Rolleiflex & The Whaling City

bill h

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Rudy, I guess I meant to say that I always shoot, or at least always take out the camera, with the intention/thought/hope/velleity that the next picture will be The One. I am preparing some prints for exhibition right now, and the task is daunting.
-bill
 

rternbach

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Bill/Whitey,
Thank you for describing the thoughts and wishes you have when shooting but can you be more specific regarding what you do to shoot for exhibitions? While I sincerely appreciate expressions of the shared feelings you have I'm interested in your behavior. That is, the stuff you do when preparing and shooting that can be seen by two independent observers watching at the same time. The sort of thing a time and motion nerd with a clipboard and a stopwatch would be after. Too simplistic, perhaps. Too concrete, yes, I know, I've been called that before. But I am what I am.
Rudy
 

bill h

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Rudy, that's a good question, but one that doesn't have an answer likely to satisfy the clipboard folks. When subject-light-shutter combine, sometimes the photographer doesn't even know it until afterwards. On the other hand, you might have a setup in the studio or out with a field camera on a tripod where there's a lot of previewing and planning involved, and that doesn't necessarily work out. Best advice: show up and take pictures. We'll talk.
 

Whiteymorange

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I guess for me, the question of "quality" comes into it all (all zen, no motorcycle maintenance, for those who got the reference.) I shoot with the hope of capturing something that will translate into a vicarious experience for a wide range of viewers. If I see something in a composition that speaks of balance and harmony or, conversely, of tension and implied action, I shoot with the hope of having others moved by these qualities. If I think the objects or people in a picture can tell a story that reaches beyond the particulars of time and place, I try to tell that story. Every once in a great while the magic works, and I have an image that speaks to people who know neither the photographer nor the particular details of the image, but who take something away from the experience of seeing it- perhaps akin to what I felt when I saw it first, perhaps not.

I have said in a different thread that art is really just a set of expectations- what I set up and tell you is art really is, but it is not necessarily good art. Good art, in my humble view, is communication, an extra-verbal communication of some truth that cannot be conveyed in another way quite as well.

As I said, I am seldom successful in my search for ways to convey truth through my images, but I have been known to get lucky - and hoping for luck keeps me shooting.

Not much there for the clip-board types but then it is posible that they have their own truths- truths which elude me.
 

rternbach

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Bill/Whitey,
It seems I have impolitely intruded on meditations that are too personal to objectively define. Foolish Grasshopper. I still think one can learn a bit about Zen and the Art of Archery by photographing a Kyudo Sensei in action. Might prove a good subject for black and white film photography.
Rudy
 

winger

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I didn't see this thread until now and can't make it anyway, but I really hope you guys have a good turnout and get lots of great shots!. NB does have some spots I always wanted to shoot. I was always there for work and never had the chance to wander on my own with a camera.
 
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Elias Roustom

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As a printmaker I have a belief that a good print can always be made.
For me it's all about the print, not so much about the shoot.

Doesn't always work, but maybe it doesn't work about as much as other philosophies don't work.
 

rternbach

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Elias Roustom said:
As a printmaker I have a belief that a good print can always be made. For me it's all about the print, not so much about the shoot. Doesn't always work, but maybe it doesn't work about as much as other philosophies don't work.
Click to expand...

I didn't get serious about studying photography until about four years ago so I probably shouldn't be offering this opinion but what I have gleaned from my teachers is that it is indeed "all about the print" and keeping the final print in mind while shooting. Therein lies the art of photography and a challenge worthy of the true photographic artist. If I've gotten this wrong then it is not the fault of my instructors, they are blameless, it is my own misinterpretation or misperception of what I have heard and seen.
 
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Drew B.

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Elias Roustom said:
As a printmaker I have a belief that a good print can always be made.
For me it's all about the print, not so much about the shoot.

Doesn't always work, but maybe it doesn't work about as much as other philosophies don't work.
Click to expand...

To me it's all about the negative! I make lots of them...some I scan and some I just put away for a rainy day!
 

Whiteymorange

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Nothing impolite about it, Rudy. And I'm a bit embarrassed by how "cosmic" the answers I gave seem on re-reading, but I think talking about things like art often make us go a bit "woo-woo!" as my son calls it.
 

rternbach

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Whiteymorange said:
Nothing impolite about it, Rudy. And I'm a bit embarrassed by how "cosmic" the answers I gave seem on re-reading, but I think talking about things like art often make us go a bit "woo-woo!" as my son calls it.
Click to expand...

Whitey,

I admire your willingness to openly describe your personal creative process. That's not "woo-woo" as I see it. What is "woo-woo" is trying to account for "Art" without openly admitting that the important stuff can neither be timed with a stopwatch nor described in a set procedures checked off on a clipboard.
I guess by asking for that kind of information I was the one being "woo-woo".

Best,

Rudy
 
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Elias Roustom

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EM Letterpress is at 419 Sawyer Street in New Bedford (508) 992 0550. Google maps does a good job showing the neighborhood

From 195 Eastbound, Exit 14 for Penniman Street. Left at bottom of ramp onto County (under highway) 1 stop light, 1 stop sign.
Left uphil onto Sawyer at stop sign (little white church on opposite left corner, gas station on opposite right corner)...

From 195 Westbound, Exit 15 (18 South/Downtown). Take first exit off of 18 Weld St. Take first right onto Purchase.
2 Stop signs, left uphill onto Sawyer. 1 stop sign, cross County Street...

Half way up block is mill building. Main tenant is Electrical Wholesalers. Park anywhere. Upper loading dock is our entrance under H. Loeb sign.
Upstairs (one flight), first door on left.

High Noon. We'll take a little time to get to know each other, and I'll show you around the shop - maybe print something on the iron hand press, and then off to lunch at Antonios (a cooler with ice in it for leftovers is not a bad idea), and then downtown to shoot film.

See you all on Saturday.
 
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Elias Roustom

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I prepared a plate with type and halftone for tomorrow. We may well get to put the iron handpress into service.
 

Ektagraphic

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Hello- Sorry I have pulled up late. I live right next to new bedford! It is so amazing that some other APUG fans are going to be heading to NB! I would love to join in if possible. I have a Rolleiflex that I am dying to use but it has a shutter problem and I have not had a chance to take it in to get it fixed.
 

rternbach

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Wife says cousins from Albany will be arriving Saturday a.m. not Sunday a.m. as previously planned. As a result, I regretfully will not be able to attend in NB tomorrow. I hope everyone who does attend has a great time and posts their best NB photos of the day here on Apug.
 
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Ektagraphic

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I'll see you guys there! I'll bring my Rollei anway....I NEED to get her fixed soon!!
 
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Elias Roustom

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Thanks to all who made the trip. It's safe to say a good time was had by all, and it was a pleasure to meet you Tim, John and Whitey, and to see you again Bill. Now to the darkroom!
 

TimVermont

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A big thanks to Elias for putting this together and for being a terrific host! The on-press printing demonstration was great and very informative.
 
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