Jun 152009
As you may have noticed from my last few postings, I have switched almost exclusively to B&W. You may be asking yourself why, or perhaps that is me asking myself. There are a few reasons:
- I am reading George Dewolfe’s book: Digital Masters: B&W Printing: Creating the Digital Master Print. I used to be fairly decent in the darkroom, being able to produce a print the way that I wanted it to look. In the digital light room, I am not so savvy and want to learn how. This book, along with George’s PercepTool goes a long away in helping with that. This weekend, I printed perhaps the best B&W print that I had ever printed. The one shown above. When my wife looked at it, she couldn’t stop admiring it. I have to admit. It looked very good. I was pleased. This one will be framed. I just have to follow through.
- My purchase of the Mamiya 645e and its subsequent use has triggered something inside of me that is difficult to explain. I guess that it is simply a desire to be better, or not simply better, but the best that I can be. I realize that it’s just a tool, but somehow, it represents a bit more.
- I feel more at home with B&W. It is where I started. It feels like home.
I’m also considering being mentored. I believe in mentoring! So, I’m looking at George Dewolfe’s mentoring program. It lasts a year. I plan on contacting him to see what is involved as well as the cost to do it. I like a lot of what I have seen on his website and believe it to be along the lines of what I am looking for. He has a nice, contemplative style of photography that I find appealing and in line with how I view the world. You can see his galleries here.
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4 Responses to “A time for craft”
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Paul, I’ll bet this photo is fantastic printed. The reflections, ripples and various tones look amazing.
I find George Dewolfe’s work to be very elegant in it’s simplicity and the mentoring sounds interesting but of course depends upon what’s involved.
The important thing is that you sound inspired and enthused about things so it’s already a positive!
I agree with Earl, the picture looks fantastic on screen. The graphic qualities in it are as made for b/w, with low light and an almost calm sea and a gentle breeze that causes the fine ripples on the water front. Probably you even resisted the luring colours of a stunning sunset or sunrise. A very good choice to have it framed, since I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to stop admiring it either.
About the mentoring program, it sounds very interesting, and you most certainly qualifies portfolio-wise and regarding commitment. The hardest thing, I guess, is that you have to know where you’re heading with your photography, kind of having a vision for it. It would be hard to agree on the content and goals of the mentoring program not having this.
@Earl/Ove: Regarding the mentoring, I would certainly agree with both of you. I have scheduled a phone call with George for Wednesday, June 24th. At that point we will discuss what is involved with the mentoring program. This gives me time to consider my direction, as well. However, as I get to know life a bit better, I do realize that my initial direction most certainly will NOT be permanent. I have to follow the river of life with all of its twists and turns.
I have no idea what the mentoring will be about, if I need it, how it will affect me, or anything. We’ll see.