Robb Kendrick--Modern Tintypes in National Geographic

[Andy K]

Wasn't sure where to put this, so if this isn't right maybe Sean could move it?


The October issue of National Geographic dropped through my door yesterday. I was reading through this morning and flicked to one of the regular sections 'ZipUSA' a monthly focus on a Zip Code, this month Elko, Nevada.
But this month I didn't see the text. All the photographs for the article are tintypes made by photographer Robb Kendrick and processed on the spot in a makeshift darkroom. He used an 8x10 view camera and 5x7 metal plates.

Anyhow, I just thought some of the folks here might be interested. There are more of his tintypes on the Nat Geo website along with some technical information.

You can see it at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ look for the heading 'Magazines' and then below it 'The Art Of Tintypes'. I tried to link direct to the article but for some reason it wouldn't work. You can see a summary of the article and more tintypes through the 'More Online' link and then by clicking the 'ZipUSA' box. too.

Interesting and encouraging to see, in this ever more technology focussed media world, a magazine photographer dedicated to using 'the old ways'.

 

[photomc]

Andy thanks for the link, that is some cool stuff he's doing. Alot like what Clay and Kerik, here, have been working on. Is anyone else doing this?

 

[Huram]

Way cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[anyte]

I actually sent an email to National Geographic asking about the digital prizes offered in a contest and what that meant for the future of analog photography in respect to the magazine. The reply I received said that the majority of the magazine is still film photography and that film will continue to be used.

Just thought I'd share that.

 

[Andy K]

The Nat Geo site seems to have been updated now, however if you use the link above and then type 'tintypes' into the search bar on their site, you'll still find some interesting stuff... including a range of vintage tintypes for sale.

Also this link should take you to the original article with Robb Kendrick's tintypes. If it doesn't type 'Elko' into the NG searchbar.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature6/

 

[bjorke]

NatGeoD Dec07: Feature story shot w/TINTYPE

No Photoshop, just real toxic chemicals.

The feature "The Enduring Cowboy" is based on Robb Kendrick's (gorgeous -- need I even have to say it?) tintypes.

The editorial on page 4 is pretty funny too.

 

[Andy K]

Nat Geo used Rob Kendrick's work three years ago: (there was a url link here which no longer exists). Good to see they've returned to the medium.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature6/zoom1.html

 

[photomc]

Nice, Thanks for the update. Not sure if it is ok to post a link to the work on the NG site (so if the mods pull it, I understand). Looks like it may be some of the new work, Kendrick was doing in South America.

 

[Alex Hawley]

Thanks for the link. Its a good story with good photographs, a good change of pace for NG. I was glad to see how the article attempts to convey what the life is like.

 

[bjorke]

Those are great too Andy, thx!

 

[Removed Account]

View Camera magazine had a great article on him not too long ago. I'll dig up the issue and post the number.

- Justin

 

[Sanjay Sen]

And I recall Lenswork also had his portfolio around the same time as the View Camera article.

 

[photomc]

Can not remember if it was this time last year or the year before, but do recall it was about the same time that his book was released...excellent book for anyone interested in his work.

 

[gr82bart]

Tintypes in National Geographic

I've been combing through some of my backlog of magazines that I subscribe to and wanted to tell you guys about these tintypes of the 21st Century Cowboy by Robb Kendrick in National Geographic's December 2007 issue.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-12/vaquero/kendrick-photography.html

There was an article about Robb on assignment for this piece, but it's not in the online version of the mag (at least not that I could find). It shows him taking a pic with a big wooden camera and how he pulls his 'portable' darkroom around with him behind his pick up. Talks a bit about the tintype process.

http://www.robbkendrick.com/

Regards, Art.

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

There is a whole series he did of the modern cowboy. Interesting read. The guy really travels...

 

[JBrunner]

Got to meet Kendrick at the Shooting the West Festival, in Winnemucca a few years ago. Nice guy. Great work.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Three threads merged.

 

[lee]

I think Robb may be a member of Apug.org also. Memory is failing right now but I am pretty sure he is.

lee\c

 

[Bruce Osgood]

A couple of years ago there was a show at the University of Texas, Austin, where Paula Chamlee was exhibiting. I told my son who lives in Austin about it and he went. He brought back as a gift to me "Revealing Character" from an adjacent exhibit which impressed him much more. I must say it is impressive and beautiful work and Mr. Kendrick deserves all the praise and good fortune that comes his way.