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Lots of conversations and thinking, lately, about the artistic value of making photographic [giclée, inkjet, etc.] prints in this era. This got me thinking about the concept of posterity, longevity, mortality, and mayonnaise ice cream.
Ok, not so much the ice cream, although I do have some pointed concerns there too.
So now that practically everything we create is electronic [and we create A LOT these days], what is going to happen when either the internet goes down [apocalyptic scenario], my domain registration expires [realistic scenario], or 'things' simply change in a fundamental way? [hey, the only constant is change]
Huh.
Used to be that to survive for centuries your creative work needed to be either chiseled into stone, carved into clay, or painted on something. What to do with our pixels?
I want to say 'this is why I make prints', but that's not true. I make prints because I still really appreciate a good print. To me a print is the one and only final product of the photographic process.
But, happy accident, these prints of mine in boxes and frames are the only images that have any chance of surviving me.
I'd like to think someone will enjoy a few of them someday.
I'll never know.
Ok, not so much the ice cream, although I do have some pointed concerns there too.
So now that practically everything we create is electronic [and we create A LOT these days], what is going to happen when either the internet goes down [apocalyptic scenario], my domain registration expires [realistic scenario], or 'things' simply change in a fundamental way? [hey, the only constant is change]
Huh.
Used to be that to survive for centuries your creative work needed to be either chiseled into stone, carved into clay, or painted on something. What to do with our pixels?
I want to say 'this is why I make prints', but that's not true. I make prints because I still really appreciate a good print. To me a print is the one and only final product of the photographic process.
But, happy accident, these prints of mine in boxes and frames are the only images that have any chance of surviving me.
I'd like to think someone will enjoy a few of them someday.
I'll never know.
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Camping in the RV on Somes Sound. What fun
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Found ourselves in lovely Peru over the weekend for a family wedding. Beautiful area that I'd only passed through previously. This is early morning on Worthly Pond, and it's 'worth' the visit [hahahahaha. ahem.]
Afterwards we took the RV over to Bar Harbor, and camped right next to Somes Sound. First time camping for the boy, so really fun just to watch his face as he took it all in. More images from that experience later.
Afterwards we took the RV over to Bar Harbor, and camped right next to Somes Sound. First time camping for the boy, so really fun just to watch his face as he took it all in. More images from that experience later.
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I have a new post up on dearsusan.net today. I so enjoy the engagement with other photographers that this platform offers. And, I tend to learn a lot as well.
For instance I've long been considering a move from Adobe's Lightroom product to Capture One [due mainly to the former's move to a subscription-only model.]
By all accounts C1 is a superior RAW converter, and as such the move should be a no-brainer. But of course nothing is ever that simple. Simply learning the new interface and workflow is daunting enough. Add to that the inevitable 'it does this better, but this other thing not as well', and it's understandable why so many of us who 'want' to make the switch have put it off.
I, for one, was going to wait for the next new hard drive. That's when I'll be forced to make the commitment in one direction or another. But that's a stressful time already, isn't it? No time to be learning a complicated new software along with all the other issues and upgrades. Ugh.
For instance I've long been considering a move from Adobe's Lightroom product to Capture One [due mainly to the former's move to a subscription-only model.]
By all accounts C1 is a superior RAW converter, and as such the move should be a no-brainer. But of course nothing is ever that simple. Simply learning the new interface and workflow is daunting enough. Add to that the inevitable 'it does this better, but this other thing not as well', and it's understandable why so many of us who 'want' to make the switch have put it off.
I, for one, was going to wait for the next new hard drive. That's when I'll be forced to make the commitment in one direction or another. But that's a stressful time already, isn't it? No time to be learning a complicated new software along with all the other issues and upgrades. Ugh.
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We had two full sized oil tanks pulled out from under our house the other day. They had been abandoned by a previous owner and left, full of oil, to rust in a damp crawlspace. Our former oil dealer was willing to pump the tanks out last year, but did not remove the tanks as we'd agreed. Ugh. These guys came out and had the job done in hours. Good to know the right people to call.
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Little boy loves the moon...watches for it every night. Yesterday he found it round and orange, and if I don't miss my guess next to Venus. I watched it with him for a while before realizing that I needed to get dressed, run to the office to put together a camera bag and tripod*, and hike out to the cliff.
This is a 30sec exposure which allowed the surf to glow against the rocks. I intentionally packed an older wide angle zoom lens [the oft mentioned ca. 1995 Canon 20-35mm f2.8L], which was not the most optically perfect choice. I did this because it was a stop faster than the other obvious choices** and also perhaps just to be contrary, as Canon has all but denied paternity of the lens....there is barely a mention of the lens in company literature, absolutely no support, and no available profiles in Lightroom. 'My little bastard', I call him. ;)
I played around with ISO and aperture a bit during the brief shoot. This one was taken at f5.6 which produced the nice diffraction star around the moon. The ISO was 800 which is most decidedly not the strong suit of my 5DS which shines at 100. There's just a bit of noise, but it could probably be tamed down a bit more.
I won't deny for a moment that I approach photography from a technical and equipment-centric point of view. I used to own a film lab and camera stores...without this 'focus' [hahaha] I wouldn't have gone where I did.
This is just one of the ways that I differ greatly from my neighbor John Paul Caponigro. In his talk here it's directly pointed out in case you missed it that you won't hear any discussion of camera brands or f-stops from him, and instead will receive a very well thought out, even cerebral, discussion of art and intention.
My approach is very much rooted in 'pre-visualization' a lá Minor White all the way back from the lens to the sensor/film and post-production/developer and on to the print.. What can I say. Gear matters to me, from winches on a sailboat to the Michelin snows I run year-round on the SUV here in the woods. Cause and effect. Form follows function. It's a mind-set...one that I enjoy.
Your mileage may vary. Buckle up.
* With fond memories of friend Chris Warman...his old Gitzo and R.No.1 head are my go-to for these excursions.
** From my slim collection those would be the Canon 16-35mm f4L which would have been better optically and will go along next time, and the Voigtlander 20mm f3.5II which I sold during a purge thinking I'd someday buy a 24mm f1.4, but didn't. ;)
This is a 30sec exposure which allowed the surf to glow against the rocks. I intentionally packed an older wide angle zoom lens [the oft mentioned ca. 1995 Canon 20-35mm f2.8L], which was not the most optically perfect choice. I did this because it was a stop faster than the other obvious choices** and also perhaps just to be contrary, as Canon has all but denied paternity of the lens....there is barely a mention of the lens in company literature, absolutely no support, and no available profiles in Lightroom. 'My little bastard', I call him. ;)
I played around with ISO and aperture a bit during the brief shoot. This one was taken at f5.6 which produced the nice diffraction star around the moon. The ISO was 800 which is most decidedly not the strong suit of my 5DS which shines at 100. There's just a bit of noise, but it could probably be tamed down a bit more.
I won't deny for a moment that I approach photography from a technical and equipment-centric point of view. I used to own a film lab and camera stores...without this 'focus' [hahaha] I wouldn't have gone where I did.
This is just one of the ways that I differ greatly from my neighbor John Paul Caponigro. In his talk here it's directly pointed out in case you missed it that you won't hear any discussion of camera brands or f-stops from him, and instead will receive a very well thought out, even cerebral, discussion of art and intention.
My approach is very much rooted in 'pre-visualization' a lá Minor White all the way back from the lens to the sensor/film and post-production/developer and on to the print.. What can I say. Gear matters to me, from winches on a sailboat to the Michelin snows I run year-round on the SUV here in the woods. Cause and effect. Form follows function. It's a mind-set...one that I enjoy.
Your mileage may vary. Buckle up.
* With fond memories of friend Chris Warman...his old Gitzo and R.No.1 head are my go-to for these excursions.
** From my slim collection those would be the Canon 16-35mm f4L which would have been better optically and will go along next time, and the Voigtlander 20mm f3.5II which I sold during a purge thinking I'd someday buy a 24mm f1.4, but didn't. ;)
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Oddly enough I enjoy driving around the rural parts of Maine...and keep in mind that most of of the state qualifies.
There is just something so real and honest about both the landscape and the people. Don't get me wrong...it can be bleak in a way that a lot of areas are these days...but it's familiar.
Traveled to the western woods with my father-in-law the other day to look at a mower. Pretty memorable experience.
And, as you can see, camo was the uniform of the day.
Glad I had the Leica along for the ride.
There is just something so real and honest about both the landscape and the people. Don't get me wrong...it can be bleak in a way that a lot of areas are these days...but it's familiar.
Traveled to the western woods with my father-in-law the other day to look at a mower. Pretty memorable experience.
And, as you can see, camo was the uniform of the day.
Glad I had the Leica along for the ride.
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Mornings here on the coast have often been foggy...leading to interesting formations over the water come mid-day.
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I have submitted images to professional contests over the years, but not often.
The first time was Communications Arts magazine I believe, and my shot was accepted to the annual...not as a winner or even an honorable mention...just in the third 'accepted' category. But I was published, very cool for a kid fresh out of photo school. I even stuck the original 8x10 b/w print in the back of the copy I bought. Wish that book had survived the moves.
I did not submit again for a long time while running a business and then transitioning away from film, but picked it back up recently. My next submission to a Photographers Forum annual last year was accepted and published in the same manner. Again an 'also ran' but given the huge number of submissions not an insignificant accomplishment.
I just received a letter of notification that the image above won something in this year's contest. They don't tell you whether you've won, placed, or shown...although I assume winner's receive a more flowery notification...but in any event it sure is nice to see your work acknowledged on any national stage.
I'll let you know when I hear of how well we placed. :)
The first time was Communications Arts magazine I believe, and my shot was accepted to the annual...not as a winner or even an honorable mention...just in the third 'accepted' category. But I was published, very cool for a kid fresh out of photo school. I even stuck the original 8x10 b/w print in the back of the copy I bought. Wish that book had survived the moves.
I did not submit again for a long time while running a business and then transitioning away from film, but picked it back up recently. My next submission to a Photographers Forum annual last year was accepted and published in the same manner. Again an 'also ran' but given the huge number of submissions not an insignificant accomplishment.
I just received a letter of notification that the image above won something in this year's contest. They don't tell you whether you've won, placed, or shown...although I assume winner's receive a more flowery notification...but in any event it sure is nice to see your work acknowledged on any national stage.
I'll let you know when I hear of how well we placed. :)
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