workshop in Texas in May with Les

Silverpixels5 · May 25, 2005

Just wanted to warn everyone about DFW traffic....its nothing nice at all. So if you plan on hanging out in Dallas during the day you may want to make your way to Lee's a bit earlier. The traffic may only prolong your commute 30-45 minutes, but the headache involed in sitting in it is best avoided...lol..at least for me

BWGirl · May 25, 2005

Thanks for the traffic warning!

I'll be getting in around 11am or so & I'd sure like to get some photos! Any suggestions or anyone wanting to do this too, let me know!

David Brown · May 25, 2005

BWGirl said:
I'll be getting in around 11am or so & I'd sure like to get some photos! Any suggestions or anyone wanting to do this too, let me know!

Can't join you, but if it was me, I'd head to the Ft. Worth museums. You can see some art, the buildings are worth photographing on their own (Kimball and Modern), and you'll be around the corner from the Ft. Worth botanical gardens.

There is the possibility of rain, however.

Good luck!

David

Jeremy · May 25, 2005

Anything we need to bring to the workshop? I'm packing my bag tonight.

BWGirl · May 25, 2005

Jeremy Moore said:
Anything we need to bring to the workshop? I'm packing my bag tonight.

Lee told me we should be bringing some photos for Les to look at and bring negatives for him to work with... especially if they are difficult to print.

I'm assuming paper and pen/pencil are appropriate as well as possible bribes for the "teacher".

Aggie · May 25, 2005

You didn't hear this from me......this is one time a digital camera comes in handy. You can take little snipets of video (if your's does that) of things he is demoing. I wish I had thought about that before hand.

scootermm · May 26, 2005

aggie Im not in the workshop... but Im taking my little digicam and will snap some photos tomorrow night at the preworkshop get together.

Aggie said:
You didn't hear this from me......this is one time a digital camera comes in handy. You can take little snipets of video (if your's does that) of things he is demoing. I wish I had thought about that before hand.

Nige · May 26, 2005

ann said:
any one from out of texas and who is driving, be sure to use your seat belt.
there is a big push on this week and into next about using seat belts, with the fine being pretty heffty. I speak as one who "knows" , as of this morning, any way.
They are nice but serious about this seat belt issue.

way OT.. but I can't imagine getting into a car without a seatbelt, and that goes regardless of how many airbags the car may have!

ann · May 26, 2005

well, i am short and the belt cuts across my neck, so with it on, i would loss my head, and with it on i get a raw spot on my neck.

everyone to their own feelings and decisions.

ann · May 26, 2005

and aggie, i do have one of those "little devils" in my bag.

Jeremy · May 26, 2005

Won't be able to make it to the darkroom tonight, but will be there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 9am on Friday.

scootermm · May 27, 2005

I didnt attend the workshop... but I drove to dallas yesterday just to meet everyone at the pre-workshop thurs evening get together.... SO MUCH ENVY of the gents and ladies that are attending the workshop today tomorrow and sunday.... Les Mclean is as friendly as any one human could be and so knowledgeable and willing to share that extensive wisdom.
(Ill promise to work on those highlights les )
EVERYONE I met last night was just wonderful, photomc, lee, Jim Chinn (GORGEOUS SNAPSHOTS of his new cameras), ann, Jeremy, bwgirl.... EVERYONE (if I left anyone out I just claim its my exhaustion)

Les, Jim, and myself even got out on thursday night and showed our limey friend a good time (with a whole lot of culture too boot)

so great to meet everyone. Les' prints were/are just gorgeous to see in person. Lee has a darkroom Id give up an arm for (and some astounding prints in his cowboy series)

Jeremy · May 28, 2005

Matt, just to rub it in, the first day has been a blast and I have already learned more about silver gelatin work than I ever knew before--there are still 2 days left!

note: Matt's "better half" is one of the sweetest I have met in a long time.

scootermm · May 28, 2005

Jeremy Moore said:
Matt, just to rub it in, the first day has been a blast and I have already learned more about silver gelatin work than I ever knew before--there are still 2 days left!

note: Matt's "better half" is one of the sweetest I have met in a long time.

damn you jeremy..... Im so jealous.

have fun and tell les and the rest I said hi again, and also...
tell em I spent the day driving around this gorgeous state taking a whole slew of shots.

kwmullet · May 29, 2005

I've read about this workshop with envy since it was first announced and have gone back and forth in the Heisenburgian uncertainty of having either time or money but not both. Also, since my darkroom's been decomissioned at the house from which we just moved, and is not yet up at the new place, it doesn't seem appropriate for me to either use up slot in the workshop or to devote the priority to it at present.

Still, this workshop looks to me like a once in a lifetime experience for those who are able to attend. Hopefully Lee or one or the other local sages will consider doing a silver gelatin workshop in the area within the next year or two. I'd sure be chomping at the bit to attend.

-KwM- on a Route 66 road trip with the fam in Oklahoma City

photomc · May 29, 2005

Well, it is Sunday night and the good wishes have been sent...the workshop has ended and MANY new friendships have started. David, Will, Jim, Jeannette (aga BA&WY girl), Ann, JT,Gay, Frank, Bruce, Jeremy, Ron, Lee and Les...How REALLY great to now have a face and voice to put with all the names.

The group fell into place, like we had know each other for a long time and I feel that this was one of the finest groups, and a privilege to work with. As most on this site know Las is not only a true gentleman, but an excellent teacher and a magnificent human being. The level of talent of the entire group was quite humbling for me, these folks do some very excellent work...and of course to see Las' work was a thrill.

Now to get back into the darkroom with renewed excitement and put the new tool Las gave us to work. I can only say that if I ever get a chance to take another workshop form Las, I would do it in a heartbeat and if I could do it with this fine group of individuals would only enhance the experience even more...what a truly wonderful group of people.

Oh, yeah Matt you were missed and maligned all weekend.

Seriously Matt, it was great to meet you and see those Van Dykes in person....if there was any question about how work looks in the gallery...forget about it...Matt's work (in spite of those highlights...sorry could not help myself) are really something to see...so glad you came up.

Can only say, while very tired, I am very sorry for the workshop to end...but now I have so many new friends and that is really something special..

Thanks Guys..and a Big THANK YOU to Lee and Les.

David Brown · May 29, 2005

photomc said:
... Thanks Guys..and a Big THANK YOU to Lee and Les.

Ditto from me.

Mike is being a bit humble, however. His contributions were a bit more than as just another of us attendees. Thanks, Mike!!!

Cheers, y'all.

David

PS: Who's "Las" ? (you are tired ...)

photomc · May 29, 2005

David Brown said:
Ditto from me.

Mike is being a bit humble, however. His contributions were a bit more than as just another of us attendees. Thanks, Mike!!!

Cheers, y'all.

David

PS: Who's "Las" ? (you are tired ...)

Thanks David...corrected...and a PM to help these tired eyes ... and you both missed the JET that should have been JT...

colrehogan · May 29, 2005

We figured that JET might have been a nickname.

Jim Chinn · May 30, 2005

I will echo Mike's sentiments and add a few of my own.

First, a tremendous thanks to Lee for setting everything up and providing those who made it in on Thursday with such a great welcome. Lee has a darkroom that most of us will only dream of having. To open it up to 12 others for a workshop and share his tme and knowledge demonstrates what tremendous person Lee is.

There are always people that when you encounter them you feel as if you had known them for years. I felt this with all the participants but especially Les. His generosity with his knowledge, not just of the technical aspects of photography but sharing his his ideas about art, creativity and stories from his life was wonderful.

Les answered every question, took every ribbing from the yanks and dished out plenty of his own. I have never met a person of such talent who is so enthusiastic about sharing and exchanging ideas with others. His prints speak to his mastery of craft and vision. I saw prints that contained the most delicate highlights and subtle shadow detail I have ever seen coupled with a great eye for tonality and composition.

When it was all said and done I came away with 12 new friends and a lot of new tools and techniques. I have a new enthusiasm to print and and expose film with that new knowledge in mind.

It was areal treat to see the work of so many others. The talk, laughter and sharing among some pretty different people is a testament to the passion for photography that APUG helps generate.

To sum it up, I got my money's worth the first night and next morning meeting everyone and talking photography with Les. The rest was icing on the cake.

BWGirl · May 30, 2005

I'm home! I'm home!! I echo the sentiments of everyone else who was in "Fut Wuth" this past weekend... wow!!! What a great group of people... and so much knowledge!

If I didn't think Les would think I was some sort of "groupie," I'd re-pack & head out to that Montana workshop, too! But... we do NOT want him getting some sort of rock star complex, now do we??

I am rarin' to go & plan on trying out my new-found knowledge first thing tomorrow... Hey! I may even try some toning, too!

Everyone who was at the workshop knows that I have pretty much been self-taught, so this past weekend has been nothing short of a wonder for me... I've felt like a living breathing version of "Amazing Grace"... seriously.

I just want to thank everyone...Les, Lee & Mike, of course, but also everyone else too because you were all so patient with me! Thanks!

.... don't you just love that grin??? Now, after having met me... do you see why I use it??? haha

Frank... you'll be pleased to know that the only thing I bought was a black portfolio case to carry home my most prized possession... that beautiful, awe-inspiring print of Roughting Linn!

jtsatterlee · May 31, 2005

Let me also add my thanks to Lee for hosting the workshop, Mike for helping out behind the scenes, and Les for sharing his immeasurable talent.

Meeting fellow APUGers added a great sense of camaraderie to the whole weekend.

I have returned back home re-energized and ready to head to the darkroom to and print those images using what I learned and experienced. I now see possibilities with negatives I have never been able to print to my satisfaction.

Frank F · Jun 1, 2005

BWGirl said:
Frank... you'll be pleased to know that the only thing I bought was a black portfolio case to carry home my most prized possession... that beautiful, awe-inspiring print of Roughting Linn!

I think your Hubby would be happy with that result ......me? I was very thankful you drove me to the airport. Thanks again....

To Les and Lee... a great weekend.... thanks a bunch for letting us share in your knowledge.....

Silverpixels5 · Jun 1, 2005

Uploaded a few pics from the workshop to my personal gallery. Enjoy!

BWGirl · Jun 3, 2005

Here's some more pics from the workshop!

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

workshop in Texas in May with Les

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