around the net 25: my heroes have always been cowboys
Tired of the daily news? How about we turn a little retro for inspiration this week (post title inspired by the work of Robb Kendrick and courtesy of Willie Nelson
Through photography it’s easy to return to simpler times…as in the cowboy photographs of National Geographic photographer Robb Kendrick. This NPR slide show presents a nice, brief overview as to why he is drawn to cowboys as subject matter. For a fascinating glimpse into how he actually creates these beautiful tintype photographs, these videos on National Geographic are a real treasure.
Speaking of National Geographic, have you ever wondered what it takes to develop and create a photo story for this famous magazine? A Photo Editor takes us inside the process in this aptly named post: Getting a Story Made at National Geographic.
Back to retro photo methods (and another video) for just a moment: this post on Digital Photography School shows how another modern day photographer creates his own one-of-a-kind images. His camera? A trailer pulled behind his car that has been converted into a light tight, massively oversized box camera.
I enjoy watching how these photographers work to create one (and only one) photographic original of a subject. The pieces of tin and oversized photo paper that emerge from their cameras are the sole, true originals.
While most of us aren’t likely to go to these lengths to fix an image, we can indulge our pseudo retro urges with a Holga Camera
A final retro mention: is anyone interested in buying a whole bunch of darkroom equipment (accompanying photos)? We’re clearing out Daylight Photo and that includes three 4”x5” color enlargers with power supplies, timers, tons of neg carriers, over 30 Rodenstock enlarging lenses (from 50mm to 300mm), easels…if you’re interested in anything, let me know. There’s a swingin’ deal to be had if you want to take everything off of our hands.
Despite the daily news, it was a good week here at prophotolife, much accomplished and many things learned. I hope you can say the same. Let’s all get out and shoot this weekend and I‘ll see you again on Monday…
- Jim T.
aww dang jim, how am I supposed to get any sleep with all these good stories to read? Also, how about making a camera with five or so lenses so it gets the same view as a fly? You can mount it onto a trailer!
Thanks for sharing the link to Robb Kendrick’s work Jim. I remember seeing an article about him a couple years ago but it’s been killing me not remembering his name until now! Chuck Close has a really great series of daguerrotypes that were featured about a year ago in PDN as well. I love that people are bringing these older methods back!
This was the best selection of Chuck’s work that a quick google search could produce:
http://www.booklyn.org/artists/Chuck%20Close,%20N.Y.,%20NY.php
Jason, you think we could adapt one of these enlarging lenses to your pinhole camera?
Be sure to put next Friday,October 17, on your calendar, Noah. If you can make it down to Cincinnati that evening there’s going to be a presentation by noted photographer Glen Wexler. Free and open to the public, thanks to the Ohio Valley Chapter of the ASMP.
And the Plunger Cam info lives! Mark Tucker just sent an email with this link to the Plunger Cam story.
Heck no jim! If I put one of those lenses on then it wouldn’t be a pinhole camera anymore. I would have to do all that fancy stuff like focusing.
You have got to be kidding Jim! I would LOVE to see that presentation! Sadly though my wife and I share the same birthday and our conjoined birthday party is that night. Thanks for the invite anyway. I do plan on making it down for the next pints and pixels though!
I love my hobby, but I’m not sure I’m committed enough to it to go through those lengths to get great photos. But, I suppose that’s what separates the men from the boys in photography.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Gigapxl project.
http://www.gigapxl.org/
Never posted before but frequently read your blog and have watched some of your videos, great stuff!
In getting rid of all the darkroom equipment I have to wonder if you are saving a simple set up for yourself to work with from time to time? As far as retro while I have also shifted to working mostly on the computer with images I do miss working in the darkroom from time to time and I currently have 3 enlargers stored away waiting for the chance to have some type of darkroom again.
The videos about the tin-type process were very interesting. I’ve seen some photographs on tin plates, but had never read about the actual process. I have to admit that I cringed the first time he said “potassium cyanide”. I had some experience with it back in my geology days and it isn’t pleasant stuff to be around. Thankfully it was “only” a 4% solution he was working with, but I do wonder why he didn’t use some protective gloves when working with those chemicals.
I had often wondered how the National Geographic stories came together. That interview was quite enlightening.
Oh, I don’t have any use for that dark room equipment, Jim.
Does that darkroom equipment include a Saunders 16×20 four blade easel in really nice condition?
I honestly don’t remember the Gigapxl project, thanks for the link. Beautiful stuff…it makes me want to get out and see the country more!
Mike, I do have an enlarger setup in mothballs, a 2 1/4 black and white Omega that has a lot of memories attached to it. These are all work enlargers that I’m willing to part with, though. And TONS of accessories.
Talk about photography getting easier in the digital age: if you didn’t die from cyanide poisoning back in the day you could blow yourself up with flash powder! Hmmm, maybe “Xtreme Photography” will make a comeback.
I’ll check on the Saunders easel tomorrow and let you know!
Leave your response!
Search Prophotolife.com
Recent Articles
Further Reading
Pages
Categories
Archives
Top Commentators this month
Recent Comments
Most Popular Posts
Related Posts
Most Commented
Tags
approach around the net assisting bulbs business creativity customer service education equipment exposure film fine art gear history insurance interview lenses lighting logo design marketing nature photographer photographers pinhole portrait preview professional organizations RAW review stick-in-a-can studio taxes technical video workflow