Cephalonia, Greece

The Greek island of Cephalonia (also spelled with a K) was very pretty considering the whole town of Argostoli had been devastated in the 1953 earthquake. When it was rebuilt, it was built up as a resort: lots of shops and eateries. Coming into the port early in the morning was something to see - but every port was like that with the exception of one or two that were more industrial. Here you can see the early dawn with the town's lights and the light from the cruise ship illuminating the green ocean water.

Lately, I have been conversing with a couple of newbie artists who have contacted me with questions about getting their work 'out there'. I enjoy helping artists with information and this time I was able to meet both of them - one in person and the other via telephone. Making new friends is always fun! I worked again at the High Hand Gallery on Saturday and we were quite busy with people gearing up for Christmas. Thanksgiving was wonderful and now it's over and time to move on to Christmas for our family!

However, I am moving into the darkroom today - come rain or shine - to finally make my contact prints of all my rolls of developed film from Europe! That's it - that's where I'm going. There's just not enough time in the day to do everything I want to accomplish. That's one of the reasons I'm not set up for sales on my website because I just wouldn't be able to keep up with it. If you want something - email me or call me. ;)

Back to Photography Business

Okay, who did the Indian Rain Dance? I want names, numbers!! Egads, it poured all night long! I hope my veggies didn't sink in and the gophers got 'em! So it's supposed to clear up after today. Today is 'supposed' to be 70, and by the end of the week 85. Time will tell.

So I finally got back in the darkroom. I mentioned that I had developed two rolls of film, however, I didn't print any of those - yet. I was on a mission on finding negatives that had not been printed by me in the darkroom. Yesterday I got all my chemicals mixed and poured and ended up printing out three 8x10s of one of my top favorites of all time: The Empire Mine Staircase. I made three prints at different exposure times which I could probably do another one and increase some of the dodging on some of the dark areas and lighten it up even more. But I liked the darker vesion, as it really makes the little girl in the white dress running up the stairs 'pop' out! Hhhhhmmmm. The one I'm posting here is not the print from the darkroom, just a digital one I had on file.

I was looking for one set of negatives yesterday for a particular photographic image I took in the SF Golden Gate Park Conservatory. So that was a little bit of an hour side track. I ended up organizing even more some of the photo boxes as they were not in order by year and the tagging was much to be desired. I never found the one I was looking for, but I was thinking: what would happen to or who would even want all these boxes of photos that I have arranged by year. What about my artwork?? Oh, well, I guess I better just make the most of it while I'm here. I told my husband, if people come to my funeral, there are enough prints for everyone - they could even have two!! ; )

I also did a lot of reading up on alternative processes over the weekend. I placed an order with Freestyle for some Brown/Copper Toning chemical to try out. Something different!

More Famous Photographers

Josef Sudek was not only a photographer, but a poet as well. Now here's a man who spent his whole life in one city - Prague. He took alot of his photos within his own studio and documented simple subjects with light. So one doesn't have to travel the world extensively if you don't want to. What's even more mind boggling is the fact that he lost his right arm in World War I. He doesn't give up his passion for art; he perseveres and continues with his work his whole life. He was considered a "light painter": he documented changing light. One example was right in his own studio window, which goes to show you that there's art every where and in any 'thing'. You just make it happen.

Now here's a photographer who really caught my attention: Robert Hausser. I had never heard of him. He was born in Germany in 1924 and took his first photo at the age of 16. He used abstract titles for his photography, went thru an architectural period, as well as a realism period that sounded more macabre to me. However, what stood out the most to me was that he referred to his works as "photograhic images" so as not to be confused with just random snapshots!!! I like it! I'm going to start referring to my works of art as "photographic images". It actually encompasses the whole frame of what you have captured in just two words.

Now I am heading into the darkroom to start work on developing that iris I previously mentioned, as well as some other oaks from this area. I have several B&W floral photos. This is one of my first 'hits' with photography.

Darkroom Madness

So here it is the 19th already and I've only had one post on my blog 2011! That's not good. I have been working feverishly in the darkroom, perfecting my prints and the whole 'process' at the same time! It's madness. It's all about the learning curve, trusting yourself and keeping doubt out. It's hard, it's stressful (especially with a deadline), but it's rewarding too. Ron keeps me in stitches when I come out and ask him if he would come and look at a print. He likes me in my apron, pencil behind my ear, and lately me wearing masks. He says I look like a scientist! I was having problems with the chemicals - they were starting to get to me, even though the exhaust fan was on, it wasn't enough. The masks seem to be doing the trick.

Working out the process included, rechecking my enlarger for it's alignment, reading books and my notes from my previous classes and searching on the internet for 'how-to's' when I had unanswered questions on the whole process. I purchased a used commercial seal press which ended up weighing 60 lbs!! Ron is building me a table to perch it on. Buying release paper and tacking iron - hadn't done that yet. And then realizing I should be using an amber light (for multigrade paper) v. the red light. Although, in classes we used a red light - nothing was ever mentioned otherwise. However, I noticed some of my prints looked 'muddy' and the contrast wasn't quite there. I knew about dialing in magenta and/or yellow on the colorhead enlarger, but finally figured that one out: M = more contrast; Y = less contrast.

To take care of the muddy affect, and while waiting for the amber light to be delivered, I just worked in the darkroom - IN THE DARK! I know my way around the darkroom well enough to do this - not to say it wasn't easy, but it went well. And the difference wasn't major, but it made for a much better photo. I could see the difference in the contrast and the muddy look was gone.

In the meantime, I also ordered and picked up my frames for the whole series and put them together last night just to make sure they were all there and there weren't any damaged ones. Now I need to start cutting the mats and dry mounting the prints. Will try harder to keep the blog up in 2011.

Darkroom Supplies

Today I was busy pricing the rest of the supplies that I will need in the darkroom. I already have a lot of the major components like the enlargers, trays, beakers, developing tanks, timers, safe light; however, there's alot more to be had. So I've been listing those other items and pricing them out: tongs, paper safes, grain focuser, apron, film clips, squeegees, changing bag. Once I order this, the only thing left will be the chemicals!!

Yesterday I put two coats of sealer on the linoleum tile squares in the darkroom. It looks nice and shiny too. I have a little touch up painting to do and that should be all that's left as far as the construction punch list goes.

I'm also contemplating building my own hanging film dryer! I think I can do it. The one I was looking at from Freestyle is basically a vinyl hanging shoe bag! It's not even equipped with heat for drying. So I'll keep you posted on that one.

Darkroom Day 38 and 39 - Finis!

Wednesday the carpet came in and the room and the hallway look fabulous. It looks so finished - my husand said it looks better than the house! Then on Thursday, Gary came back to work with Ron on putting up the final workspace area for the PC and scanner, printers, etc. The electrician showed up and put up the light fixtures, the fan, and got all the electrical outlets completed. So the only thing left is the sink to hook up to the plumbing! I'm posting some before I moved in photos so you can see the whole finished product!!

Darkroom Day 8

Today I beat feet over to Lowe's since I had already done my research online and decided on a stainless steel 25x22, 8 1/2" deep kitchen sink. I also bought the fawcett and drain. I'm happy to have a dark room and happy to have a designated sink too! Some people develop film in closets, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens - you name it. My ol' pal Dave Beckerman in NYC developed in the midst of his apartment, which I believe was a studio at the time. I really admired the guy - and still do, although he succumbed to going completely digital - finally. He is extremely knowledgeable in the entire field of photography. He's just a great guy, and one day we are going to meet in person! ; )

So I have the sink, my husband was quite pleased with my selection. The drywall is completely up on the outside. I'll have to include another photo tomorrow of the progress. The electrician also comes tomorrow. The plumbing is completed - after testing, no leaks! A good sign! It is coming along and trying to figure out where everything will be strategically and functionally placed. I have so much equipment, supplies, books - it will be fun to put it all in order in the new room. I can hardly wait.

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!

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.