I finally got Paul McCartney’s recently published photographic documentary 1964, Eyes of the Storm and his two volume The Lyrics.  These books now compliment his Paintings that I have owned for a while. Can’t believe I got Paintings for a buck at my local library’s fundraising book sale! So here’s something about Sir Paul that shouldn’t need a newsflash … he’s one creative guy!  Song writer, musician, singer, painter. Not bad at all.

Unfortunately we all can’t live the enchanted life he’s lived, if for no other reason a lack of a billion dollars give or take some millions. But that’s all right. I’ve written many times here about living a photographic life and I try to do everything I can to do just that.  But there’s more I want to do to live a greater creative life while still managing work, having time for my dear wife and family, maintaining friendships, being an audiophile and music lover, walking ten miles a day, and all the rest. That’s a lot for sure and I’ll be the first to say I think I’ve lived a pretty charmed life.  But I know I can make it even better … a more creative and fulfilling life.

First, I live my photographic life. I photograph, print, collect and read photographic monographs, run the Monalog Collective and travel the journey that photography has put me on, one that is almost 60 years and counting. I also love music, almost all kinds and I’ve been a serious audiophile since I was a teenager. My vinyl collection is made up of over 6,000 records and counting. I also read books and articles online. And I’ve been very lucky in my working life. I’ve only worked for those I wanted to and have done only what I believe in. Following this path has enabled me to spend time with my family, as well as my friends pretty much when I want to, and to do all the other things I love.  The choices I’ve made have led to earning less than I could have otherwise, but they’re choice I don’t regret one bit

I have a pretty fulfilled life, filled with great meaning and purpose, but now I want more. More creativity. I guess, I want to be more like Paul. And why not? I’ll turn 70 this year and although my new grandchildren approved policy is to tell people I’m 53 when asked, time is marching on. I know I can’t paint or draw; that’s one of the things what led me to photograph in the first place. But there is another creative thing I think I could do … learn to play an instrument. Afterall I have beautiful piano we bought when our kids were growing up. It sits in our living room, serving as fancy platform for family pictures to rest on. I’m pretty sure I could find a better use for it. I’ve also tried a few times over the years to pick up and learn how to play the guitar, always giving up because of all the other things I had going on. Well the time is coming baby … one instrument or the other … or maybe both!  What else?  I would like to write more. I actually write quite a bit beyond what you read here. For years I’ve written reports, studies, articles and even speeches. I’ve had a couple of book ideas I’ve thought about for a long time and probably could think of a few more. I’ve also always wanted to make a “photo-text” book like Wright Morris did. I think I can do all of these things when my working life slows down and maybe some of these things even if it doesn’t. I just need to make it so.

Writing all of this makes me very excited! I really mean it! I can have an even more creative and fulfilling life going forward. Even when I’m no longer working, I’ll find a way to keep involved in things that are important to me.  I’ll have all the creative stuff and the family and friend’s stuff too. And here’s the thing, all of this is mutually supportive.

My photographic life can only become better!! Damn!

Stay well,

Michael

Two weeks ago or so I received a request from a follower of this site who lives in Florida concerning the Heiland Split Grade printing system. I couldn’t offer much but I knew at least one person who could, my friend Gary in the UK.  I contacted him straight away and he agreed to lend a hand. Gary is a great guy and a terrific photographer, and I’m sure he’ll provide more useful information than bargained for on the ins and outs of the Heiland!

A few days later I had lunch with my good friend and photographer extraordinaire Paula Chamlee. I needed some help and advice regarding Monalog’s Visions of America project. I wanted to remunerate her for some curatorial help and we quickly agreed to at an extremely fair price for her time.  But Paula also offered to be available to provide other assistance as needed, as one photographer to another. Why? Because that is what good people do.  Thank you Paula as always! What goes around comes around!

The above having been said, I’ve met my fair share of absolute creeps in photography … either with egos the size of Texas or insecure needs to protect their “proprietary” methods … or sometimes both!  Maybe you have too. Perhaps what goes around comes around for them too.

All I can say is many thanks to all the truly caring, supportive and unselfish artists I’ve met on my photographic life journey. You have given without expectations for anything in return and the difference you’ve made is profound. I wish you all the best, with my sincere hope that what goes around will always come around for you.

Stay well,

Michael

That’s the headline of a story that appeared on the British website Kismo Foto on January 4th. The story was based on a September interview of Leica CEO Andreas Kaufmann by the French website Phototrend. Turns out that Leica sold almost 5,000 film rangefinders in 2023 compared to the 500 they sold in 2015 and film cameras accounted for 30% of their rangefinder camera sales!!!

This exciting news follows last year’s announcement by Pentax that it is seriously exploring production of a new film camera that most certainly will be a less expensive alternative to Leica’s current offerings.

Of course there are tons of perfectly wonderful used cameras around looking for good homes, including original Lecia M3s and M6s, and they can be had for much less than the cost of current production MPs, MAs and M6s. But that’s not the point.  Look, it’s great that these beauties are available and people are buying all that can be made. And the more sold the better. But the other good news is that more and more of the used ones are being sold too, and in the case of Leica’s the prices are heading north.

What does all this mean? Film photography is growing!! That’s right baby!!! Recently, I talked to several owners of expensive digital cameras that are ditching them for real thing. And that’s not all. No they’re using black and white film … Tri-X to be exact.

So there you have it. Now, what are you waiting for?

Get yourself a film camera, new or used … and some Tri-X.

It’s the way it was meant to be.

Stay well,

Michael

Well I never thought I would do it … and I even said I never would do it … but I did it.

A while back I wrote about my acquisition of what many consider the King and at a minimum, the Crown Prince of enlargers. What other than the Leitz Focomat 2C and 1C … the Leica’s of enlargers!  And I mentioned that my mighty Devere 504 with its diffusion color head wasn’t going to be going anywhere. More recently I penned a somewhat detailed user comparison with points to be considered when thinking about these noble machines.

I finally realized I had a difficult and complicated dilemma on my hands with three world class enlargers sitting on my work bench.  While there certainly was enough room for all of them, I felt cramped when printing. On the other hand, the Devere was like an old friend. I knew and understood it and didn’t have to think much about it when in use, except that it was my able helper. Always there when I needed it … always dependable. It also allowed me to use my Zone VI Compensating Enlarger timer with the color head, making everything so damn easy!  It really was the bee’s knees!  But here’s the thing … the bee’s knees was standing in the way of me using the Focomats, and if it remained in place I would probably only use them sparingly at best, and maybe hardly at all.

The easy solution would be to remove it from the darkroom and store it elsewhere. I tried that before and it didn’t last very long. I just couldn’t bare knowing it was sitting by itself, maybe even gathering dust. I couldn’t do it to myself or to my old friend! There was only one answer. Sell it. But not just to anyone. Only to someone I knew and respected … someone who would give it a good home and use it as it was meant to be used.

And that’s what I did. Turns out a colleague in Monalog that had purchased my Focomat V35 was interested. So I offered him a fair price with all the accessories and two extra enlarging heads I never used. I know I could have got more, but it didn’t matter. The price was agreed to and a couple of weeks ago we carried the Devere up the stairs, out the front door, and loaded it into his car.

I hope I did the right thing. Now I don’t have a choice but to use what many consider the King and Crown Prince of enlargers. I even located what may be one of the only surviving glass negative carriers for the 1C from Glennview in Chicago, and it should arrive sometime this week.

It’s like moving from the old neighborhood. You make knew friends. You never forget the old ones and maybe even get together and see them again. My Monalog colleague has offered to sell me back the Devere if I ever want and I can always come over for a visit. But now it is time to make new memories.

Stay well,

Michael

I recently saw a YouTube video pertaining to my lifelong stereo hobby/obsession. The person was discussing his audio system and pointed out his very expensive speakers. When he heard them the first time he simply had to have them and subsequently pulled the necessary cash out of his retirement account to fund the purchase. He’s in his late seventies and the point was life is short … if it will make you happy and you can do it … do it. He did and has never looked back. Would he get similar enjoyment with lesser speakers? Sure, but that wasn’t the point.

It’s the same thing with cameras, lenses, and enlargers. If you’re convinced you need a current production Leica M camera with a 50mm Apo Summicron and can afford it, then why not?  Especially if having it will motivate you to make pictures and give you pleasure in ownership. Will it make you a better photographer? No. Will it allow you to make a better picture than a cheap and cheerful old 35mm Pentax, Minolta, Yashica, Canon, etc.? No, but that’s not the point either.

The point is … especially if you’re of a certain age … and in the words of Miles in the classic American movie Risky Business … “Sometimes you gotta say “WTF” (Author’s note: this is a family website!), make your move.” I’ve mentioned this seminal concept before and can’t recommend it highly enough … in photography … and life.

Just make sure you use whatever you get; don’t be a fondler.

Stay well,

Michael