Beseler Enlarger Manual

Today I received the Beseler 67SC/67SD Enlarger manual. It is in primo condition I must say - thank you KHB Photographix. I've already read thru it a couple of times, so tonite I hope to start going thru the enlarger and clean that one up too.

Yesterday one wall of the art room was framed in - then we got another rain storm last night. Construction won't happen every day - probably 3 days a week at best. So it will come about slowly but surely. We just happened to stop in town and checked out a carpet/flooring place to see about carpet squares. I think this would be a good thing in case something spills you can always replace a square, plus it is durable. We'll see how expensive or inexpensive they are. However, this place didn't carry it.

Darkroom Day 3 and the BLOG

The measurements of the art studio are 16x20 (336 sq ft) and the dark room will be 7x8 ft. I will have twice the amount of work space I have now and that's even with the darkroom in place. The floor has been framed, insulated and ply wood put down for the flooring. I took a photo and am adding it here so you can see what it looks like thus far - 'early beginnings'.

I received the manual for the Vivitar enlarger and immediately made of photocopy of it so I wouldn't get the original dirty. I brought out the Vivitar enlarger and took it apart, cleaning the lamphouse, the condenser and lens with a micro fiber cloth, and cleaned and wiped all the dust away from every part. I needed to get a feel for the Vivitar as I am not familiar with that model. I should be getting the Beseler manual any day now and when I do, will go thru the Beseler too.

I ran a report off Google for the Blog to see how that was going. As of January 27th I have had 214 visits. Granted some of them are returning visitors - but that's what it's all about!! Keeping people interested in what you have to say and it was just another positive enforcement for me and I thank all the people who have made this happen. Thank you! BTW, we just watched the movie, "Julie & Julia", the Julia Childs story running simulatenously with Julie's story of her cooking a whole year of Julia Child's recipes and writing her daily blog! I could definitely relate to the blog and was really excited about it. It was definitely a feel good movie for moi-ness!

Darkroom Day 2

Yesterday was exciting in that the frame for the floor was almost completed. It looks so different. We're trying to imagine how fast that room is going to fill up once it's done and we start putting things in, like shelving and workspace. I'm also trying to figure out the layout of the actual darkroom. Ron left to go price some doors -- and to get out of the house. I know this is stressful for him - working with his wife!! Although I think I've been pretty low key and the project's just started! Hah! Don't get me wrong, he's extremely talented contractor and like I said earlier, he really makes things happen.

I'm going online to see what I can find in the way of a steel sink for the darkroom. I was thinking of Habitat for Humanity which I may go check out on Friday, and also Freestyle(online). And also more importantly, the layout for the darkroom!

Clearing the Garage

Today the lumber arrived! We did clear out the majority of the one stall of the garage. I took a truckload to the Salvation Army yesterday and will most likely have a few more boxes for them from today. We're clearing the garage out even more - mostly my husband Ron and his foreman, Gary - breaking down the storage racks. My husband is letting out a lot of big sighs which is usually my gig, but I softly reminded him that this is one way to downsize and clear the old junk out! He agreed. And unfortunately today, I am not feeling that well and could actually go to sleep right now, but that won't fare too well, so I'm going to hang in there and see if I can help some more.

I've been spending time in the evenings reviewing my books on how to set up the darkroom and the whole process. All I do is dream about the darkroom every night. It's kind of fun actually and extremely exciting that it's actually coming about finally. I found an email that my husband had sent me (from before we were married) that he promised me the darkroom then! That was five years ago - and now here we are!

Enlarger Manuals

Last night I went thru all the equipment and cleaned it up - they were just a little dusty from being stored. Moved the enlargers upstairs out of the way for now until the room is built. I went online and ordered the Vivitar manual from CameraBooks.com and the Beseler from KHB Photo from Canada off their Ebay site. For both manuals I paid less than $35, so that was a pretty good bargain I thought. Speaking of bargains, I don't know if I got the best price, but I've got the equipment now and that's it - no looking back.

Today we're headed out to the garage to really move stuff around since the lumber is being delivered tomorrow - so my husband I are really having to move on it now! But that's good - this kind of a timeframe really gets you to hustling! ; ) I'm headed out to the garage as soon as I post this!

Darkroom Equipment Purchase

Yesterday was very productive in terms of my purchase of the darkroom equipment. Used equipment, but nonetheless, in good condition! I think all I will need now is a film bag, some tongs, and chemicals and I'll be set! I am so excited - I don't think I've been this excited since I don't know when!! The seller lived 45 miles away, still in the foothills with snow I might add, but the drive was worth it. The previous owner had 'gone digital' but he was still saying, "I can't believe I'm getting rid of my darkroom equipment!" The enlargers (I got two) are still sitting on the kitchen counter, and I'm going to go thru and clean them up a bit. I've also been on the internet looking for the manuals - which I think I found in Canada no less, but I found them. The enlargers are: a Beseler Dichro 67S and the other a Vivitar E54. Some of the websites I visited were: Camerabooks.com, jollinger.com, freestyle.com, and khbphotografix.com to name a few.

Darkroom Equipment

Well so much for the sun coming out today. It's still raining, and more rain expected all next week! I know we need it, but sometimes winter is just sooooooo long and dreary!

I called on a couple of ads for darkroom equipment for sale. I definitely wanted a Beseler enlarger just because that's what I know. I could save alot of money by buying used, but you also don't know what you're getting. However, if all the other equipment comes with it, it's worth the $$ they are asking. Then later I could splurge on a new enlarger. The two I called still had to go out in the garage and 'dust it off' to take inventory of what they had. I'll keep you posted.

France Photos

The owners of Le Bilig loved the photos and said I could go ahead and hang them since I am the "artist"! Very nice people, plus the restaurant isn't 'new' after all. They've been in business for 16 years! After we hung the B&W photos of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, we decided to have lunch there. We ordered the Salmon and Cheese crepes. It was absolutely fabulous and was served with a salad, and very reasonably priced - $6.50! My husband Ron said we've got to come here more often.

So if you're hankering for some great French cuisine in Auburn, go to Le Bilig French Cafe, located at 11750 Atwood Road, off Hwy 49, phone 530.888.1491. Have a wonderful meal and check out my photos!

B & W France Photos

Today turned out to be a good day - even in the rain! There's a fairly new French restaurant, called "Le Bilig", that my husband and I and friends went to in November for birthday celebrations. (By the way, Bilig is the pan they use to cook crepes on!) We noticed there wasn't much hanging in the way of art. Then Christmas came and I kind of forgot about it. So today I called the owner and I have an appointment with her tomorrow morning to show her my B&W France photos. They're already framed and ready to hang. Hopefully they will like them (I don't know why they wouldn't) and let me show my work. I'll keep you posted.

I also went out and bought some acrylic storage boxes to start reorganizing and rearranging the garage for the project!

Darkroom Equipment

One task I will soon need to accomplish is to itemize all the darkroom equipment I will need. List and price it out. First I'll price it out from Freestyle Photographic Supplies, which is located down in Hollywood, CA. Then do a price comparison with Pardees Cameras which is located in Sacramento. I could also do some searching on the internet (Craig's List) for B&W darkroom equipment too when the time comes. I've seen some in the past, but haven't really looked in the last 6 months. I know it will be a while before I need to purchase this, but it won't hurt to start the list.

We've been weathering out the storms that have been rolling thru here all week. We haven't lost any trees, so that's good. It's supposed to clear up this weekend for a couple of days before more rain on Monday. I'm hoping to get in the garage and start moving things around!

Photos Hung with Care!

Yesterday was successful even with the heavy rain storm and wind! But I managed to make it down the canyon road and into town with the framed treasures - Bodie Ghost Town. The owners of the 'Old Town Dessert Cafe' were very pleased with them and feel that they will definitely sell!! That's what I like - positive thinking! So if you are in the Auburn area, head on over to Old Town Dessert Cafe on Sacramento Street, across from Awful Annie's and check out the photos and have yourself some of their scrumptious desserts with some coffee, which is absolutely fabulous! It is from the Thanksgiving Coffee Company located in Ft. Bragg, CA, and is fair trade and certified organic! Check it out for youselves and tell them Maria Soto sent you!

Concert in B&W

Last night I drove down to Sacramento to see my son play in his punk band. I have never seen him in action before. I had tried once before to see him live, but I had arrived too late. So I made it on time and met up with my son and granddaughter. It was kind of old home week, since alot of his old school friends were there. Boy, I'm getting old, I was trying to remember names - holy cow! The 'kids' are now 35 or so and filled out. It was fun listening to their life stories and what they are doing now.

I brought one of my trusty Minoltas (SRT201) with the usual TMAX 400 and used a flash. The lighting was mostly backlighting there, so it was hard to see their faces unfortunately. I prefer no flash. I did fill in a few times with my little Pentax digital for fun, and had my granddaughter take a video with it for me. She's so good! I'm anxious to see how they came out.

The framing on my current project went well yesterday and I've got to call the owner of the cafe, as someone pointed out to me that today is MLK Holiday and they may not be open!

Tennis Elbow

Like Gilda Radner always said, "It's always something!" So I was able to get the mats cut and the photos mounted, except for the last two, and then gave it a rest. I've got tennis elbow now. Last night sleeping was pretty miserable, but today is a little less miserable. It's gonna be a fun day framing today, let me tell you! I decided to go with the 8 1/2 x 11 print, with 12x16 mats and frames. I don't think there's enough room on the coffee shop wall to have anything larger and I want to see how well they show. Today I'll finish them up and take them in tomorrow!

Cutting Mats & Framing

I've got to get my show on the road and finish cutting mats and framing the Bodie photos so I can take them into town on Monday and get them hung up for sale! It's our last sunny day for a while as the next week is rain, rain, rain. Monday I'll start organizing and clearing out the garage - moving things to the other side. The first thing happening will be framing the floor. The lumber has been ordered, however, I'm not sure when it will be delivered. It will be a long process, but I know once my husband gets started - he just makes things happen - I know this from personal experience.

Darkroom Beginnings

Good news! Monday we start working on the art studio/darkroom!! I can't believe it. There's lots to do for starters - like moving everything over to the other side. My husband is a general contractor by trade and he can build things in his mind, but I can't. He did draw some plans several years ago on it, but we didn't have a 'floor' plan. So I had him take me outside and give me the rundown on what, where, whem, and how. Once we get the insulation and floor in, we can have a better idea on the layout of the actual darkroom. I know you don't need that much room, but I don't want to be cramped either. So I've got tons to do. Next week it's going to be raining all week, so it will be a good time to work inside on it. Happy days!

Matting & Framing

Today I went out and purchased the necessary frames for this current art project I am working on for a local coffee shop. Luckily I took advantage of Aaron Brothers' Penny Sale: buy one get one for a penny! I decided to keep it simple and went with a wide black frame for both the B&W and color photos of which there are six. So that'll keep me busy for a day or so. I want to get them hung up by early next week.

Speaking of frames, a common frustration for artists is damage to frames. One would think that gallery owners would be more careful when handling and hanging artwork, but that's where I get my most damage. (I'm sure museums, i.e., MOMAs are extremely careful.) When hanging artwork, for starters, remove all rings and heavy jewelry. I always wrap my framed artwork and take extreme care in transporting them, wrapping them in bubble wrap and then in between blankets. From now on, I am making a concerted effort to mention to the gallery owners to please take care when handling. No one wants to buy a piece of artwork with dents or marks on the frame. I actually had to change a frame out because of this exact thing happening! I started out with wood frames, but because of the 'loss' suffered from damages, I changed to metal frames. That worked good too for a while since the anodized frames don't get too marked up and if they do it rubs off, but even these can get scratches. I try to keep it simple in selecting the frames, because most people really do want to make their own selection to go with the style of their homes. There really isn't an easy fix on this subject - it's kind of on a case-by-case basis. It's basically frustrating and I just wanted to get it off my chest.

Prints & Limited Editions

Okay, so now I've printed out the photos both black and white and color on my Epson R2400 printer. I decided to go with just the 8 1/2 x 11 for these will be placed in the local cafe just to see how it works out. Normally for galleries I print 11x14s, mat and frame them. The 11x14s have in the past been 'Limited Editions", either up to 25 or 50 prints at that size or larger (16x20). Any size smaller they are not labeled as such. One of a kind is another option, and then of course neither of those - just print, title, sign, and date.

Lately, I have not been dating the front of the photographs, because then if you don't sell them right away, they may sit in your stock and become "outdated". So to remedy that I have been placing pertinent information on the back of the matboards for each photo, i.e.,: my name, the series, title, copyright date (when photo was taken), and date printed. So that seems to be working much better for me.

Photography Outreach

Well today I was out beating the pavement getting some photography business rustled up. I will be displaying some of my Bodie photos at a fairly new coffee shop in Auburn - both black and white and color. So that was worth the trip and hopefully another good place for my photos to be visible. In today's economy it's really hard to be an artist - let alone just an average person trying to survive! As you may or may not know, photography is the slowest moving art medium out there. You've got to be really GREAT. So I am trying! My next step now will be to get busy printing out photos, matting, and framing to get those in place very soon. Wish me luck!

Black & White Elvis Presley

On Sunday mornings I like to catch the CBS Sunday Morning show. Today's ending piece was about a traveling exhibition starting in Los Angeles at the Grammy Museum of B&W photographs taken by photographer Alfred Wertheimer in 1956 when Elvis was just 21 and not quite yet famous. It was when he didn't have bodyguards which meant that the photos are very down to Earth, casual, unpretentious, natural, and in my opinion absolutely fantastic! One series of photos was Elvis jumping off a train and walking the rest of the way home - all by himself.

I remember I must have been 9 when he was just getting popular. We lived out in Newberry, 30 miles south of Barstow. Our parents took us on a drive towards Las Vegas. Just outside the town, which was very small at that time, was a small amusement park that contained electric bumper cars - remember those? Well, we're standing at the fence watching and my Mom yells, "There's Elvis! Quick you kids, go get his autograph!" Well, before any of us, my oldest sister being the teenager, could go over there, our Mom runs over and gets his autograph on the inside of a postage stamp cardboard cover (the kind from vending machines). We always teased her about that later, about how we never had a chance! Oh, yeah, and my brother who was probably 2 or 3 went to the men's room with Elvis! Aaaahhh, memories!

Darkroom Dream

I mentioned previously that my husband and I are going to build an art studio/darkroom in one of the garage stalls. Well, last night I dreamed that a new product came out that didn't require the film to be unloaded in the dark for starters, and that all I had to do was mix the milky solution with water in a plastic mixing vial, put the lid on, let it sit for a few seconds, and then you just put the film in. Well, I didn't get back to it right away - I was always busy doing other stuff, of course - so that when I went back to open the vial it burst open from the chemical build up and it sprayed all over. I did this not once, but numerous times. And each time it stained the walls and my clothing!! It was a mess. It seemed like a neat and tidy way to develop the film if I hadn't had so many disruptions, and by the way there was no smell. IT WAS JUST A CRAZY DREAM!

Speaking of the darkroom, I'm getting closer to getting ready to go out there and start moving things around. It's winter so that means I would have to move my car outside while this was being done - but if it's going to happen, then I'll have to make that tiny sacrifice! Last summer I had my husband move the water heater over to the far stall so there wouldn't be any complications with it being so close to the darkroom chemicals.

Dragon v. Lion

We have a beautiful view up here in Cool, and one in particular right from our deck. Off in the distance is a small hill with a grove of trees that resemble a lion or a dragon. Several times there have been long wispy clouds that look like they are coming out of the mouth of this animal - hence the 'dragon'. Other times this beast has a rather large mane - the 'lion'. I keep an album of photos that I've taken of this animal at various times of the day: mornings, evenings when the sun is casting some wonderful oranges and yellows. On days when it's raining, sun shining, snowing, or foggy. They're all different, not one is the same. I've heard of photographers taking the same scene every day for a year, so maybe I should do something with these like make a calendar!? Hhhhmmmmm. There's some food for thought.

Canyon de Chelly and Satellite

Well, setting goals really keeps you on your toes that's all I gotta say! I posted a new website gallery: Canyon de Chelly for your viewing enjoyment. This was a great excursion and we met some wonderful Dine - Navajo people. My husband purchased a handmade silver 'story bracelet' for me from a Navajo artist who was at the North Rim route. Beautiful people I have to say - kind, sincere, gentle, and just beautiful! The bracelet of course tells a story of the Navajo: the canyon, the hogan, the cottonwoods, the wagons, the canyon varnish, and White House, are all represented in figures on this bracelet made of silver and brass. It's exquisite! The artist and his wife invited us back sometime and said they would give us a personal tour of the canyon floor. So, needless to say, we are going back one day!

Getting the new gallery up was no easy feat, as living up here in the hills, our internet connection choices are: satellite and satellite! So, if it's a cloudy day or there's a sunburst or space junk decides to float in front of our satellite's view - it can be as bad as 'snail mail'. But I got it up after several hours and it's there for you to enjoy!

Life Balance

My whole life is not ALL photograhy. I don't eat, sleep, wake photography - not all the time. If I were single my life may have been different, and I was single for 25years. When I retired in 2005, yes, my life was mostly photography. But as fate would have it I met my soon to be husband and it was just meant to be. So I fit in photography everyday, but balance out the rest of my life, like taking care of a home, a husband, 2 acres of land with one of them landscaped, and family. Of course there are all the other daily life chores like: cooking, cleaning, yardwork, laundry, blah, blah, blah! ; ) I love it all actually - mostly family stuff and spending time with my dear friends. Cooking for people is another one of my favorite pasttimes.

But today my goal will be to get out there and get some yardwork done...and then post another website gallery! So be on the lookout - another adventure captured on film is coming your way! Carpe diem! (Oh yeah, my oldest son was a Marine.)

Stuck in a Roll of Film & Loving It!

I've had several people mention to me lately the fact that Kodak was no longer making kodachrome. However, not to worry for all you film photographers, as Fuji will continue to make film, and they do make excellent professional color film products. But you'll just have to find an upscale camera store to purchase from, as the local drug stores - at least where I'm at - won't be carrying film. I have found two camera/photography stores 35 miles away that carry Kodak B&W film at a reasonable price.

If newcomers to the digital world take classes at a college, the coursework requires them to start out in film and the darkroom, and then they can move on up the scale to digital courses. So B&W film will always be 'in style' as it is an old artform.

Right now my process is to have my B&W film developed by a lab, it is then scanned to CD, and I print from my Epson R2400 printer - and the prints come out beautiful. The prints are usually good the first time around, however, I have on occasion lightened them - but no touch up. One photographer told me it's the best of "both worlds" this type of process. But I'm holding out for my darkroom. I can hardly wait. I could develop my film myself in a lab - but I would have to travel 45 miles one way, as I live out in the foothills where deer and little critters are our neighbors so to speak!

Black & White v. Color

It's funny what one sees out there in our vast world...some people look but don't see for being caught up in their own thoughts. What catches one's eye could be anything from as minute as an object's shadow that creates something totally different, an insect trudging along with his little bit of cracker, two people engrossed in a conversation that creates a scene of mystery, but it's Mother Nature just being her natural self that usually catches my eye. I've been lucky enough to be able to visit many places - I'd love to go wandering some more in Europe and check out China too - and when I've been out there photographing I have to say I see mostly in Black and White. However, I will admit there are times when color just HAS to be the medium to photograph a scene. Carrying two cameras and going from B&W to color is not always an easy task and takes a bit of an eye-to-mind changing sequence. But first and foremost I do see in B&W.

Blog Response

I've had a handful of folks so far check out my new blog. No one seems to know how to sign in and make a comment (see picture above) - but have emailed me instead which is okay too. So thanks for your support and comments.

Howdy H. checked out my Bodie website galleries and shared his car buff knowledge by stating that he believed the old Bodie car was a '37 Pontiac with a '36 grill. He has restored two cars himself - a '67 Corvette he bought back when 'new' and a 1950 Ford. Pretty sweet! Then of course I had to send him a photo of my husband's '64 T-bird Landau that he just finished restoring last year.

Just to give you some background, I have my own office space which is a 10x10 bedroom. I have completely filled this room up with my photography equipment: cameras, printers, a scanner, books, mat cutter, boxes of matted inventory - alot of new inventory, a desk with my computer and more books. It's so easy to mess this place up and end up working in a small space......hence the need for a studio. But my first task will be to clear out the first stall of the garage, so that the framing can begin. If you can believe, my husband built a barn which is I think 25x25 to put all his construction stuff in which WAS in the garage before, and he also houses his T-bird in it too. Well, there's going to be alot more stuff going down to the barn, that's for sure! Start downsizing now folks so it's not such a huge task later!

The New Year

So I've had time myself to learn even more about Blogs. I guess it's not such a big mystery after all. It's just me sharing my thoughts with whomever wants to listen about my photography, my life, whatever! If you want to comment......then you can!

The first of the year started out with a big surprise for us! My husband's daughter had her 3rd son born on New Year's Eve....Cooper James couldn't wait another week as planned and will be coming home today to meet his two brothers Isaac and Max. Because of the H1N1 flu - we refer to as the Hiny Flu - no children under 14 were allowed in the hospital or any hospital for that matter. Isaac in particular was disappointed. I'd love to do a family portrait for them in B&W - and soon.

Getting back to my first post on December 28th, I posted a photo from our trip to the Southwest. It is from Canyon de Chelly and is of the White House. A Navajo Indian ruin built right into the canyon wall. This was my second trip and we hiked down about 1 1/2 miles - 3 miles RT. It was tough let me tell you. I'll be saying more about this excursion once I post that gallery. I just wanted to peak your interest in hopes that you will return for another visit.

Currently I have three new galleries you can visit: Bodie Ghost Town, in B&W and color, and also one of Point Lobos. Bodie Ghost Town was a first for me and definitely requires re-visiting! Point Lobos was my third visit and I will continue to revisit that area as well. It's too beautiful not to! Enjoy! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!