220105 Just Go Out and Photograph

220105

Just Go Out and Photograph

In this time of pandemic, and/or  cold weather,  it seems to be difficult to practice  photography.  However, I found that going out to create photographs is what helps me keep myself grounded.  So some friends and I during this past year went out at night to locations where few people appear.  The mechanics of exposing film, engaging in the development process and evaluating the final image has been rewarding.  Social media is not a way to guide your photography practice.  It is the act of photographing and creating for yourself that is fulfilling.  At least this is what is good for me.   Hope for a new year of creativity. 

200718 Pelicans in Flight

200718 Pelicans in Flight

During the “stay at home” orders of the last three months, I was able to review my negatives.  There seem to be a few that included the Brown Pelican flying in formation or at least in groups.  There has always been a joy for me to watch the flight of these large birds.  The wing-span is about seven feet and the Brown Pelicans are among the smallest of the species.  This enables them to soar at high altitudes for miles.  They also fly near the surface of the water where the ground effect creates less down draft and almost enables the bird to float above the water as long as they are one wing-span above the water. 

In the meantime, the May issue of Lenswork came out as a virtual version, because the printer was shut down due to the pandemic.  In this issue was Brooks Jensen’s instructions on how to make a chap book or a homemade zine.  So I embarked on this small project to create more photographs of flying pelicans.  Early at sunrise, I went to locations where I thought the groups would fly by.  It was almost like street photography where you park at a location and wait for people to come by.  At sunset, I did the same as there seem to be much activity in the sky.  The best thing was there were no other people around to keep six feet away from.  The experience was great and finally I completed the project.  That may be the biggest thing is that I stayed with it and got it done. 

200623 Land's End

200623

Land’s End

There are several “Land’s End” locations around the world, but the one in San Francisco is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  This is the location where Sutro Baths was located.  It was a huge pool filled with salt water that was housed in a building with high ceilings and large windows.  It was built in 1894.  Apparently, it didn’t survive the depression era.  It became an ice skating ring.  That is when I remember it in the early 60’s and where I learned how to ice skate.  At that time it housed amusement games like skeet ball and penny arcade type of machines.  In 1966 a fire destroyed the building and what you see in the photograph are the remains.  The area is very scenic and a great place to photograph.  Every time I want to try a technique or another format of camera, this is where I go.  There are caves, rock structures, and the high and low tides makes the area look different each day.

The photograph below was taken using a 10-stop filter.  It was around mid afternoon.  So with the filter, it was a 5-minute exposure.   This location is popular for wedding photographers.  There could be 2-3 different parties roaming the site.  In one frame there were people walking through it, but didn’t record on film.  They have to stand still for a majority of the 5 minutes.  Anyway, it’s a great area to visit and watch waves go back and forth into shore.

200612 Traveling in Paris

200612  Travel in Paris

Traveling with friends sometimes makes it difficult to engage in photography along the way.  If the group is on a tour, many times I will straggle behind looking at interesting compositions.  Most of the frames and/or files become so-so.  Once in awhile I capture something that resonates with me.  I enjoy travel, though in this time is will be a challenge.   Most mornings, I would venture out at sunrise with a tripod and walk in the immediate location looking for a photograph.  Depending on where we were staying, some successful and some became a nice walk.

The only trips or formal workshops I’ve attended that focused (no pun) on strictly photography was one with Alan Ross in Yosemite and the Mono Lake Workshop hosted by John Sexton, Anne Larson and Charles Cramer.  In both instances, I had the time of my life.  Alan and John were both assistants to Ansel Adams and have great stories to tell.  With Alan in Yosemite, the group actually developed film and met in Ansel’s old darkroom.  What a thrill.  With John, Anne and Charlie we went all over the Eastern Sierra from Mono Lake to June Lake and several other locations.  In both workshops the participants were supportive and engaging.  What a joy to be with a group that just talked about photography.

So almost a year ago, I was in Paris with my friends and travel group.  We had taken a cruise on the Seine to Normandy.  On the last day in Paris, a group of us walked the close by vicinity looking at shops.  On the way back to the boat, I came upon this composition at a local train station.

200602 Make a Print

200602 Make a Print.

There have been many blogs and articles promoting the act of printing to help finalize your evaluation of your photograph.  I have to second or one hundred and second that notion.  There are times when one just spends a ton of time and effort creating photographs.  Even in the film side of things, sheets and sheets of negatives can be produced before trying sit down and taking a close look at them.  In the digital world, it is worse as you don’t have to stop and change rolls of media.  I am no different. 

The recent stay-at-home issue has given me the opportunity to review old negatives.  It is easy for me to disappear into the darkroom for three to four hours at a time to make prints.  Looking at old work is a revelation.  “Oh, when did I capture this? As well as negatives that I already scanned, but paid no attention to came alive.  So whether you create silver prints, digital prints, platinum-palladium, or any other method, if an image engages you, make a print.  True, not everyone will be engaged in the print.  All that matters is that it holds your special interest.

This is exactly what happened to the image below.  It was taken in Innsbruck, Austria in 2014.  I had scanned the negative, but didn’t go back to work with it.  So during the past few months, I was able to make a print.  Changed the whole feel and perspective of the photograph.