By popular demand - notes on Method, Technique, and Equipment:
On rare occasions, I've taken one look at a woman and known exactly how and where I wanted to photograph her. Most of the time, it's not quite that easy or direct. Often the really good ideas come when looking at the contacts of the first shoot. I like working with the same models more than once if possible, because it gets more relaxed each time, making it easier for the ideas to flow during the shoot. Friends are welcome and encouraged to come along on a shoot, although husbands and boyfriends only if they know they won't get weird, as has been the case too often. (Just because I shoot them, that doesn't automatically mean I want to sleep with them. Sheesh!)
I use natural light probably 85-90% of the time, because I like to know without any doubt what the light is doing before I take a shot. When I use artificial light, I want hot lights whenever possible - for the same reason. I like working outdoors, but many more recent projects demand a period environment or other than natural surroundings.
Cameras: Mamiya TLR's and Nikon.
Film, in order of usage: Kodak T-Max 400,
Tri-X, Kodachrome, Ektachrome, T-Max 100, Infrared, and then the odd roll of
Ilford B&W or Kodak color print film. Yes, I trust the Great Yellow God
when it comes to film.
B&W Paper: Ilford expressly.
On Copyright:
I believe very strongly in the concept of a copyright. But unlike many
artists that I am acquainted with, I do not believe that a person saving
another’s image to share with a friend is the end of the world. I know I have
been responsible for selling a few CD’s by making audio compilation tapes or
discs and
giving them to friends. I feel I've benefited the artist in this way.
So in short,
PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY IMAGES TO SPREAD AROUND THOUGHTLESSLY. If you want to use
something, ask...I believe in exposure, (pun intentional) and I'd like to know
about it. Just talk to me first. Thanks.
On “Digital Photography”:
photograph - n origin: Greek - photo: light, graph: write or record Commonly, an image created using a camera and reproduced onto photosensitive material.
Writing with light...I haven't seen any light emanating from my CPU lately.
And yer HP glossy paper is no good under an enlarger. While Photoshop is a great tool, I only use it as that, not a magic wand for
doing what I'm not capable of in the real world, either in a dark box or a
darkroom. Not to outwardly criticize so-called digital photographers, but if you
can't do it with a camera, at least label it "special effects photography" or
something similar. I get sick and damned tired of hearing shooters say, "We can
always fix that later with [insert name of manipulation program here]." Sorry,
I'm old school - you shoot a chrome or negative and submit the image - the
special effects happen in the camera or the darkroom. No radical alterations were made on the images here, only
those required to make the scans look better on a screen.
Regarding alterations to images, it's probably time someone started thinking
about a monitor standard...something like what broadcasters use to calibrate for
transmission. I tend to set my screen a bit dark, and my photographs therefore
look less than perfect on a friend's monitor. No matter how much trouble you go
to, digital is still no substitute for a well made print.
On Senses of Humor:
I am endowed with one. It can be quite bent at
times. Deal with it, and don't complain to me about the content of any
photograph I make. I'll listen to constructive criticism and engage in dialogue,
but if you don't like it because you, 1) Think it is inappropriate, or, B) Think
it degrades women, men, children, wombats, etc., go somewhere else and look at
the nice flower pictures or some such BS.
