Another Sunday morning meeting with my friend Gordon at Saints Cafe in State College to review the work from the previous week. It’s nice to get together and talk with another photographer over a hot drink and a bagel.
I’m posting prints from the previous two weeks because I didn’t get around to it last week. Not finding enough time to print beyond quick work prints and that’s frustrating. For anyone who has worked seriously with gelatin silver materials you know how challenging it can be to achieve the nuanced values that make a print sing. Hopefully I will find a few extra hours this week to explore a bit further.
This week also found me returning to chemicals manufactured by Eastman Kodak — Dektol for prints and D-76 for film. I’ve used those for over 35 years. Some things just don’t need any improvement I guess.
So here are the pictures:
I’ve started walking in the morning before work and the camera comes along. It’s quite dark at 6am but long exposures make it possible to create an image.
Another morning, a bit later as the sun crests the horizon.
Essa is a regular model in my photographs. She is not comfortable with the camera. She probably doesn’t know what I am doing but she is wary of the camera.
As I often do with people I make photographs from behind. There is a lot of expression taking place from this angle.
Another stolen moment. Kim taking notes on something she’s found in an architectural book.
Essa on a Saturday morning walk. At nearly 16 she keeps on going.
One of the advantages of hanging out with other photographers is they often make pictures of you. I know a lot of people don’t like to look at themselves or feel it’s vain, but I am fascinated at how I change. I could get lost in a self-portrait process if I let myself. Changes in body shape, receding hair, graying hair, creases and wrinkles. I have watched myself turn into my father in pictures. I see the natural process at work. The photograph below was taken by Gordon Harkins after one of our meetings at Saints.
That’s me, the old guy. And not a Vespa in sight.
Steve:
You’re handsome, as ever, and like you, I also notice the greying and aging process (talking about myself, not you). I have also begun meeting up with my photog buddies and talking cameras over dinner and beverage(s). It’s nice to have hobbies that complement each other. our antique camera challenge is coming up. (must use cameras over 50 years old and submit up to 3 prints for judging) I think your schedule of having 3 prints ready every week is too strenuous for me. It took me a while to understand the meaning of “scooter speed”
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
I’ve found a lot to reflect on in your photos. Thank you for the growth I find. As to your picture, you still look wise and full of life. I, too, hate looking at pictures of me. Somebody took one of Katie and I at a family gathering recently. Maybe it’s good to see a picture of ourself once in a while. I’ve started going back to the gym!
Steve: You continue to be a source of envy for me as you so admirably combine two of my life’s loves-bikes and photography. But a crash took me off the bikes and lack of motivation keeps me away from my cameras. Do I see a book in the future? Paul
Dear Steve:
A nice soothing reflection on an rare art form.
The last portrait taken of me was done using a US spy satellite. I am the guy standing next to Vermont (the one wearing the hat).
Fondest regards,
Jack
Twisted Roads
Great photography. I haven’t tried much in the way of long exposure… it is on my list of things to do. These photos are excellent, and the effects of the exposure just give them this eerie but peaceful feel.
~ Kristi
You are the spitting image of your father! I am too probably (of mine I mean)if I knew who he was.
bobskoot: The antique camera challenge sounds interesting. I have one old Kodak 35mm rangefinder camera that’s over 50 years old. I took it to Germany with me in the 1970s and it made phenomenal black and white pictures. And it only cost 19 bucks at a garage sale.
Scooter Speed for me is more a state of mind than an actual pace. Hard to define but worth thinking about.
irondad: Wise and full of life. Wish that were true. My initials are sfw. More than once people said it stood for Stupid Fu…
Paul: Sorry to hear about the crash. I’m working now on a post about accidents and how they affect riders.
Motivation to shoot pictures is tough for me. I always want to wait for inspiration which never comes until I am shooting. Slowly I am training myself to get off my ass and work…
A book is always in my head. Again, there is that motivation problem.
Jack Riepe: I hear those spy satellite portraits just keep getting better and better!
Kikolani: Thank you for your kind words. I think the reason I keep shooting black and white film is for the reason you outline. There is an atmosphere that the silver prints present that I just love.
Conchscooter: It is eerie sometimes for me to look in the mirror and see my father staring back. Growing up I used to think I was adopted because there were absolutely no pictures of my mother pregnant. Just a big gap in the photo album. But seems too much a coincidence to look so much like him to be adopted.
Steve,
I can’t imagine not taking pictures of myself as I grow older and the love ones that surrounds my existence. Photography is my way of living forever and may your photographs live forever as well. We all will eventually look like our fathers, its wonderful to see that happen; in some cases for some that may never happen. You look great and keep up with the work. I always carry some sort of camera around my neck or nearby. Happy Photographing and Scootering.
Phil
Steve-
Any plans in the future for that ‘long’ scooter trip across country perhaps that I believe you mentioned thinking about before?
I would sure love to read that combined with your skills in photography.
Boy I wish I had a spare bathroom or even a closet to setup my darkroom again. Once the kids were born and growing I lost my bathroom being used as a darkroom and have thought for months of selling/giving away all my equipment. But everytime I see beautiful prints it makes me want to go back to it again in such a bad way if I just had a space!
-brian
Steve:
Here is the info from last year. I believe our next outing is going to be during June 2009.
http://www3.telus.net/public/wcpha/WCPHAouting.htm
I have gone back to developing B&W and using up my old expired film. I don’t know what happened, but films prices must have jumped when I wasn’t looking. I just purchased a (100 ft) roll of HP5+ ’cause no one carries TXP anymore since it is too expensive. I had to pay $62. plus 12% gov’t taxes. My next order will probably be from Freestyle. (http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_main.php) also my supply of 120 is also dwindling.
I was going to purchase the R2880 for B&W, but I may decide to dust off my Omega D-2, or Durst enlargers and go back to wet printing (still on the fence), or I could just send the negs to you for processing (LOL)
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
I would have to compare the experience of looking at myself in portraits as similar to listening to a recording of my voice. I always seem a little disturbed to find that my self image is rarely what I see in photographs. Like the sound of my voice in a recording, I’m always a little disappointed by the experience.
I am at that same age now that my father was back when I began to have conscience memories of him. He was a truck driver, the memory of his left hand resting on the bottom of the enormous steering wheel of his Peterbuilt and his right hand resting on the gear shift. I remember as a child, studying the features of his hands; the creases in his knuckles and the shapes of his fingers. I now have my father’s hands, that unsettles me somehow and I don’t know why.
E.T.
Hi Steve,
I really like that photo of you.
Tim