooks.com using this ISBN number; 0912810203. Cheapest US Dollar price is 24.50. Worth every cent. If you have $7500 you can also buy a Ralph Gibson Leica!!!!!!!!
Dead Link Removed

If by chance I had such riches, it would go on a second hand camera, an expensive holiday for once, and a shit load of film and paper, but not a camera with Ralph's stamped signature!

 

[Pinholemaster]

Leica M-series rangefinder.

 

[sepiareverb]

And a lot of work with a 50mm. There was a Leica catalog that had him extolling the virtues of the Leica M and a 50mm lens.

 

[Andrew Horodysky]

He uses a Leica M almost exclusively with a 50mm lens. He shoots Tri-X -- overexposed and overdeveloped in Rodinal.

Here's a 2001 interview with Ralph Gibson:

http://www.bermangraphics.com/press/ralphgibson.htm

 

[ooze]

In the Lustrum book "Darkroom" (1978 if I remember correctly) he says that he uses a Leica M3 with 50mm dual range summicron. In the above interview he has moved on to M6's.

 

[Dorothy Blum Cooper]

I thought I had read he used a Leica.
Which of the books discusses his technique???

Great (and essential) book!! We have the 1st edition. Packed full of info!

Dorothy~

 

[Pauly]

I always wanted to tell this story but no one except people who use this website would appreciate it. About fifteen years ago, maybe more ,I returned to New York to show my portfolio at several important galleries.Got to give it a shot right? The gallery told me to call and pick up the portfolio later in the day.Meanwhile I shot some photos in lower Manhattan near the Chelsea area. Around two o'clock I gave the gallery a call by pay phone. "Let"s see, we have your name here. Yes, you can pick up your portfolio now". Take into account all the dreams I had of possibly getting some recognition, I hung up and was deeply depressed. I look up and Ralph Gibson is walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction and looks at me. He seems to know I recognize him but he says nothing.I say nothing. What could I say? He has a Leica M6 hanging at his side. He continues walking and enters a building right down the street. To double check, I look at the building directory. Ralph Gibson Apt xx. I promise I was not stalking him. That event sticks in my mind to this day.

 

[erikg]

He shot Kodachrome in his Leicas too. He wrote about the DR Summicron a couple of times.