Link: New Gallery Title Pics

New cover pics on the website Galleries.

www.gerryyaum.net

Found Photos MY FATHEERS LAST DAYS

Got the com at work today. Doing a bit of editing for the web page. Found these two photos for the first time tonight. From MY FATHERS LAST DAYS series. Taken during dads last summer, probably July, 2014. It is always a good feeling to find photos, you did not know you had.

Dad hugging himself, his last summer, MY FATHERS LAST DAYS, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2014

Dad in bed his last summer, MY FATHERS LAST DAYS, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2014

Link: Video Interview Scheduled

Doing a video interview for the FRAMES magazine photography YouTube channel, on April 17th. It should be a fun time, an hour or so of talk and photo stories. Thank you Tomasz for this opportunity to share.

Here is Tomasz interviewing documentary photographerAlex Frederickson.

Sample FRAMES Interview

The BEAST and the HF3535

For a long time I have been trying to figure out how I can get the HF3535 camera into the field making Ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA. The camera is huge and weighs in at about 150lbs plus holders and lens.

My latest thinking is to couple it with the new used BEAST 1 ton I bought for $7500 CAD.

The idea is to carry the camera on the flatbed of the truck and to use it as a tripod of sorts. I am also thinking of incorporating a large lift table, to allow for better compositions.

60

Turned 60 today. All a bit frightening. I am running out of time to achieve my dreams. 

Dad would have been 92.

A birthday gift to myself. I hope I can learn something.

Dump Story Being Told Again

 

AMBROTOS KANATA Promotion

Paid $81 for some promotional things for AMBROTOS KANATA. I can use both to deal with curious bystanders as I make photos. I will place the magnets on the doors of the BEAST.

Two 10x20 inch Magnet signs:

100 business cards:

Working on the Darkroom Trailer

Spent the day working on the truck, repaired a faulty signal light and on the trailer. I am changing the design of the trailer, removed the rear metal shelf (it was falling apart), and removed the plastic drawers.

I need to build my 24x24 silver nitrate tank stand and install it on the floor. I then need to build some kind of protective cover, the stand and tank do not get damaged during travel. I want to simplify the design, carry less in the trailer, and place some of the camera items (body, tripod) on the beast, the truck. Will have to figure it all out this week.

I also placed the batteries in the trailer, they were in the house over the long winter months.

The hope is to get out making 11x14 ambrotypes in 2 weeks time, with the trailer (Freddy) and truck (Beast).

The Beast!!

Well I picked up my new/used Ford F350 Super Duty Flatbed truck today. Now I need to figure the best ways I can use it to produce strong ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA.

Will need to de-winterize and set up the darkroom trailer so I can start making Ambros. Hopefully will be in the field creating  2 weeks from now, still in APRIL. Now that I have a second tow vehicle (not only FANNY the motorhome), I am planning to make Ambrotypes all year round, even in the dead of winter. This unit should be able to handle snow and ice. 

I will sometimes photograph from on top of the bed, giving me about 40 inches of safe extra shooting height. I might also be able to use the bed as a place to put my working darkroom trays. Which could eliminate the need to carry tables in the trailer, freeing up space and shortening set up times.

The truck seems to be a more a he than a she. I will call him, “THE BEAST”.

Possible Video Interview

 

Art Acquisition by Application Submission, 2023

 Made my annual Alberta Foundation of the Arts, "Art Acquisition by Application" submission tonight. Lots of paperwork, hope I can sell some ambrotypes from the AMBROTOS KANATA project. Last year I sold 2 plates for $2000 CAD. That money was used to buy more silver nitrate. Anything I can sell this year will go to the same cause. More silver nitrate means more ambrotypes for AMBROTOS KANATA!

Here are this year's submissions, all 8x10 inch clear glass ambrotypes.

Cottonwoods #3, AMBRROTOS KANATA, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2023

Crucifix #1, AMBROTOS KANATA, Mundare, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Grave Monument #1, AMBROTOS KANATA, Mundare, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Lundbreck Waterfall #2, AMBROTOS KANATA, Lundbreck, Alberta, Canada, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype,  2023

Memorial Union Graveyard, AMBROTOS KANATA, Calgary, Alberta, 8x10 Clear Glass Ambrotype, 2022

Bought a 1 Ton Truck for AMBROTOS KANATA

After the recent 2nd theft of dads dodge half ton, I was in the market for a used truck. I was thinking of a RAM 2500 but depending on the mileage those run $30000 to $46000 CAD.

I decided to go in a unique direction instead. Today I bought a 2003 Ford F-350 flatbed with 236 000 km. The truck is a dually with diesel engine. Cost $7500 CAD

I hope to use the truck as part of the AMBROTOS KANATA wet plate project. I will add another $7500 CAD to the overall project costs. Expensive total there!!!

I will try to shoot the larger cameras from the raised flatbed location. I might even try mounting a low-locked in place scaffold platform to shoot a bit higher. The metal storage boxes can be used for tripods etc. I can even use the roof mounted amber warning light for safety, when working in darker or fog conditions.

Drove the unit at 110km per hour on the highway today. It performed well. The truck feels solid, relatively quiet for a diesel as well. The unit has new tires and shocks. The sellers were good, decent, trustworthy gentleman.

Hope this works out well. I think it will. She should haul the 5000lb wet plate darkroom trailer nicely. Now have to think of a name for her.

Note* Already bought some new-used floor mats for her, and front seat covers. Will pick up the new 1-ton on Tuesday.

Note** Another positive for shooting from the flatbed is that will help keep the curious farther away from the camera, tripod and lens. One thing I have found is people are always approaching me during this project, asking questions, touching the camera, kicking the tripod etc.

Security Camera System

A month ago I had my dads old truck and my beautiful electric bike and Jackery stolen from inside my garage .  I spent the week off installing a new security camera system for the house, installing 5 cameras, The system can support up to 16 wired cameras. I plan on having 10-12 cameras around the entire exterior of the house and garage as well as several inside the house and garage. 

I will need to buy a new truck with darkroom trailer towing capabilities when I can save  $30 000 plus CAD.

Note* The security cameras will allow us to monitor the house when we are far off doing the AMBROTOS KANATA photo  project. Some of the trips might be 3-4 months long, so the cameras are important.

Link: More New Website Pics

Here are some more uploaded images added to the website. Photos from MY FATHERS LAST DAYS and THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP, plus a migrant child, dad portrait and self portrait.

www.gerryyaum.net

MY FATHERS LAST DAYS

Healthy Dad

Migrant Child

Self Portrait

THE FAMILIES OF THE DUMP