“…I can’t recreate my feelings about how I happened to do this or that, because a lot of my stuff was done without any motivation, more than just what I call having a good time fooling around.” – Imogen Cunningham
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“It is discomforting to know that if only Beauty could be found then Beauty would cease to exist.” — Dominic Rouse
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” — John Keats
Yesterday provided an opportunity to photograph and add to the portfolio of Nathaniel Reinartz. Nathaniel continues to demonstrate his remarkable attention to nature’s details; as well as mastery of his craft. The detail of the candle holder on this sconce also attests to his exploration of new forms.
Last week I was given the opportunity to photograph an ‘ancient’ stone carving for the purpose of evaluation by experts in antiquities. Working with this object, arranging light to bring out its form, color and texture without exaggeration, proved a challenge. With each failed attempt I learned more about this beautiful object and the light falling upon it. Click this link for additional views of this remarkable piece of stone. Vertical = 8.575″, Horizontal A = 7.755″, Horizontal B = 4.043″
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“I believe that photography loves banal objects, and I love the life of objects.” — Joseph Sudek
one of Dad’s vises
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“I have no way of portraying the lives of others. I portray my own.” — Jan Saudek
Scheme to put yourself in the path of beautiful landscapes, buildings, art, and creatures.
Recently I’ve begun to work with Nathaniel Reinartz. We’re upgrading his presentation portfolio and discussing possibilities and usefulness of web sites for blacksmiths. This young man’s work certainly demonstrates attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship and a fine aesthetic sensibility.
“Oh my son’s my son till he gets him a wife, but my daughter’s my daughter all her life.” — Dinah Maria Mulock Craik.
Ann and Erin at Irish Fest, on Ann’s birthday, August 17, 2008.
“The whole point of [making] pictures is so you don’t have to explain things with words.” — Elliot Erwitt
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Brady Street Festival, 2008. Slide show of additional images from this event.
“The whole search is for the unknown.” — Jerry Valente
Today I finished assembly of the milled ring to the recessed Cambo lens board to allow the mounting of Hasselblad lenses to the Cambo Ultima. After mounting the 40mm Distagon and the R8/DMR to the Ultima I walked the rig out to the porch, where a fern had grown up between the floor boards, and composed the first test.
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I made just one exposure and removed the SD card from the DMR. Having just worked with the view camera movements this felt like removing a tiny, miniature sheet film holder. I fondly recalled the days of pulling out 12×20 dark slides and holders (as well as 11×14, 8×10, 5×7, 4×5 and 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 and now this) after making an exposure I felt good about. Walking the itty-bitty image holder to the computer, then dropping the file into LightRoom, compressed an hour and a half of darkroom film processing and proofing into about 5 minutes; then, almost immediately, sharing the results with the world.
I love this return to view camera controls. A whole different experience in photography occurs when every conceivable movement of camera image plane and lens becomes available during the acts of framing and focusing. Contemplation. Meditation. Dare I call it a spiritual experience?