"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.'
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Quote: Kim Hunter (Actress Playing Chimpanzee Zira In Planet Of The Apes)
Speaking of her studies to become a chimpanzee for the movie.
"I got to know the one chimp at the Bronx zoo, at the time, very very well and he didn't love me at all, he hated me. Because he didn't like being watched!! And I don't blame him because I certainly felt the same way when I was a chimp!"
"I got to know the one chimp at the Bronx zoo, at the time, very very well and he didn't love me at all, he hated me. Because he didn't like being watched!! And I don't blame him because I certainly felt the same way when I was a chimp!"
Quote: Hollywood Graveyard (Youtube Channel)
"Try to get lost, after all that is the best way to get somewhere you've never been."
Photo Idea, YAUM #1 Portfolio Box
After studying Diane Arbus's "A Box Of Ten Photographs" I decided to try to make up one of these limited edition portfolios myself. The idea would be to Platinum print 8-12 photographs to 11x14 from a selection of images made in all my the photo series I made in my lifetime. Any money raised through portfolio sales would be used for charitable causes, helping those in need, either in the dump or elsewhere.
Not 100% sure of the photo selection or if I can find all the negs and or if I can make them all into Platinum prints. Will see how it goes.
It might look something like this (in Platinum of course, so all images would be b/w, measuring 11x14 inches). There would only probably be around 8 or 10 pics in the portfolio.
Update* The other option would be to do individual 8 print portfolios in platinum or in platinum/silver gelatin/inkjet of all the different series.
Image #1 Long 2009, "Sex Worker On White Series".
Image #2 Old Sex Worker 2009, "Sex Worker 2009"
Image #3 Young Muay Thai Boxer 2014, "Muay Thai Boxing Series"
Image #4 Anapon 2015, "People Under The Freeway Series"
Image #5 Dad 2015, "My Fathers Last Days"
Image #6 Dump Children 2015, "Families of the Dump"
Image #7 Dump Child 2016, "Families of the Dump"
Image #8 Sex Worker in Sex Room 2003, "Bargirl Thailand Series"
Image #9 Child Begging 1999,"Street Life In Bangkok Series"
Image #10 Tan Vietnamese Brothel Worker 2003,"Poipet Cambodia Brothel Worker Series"
Image #11 Kodoku #1 2017, "Solitude In Japan Series"
Image #12 Sex Tourist On Bangkok Street 2018,"Sukhumvit At Night Series"
Image #13 Katmandu Street Kids 2012,"Nepal Street Kid Series"
Image #14 Old Man 2012," Klong Toey Slum Series"
Image #15 Migrant Worker Family 2013, " Nepal Series"
Image #16 Betty Sex Worker 2010, " Ladyboy Sex Worker Series"
Image #17 Man With Leprosy 2013, " Nepal Series"
Not 100% sure of the photo selection or if I can find all the negs and or if I can make them all into Platinum prints. Will see how it goes.
It might look something like this (in Platinum of course, so all images would be b/w, measuring 11x14 inches). There would only probably be around 8 or 10 pics in the portfolio.
Update* The other option would be to do individual 8 print portfolios in platinum or in platinum/silver gelatin/inkjet of all the different series.
Image #1 Long 2009, "Sex Worker On White Series".
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Monday, November 26, 2018
Quote: Albert Einstein
Einstein had it right, the best way to go through life is seeing the world with joy, amazement and wonder.......
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
2 New Diane Arbus Books
Two new Diane Arbus books arrived via Amazon.ca at my Edmonton home this afternoon. I viewed both books at bookstores in Vancouver, at much higher prices. I did not know either book existed till I saw them on this last trip. Bought them both with Amazon, saving both in price an in not having to lug these heavy things all the way home. How can you beat that?
The first book is on Arbus’s early work, bookshop price was $40 CAD Amazon price was $29 CAD. The book, "diane arbus in the beginning", features the beauty of Arbus's first images, many which were unknown to me. What an amazing and ground breaking artist she was.
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| "Diane Arbus In The Beginning |
The second book is based on the design of a Arbus’s limited edition set of 10 photographs. A real life box set made during her life time. She sold the box set of images when she was alive, they are worth a fortune now. I would love to view one of them someday, maybe if I am lucky.
This book is also called “A Box Of Ten Photographs”, and is a direct printed book copy of the real thing. The cost of the book was $105 CAD at the Vancouver bookstores and $60 CAD off Amazon.ca. This will be the closest I ever come to owning the real life real print box set. Got to love this book, so beautiful in so many ways. It also includes the back story, about the making of the box set. Getting this book was a bit of a dream for me. I have read so much about the real box set, now I can view this book daily, learn from it, enjoy it.
This book is also called “A Box Of Ten Photographs”, and is a direct printed book copy of the real thing. The cost of the book was $105 CAD at the Vancouver bookstores and $60 CAD off Amazon.ca. This will be the closest I ever come to owning the real life real print box set. Got to love this book, so beautiful in so many ways. It also includes the back story, about the making of the box set. Getting this book was a bit of a dream for me. I have read so much about the real box set, now I can view this book daily, learn from it, enjoy it.
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| "A Box Of Ten Photographs" |
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
McLeod Book Store Buy
Got me ten books today. Nine used books from the wonderful used bookstore McLeods and one on sale from The Polygon Gallery bookstore. Titles include books on artists, Matisse, Rembrandt, Picasso, and Munch. I also got some photo books, most interesting a book on old African American people portraiture called “The Black Photo Album”. Now the hard part, lugging all the books back to Edmonton. Cost for everything around $175 CAD.
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| My New Treasures |
The Polygon Gallery, Vancouver
Am in Vancouver for 4 nights after flying here from Edmonton yesterday.. This afternoon filled with hope and excitement I went to North Vancouver to visit the Polygon Photography Gallery. My summary of the experience is as follows. A great world class building, a wonderful friendly, kind staff and SHITTY exhibitions. It was so terribly disappointing!
The gallery exhibited 2 sets of the most boring and uninspiring photographs I have ever witnessed. I have been to many, many exhibits of photography around the world over the years, today’s experience might rank as the worst ever. It was actually painful to witness the waste of space, the terrible lack of feeling, emotion or impact in the photographs. What a disappointing use of a wonderful space. The galleries were wasted, unused and empty of visitors. Empty walls every where, no discussion, no interest in the photography being shown. Can the curating staff not see that?
So many quality and devoted photographers world wide dream of exhibiting their work at a facility like the Polygon. Instead they show this crap, the piss poor garbage, that I saw today. I would give my left thumb to be exhibited at the gallery! As would so many photogs! Curating staff of the Polygon, you can do so much more, WAKE UP! Live up to your facility, strive for much more!! God the work hung should inspire, should motivate, should push boundaries! What I saw only pushed everyone to sleep!
Update* I sent a rather critical email to the director of the Polygon gallery and he responded personally, which is a first class thing to do. I might have been overzealous in my criticism. Not the first time my passion for my particular type of photography has gotten me in trouble. Need to temper myself somewhat and be more respectful of the choices others make. Live and learn Gerry, live and learn!
The gallery exhibited 2 sets of the most boring and uninspiring photographs I have ever witnessed. I have been to many, many exhibits of photography around the world over the years, today’s experience might rank as the worst ever. It was actually painful to witness the waste of space, the terrible lack of feeling, emotion or impact in the photographs. What a disappointing use of a wonderful space. The galleries were wasted, unused and empty of visitors. Empty walls every where, no discussion, no interest in the photography being shown. Can the curating staff not see that?
So many quality and devoted photographers world wide dream of exhibiting their work at a facility like the Polygon. Instead they show this crap, the piss poor garbage, that I saw today. I would give my left thumb to be exhibited at the gallery! As would so many photogs! Curating staff of the Polygon, you can do so much more, WAKE UP! Live up to your facility, strive for much more!! God the work hung should inspire, should motivate, should push boundaries! What I saw only pushed everyone to sleep!
Update* I sent a rather critical email to the director of the Polygon gallery and he responded personally, which is a first class thing to do. I might have been overzealous in my criticism. Not the first time my passion for my particular type of photography has gotten me in trouble. Need to temper myself somewhat and be more respectful of the choices others make. Live and learn Gerry, live and learn!
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| The Polygon Gallery |
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Facebook: The Death Of Michael Smith
RIP Michael A Smith 1942 - 2018
A
very devoted artist who was completely committed to his art. An example
of a life well lived, filled with hard work, true passion, and above
all the creation of his photography.
He would travel the world with this gear, including the truck darkroom. Got to love an artist so committed, so devoted. Something we can all learn from.
He would travel the world with this gear, including the truck darkroom. Got to love an artist so committed, so devoted. Something we can all learn from.
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| Mr. Smith with some of his gear! |
Quote: Bible Proverbs 14:13
"Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever
is kind to the needy honors God. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to
the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. The generous
will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the
poor."
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Submission Time Again!!
With the PAG show over I am now, out of exhibitions!!! There was talk of a traveling exhibition of the "Families of the Dump" photos through the Penticton Art Gallery. Not sure that is going to take place thou. I had also some hope of the photos being exhibited om Eastern Canada as part of the CONTACT photography festival in 2019. There were some promises made about that festival but it seems dead in the water at present. It looks like nothing is on the horizon exhibition wise!
Since everything has pretty much dried up, I need to get off my ass and do some more submitting of the various photo series made in the last 15 years. I think what I might do is submit multiple submissions to higher end galleries at the same time. I want to try to get into more quality facilities like the Penticton Art Gallery. Once you have tasted that level of professionalism and excellence it is hard to step back.
Note* I might try doing a Platinum-Palladium photo print version submission of one or several of these series.
Some possible photo series that could be submitted include:
- "Gerry Yaum Retrospective" b/w, color film and digital (1985-2018)
- "Families of the Dump", b/w film (Burmese refugee families living the Mae Sot Thailand garbage dump. 2013-18)
- "Families of the Dump", color digital (2018)
- "Sex Worker Portraits" (portraits of sex workers done in studio, b/w film (2007-2009-2012)
- "My Fathers Last Days" b/w film, (2014-2015)
- "Kodoku" b/w film, (solitude and loneliness in Japan 2017)
- "Bargirl" color film (sex worker short time room and street portraits 1996-2018)
- "Cambodian Brothel" b/w and color film, (portraits shot in a Poipet Cambodia brothel 2003)
- "Klong Toey Slum Boxer" b/w film, (pictures made in Bangkok's Klong Toey slum boxing gym (2014-2018)
- "Klong Toey Slum" b/w film. (pictures from Bangkok's Klong Toey slum 2014-2018)
Since everything has pretty much dried up, I need to get off my ass and do some more submitting of the various photo series made in the last 15 years. I think what I might do is submit multiple submissions to higher end galleries at the same time. I want to try to get into more quality facilities like the Penticton Art Gallery. Once you have tasted that level of professionalism and excellence it is hard to step back.
Note* I might try doing a Platinum-Palladium photo print version submission of one or several of these series.
Some possible photo series that could be submitted include:
- "Gerry Yaum Retrospective" b/w, color film and digital (1985-2018)
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| Child outside her slum home, Poipet Cambodia 2012 |
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| Child in the garbage, Mae Sot Thailand 2015 |
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| Dump family home, Mae Sot Thailand, 2018 |
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| Sex worker, Pattaya Thailand, 2007 |
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| Dad, his last week, Edmonton 2015 |
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| Man in subway, Tokyo Japan, 2017 |
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| Lek , in short time room Pattaya Thailand, 2010 |
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| Brothel worker, Poipet Cambodia, 2003 |
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| Bell, Muay Thai Boxer, Klong Toey Slum Bangkok Thailand 2015 |
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| Go (passed on), Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok Thailand 2014 |
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Quote: Haurki Murakami (Poet)
“Most everything you think you know about me is nothing more
than memories.”
Facebook (Comment): Lipstick On A Pig
Gerry Yaum agree
Milos. That is one of my pet peeves when it comes to all the
alternative process photography stuff. So often the photographer is so
keen on the ALTERNATIVE thingy....they forget that the image is also
important. A bad photograph is still a bad photograph regardless of the
fancy dancy plantinum printing, wet plate etc. Your just putting
lipstick on a pig. If you can combine a great image with a great
historical process,then you GOT SOMETHING!!
Monday, November 12, 2018
A Jaunty Orange-Yellow
Did some painting today in my new large, 2nd darkroom space. Over the last several days been working on the darkroom (as well as elsewhere in the house). I had to scrape the cupboards free of oily grease which had built up after years of cooking in the space by my father. The grease was stick and hard, I needed to use a steel brush to scrape some of it off. I also used a cleaning liquid and water on all the surfaces I painted, both on a wall and in the cupboard. I used an old can of paint I had saved, it was about 10 years old. The paint seemed to work pretty well when thoroughly mixed up.The cupboard and the wall behind the planned darkroom sinks are now a jaunty orange-yellow. I will need to put on a second coat when I can, still have 1/2 a can of paint left.
I am so looking forward to doing Platinum-Palladium printing in the coming months. Also looking forward to teaching workshops in the space. I set up my iMac computer and Espson 800 printer upstairs in the home, to make digi negs.
I am so looking forward to doing Platinum-Palladium printing in the coming months. Also looking forward to teaching workshops in the space. I set up my iMac computer and Espson 800 printer upstairs in the home, to make digi negs.
Quote: Michelle Obama
"I will always wonder about what led so many, women in particular, to reject an exceptionally qualified female candidate and instead choose a misogynist as their president.”
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Dad Dream: In His House
Am at dad's house again, will be working through the night on the 2nd darkroom. I am doing some sanding and cleaning, tomorrow should be painting as well.
A few days back I fell asleep here on the sofa and dreamed of my father. I was beside him in the family room of the house, and looking up at him, he seemed so large, so tall. In the dream it was like I was a little child and his body and head loomed up far above mine, in a protective way. I was frightened and tearful and called out to him. I told him "I do not want the house, you live here, I just want you to live here forever!" He did not say anything he just looked down at me. That is all I remember, him looking down at him as I asked him to live in his house. It was a very strong feeling, all I wanted was for him to live in his house. Then I woke up with a start, it was dark, I was alone. It all seemed very real.
I have not dreamt of dad for a long while now, being in his home so much lately, seeing his pictures, thinking of him no doubt triggered this new dream. I feel guilty taking over the house dad (and mom) worked so hard for. What right do I have to her here?
A few days back I fell asleep here on the sofa and dreamed of my father. I was beside him in the family room of the house, and looking up at him, he seemed so large, so tall. In the dream it was like I was a little child and his body and head loomed up far above mine, in a protective way. I was frightened and tearful and called out to him. I told him "I do not want the house, you live here, I just want you to live here forever!" He did not say anything he just looked down at me. That is all I remember, him looking down at him as I asked him to live in his house. It was a very strong feeling, all I wanted was for him to live in his house. Then I woke up with a start, it was dark, I was alone. It all seemed very real.
I have not dreamt of dad for a long while now, being in his home so much lately, seeing his pictures, thinking of him no doubt triggered this new dream. I feel guilty taking over the house dad (and mom) worked so hard for. What right do I have to her here?
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
2nd Darkroom Early Photos
Well here are some shots of the space I will convert into a 2nd darkroom. As you can see not a lot great just yet but we will work towards the goal and turn it into something real nice and sweet. This room was my fathers former kitchen, he made breads, cakes, pyrogies, cabbage rolls, pies and so so much more in this room.
It has been sitting empty and unused for about the last 6 years. I started digging through everything and moving stuff around, it is now quite a mess. Dad always kept the room very clean, but now after 6 years unused, its very rough. I have some of my stuff crammed into the room as well, a light table, processor etc. Now this space will become mine, it will allow me to make platinum prints, wet plate photographs, and gelatin silver stuff. I also plan to rent out the darkroom and use it for photography workshops I will be teaching.
First thou, LOTS AND LOTS OF WORK AHEAD OF ME!! Will start the painting soon and will bring in a plumber to hook up the sinks (small plastic darkroom job and the big stainless steel one below).
Note* It is hard to move dads stuff out and my stuff in. I keep thinking dad was the last one to touch this. He placed everything where it was, now I am moving it, changing HIS ROOM around! I think thou that my father would be happy that the house and his room are being used again. The first photos I do in platinum will be a tribute to my father, his last year of life. The large group of photos I made of him just before he left us. Will try Paltinum-Palladium printing some of the earlier pics I made of dad as well.
It has been sitting empty and unused for about the last 6 years. I started digging through everything and moving stuff around, it is now quite a mess. Dad always kept the room very clean, but now after 6 years unused, its very rough. I have some of my stuff crammed into the room as well, a light table, processor etc. Now this space will become mine, it will allow me to make platinum prints, wet plate photographs, and gelatin silver stuff. I also plan to rent out the darkroom and use it for photography workshops I will be teaching.
First thou, LOTS AND LOTS OF WORK AHEAD OF ME!! Will start the painting soon and will bring in a plumber to hook up the sinks (small plastic darkroom job and the big stainless steel one below).
Note* It is hard to move dads stuff out and my stuff in. I keep thinking dad was the last one to touch this. He placed everything where it was, now I am moving it, changing HIS ROOM around! I think thou that my father would be happy that the house and his room are being used again. The first photos I do in platinum will be a tribute to my father, his last year of life. The large group of photos I made of him just before he left us. Will try Paltinum-Palladium printing some of the earlier pics I made of dad as well.
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| After my digging through cupboards and moving stuff, the room is a mess! |
Monday, November 5, 2018
Proving That Angry Person Wrong
Several years ago an angry person I knew well attacked the
photographic work I was doing quite harshly. He told me that my
photography would never amount to anything and that photographs did not
have any power to truly move people or cause positive change. I am glad
recent events have proven that fellow wrong. I have have always
believed that photography can be a powerful instrument, that helps
people in need. I am so happy a tiny bit of that is now happening. Lets
keep the ball rolling and keep up the fight! Lets ignore the negative people and follow our hearts to a better tomorrow.
Update* If truth be told there were actually two fellows saying basically the same thing to me at two different times. Gosh, it was rather depressing to hear at the time, thou it was very motivating, trying to prove them wrong. Am glad I moved away from those type people and on to more positive and supportive friends. Some folks just see the world with so much pessimism. The strange part were they were both part time photogs who did not truly believe in the over all power and importance of photography.
Update* If truth be told there were actually two fellows saying basically the same thing to me at two different times. Gosh, it was rather depressing to hear at the time, thou it was very motivating, trying to prove them wrong. Am glad I moved away from those type people and on to more positive and supportive friends. Some folks just see the world with so much pessimism. The strange part were they were both part time photogs who did not truly believe in the over all power and importance of photography.
Another Donation!! For "The Families of the Dump"
Got some more good news today. On the last day of the Penticton Art Gallery exhibition a donation of $50 was given to the families from a couple from Spruce Grove Alberta (not to far from Edmonton). Thanks so much to G and R, the kind people who gave this recent gift. The grand donation told for next trip has cleared the $400 mark and sits at $410 CAD. Am hoping to raise $1000 CAD before I leave Canada to continue the work, hopefully in around May of 2019.
Note* Just sent G and R a note thanking them for their generosity.
This is part of the kind note I got from Paul the curator at the PAG.
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Dear Gerry
Thanks again for your conviction and your powerful body of work. On the last day of the exhibition I had a couple come in from Spruce Grove and they we so moved by your work and efforts they donated $50 to your efforts. I told them we would send it to you and I would also send you their address so you can reach out to them as I think they would love to know more about your continuing efforts.
Paul -------
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Note* Just sent G and R a note thanking them for their generosity.
This is part of the kind note I got from Paul the curator at the PAG.
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Dear Gerry
Thanks again for your conviction and your powerful body of work. On the last day of the exhibition I had a couple come in from Spruce Grove and they we so moved by your work and efforts they donated $50 to your efforts. I told them we would send it to you and I would also send you their address so you can reach out to them as I think they would love to know more about your continuing efforts.
Paul -------
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The New Darkroom, How To Set It Up?
Well I am on my week off after a tough busy shutdown week at work. This morning I went to shovel the snow at Mom/Dads home (now my home I guess). Then went downstairs to dads old kitchen where he cooked for the Strathcona Farmers Market for over 25 years. I moved things about, took things out in the hallway and generally tried to figure out what works for my 2nd darkroom and what does not.
As I was doing this I was overcome with sadness, thinking of dad. He spent so many hours in that place, working so many hours, and now I was tearing it apart. I felt guilty, unworthy and just damn sad. I wish I could just give it all back to my father, and which he could continue to make his breads, pyrogies, cabbage rolls, pies and cakes. I wish he could live in that house forever, doing what he loved to do, which was to be a cook, and to make delicious foods.
That is never going to happen thou, my dad is gone forever, I will never watch how effortlessly he did his thing. He made preparing food, cooking and baking, look so damn easy. I will never again hear him laugh as he told me a funny story as he worked.
I so miss the sound of his voice.
Some of the things I think I can use from dads old kitchen include.
- A large unhooked up metal double restaurant style sink (will get a plumber to connect it up).
- A smaller white enamel sink with older spray gun (still working?)
- Multiple large tables of various types, some quite nice others not sot nice
- 3 deep freezers. One freezer is already loaded with much of my film, paper stock.
- A large metal garbage can
- A large metal movable rack
- Multiple type stands and shelving
- 2 large wall mounted cupboards
- Various mixing spoons and metal, glass containers, trays, pails etc
- 2 old large microwaves
- An old wall mounted grab lab time. Dad got it from me to time his baking, he liked the loud ringing buzzer.
I also have in my own collection of useful tools, mostly bought as backups. Everything I need to use in the 2nd darkroom.
- 7 different enlargers of varying types
- Tons of trays from 8x10 to 20x24
- Extra small type print washers of various styles
- Various types of safe lights, timers, lens, focusing devices, developing tanks etc.
- I also have 2 types of older plastic sinks, one that comes which its own stand which I plan to hook up first. The other one I would need to adapt a cupboard of some type.
- I also have a large tube tank like developing device that can do huge prints
- I have a Cibachrome processor, large machine (working?)
- Many old Jobo type units that might still work
- 2 different high quality densitometers
- 2 different types of light tables, one a free standing large table
- A large metal filing cabinet
- The list of useful gear goes on and on and on some more
I need to figure out how to design and set up the darkroom. Where to position the tables, enlargers, UV exposure device, sinks etc. Will do some of that this week. It will be great to have a large darkroom space to do my wet plate and platinum printing in. Also if I can rent the darkroom out now and again and do some teaching their to make extra money, it would be a nice bonus. That money will become more important when I leave my security years in the coming years.
I also need to paint the rental suite in the house this week. I got to rent out the room as soon as I can. Got to fix the toilet and replace that as well. Need to make some money to support mom and dads large house, taxes, insurance, bills of all kinds need to be paid.
As I was doing this I was overcome with sadness, thinking of dad. He spent so many hours in that place, working so many hours, and now I was tearing it apart. I felt guilty, unworthy and just damn sad. I wish I could just give it all back to my father, and which he could continue to make his breads, pyrogies, cabbage rolls, pies and cakes. I wish he could live in that house forever, doing what he loved to do, which was to be a cook, and to make delicious foods.
That is never going to happen thou, my dad is gone forever, I will never watch how effortlessly he did his thing. He made preparing food, cooking and baking, look so damn easy. I will never again hear him laugh as he told me a funny story as he worked.
I so miss the sound of his voice.
Some of the things I think I can use from dads old kitchen include.
- A large unhooked up metal double restaurant style sink (will get a plumber to connect it up).
- A smaller white enamel sink with older spray gun (still working?)
- Multiple large tables of various types, some quite nice others not sot nice
- 3 deep freezers. One freezer is already loaded with much of my film, paper stock.
- A large metal garbage can
- A large metal movable rack
- Multiple type stands and shelving
- 2 large wall mounted cupboards
- Various mixing spoons and metal, glass containers, trays, pails etc
- 2 old large microwaves
- An old wall mounted grab lab time. Dad got it from me to time his baking, he liked the loud ringing buzzer.
I also have in my own collection of useful tools, mostly bought as backups. Everything I need to use in the 2nd darkroom.
- 7 different enlargers of varying types
- Tons of trays from 8x10 to 20x24
- Extra small type print washers of various styles
- Various types of safe lights, timers, lens, focusing devices, developing tanks etc.
- I also have 2 types of older plastic sinks, one that comes which its own stand which I plan to hook up first. The other one I would need to adapt a cupboard of some type.
- I also have a large tube tank like developing device that can do huge prints
- I have a Cibachrome processor, large machine (working?)
- Many old Jobo type units that might still work
- 2 different high quality densitometers
- 2 different types of light tables, one a free standing large table
- A large metal filing cabinet
- The list of useful gear goes on and on and on some more
I need to figure out how to design and set up the darkroom. Where to position the tables, enlargers, UV exposure device, sinks etc. Will do some of that this week. It will be great to have a large darkroom space to do my wet plate and platinum printing in. Also if I can rent the darkroom out now and again and do some teaching their to make extra money, it would be a nice bonus. That money will become more important when I leave my security years in the coming years.
I also need to paint the rental suite in the house this week. I got to rent out the room as soon as I can. Got to fix the toilet and replace that as well. Need to make some money to support mom and dads large house, taxes, insurance, bills of all kinds need to be paid.
Quote: Danny Kaye (Actor, Comedian)
"Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it."
Saturday, November 3, 2018
2nd Darkroom Build Starting
Will start to work on my 2nd darkroom this next week off. Now that I have a nice UV exposure unit, I need a place to set it up and uses it! I plan on using this darkroom for wet plate, platunum printing, for workshops-teaching and as a rental darkroom. Photos of the build to follow.
Touring Exhibition?, Maybe!
There is a chance that there couldt be a touring exhibition of the Penticton Art Gallery shows. "Families of the Dump" might be a packaged together with Greg Constantine's Rohingya photos and sent on a tour (not sure what kind). Not sure if it will happen, do not know any possible details. Right now it is all a big MAYBE. Hope it does happen, it would help raise awareness into the ethnic peoples of Burma, the genocide of the Rohingya ethnic group and the story of the Mon-Karen people who live and work he Mae Sot dump.
If the combined photographs could travel as an exhibition to other galleries, that would be simply wonderful! It is Paul Cs, idea, the curator of the PAG. He wrote that the Penticton Art Gallery exhibitions have been doing well and that he believes a combined traveling exhibition would have legs and interest.
Hope, hope this happens!
If the combined photographs could travel as an exhibition to other galleries, that would be simply wonderful! It is Paul Cs, idea, the curator of the PAG. He wrote that the Penticton Art Gallery exhibitions have been doing well and that he believes a combined traveling exhibition would have legs and interest.
Hope, hope this happens!
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Facebook: Platinum Printing Hopes
from Facebook.
After
40 years in photography am finally learning to do Platinum-Palladium
printing. Been looking for a UV exposure unit of some kind for a few
months now. Many suggestions from you folks in the group, thanks for
that.
Got a bit lucky today. Last night during my security night shift I bumped into a kijiji advert for a large silkscreen UV unit. Contacted the seller and this morning after work raced down to get it. Cost was only $25 CAD ($19 USD). It measures approximately 24 inches x 36 inches, have not had time to get the measuring tape out yet. I am still in the market for a Nuarc 26-1K or 1Ks but those are difficult to find and even more difficult to ship to my lonely outpost in Edmonton.
Got a bit lucky today. Last night during my security night shift I bumped into a kijiji advert for a large silkscreen UV unit. Contacted the seller and this morning after work raced down to get it. Cost was only $25 CAD ($19 USD). It measures approximately 24 inches x 36 inches, have not had time to get the measuring tape out yet. I am still in the market for a Nuarc 26-1K or 1Ks but those are difficult to find and even more difficult to ship to my lonely outpost in Edmonton.
The plan with this platinum work is to make prints from the
Thai-Burmese....FAMILIES OF THE DUMP series and hopefully sell a few
prints. Then I will use the money to buy goods for the families
(medicines, boots, headlamps etc) on my next trip to Thailand.
Lots yet to learn on the platinum curve yet, will start working on digital negs next week. I will be asking lots of questions of the folks here, hope thats OK. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Here is the $25 CAD UV unit and a few of the dump Family Photos. This "Families of the Dump" series is an ongoing project dating back to 2013, I just returned in April 2018 from 4 months at the dump, plan to head back around May 2019, have $360 donation money raised so far. I hope the Platinum, Platinum-Palladium or Palladium prints will tell the story of the families in even a better more personal and sadly beautiful way.
Lots yet to learn on the platinum curve yet, will start working on digital negs next week. I will be asking lots of questions of the folks here, hope thats OK. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Here is the $25 CAD UV unit and a few of the dump Family Photos. This "Families of the Dump" series is an ongoing project dating back to 2013, I just returned in April 2018 from 4 months at the dump, plan to head back around May 2019, have $360 donation money raised so far. I hope the Platinum, Platinum-Palladium or Palladium prints will tell the story of the families in even a better more personal and sadly beautiful way.