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#1
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
I'm interested in finding a master printing workshop, or private
instruction. I would like to find a true master printer that is not 1.) alternative process oriented 2.) masking oriented 3.) toner oriented 4.) or any other whistle and gong. My idea of a great printer in the silver process is one who can make prints from my negatives that I never thought possible, without resorting to anything fancy, even including bleach. I don't usually care for spectacular, punchy images. I'm far more interested in long tones that retain richness of contrast, and evenness. Seemlessly evening things out , and juggling twenty areas without going through a whole box of paper, is more my problem. Of course an alternative process printer may be the best man out there, but I am not interested in launching into yet another materials oriented technique with its promises when my underlining skills have not been resolved. Time by the way has not resolved the impass. I started printing in 1973. Too tall an order? It's my feeling that I am making above average prints, but my working approach is somehow flawed, and the exceptional is too rarely acheived, even though the negatives are well under control, (thanks to Pyrocat.) All these other approaches I'm sure have their place, but I want to first acheive exceptional straight forward printing. Some people might say I have done just that, as I've been hired several times to print shows and portfolios. I feel however that I am at best an 8 out of 10 and am struggling to close the gap. I can no longer justify ten to twenty sheets of paper per print, even though many printers will say that's exactly average. I say, how is anyone supposed to get portfolios together when hundreds and hundreds of dollars end up in the trash? So...does anybody know of a great printer that has a workshop, or would perhaps even take on a private few sessions that address a master level of silver printmaking, and does not spend 90% of the class on basics, or veer off into elaborate techniques? |
#3
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
You've pretty much described John Sexton and his darkroom workshops. Start
with "The Expressive Black and White Print," then take the others. "Ken Smith" wrote in message om... I'm interested in finding a master printing workshop, or private instruction. I would like to find a true master printer that is not 1.) alternative process oriented 2.) masking oriented 3.) toner oriented 4.) or any other whistle and gong. My idea of a great printer in the silver process is one who can make prints from my negatives that I never thought possible, without resorting to anything fancy, even including bleach. I don't usually care for spectacular, punchy images. I'm far more interested in long tones that retain richness of contrast, and evenness. Seemlessly evening things out , and juggling twenty areas without going through a whole box of paper, is more my problem. Of course an alternative process printer may be the best man out there, but I am not interested in launching into yet another materials oriented technique with its promises when my underlining skills have not been resolved. Time by the way has not resolved the impass. I started printing in 1973. Too tall an order? It's my feeling that I am making above average prints, but my working approach is somehow flawed, and the exceptional is too rarely acheived, even though the negatives are well under control, (thanks to Pyrocat.) All these other approaches I'm sure have their place, but I want to first acheive exceptional straight forward printing. Some people might say I have done just that, as I've been hired several times to print shows and portfolios. I feel however that I am at best an 8 out of 10 and am struggling to close the gap. I can no longer justify ten to twenty sheets of paper per print, even though many printers will say that's exactly average. I say, how is anyone supposed to get portfolios together when hundreds and hundreds of dollars end up in the trash? So...does anybody know of a great printer that has a workshop, or would perhaps even take on a private few sessions that address a master level of silver printmaking, and does not spend 90% of the class on basics, or veer off into elaborate techniques? |
#4
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
Many experienced printers can look at a negative and make at least a
semi-respectable first print. One or two more tries will usually produce a nice proof print. Then it's time to go to work. "John" wrote in message ... On 1 Feb 2004 15:55:50 -0800, (Ken Smith) wrote: I can no longer justify ten to twenty sheets of paper per print, even though many printers will say that's exactly average. If it ever took me 20 sheets of paper to get a good enlargement I'd throw in the towel. 9/10ths of the work is done in the camera. Frankly I rarely expose more than 1~2 sheets prior to making a good final print. Honestly I don't know how I do it but the other night when I printed with the Elwood for the first time I simply looked at the light coming out of the lens which I had never printed with and made a good 8X10 on the very first print. Not perfect. Took one more print for that. BTW, why do you believe that Pyrocat has helped your images ? Developers have many qualities but they rarely are actually capable of addressing dramatic problems in a negative. So what area are you in ? Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com Please remove the "_" when replying via email |
#5
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
So...does anybody know of a great printer that has a workshop? Twenty years ago I was looking for the same thing, and found it with George Tice's workshop at the Maine Photographic Workshops. I believe he still gives it there every year. |
#6
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
You've pretty much described John Sexton and his darkroom workshops. Start
with "The Expressive Black and White Print," then take the others. The problem with Sexton's class is that you don't get to do the printing. You watch him make prints from his own negs that he has frequently owed people for sometime. A better approach is to find a class where you can do the printing yourself. George Tice used to do one at the Maine Photo program and he is an excellent printer. Gordon Hutchings does a large format class that includes printing at the Maine program as well. Also, go to galleries where images by Tice, Paul Caponigro, Adams, etc. are on display so you know what is possible. steve simmons |
#7
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
On 02 Feb 2004 04:02:20 GMT, (Largformat) wrote:
The problem with Sexton's class is that you don't get to do the printing. You watch him make prints from his own negs that he has frequently owed people for sometime. A better approach is to find a class where you can do the printing yourself. George Tice used to do one at the Maine Photo program and he is an excellent printer. Gordon Hutchings does a large format class that includes printing at the Maine program as well. Also, go to galleries where images by Tice, Paul Caponigro, Adams, etc. are on display so you know what is possible. I attended a seminar by Scott Griswold in Somers Point, N.J. which was very interesting. We didn't print during the class but rather would bring in images and discuss them for about a half hour at the end of each session. Scott is certainly a great photographer. Unfortunately I haven't spoken to him in about 10 years now. Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com Please remove the "_" when replying via email |
#8
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
On 02 Feb 2004 04:02:20 GMT, (Largformat) wrote:
Also, go to galleries where images by Tice, Paul Caponigro, Adams, etc. are on display so you know what is possible. Certainly a good idea. IMO, experience and a good log are the best teaching tools you can have. Going to a workshop can open your eyes to 1~2 things but spending a week of your vacation just photographing and making notes will go a long towards perfecting both. Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com Please remove the "_" when replying via email |
#9
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
In article ,
John wrote: On 02 Feb 2004 04:02:20 GMT, (Largformat) wrote: Also, go to galleries where images by Tice, Paul Caponigro, Adams, etc. are on display so you know what is possible. Certainly a good idea. IMO, experience and a good log are the best teaching tools you can have. Going to a workshop can open your eyes to 1~2 things but spending a week of your vacation just photographing and making notes will go a long towards perfecting both. Up close I like Strand's and Weston's prints,....too bad they are both gone. -- LF website http://members.bellatlantic.net/~gblank |
#10
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Seeking a Master Printing Workshop
"Willhelm" wrote in message om... So...does anybody know of a great printer that has a workshop? Twenty years ago I was looking for the same thing, and found it with George Tice's workshop at the Maine Photographic Workshops. I believe he still gives it there e http://www.theworkshops.com/catalog/...choolID=20very year. |
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