Quote: Cesar Chavez (Human Rights Leader)

Dreamed Of Jack

Dreamed of Jack S, a good man and great friend I knew him when I was 26 in Laguna Beach, California. Jack was a closeted gay man back then. He introduced me to many of his friends, some dying of AIDS. I met so many good and amazing people.

One of the great experiences of my life was meeting Jack and those close to him. So many memories of Laguna, Los Angeles and San Diego. 

I wish I knew what happened to my friend but we lost contact many years ago.I need to go back to those old negatives and post them on the blog. Post the pictures and share those stories and memories. If Jack is still alive maybe we can meet again.

It’s amazing how your life experiences stay with you  in your sub conscious and influence your future. I have not thought of Jack and those times for years but this morning here in Edmonton at 58 years old I go to sleep and dream of my old friends. It all comes back in a flash!

Link: Asia Photo Review Instagram Story

 Found this today. Instagram right up for the old AsiaPhotoReview story.

The Original Asia Photo Review Story/Photos

Thinking Of This Older Woman

She was alone in the dump but tough. Gave her food and a headlamp.

Another Tent

Bought another tent. Thought about this one a long time but got a good price of $315 CAD (free shipping) so went for it. Other prices online often went $400 plus. I hope the quality of this unit is OK as it is a copy cat of the Clam version tents. The Clam version thou goes for $600 CAD plus.

Hope to use it to dry plates, cover cameras in light rain/wind and maybe to set up wash tables inside (for more onsite privacy). The tent will also prevent all the leaves and debris from falling into the trays onto the sensitive soft collodion. Never realized what a problem that was until I started to do place plates in trays outside.

Hope this was not a buying mistake. Money is always so limited; you want to spend it wisely. My thinking in general is that if it helps the production of the work, if it makes it safer, better, cleaner, then I go for it. Will use this tent in the coming season for the 20x24 work. It should be like a 3-5 minute set-up on location.

Brand:

VEVOR

Features:

Waterproof,

Item Height:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Item Length:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Item Weight:

35 lbs / 16 kg

Item Width:

12 ft/ 3.66 m

Camping Gazebo Tent

Maximum Coverage:

8 people

Max. Height:

90" / 2.29 m

Width for every side:

71" / 1.8 m

Transport Cases For 20x24 Photo Gear

One of the problems when you’re travelling across a rugged country like Canada, is getting everything to your shooting location undamaged. The long term AMBROTOS KANATA wet plate ambrotype project will require thousands upon thousands of miles of travel.

AMBOROTOS KANATA BLOG

This is my 20x24 camera gear protection set up.  Everything bought on the cheap second hand, to save dollars. The tripod case is designed for golf clubs on an airplane.

I still need to figure out the wet plate plate holder. How do I protect a 20x24 inch holder? Maybe la hard shell suitcase. Any ideas?

Goodwill golf airplane bag used as a tripod bag.

20x24 camera hard case and lens Penguin case.

20x24 Linhoff tripod, wheels and Luland head.

Fragile 20x24 wet plate holder

Probably the main camera for the AMBROTOS KANATA project.

SELFISH Moment Almost Fufilled!

So here's the deal. It has been a bit of a life long selfish dream to have my photo work published in a magazine that is actually at my local news stand. Fast forward to the last several years of the working being published.

First, it was published 2 times in "Shades of Grey" magazine. That was an online thing, not a real paper magazine, so does not count.

Second, the work was published in "Silver Grain Classics" magazine. That is a European magazine, a real paper version, available in Europe and probably North American but NOT available at my local Edmonton book-magazine stores. 

Third, the work was published in "Analog Forever" magazine. That is a American magazine, a real paper version, available in USA, probably Europe and the big cities in Canada. It was NOT available at my local Edmonton book-magazine stores. 

So finally "Black&White" magazine, a real paper mag, is publishing the work. The mag is coming out April 12 (I will post the cover, which we got, on that date). "Black & White" was available for over a decade at my local "Indigo Books".  I go to Indigo and no "Black &White" magazine! What the f-ck! I bought that magazine dozens of times in that store and now when my work will finally be in the mag, there is no mag?!!

Today thou, got a nice reprieve. I checked out "Chapters Books" here in South Edmonton. The book store does carry the magazine. I took a picture, you can see "Black & White" magazine peeking out from behind the others. 

So on April 12 after 45 years of photography (14 to 59) I can finally go and pick up a photo magazine at the local bookstore with some of my photos in it. As a nice 45 year bonus, we got the cover picture.

My selfish wish will come true. 

Note* Will probably be naughty when the magazine comes out and place ours up front :).

You see that itty bitty, hidden magazine, way out in the back. That is "Black & White" magazine.

Drying Tent

Picked up a drying tent for the 20x24 plates. The idea is to set up this tent on location beside the darkroom trailer then add the light weight plastic shelving. I should be able to dry 5 plates at a time both after washing and after varnishing. 

The tent cost $109 CAD with free shipping. If this works I can purchase a second tent if needed. I can place one or 2 shelves in the space. I will need an alternate shelf system for the larger 35x35 future plate work. 

Will test this all out this coming shooting season. I need to be able to create Ambrotypes to completion in the field. Being in far off and remote regions of Canada will be difficult. Creating important work along the way and seeing that work will inspire me to keep going and work all the harder.

We’re going to make some beautiful, unique and wonderful things!!!

Update: Returning this tent for aa full refund, It its difficult to set up and was not NEW as promised. I will rely on the second and bigger fast set up tent I bought after this one.

Video Podcasts?

Podcasts? AMBROTOS KANATA YouTube channel? I am thinking of doing up a little video/audio recording studio at the front of the darkroom trailer. The goal would be to create content documenting the project, telling stories about the making of the ambrotypes and the journeys through out Canada.  I think I have all the required gear, just need to organize it and set it up. 

A pic of the space:

Season 3 Working Out My Systems

 

The trailer is a bit better, a bit more organized and clean. More work to do. No liquids loaded yet as we still have freezing temps in Edmonton.

Getting all the gear in will be a tight tight fit, especially with the coming HF3535 camera (150lb view camera, 35x35 inches). 

For now I am trying to figure out how to carry all the 20x24 canera gear and needed wet plate darkroom tools. I want to make 20x24 inch ambrotypes this season.

My 20x24  silver tank fits into the left sink so that’s good. In the sink I will have less chance of knocking over and spilling a thousand (?) dollars of silver.  I think there is enough overhead clearance to work the tank.

Still trying to figure how I can produce these ultra large plates to completion in the field. I need to be able to make, wash, dry, varnish and safety store 20x24 inch and 35x35 inch ambrotypes to completion in the farthest, remotest parts of Canada. I need to develop a system I can work through my 60s into my early 70s. Not too difficult right? 🙂

Over the last 2 seasons I I have mostly solved the the power, agitation and water problems . Still need to figure out how to dry the ultra large plates both after the wash and after the varnish. The trailer will not be large enough. I am thinking of some kind of drying tent rooms with shelving for the 20x24 and 35x35 inch Ambros. A tent would help protect from outdoor debris, insects, rain etc.

Dad Dream

Dreamed of my father again. He was baking bread, had shelves and shelves of bread he was pushing around. It all smelled so good. Dad was proud, tired but proud. In the dream at the end, I cried. I miss him so much, miss his bread as well! Dad always liked to set up his cooked foods so nicely at the market, it was so organized, so beautiful. He was a best seller week in, week out.

New Tires For The Darkroom Trailer

I have decided after last years motor home blowout to get all new tires on the trailer. So this year when I start towing the trailer with the RV Fanny, I will take her to the tire shop to get that done. It will be expensive but that is also a important safety need. I plan on hauling this thing all over Canada. I need to do it as safely as possible. No more blowouts!

Another Wet Plate Darkroom Trailer Buy

You need all kinds of strange things to make a wet plate darkroom work. Today I bought replacement batteries for my goodwill second hand Dewalt drill. One of the purposes for this drill will be to run a pump for my sewage. My knew super large sewage tank is too big and heavy to transport in and out of the trailer when full. I think it runs over 200 lbs when filled with liquid. So I need to use a pump and garden hoes to drain the tank. These batteries will allow that pumping work in the field. 

Cost $52 CAD. The batteries were $7 cheaper with a longer delivery time, so I went that way. Am always trying to save money where I can.

Replacement batteries for the drill.

Day #1 Season 3, AMBROTOS KANATA, Darkroom Trailer Cleaning

Day #1 of a new creative season.

The wet plate darkroom trailer is coming back to life!!! Hope to shoot 20x24 ambrotypes this year. That size plate might be the norm for the project AMBROTOS KANATA. First thou let’s get the trailer cleaned up, loaded up, set up and ready for the road.

I used like 5 pails of water, to wash the floor. It still seems dirty! Lots of black water. I will work on the counter top and sinks tomorrow, plus the under counter drawers.

“Ain’t Photography Grand!!” There ain’t nothing better. 

Look at the inside of the trailer, from front to back.

Still plenty of snow and - temps. I cannot load water yet.

Floor betrayers that runs lights and the sink pump.

Lots of things need to be organized.

Lead acid battery I run off solar that is used for the agitation pumps. I will try to run 2 batteries this year in parallel to give more power and longer wash times.

Photo Story/Video Link: Mr. Woo

This Mr. Woo from THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, photographic/donation project. I learned from his wife in 2022 that he had passed away. He always seemed such a fragile man, very thin with sensitive watery eyes.

 

This picture was made very early one morning in 2018. I arrived via my motorcycle at around 5am. He was alone in the garbage dump. He had slept in a small filthy tent like building made from found dump materials. There were many flies. Mr. Woo had just woken, he was thinking and smoking. We knew each other way back to 2013, he worked hard but his marriage was failing. He now stayed alone on the garbage, almost forgotten. 

In 2022 I found out he was dead.  I asked what had happened? I was told he drank too much, thought too much and his body was not strong enough to keep going.

 

If you want to hear his voice I attached a video. It was made a day or two after this picture. On that morning his daughter was visiting I asked him in Burmese what his daughters name was. He lit up a.bit at the question. Her father is gone but the daughter, Woo-Wee-Kai, continues to live in the garbage with her brother and mother. I will give them some portraits of their dad/husband next trip.

 

Gerry 

 

Mr. Woo video with his daughter. 

 

Mr. Woo, 2018 in the garbage.

Quote: Ernest Hemingway

 

Facebook: Mrs.Woo’s Story

From my Facebook:

Woo family mother with her son. Shot in 2016. THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, Mae Sot, Thailand 

Quote: Charlie Chaplin

 

B+W Photo Mag Submissions

At work tonight doing up some submissions to the British photography magazine B+W. Hope one of the 2 submissions succeeds (THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP and THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY). Maybe if we can get the work seen in England, some exhibitions will follow. I would love to have some European exhibitions. Done lots in Canada, 1 in the USA, kinda one in Thai but never anywhere in Europe. If the work was shown in English galleries, it would reach a much larger audience.

Two of the possible submission images for THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY. I will do 2 submissions of 10 images each (wanted to do 15 or 20 but could not). They want jpegs of a certain size, so I am converting some of my existing tiff University of New Brunswick submission files.

For those eager to give it a go, here is a link to the B+W submission page.

https://www.blackandwhitephotographymag.co.uk/submissions/

Anapon with his white flower, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2018

Jack after doing Meth THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok, Thailand 2018

Ukrainian Learning Language Dream

Добре дн.

77mm Hoya Close Up Filters

Got me some used Hoya close up filters. The regular price new is $168 CAD, I paid $79 CAD used. I am hoping to use the filters with my XCD Blad kens. I want the ability to do tight headshots on high end digital cameras. I could then print the tight headshots VERY large for maximum humanizing effect.

If this works, I might be able to move forward with my haunted LOST INNOCENCE photography project I have thought about those stories, those photographs for years. Let’s see how things go!

Notre* The optical glass of the Hoya filers should be of better quality.

Note** I used close up filters successfully when I shot Rolleiflex film cameras in the dump.

Goya 77mm closeup filter set

Got The Cover, FINALLY, "Black & White Photography Magazine"

After going 0-5 in mags with no cover, finally got the "Black & White Photography Magazine" June, 2023 issue cover.

The O-5 non covers, went like this.

- "PhotoED" Mag- A photo plus short story was published, no cover.

- "Shades of Grey" online mag, THE FAMILES OF THE DUMP, no cover.

- "Shades of Grey" online mag. THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER THE FREEWAY, no cover.

- "Silvergrain Classics" paper magazine, THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, no cover.

- "Analog Forever" paper magazine, THE FAMILES OF THE DUMP, no cover.

Finally, a cover with "Black & White Photography Magazine" Now the images might be noticed. Probably the biggest circulation magazine the work has been shown in, with a cover photo to boot!

Note* I was ask to hold off publishing the cover online until April 12. The magazine goes on sale April 12, 2023. Please buy one at your local magazine stand!

11 Pics Plus An Interview In "Black & White Photography Magazine"

Got a PDF of the photo layout for the mag sent to me by the B&W editor today, thanks Dean.

Quote: Leo Toltoy

 

Continue To Dream In Thai

Had a dream in Thai. A long dream about s beautiful person I think died of Covid.

It’s Spring-Setting Up Darkroom Traiker Soon!

 

Self Portrait Albert Sands Southworth

Thanks Jack W for this story and portrait. The image is especially striking. I hope to capture similar wet plate ambrotype portraits during r the AMBROTOS KANATA project.

Albert Sands Southworth, Daguerreotype, 1848