Bought 55 Rolls Of Ilford HP5 120

Bought me 55 rolls of HP5 120 in case I use it this next trip to Thai. Cost was $319.27 USD (including free shipping and taxes). I decided to go with the the HP5, it cost $5.19USD a roll about $1 a roll cheaper and Trix (my favourite film). Sometimes as a guard you got to make compromise3s to shoot. Hate not using Tri-x but Ilford makes a good product and quite a bit cheaper. More rolls of film means more opportunities to get a good negative. I can buy more rolls of the Ilford product compared to the Kodak product.

Not sure I will take a 120 camera with me this trip but I might. I will use up the film either in Thai or here in Canada.

Ilford HP5 120, $519 USD a roll

Newest Darkroom#2 Addition! Lazy Boy Recliner :)

Tonight I changed out my darkroom #2 chair, from a semi comfy bamboo cushion job.to a ultra comfy reclining Lazy Boy!!! This chair will be my main waiting, reading, music listening and occasional sleeping (when all chemicals are isolated and the air refreshed) area in my new space. Having a great chair in your darkroom is highly recommended! Love this new set up. I never want to leave this room!

Note* The book was picked up at the local 2nd hand store for $4. About the history of the Canadian Klondike Gold Rush. I am making a concerted effort to learn more about Canadian history for the coming major cross Canada wet plate project “KANATA”. I can do that studying in darkroom #2 while sitting in my LB as wel

Lazyboy darkroom!

Buzzfeed Gerry - Thai Sex Worker

Did not know the SLATE sex worker photo series was linked on Buzzfeed. I wish Slate would also cover “Families of the Dump”.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/archive/2014/1/10

Facebook Muslim Discussion

From a Facebook discussion

LW:
 I fear the muslims. They scare me. Can’t trust them. I believe in the progressive revelations. They execute people that don’t believe their religion

Gerry Yaum:
an over simplification..not all of anything is bad...just like there are some bad christians, there are of course some bad muslims of course. Religious extremists of all types kill, check out the crusades, Spanish Inquisition etc.) ...but to say you do not trust BILLIONS (in 2010 there were 1.5 billion Muslims world wide) of people because of their religion and that BILLIONS of muslims excucate people, is just plain wrong statement filled with religious prejudice....Tolerance..love of all types is the way to go..that is why I am against religion, nationalism, obsession of culture etc..it divides human beings, separates them, often makes the OTHER type an enemy (he is not my religion, he is not my country, he is not my race, he is not my culture)...LOVE ..that is the answer...regardless of all the other shit..look at everyone as a HUMAN BEING first..just like yourself...and go from there..we have so much in common...so much more in common than our artificial differences.

Canadian Photographers Making A Difference

It is nice to be on this list. It makes me feel I am heading in the right direction with my photography and donation work. Only one photo is shown but bring one of the five photogs is certainly rewarding. I always felt that photography should be something more than pretty pictures of flowers and rocks, more than a decoration on a wall. Making a difference with your photography means your doing more. Than you PhotoED.

Note* I posted this earlier, it looked like a different story on my phone. Still worth a look thou. Some good Canadian photographers on the link who need to be supported.

Canadian Photographers Making A Difference

from the story

New family to the dump, living on the garbage,, Mae Sot Thailand 2018

Security guard by night and humanitarian by day, Edmonton-based photographer Gerry Yuam is driven to share the stories behind the most vulnerable.

Since 2013, Gerry has been documenting families in Mae Sot, Thailand for his project, FAMILIES OF THE DUMP. These families are Burmese refugees who work in the garbage, as well as live on it. They make their livings scavenging and selling plastics and other recyclables.

Gerry works with his online community to raise money and awareness for his projects – check out his extensive collection of images at: gerryyaum.blogspot.com

Images Camera Club Meeting

For the first time in like 20 years I went to a “Images Alberta Camera Club” meeting. My friend Larry was speaking so I went as a visitor to hear him talk and to offer my moral support. It was a very nice outing, a good time with good people who love photography.

I got some club leadership email addresses and have already sent out a introduction email asking about whether I could give a talk to the group on the “Families of the Dump” work. Also sent a email to there workshop person to see if I could teach club members darkroom procedures. The idea would invite 5-6 people to darkroom#2 to learn darkroom work. Maybe these 2 emails will result in some help for the families or will at least encourage people to shoot film again and use  a traditional wet darkroom.

We Have Water!!

The plumber was in yesterday to hook up my 3 sinks. He connected 2 faucets, 5 drains and my water temp mixing device (not sure what these things are called). The plumber also fixed up sink and drain in a room I hope to rent to help pay the bills on mom and dads home. The total cost for everything was $640, not as terrible as I feared.

Everything went well, the only problem was with the water temp mixer thingy, there is a persistent drip when I am use it. I have tried lots of different things to stop the leak, nothing working so far. I hope to be able to use this device to allow me to wash film and prints at a constant easily set water temperature. Also hope to use it to quickly get to the proper water temperature when mixing chemistry. This thing was given to me years ago by a pro photo lab that was closing down. I have another 2 mixing valves that I could try replacing it with if all else fails.

Below are some shots of the new connected sinks. I am in wash mode now, have dish pan hands! Washing all my tanks, containers and trays, lots to do there. The big ass double metal restaurant sink that dad bought for me (he asked if I could use it before buying it 20 years ago) is especially good for this big time washing stuff. Tonight felt like the old days when I used to wash pots and dishes as a part time job. In darkroom #2 it was more fun thou, got to listen to great classical pieces, early rock and jazz (John Coltrane) on my $60 stereo system. Washing to the tunes!

This darkroom is almost ready to work in. I still need to light proof the 3 doors, finish the cleaning, bring in a few more things but I am almost ready to whirl. I should be mixing up some fresh chemistry soon. Still looking for my machine chemical mixer and a big safe light I bought years back. Most everything else I need is in the space already.

As you can see in the photos, I put down some anti fatigue mats, to help with the long hours of standing. Going to be an old man soon, got to prepare for that. I can print my lifetime of negs now Large prints, small prints, in prints in Platinum, whatever! I can also use the space as my wet plate area.

Note* I put screws into the floor feet of the sink legs. This helped stabilize my home made sink stands. They are are not that bad, pretty solid. The stand I made is actually more stable than the one I got for free (thrown in with the black plastic sink).

LIFE IS GOOD TODAY, AM IN A HAPPY PLACE!

Leaky mixing valve thingy

Big deep double washing sink

Sinks #2 and #3 fished with washed items from sink #1, gosh thats a lot of sinks!

Anti fatigue mat under condenser enlarger

Wide darkroom #2 view

My pretty new space

Drying

Banarama (Poloroid Conversion Camera) and Stereo Camera

Blad with 55mm lens and Canon 1/2 frame camera

Fuji 65mm 6x9 camera and Rolleiflex F

Chess game (I am white) and Japanese Ambrotypes (super beautiful)

Anti fatigue mats

Nong and Pong with some Russian cameras

The Plumbers Work So Far

The plumber Jay ran off to get a few more parts. I took a few snaps of the work so far. Not sure the temp mixing valve device I got used will work, hope it will, there is a chance of leakage. He put in shutoff valves for me, just in case it does leak.

Jay is using flexible piping material, not copper piping. Maybe the flexible hose will allow for more give and take with my rather shaky sink set up. A less rigid hook ups (copper and soldering) that with a bit of movement will not break down as easily. Hope it lasts and hope it does not cause problems in the future. Will ask him about how long it will last etc.

Update* Just spoke to the plumber. He said the copper is 2 times the cost and 3 times the labor. He said that they have been using this flexible piping stuff (forget what he called it) since the 1990s and that no residential housing uses copper any longer, not for 15 years or so. Said that this stuff will last longer than copper. Ok thats fine, I am 54, ain't going to live forever! He also said the flexibility of the tubing might also help with the set up of my sinks.

Ongoing work

Facebook: A Bunch Of Stuff Happening Today

A bunch of stuff happening today, photo wise (no pics being made but photo related none the less). Am doing some buying and getting some work done in darkroom #2.

I picked up 2 ambrotypes on the cheap, got me a Leica R6.2 body and the plumber is banging, drilling and working away hooking up my 3 darkroom sinks! Hope he does a good job, a bit worried about it all. My beautiful space, that I alone have worked on has some stranger doing his thing now. It seems so impersonal! :)

I already own several R6 bodies but decided to get an upgraded R6.2 today ($450 USD plus shipping). Will probably be taking 2, maybe 3 R bodies to Thai to go along with the 21mm, 24mm and 60 mm lens. I will also take my fast 35mm F1.4 M lens on a Leica M6. These cameras work great, and are highly reliable. Will be shooting Tri-x in them, the greatest film ever made.

Got me 2 ambrotypes as well, dating back to the 1860s?-1870s? Check out the cheeky Ambrotype of the guy wearing his tall top hat, he must have been quite a character in his day. I wonder how long he lived, what his back story is.

Anyway rather an expensive day but is all for a good cause, all working towards various photo goals. Those goals include the coming Thai trip (Families of the Dump) photos, platinum and wet plate photography in darkroom #2.

Bought Me A Leica R6.2 Body

I have Leica 3 R6 bodies but think one is malfunctioning some how (forget how). I am thinking of taking 2 or possibly 3 R bodies with me to Thai in May. Figured it might be a good idea to get another body, this time a R.2 which is a improved model. Got mine from Japan, they wanted $495 and I offered $450 USD (plus $30 USD)and they accepted. Japanese people are dealers usually have well taken of gear. I hope this camera can last me several years. Will take this body with 1 or 2 R6 bodies and my 21mm, 24mm and 60mm R lens.

Note* I wish this was an all black body but those were all going at much higher prices in current eBay listing, so got this chrome one instead.

My new R6.2 Body

Picked Up A Few More Ambrotypes

Got me a a few more ambrotypes, with the costs listed. I hope these will continue to inspire me to chase down my wet plate dreams.

Bored looking young fella 1800s Ambrotype 1/9 plate, $17.50 USD including shipping

Man with hat and smirk, $25 USD plus shipping

Plumber At Work!

The plumber is at work on darkroom #2, wish me luck! I hope everything turns out as promised. I should have a working second darkroom by the end of the day.

Also waiting on a electrician to give me quotes on how much it would cost to put in a air exhaust system of some kind, options available etc.

There are drilling and banging sounds going on in my beautiful space downstairs, MAKES ME NERVOUS!

Bought Me Another Ambortype, "Ambrotype 1/9 pl Bust Portrait of Pretty Young Woman in Gingham Uncased"

One more, need to stop now, Thailand is calling! Cost including shipping $29.75 USD. There is a calmness and serenity to her expression which I love. Want to look at her, share that feeling when I am printing in darkroom #2.

Unknown Woman From The Past, 1860s?

Bought Me Another Ambrotype, CARRIE " Rare Antique American Civil War Winter Fashion Beauty! Cased Ambrotype Photo! US

Bought me another small ambrotype, paid more for this one $77.62 USD including shipping and taxes. I am addicted to looking at these long gone people, wondering who they are, what their lives were about, were they happy, did they have families, did they make a positive mark on life? Her name it seems was Carrie! Or was that the name of a lost child, sister? There is also a name of some type scratched into pic number 6, will examine that closer later.

What an attractive, compelling, and strong looking young lady.

Ambrotypes are so beautiful I cannot stop looking at them. When you find a special one it sticks with you forever. You cannot forget that gaze staring back up at you from that long dead soul inside the glass. I know I will make my own ambrotypes eventually, because of how much I love these ancient pieces of that past. Imagine making your own! Creating in the same way!! Making something that has the potential to last as long, to live on past your time, to inspire and captivate future viewers. You got to love photography folks!!! Grand shit!!!!!

Here are the extensive photos and advertisement info for the buy off eBay:

Rare Antique American Civil War Winter Fashion Beauty! Cased Ambrotype Photo! US

UP FOR SALE: 

Rare Antique American Civil War Winter Fashion Beauty! Cased Ambrotype Photo! US!

Fantastic Antique Victorian American Ambrotype Photograph! 

Wonderful Portrait of Gorgeous Young Woman in Winter Fashion Outfit! 

Holding Small Book & Slate (Chalkboard) 

Reads "Carrie" 

Peck Case 

Date: C.1859 - 1862 

Splendid Fashion including Wonderful Gloves & Scarf! 

A great piece of 19th Century American Photography!