Quote: Ian Ruhter (Wet Plate Collodion Photographer)

"...because they're limitations on the contrast and everything where that plateau in the back is really washed out and that but also creates depth and I don't try to correct those things I really just embrace them and I think they make them, they make them what they are. In life it seems we always want to fix everything and it's kind of start thinking of it in society with plastic surgery and in photoshop and we always want it better better but what's wrong with the way it is what's wrong with the way we are and that's why I like the collodion process too because it is, this is it. It was not perfect but it is perfect, it's better than perfect.
NMPBS COLORES!: Photographer Ian Ruhter (YouTube)

Quote: Gabrielle Scrimshaw (Wrtier)

 Writing about the governmental fostered destruction of  first nation peoples and culture inside Canada.

"Learning about our past won’t change it, but mandating indigenous history in our school systems is a good start. Without an honest dialogue and recognition of this history, we will hide behind a comfortable ignorance. My hope is that on July 1, Canadians who raise their flag high in celebration will also take a minute to reflect on the loss many have faced along the way."

Please take the time to read here heartfelt and important essay in the New York Times. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/opinion/canadas-hidden-history-my-mother-and-me.html

Quote: Sir John A MacDonald (First Prime Minster of Canada)

Speaking about first nation peoples of Canada and their children's education.

“When the school is on the reserve, the child lives with its parents, who are savages, and though he may learn to read and write, his habits and training, mode of thought are Indian. He is simply a savage who can read and write.” In residential schools, he added, “they will acquire the habits and modes of thought of white men.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/opinion/canadas-hidden-history-my-mother-and-me.html 

Peregrine Falcons

We have our yearly crop of Peregrine Falcons growing up on top of one of the vessels at the plant where I work security. This years hatchlings number 4. It is amazing how fast they grow. I have been told that they will be flying in about 2 weeks. This photo is from a few days ago, the birds were banded at that time. The white down on their bodies seems mostly gone now. I watch them all night on video in my guardhouse, they look very eager to get flying. They flap and flap their wings and peer out of of their nesting box with much curiosity and interest. They generally look ALMOST ready to go.

Beautiful animals!

Update* This morning just before I left my shift the mother/father falcon brought the babies breakfast. A big black bird body!! I think it might have been a dead crow as it was quite large. The parent falcon had a hard time dragging it into the nesting box but eventually did. The young ones went to town on the corpse. No wonder they grow so fast, with meals like that everyday. I wonder if they will start flying before Sunday night my last shift this week. I would love to see them fly.

4 baby, semi baby! Peregrine Falcons

Quote: Dave Semenko (NHL Tough Guy Hockey Player, TV Analyst, Scout, Coach)

Speaking of friend and teamate Wayne Gretzky's one NHL fight.

“He should have got a delay of game penalty.”

Another Rejection Notice From The Art Foundation Of Alberta

The families of tthe dump work was rejected by the art by acquisition jury (expert panel)  in my province of Alberta. I will not be able to donate that money to the families. The donation to the people total stays stuck at $1370 CAD.

Here is the  most recent rejection letter, a generic (my name is not mentioned) letter they sent out to the masses.

-----------------------------------
Thank you for your application to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Art Acquisition by Application Program. There were a total of 700 works submitted for consideration, received from 172 artists across the province.

Your submission has been assessed by an expert panel, comprised of members from the Alberta art community. I regret to inform you that the work you submitted for this deadline was not selected for acquisition. We appreciate your interest in the programs offered by the AFA and encourage you to apply at the next available deadline, which is April 1st, 2018.

Yours sincerely,

Erin M..............
Manager, Art Collections

-------------------------------------------

Here is ome of the rejected imagery and people they did not want to add to the collection. I let the people in the dump down again, did not get their stories seen and told. I failed them again. They will continue to be the forgotton people of South East Asia.

Working the garbage, Mae Sot Thailand 2013

Young boy in his dump shack, Mae Sot Thailand 2013

Dump family in their home,  Mae Sot Thailand 2016

Idol?

Found this today, over 1 year old. It is kind of nice to know your being followed and the work has some effect on folks. Not sure about the idol stuff thou (if the translation is correct). Thatort of thing makes me uncomfortable, the subject, the subject and only the subject should matter. Their lives and stories is all that is important, Yaum is just a made up name for a security guard living in Canada, he is just a messenger.

https://oscar.carlsson.photography/2016/01/13/gerry-yuam-del-2/

Här om dagen upptäckte jag att min idol Gerry Yaum har återkommit till APUG.org, för att tacka för några objektivplattor han (tydligen) fick där för några år sedan.

För att visa tacksamhet har han laddat upp ett par bilder - rätt många bilder, faktiskt. 88 stycken i skrivande stund.

För den som är betalande medlem på APUG.org så rekommenderar jag (varmt) ett besök i hans galleri. Galleriet hittar du här.

Translation from Swedish:

This day, I discovered that my idol Gerry Yaum has returned to APUG.org, to thank for some lens plates he (apparently) got there a few years ago.

To show gratitude he has uploaded a couple of pictures - quite a lot of pictures, actually. 88 pieces at the time of writing.

For the paying member on APUG.org, I recommend (warmly) a visit to his gallery. You can find the gallery here.

Ambrotye Of Haunting Women

I received this ambrotype a few days ago, bought it for $36USD off eBay. I do not know who this women was but she haunts my thoughts. Photo (ambrotype) was made when? 1880s? She must be dead for at least 60 years probably much more. Who was she? What was her story? Such a haunting expression and eyes. This is the type of portraiture I want to do with my wet plate work. So often wet plate photography is all about the process, I want to make the process secondary (important but secondary). The subject, their lives, their story should be the focus of all the work. Telling important stories about important people (all people are important), nothing else matters.

Who was this women?

Quote: Ted (Resident of Slab City/Bombay Beach, USA)

On staying, young, Ted is 100 and going strong.

"...I think the way to stay young is to learn how to chew your food slowly....it teaches you to know when to slow down, enjoy things, not to give up and know that either way you go, you have to finish"

The Works Mentions/Promotes "Trumpet" Exhibition

Here is a little short mention of "Trumpet" currently exhibiting at Latittude 53. I have 5 "Families of the Dump" photos showing there. Does the "Works" link mean this show is part of "The Works" festival? Maybe, not sure.

http://www.theworks.ab.ca/exhibits2017/latitude53

AGSA Website Promotion For "Healing Process"

Here is a link to the Art Gallery of St. Albert's promotion of the coming "Healing Process" exhibition. Same write up stuff, but with 3 images included. Not sure what the "Walkthrough  Tour" is about on the 17th, probably find out about that later.

http://artgalleryofstalbert.ca/exhibitions-events/exhibitions/healing-process/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Healing Process

Sima Elizabeth Shefrin, Darian Goldin Stahl and Gerry Yaum

August 31 – September 2, 2017

Opening Reception: : Thursday, August 3, 6 – 9pm

Walkthrough tour: Thursday August 17, 12:05 – 12:45pm

The creative process is a healer. Healing Process brings together three artists who each use their artistic practice to explore the illnesses of their loved ones, to shed light on treatment, pain and tragedy, and reconcile their own emotions and understanding of their experiences.

Social documentary photographer Gerry Yaum seeks to tell the stories of forgotten and marginalised people. His deeply personal series My Father’s Last Days documents the final 13 months of his father’s battle with pancreatic cancer. Through a series of poignant black and white portraits, Yaum attempts to understand and capture his father’s struggle and create a memorial to him.

British Columbia-based artist Sima Elizabeth Shefrin’s innovative series the Embroidered Cancer Comic chronicles her journey with her husband following his diagnosis prostate cancer diagnosis. The embroidered-fabric pieces focus on the couple’s day-to-day and life changing events as they acquiesce and experience the unexpected impacts of cancer treatment.

Darian Goldin Stahl’s intriguing installation, MRI IN USE includes a series of life-sized suspended hospital gown prints. These transparent forms seemingly hover between the gallery space and the viewer. The print-based installation emerged from an ongoing collaboration between the artist and her sister — a clinical bioethicist diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Stahl’s work offers a glimpse into the experience of navigating a medical diagnosis and living with chronic illness.

Images:

Gerry Yaum, My Fathers Last Days, black and white Silver Gelatin photograph, 2015

Sima Elizabeth Shefrin (photo by Carolyn Davey), Call from the Doctor, hand embroidery, 2013

Darian Goldin Stahl, MRI IN USE (installation detail), toner transfer onto waxed silk and projection (seven individual gowns), 2016

"Healing Process" Mentioned In Gallery West Magazine

The "Healing Process" exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta made it into Gallery West art magazine. I think that is the first time the Yaum name has been in that publication. Hopefully it will help the turn out, my artist talk is also mentioned.

http://www.gallerieswest.ca/events/sima-elizabeth-shefrin-darian-goldin-stahl-and-gerry-yaum-he/

Sima Elizabeth Shefrin, Darian Goldin Stahl and Gerry Yaum: Healing Process

Aug 3, 2017

Art Gallery of St Albert 19 Perron St, St. Albert, Alberta 8N 1E5

Opening Reception and Artwalk: Thursday, Aug 3, 6 – 9 pm

The creative process is a healer. Healing Process brings together three artists who each use their artistic practice to explore the illnesses of their loved ones, to interpret treatment, pain and tragedy, and reconcile their own emotions and understanding of their experiences.

Social documentary photographer Gerry Yaum seeks to tell the stories of forgotten and marginalised people. His deeply personal series My Father's Last Days documents the final 13 months of his father's battle with pancreatic cancer. Through a series of poignant black and white portraits, Yaum endeavours to understand and capture his father's struggle and create a memorial to him. 

Artist Talk with Gerry Yaum, on Thursday, Aug 31, 6:30 -7:30pm

British Columbia-based artist Sima Elizabeth Shefrin's innovative series the Embroidered Cancer Comic chronicles her journey with her husband following his diagnosis prostate cancer diagnosis. The embroidered-fabric pieces focus on the couple’s day-to-day and life changing events as they acquiesce and experience the unexpected impacts of cancer treatment. 

Darian Goldin Stahl's intriguing installation, MRI IN USE includes a series of life-sized suspended hospital gown prints. These transparent forms seemingly hover between the gallery space and the viewer. The print-based installation emerged from an ongoing collaboration between the artist and her sister—a clinical bioethicist diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Stahl’s work offers a glimpse into the experience of navigating a medical diagnosis and living with chronic illness.

Info

LOCATIONArt Gallery of St Albert 19 Perron St, St. Albert, Alberta 8N 1E5VIEW MAP

EVENT TYPE Art & Exhibitions

DATE & TIMEAug 3, 2017 to Sep 2, 2017

Leaving My Mark?

Was watching some wet plate vids on YouTube and had a strange thought. What about putting a thumb print on everyone of my wet plate images, sort of leaving my mark? Would that work? Not sure but it might be kind of cool. The edges of collodion imagery is often scared and damaged looking, what about adding a personal element from the creator of the work, a finger print. Jackson Pollock used to put hand prints on his work, ancient cave men did the same, Davinci DNA might be in some of his work. Why can't Gerry Yaum personalize his stuff. I am certainly no Pollock or Davinci (might be a caveman!) but it could be a fun and somewhat unique thing to do, pressing a very personal signature into the work. I like the idea of leaving a piece of myself behind, that desire has been around people for many centuries.

Check it out:

30,000-year-old handprint, Chauvet Cave in France.

Cave art that dates between 13,000-9,000 year old hand prints, Perito Argentina

Jackson Pollock. Number 1A, 1948

Jackon Pollock hand prints

"KANATA", So Daunting, Sub Projects?

During my spagetti meal tonight at work I was thinking over "KANATA". This idea is fricking HUGE, it is mind boggling large and nearly impossible in scope . I decided what I need to do is think of it not as a whole but as indvidual segments, to chop it down to more reasonable biteable doable bits. I need to find smaller parts/sections/subjects of the grander "KANATA" theme. Only then bit by tiny bit can I even think of completing such a collosol project. I will do one sub project at a time, and move onward and upward from there. The chances are I will only finish part of "KANATA" idea, but the more parts I can complete, the better the overall whole. We will do our best and see what happens.

To that end I am going to think up (got 4 plus years of thinking space) subjects to shoot as subsections to the "KANATA" project concept.

Such as:

"KANATA- Vancouver Island - Old Growth Forests-Rainforests"

Rainforest, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

"KANATA - Yukon - The Klondike Gold Rush"

Klondike gold rush near Dawson City, Yukon

"KANATA - Fort McMurray - Tar Sands"

Tar Sand Fort McMurray Alberta

"KANATA" Exhibition Idea: HANGING MULTI VIEW AMBOTYPES

I know I am getting WAY ahead of myself here but I had an idea for displaying ambrotypes (collodion pictures on glass) in a gallery setting. With ambrotypes on clear glass you can view through the image, through the glass and see the image 2 ways, backwards and straight way round.

Here is the idea. What if I hung the plates in the air and had them hung in a way that black backgrounds would be behind the glass at a distance. The gallery viewer could then walk around the large 35x35 sheet of hanging glass and view the work as as positives in different 3D type ways. I could create a unique and exciting way to experience art. It could be visually very powerful. I saw small hanging glass images at a gallery in New Orleans several years back when I was exhibited at PhotoNOLA. This is an idea that deserves more thought, it could be a very effective way to present the work.

Note* Not sure exactly how the glass plates could be hung. Is it possible to drills holes in glass to hang the plates by? Maybe some kind of hanging frame could be devised.

Nikkor 1780mm F14 Price Comparison

I just heard back from Kurt M who is becoming a great new friend for me. Kurt told me he knew of 5 of these lens (now 6) and the last one he saw sold to a friend of his for $16000 Euros ($17900 USD), wow!! Probably in pristine mint condition but that is a huge price difference. 

Maybe getting both the Zeiss Tessar and this Nikkor Apo so quickly is a sign. If fate telling me that I am destined to make these pictures? Are the gods of karma helping me out again?

Not sure, but that $17900 USD number makes my $3857 USD buy seem not so expensive now.

Quote: Clare Drake (Hockey Hall Of Fame Builder-Coach)

“it’s amazing what you can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit for it”

Link: Large Format Photography Forum Post

Posted this today on the Large Format Photography Forum. The people there have been of great help to me, highly recommended all you large format people join the forum. A great source of learning and experience.
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

Here is my forum thank you-update post.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got My 35x35 Coverage Lens, Thanks So Much Everyone!!

Well you guys really came through for me! I was able to get 2 lens to cover the 35x35 camera I am having built in record time. I knew that the lens were out there, and that I would be able to buy them, I did not realize I would be able to get them so fast. Large glass like this is inevitably very expensive but that’s part of doing business when you’re going MAMMOTH! I rejoined this group only recently and found the members here of great help in the search for my lens. A couple of posts on my part and many of you came to my rescue. I wanted to thank the site and the folks out there who reached out to help me. I could not have done it without you!

I already own a 42 inch Goertz Red Dot Artar, which I do not think covers but I think I will be able to use, somewhat. The 2 newest buys with your help are (hope I get all the lens naming lingo stuff right):

Nikkor Apo 1780mm (70 inch) F14 (bought today).
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...-f14-lens.html

and a

Zeiss Jena Apochromat Tessar 180cm f15
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...old-brass.html

Here are the latest photos of the 35x35 camera build
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...update_15.html

I am having the front standard built up to handle the weight (18lbs) of the 1780mm. The metal lens board is just big enough to accommodate the lens (10 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches). I will also be using a separate tripod under the lens for added support. The bellows extension on this camera is 8 feet. The plan is to get a 2nd bellows (5-8 feet) that I can attach to the back of the camera as needed. That might take the total bellows extension to around 13-16 feet. Hope it is not windy!! I might have to devise some kind of tent type thing to shoot out of to protect the camera from the elements. Lots more planning and more thought needed for this project, got to figure out lots of things yet. I was planning to start in just under 5 years but with the quick buys on the lens and camera I might be able to start earlier. Probably a good thing because the weight of all this gear is well over 100lbs (200lbs?). I need to get on with this project before I get too old and shitty to deal with the physical part. It is an inspirational way-reason to stay in shape thou!!! I have 2 online sources for a silver nitrate tank that will hold a 35x35 inch 4 mm thick glass plate. I will also be getting some reducing backs, possibly a 26x35 and maybe a 20x24 or smaller square format size.

Anyway, thought I should update you all on how it was going.

Thanks so much for your help, Gerry
www.gerryyaum.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/gerry.yaum

Bought Me A Nikkor Apo 1780mm F14 Lens

"KANATA" (the word Canada, in the "Plains Cree" language) is one very important step closer to becoming a reality. I decided to change the project name from "Oh! Canada!!" to "KANATA" out of respect for Canada's first nations, indigenous peoples, culture and history. They  were here long before Canada was Canada. I hope to photograph first nations stories in the series.

A few minutes ago I bought me a second major lens for the "KANATA" project. A Nikkor Apo 1780mm (70 inch) F14. This lens is a modern lens in fair condition and also very rare. The Nikkor is almost as rare as my my 100 year old brass Carl Zeis Jena Apochromat Tessar 16/180cm.

The Brass Zeiss Tessar 180cm

My new online friend Kurt M in Italy looked two years for this same lens and said he knew personally of only 5 in existence, not sure if this is one of the 5 or not. The lens is in fair condition with "LIGHT ABRASIONS ON THE FRONT ELEMENT" (see photo). I am a little worried about the abrasions thing, but I believe it will not cause a problem, I hope not anyway!

On eBay this very unique lens was bid up to $1700 USD with 10 seconds remaining, then 4 other people and myself put in aggressive bids at the very end, I won out at a price of $3857 USD. I expected it to sell for a bit more, closer to $5000 USD. So even thou it is still a very high dollar number, paying in the high $3000s was difficult but acceptable. 

Wow!!, 5 bidders in the last 10 seconds, my new lens was highly sought after. Who knows how many years will pass before another one comes up for auction on eBay. This also speaks well to the resale value of the Nikkor Apo 1780mm f 14. I should be able to get my money back when I eventually resell it. Heck I might even make a profit on the resale, especially if it is used to create an important ambrotype project (at least that is the hope!). "This wonderful lens was used in the ground breaking "KANATA" wet plate project by internationally acclaimed artist, and generally nice dude, Gerry (Mr. Camera Gear) Yaum ", :)), haha, that sort of sales pitch thingy.

I knew the bidding was going to be hard and fast at the end and I desperately wanted the lens for my 35x35 camera so I went all in on it. I will also need to pay for Fed Ex shipping, brokerage and taxes. A very expensive item but one of those necessary steps in the process of making mammoth ambrotyes. This lens will cover a 35x35 inch negative at infinity quite easily (not 100% sure the Zeiss Tessar will). It was basically a must buy for me. I now own 2 lens for "KANATA" and a 35x35 camera, about 4 years 10 months before I planned to start the project! Heck I might start this thing earlier while I am younger and stronger. I will have all the gear, so why not!

This Nikkor has a huge flange/base plate that measures in at 10 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches and weighs in at 18lb 6oz (8.35kg), with the box it weighs 26lb 14oz (12.2 kg). Filip my HF3535 camera maker is building me a enhanced front standard to handle the weight of this lens (bigger metal parts and new design), I am also going to rig up a separate tripod support of some kind for it. I do not want my beauty lens to rip its way free of the camera body, smash onto the ground and break into a thousand pieces!  When I got the lens I will send the the 1780mm flange to Filip in the  Czech Republic to get special lens board adapter made for the camera.

Note* This will be my last major buy for a long time. I need to pay off the 1780mm Nikkor, the other 100 year old Zeiss Tessar brass lens and the HF3535 camera and then save as much money as I can before I go to Thailand. I have so much to do there. I need to start concentrating on the "Families of the Dump" film , the photos I will make in Asia and the donation work for the families which is extremely important.

Here are photos of my new FAIR condition lens. With the eBay description from the seller (San Francisco, USA).

1780 mm apo Nikkor for sale!

For all you dreamers and poets. This may be your last chance to realize your ULF wet plate dreams. Condition is fair, light abrasions of the front element but nothing to spoil extraordinary sharpness. Covers a huge format. Stop dreaming and get bidding!!

Quote: Cary Grant

When asked what his epitaph should be.

"He was lucky--and he knew it."

Photo Comments, Confidence Boosting And Cringe Inducing Praise

Recently I had 2 positive comments from pro level art folk in the city that have buoyed my confidence a bit. It has also created those awkward silences where I am not exactly sure how to respond to their compliments. I like that people respond to the work in an emotional way. I want to show the work, love that the stories of my subjects get told. I  just sometimes wish people would not do the praise thing with me me face to face!

Jenny the curator from the AGSA, speaking of the "Dads Last Days" series photos said something to the effect of "This is the most personal work we have ever shown at the Gallery"

Shane from the AGA, speaking of the "Dads Last Days" series photos said something to the effect of "These are among the most powerful moving photographs I have ever seen"

(think I got Shane's quote basically right, close to what he  said anyway, I was a bit stunned by his comments. I sort of shutdown while hearing them.)

I am always uncomfortable with that type of praise, especially when it comes from established -experienced-professional Edmonton area art people. It does make me think I am on the right path. I have to make my photos even more personal and powerful. I have to find it within myself to push to the next level of creativity and make work that continues to evoke an emotional response. This is just the beginning, got to find more in the future, got to make stronger images this coming trip.

Note* I also had the head person at the Photographers Forum" magazine say the "Families of the Dump" pictures were, "Important and they broke my heart", That thou was easier to deal with because she was not standing in front of me, it was an email sent from California.

Going Back To Basics, Thai Gear Choices

I have decided to simply my gear choices again. Have been back and forth on what to take to Thai but my recent love for 35mm photography and problems with the 120 stuff has pushed me back to my roots and 35 cameras. Printing these last 2 shows 35 negs has been a eye opening experience. I have come to love the look of 35mm enlarged to 20x24 then bleached and toned. So I intend to spend a lot of time next time shooting various 35mm cameras.

The plan is now take the following gear:

- a variety of 35mm cameras to shoot tri-x in . Leica cameras, plastic cameras, 1/2 frame cameras and maybe the Hasselblad Xpan. I will load up on lots of Tri-x and might take odd films that have been in my freezers for years.

- 8x10 Deardorff (Eddy) with 1 lens

- Canon 5d Mark3 with flash for possible color work.k

- Possibly the Kodak Aero Ekta(great bokeh) lens with Speed Graphic and 4x5 Tri-x

My main cameras this trip will be the 35s, hope to make some important and powerful pics with those babies.

Print # 7 For "Healing Process"

Been working on the 7th print for the coming AGSA " Healing Process" exhibition. This photo is of dad in the hospital early on in his last year, I wanted to include 1 hospital shot in the show.
The printing involved multiple steps including 2 masks 1 dodge and 3 extensive  burns plus. F irst I printed at filter 4 but the effect was much to extreme, the attempt below is at the softer 3.5 grade. The burning was also done at 3.5 to avoid the mushiness feel of a lower contrast filter.

Spent a lot of time thinking of my father while making this print tonight, it is so hard to concentrate on what your doing when memories keep flooding back. Tonight's main flashback was how dad stared at me those last few days, he just stared up at me with big sunken-frightened sad- eyes, he did not say much but watched me those last days. His staring eyes came back to me over and over again as I  made this print. God I miss him so much, I have never felt the kind of loss before in my life. I have never felt so hollow inside like I do now, when I think of dad.

I will also try to print (photo #8)a very difficult neg of dad with his hand over his face and one eye showing. That neg should prove to be very hard to print.

Here is print 7:

Dad in hospital, 5th attempt

More "Forgotten Faces" Scans 4

Got a bunch more glass plate negs from the post lady today, here they are:

Unknown #25 (the best portrait so far I think)

Unknown #26 

Unknown #27

Unknown #28

Unknown #29

Developing Kodak Aero Ektar 4x5 Sheets

Developing some of the Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 4x5 sheet film. These were made as test shots at the Windermere  BC cemetery on my trip with Mom. I tested the lens because I am still deciding if I will take it to Thai with me.

Original Blog Post: Bought Me A Kodak Aero Ektar Lens

The Windermere cemetery might be worth a trip back with the wet plate darkroom at some point when I shoot "Kanata" (Oh! Canada!!).

Here are the scans, I rather like the look-bokeh effect. I need to try it doing portraits yet before I leave Canada. I need to know how people look with the extreme shallow depth of field, people shot at different distances. If I used it in Thai it would be for portrait work in Mae Sot and Bangkok. I was thinking of using this lens specifically if I go back into the sex trade world to make portraits with. I think it might be an effective, visually mysterious and expressive tool.

Note* This camera lens combo (Speed Graphic with Aero Ektar) might be an effective way to shoot 4x5 ambrotypes. I need to adapt a holder but have one that was given to me that I can work on

Note** All the images were made at f2.5 as I cannot change the aperture of the lens. All shot with the Speed Graphic wind up cloth focal length tripod at 1/60 of a second (camera on tripod).

Grave #1

Grave #2

Grave #3

Grave #4

Grave #5

Quote: Rebecca Burger (Fitness Model)

Rebecca Burger died this week as a result of a freak accident at the young age of 33, RIP, condolences to her family.

"We don't have any control over time so make the absolute most of it."

More "Forgotten Faces" Scans 3

Damn broke some (3) of the glass negs, I hate when I screw up like that, dump stupid move on my part. These things survived for 130+ years till bone head Gerry broke them. I need to find a bigger work area and need to be more careful. I can see this same thing happening with my personal ambrotypes in the future. I will have to go to 4mm glass.

Unknown #19 (broken glass)

Unknown #20 (broken glass)

Unknown #21

Unknown #22

Unknown #23

Unknown  #24

More "Forgotten Faces" Scans 2

Some more scans from the glass plate negs.

Unknown #12

Unknown #13

Unknown #14

Unknown #15

Unknown #16 (broken glass)

Unknown #17 

Unknown #18