I’ve gotten behind on many things, mainly due to a case of Covid in the family that put everything on hold for two weeks. Now that things are back to normal, it’s time to catch up.
At the top of the list is a business project that should have been finished months ago. Close behind are drawing and still life projects, including putting the finishing touches on my little studio space. After all of that, I have a few books to read for the still life projects and planning and writing to complete for this blog.
I’m delighted to say three somewhat obscure Minolta lenses I never thought I would find (MD 50-135mm, MD 100-300mm, MD 35-105mm) just made their way to me. Also, still on the way is a Minolta ER 35mm SLR camera, which I had never heard of before three days ago. A thoughtful reader sent me info and diagrams needed to make a minor but important repair on my Minolta XK finder, so I’m eager to get that done as well. Finally, I may be doing some behind the scenes work on this site. As you can see, I have a lot of catching up to do, and therefore may not have a blog post up again until 12/28 or later.
One other thing…
My last “Frame Works?” post (the fern frond) had an error in the technical section. I used an older post as a template and accidentally left some old technical information.
The fern image is on a Tri-X roll I developed at The Photographers Studio darkroom in Summer 2019. I made prints from the roll during class but did not scan it until early 2020 after buying an Epson V600 scanner. The technical section should have read:
“Technical: Minolta Maxxum 400si, Maxxum 100mm f2.8 Macro, Kodak Tri-X 400, developed in Ilfosol 3, scanned with an Epson v600”
Well, that’s all for now. If I don’t get a new post up before 12/28, then Happy Holidays!!!
Hopefully, 2021 will be much better!!!
Jerome, That’s quite a line-up you have there! While you are enjoying a little down time I thought I would give you some home work. Look up a photographer named Bank Langmore. Sadly Bank passed away this past May(not covid) but check out his obit written by his son John. Bank shot with Minolta equipment and was a Minolta photographer of sorts. His camera vault contained every lens you could imagine and if there was a lens he wanted to try out all he had to do was call and it was on the way. He had images that hung in the main office of Minolta and they even produced a calendar with his images. The calendar may sound a little hokey but this was a top notch oversized piece with beautiful printing. You have to remember this was 1979/80 and the printing world(and peoples ability to copy photos) looked a lot different then. He produced a book titled The Cowboy with text by Ron Tyler.
How is it I know all this? I was fortunate to be this photographers print finisher(1978-83). That entailed all aspects of preparing a print for sale or exhibit. After the print came out of the darkroom I spotted(that’s a story unto it’s own), then mounted, matted and framed the individual pieces. We did numerous exhibits with the largest being at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas. Finally in 1983 I worked 80+ hours a week over several months to produce and deliver 120 prints that had been commissioned for a new high rise, the Interfirst Bank, opening in San Antonio. I also got to be his driver/photo assistant for part of the three years that he spent photographing San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country. Interfirst Bank executives then chose 100 images from this project and 20 from his previous Big Bend and cowboy projects to be produced for the new bank building.
To keep this shorter I will also recommend looking up the recent work of his youngest son, johnlangmorephotos.com. His photobook is titled Open Range and is well worth owning. He shoots with film Leicas. John and friend Bud Force also co-produced a feature length film titled Cowboys: A documentary portrait. It recently came into wide release so check it out. I could rattle on but this should be enough to keep you busy!
May your days be filled with beautiful light and warm times with family. Glad your family member is ok.
Bill, wow!
Every comment is a gem, and thank you so much for indulging my Minolta Love.
I will certainly look up Bank Langmore, his work, and the rest you suggested. I appreciate any source of inspiration/education, especially as I see myself moving away from collecting to a focus on photography and art.
Interacting with you and others who send such thoughtful and helpful comments is exactly why I started blogging.
My goal in blogging, photography, drawing, and whatever else I try is to create work that is “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy” and to those I will add beautiful.
Grace and Peace to you and family.