Back to the Darkroom

Long time no see!  Well, this is the part where life just gets in the way.  You have to be really good to have a post on your blog EVERY, SINGLE DAY!!  I think we're done with the yard chores and work and all the other stuff that isn't photography.

Art-wise I did go to a mask making class using a product called Paverpol last week.  I had no idea what to expect, but I took some images of Japanese geisha women and one of a samurai.  I can't really think of things on my own in that respect!  I ended up doing the samurai.  He's not quite done, but he is pretty much put together.  His face even got painted with the first layer of acrylic and I need to get him finished off.  I won't bore you with that process - just another one of my 'side trips'.  I am going to another mask making class, but this time it's with paper, and in my case, I'm going to use photographic images.  But not what you may think.  I'm going to cut up some of my older images and categorize the pieces by shades of black, grey, and white.  That's my thought on it for now - at least I'll get rid of those extra photos that are old that I'm tired of.

I'm going into the dark room for sure now.  I will most likely need to mix more fresh chemicals. I'll be finishing off Bodie, and then I plan on moving on to my European cruise photos.  When I get to Croatia, I'm still thinking of toning them in copper.

Hope you're having a great Memorial Day Weekend!  Here's an image of my step-Dad who served in Korea.

No Hands Bridge Centennial

Today's already Wednesday!!  Egads!  I've been busy - and unfortunately not in the darkroom since Saturday. I've had other pressing business to take care of.  You know, tax time, and other personal business matters.  But that's done now.  I'm going to mix up some fresh chemicals and head back in there tonite.  Can hardly wait.  I have several missions to accomplish:  1) new artwork for High Hand Gallery; 2) need to develop the No Hands Bridge negative for the Auburn Arts Commission celebration/contest for the 100 years old Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge centennial event; 3) which I can't do anything about until I get my Epson ink order!!!  I called and it still hasn't shipped.  I don't know what's up with that, but I can't print off my Epson 2400 as I am completely out of Lite Magenta.  Bummer.  I usually do some printing when I'm in the darkroom which is a time saver.

As an aside, my son and granddaughter came up to visit us on Monday and I showed them my Bodie prints that I had just finished on Saturday.  My granddaughter is looking at them and says, this is film, right?  I said, 'yes'.  She said, 'You're right!  There IS a difference!'  She commented that they were so clear, and it's like you're right there.  There is definitely mystery to film and that is what I love about it.  You have to see it for yourself to believe it.

I also attended a meeting this morning at High Hand Gallery.  I think we got the budget and entertainment issues resolved for this year.  That always takes a chunk out of my day as it's a 45 minute drive to Loomis and then back again.  That's my life.

Here's one of the prints I developed from Bodie Ghost Town Series 2011 - 'Bodie Stove'.