Henri Cartier – Bresson, Tête à Tête

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What more can be said about the great Henri Cartier – Bresson that has not been said before. Known for “the decisive moment” with his incredible candid photography on the street and elsewhere, it turns out he was a pretty damn good maker of portraits. Unlike others of his generation, such as Arnold Newman, that specialized in the genre and used larger format cameras, HCB made his portraits of the famous and not so famous using a Leica, so the pictures have a different feel to them. Perhaps more fluid even though they were made in the subject’s environment as Newman and others did.

Tête à Tête is simply a wonderful book, containing almost 150 terrific black and white images (Have you ever seen an HCB picture that wasn’t stellar? Answer: No!).  The book is made all the more interesting because he sequenced the photographs himself rather than leaving that all important task to the editor, so we get further insight into the thinking of this very private photographer. Also of interest is the wonderful introduction by the great art historian E.H. Gombrich, accompanied by eight of HCB’s portrait sketches. Many younger readers may not be familiar with a number of the subjects captured in this tremendous book, but no matter, it is the pictures that count and the portraits are timeless!

I am lucky to own several of HCB’s books, including the recent incredible re-issue of the Decisive Moment.  While most would probably think the photographs contained in that landmark book and others such as Henri Cartier-Bresson: Photographer as his go to body of work, it would be a terribly remiss not to be aware of these important images.

It appears that Tête à Têteis still available new in hard cover, although it may be a different printing then my Bullfinch edition. What I can tell you is that the Bullfinch publication is beautifully printed. In any case, this is a book that belongs on every photographer’s bookshelf! Get it and enjoy!

My Photographic Production Process

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There is much more to getting a great final result than merely loading film into the camera, capturing a potentially compelling image and printing the negative.  Truth be told, I don’t enjoy testing at all and I’m not a prolific tester.  But it’s essential to establish the proper film speed for each of the films you use and the correct development times for those films with your developer(s) of choice.  Thankfully, there are a number of ways to get the results you need. Testing doesn’t need to be intimidating and can be as simple as cutting your film speed in half of the manufacturer’s stated box speed and cutting the manufacturer’s development time by 20%; then making adjustments as you go along. But make no mistake; these tests form the basis of a solid black and white analog photographic process.  Without conducting them you stand little chance of making what John Sexton calls an “expressive print”.

Once the foundation is established I believe the most important thing is consistency in your process.  Get the technical issues worked out and make the mechanical steps as easy and predictable as possible. This way you can save your energy for the most important part of photography – the creative process! Here’s what I do:

  1. Establish the proper film speed for the films I use with my developers of choice
  2. Establish the proper development time for the films I use with my developers of choice
  3. Determine the correct enlarger height, enlarging lens aperture and exposure time necessary to make a properly exposed proof sheet (what Fred Picker called the Proper Proof)

  4. Go out in the world and make photographs
  5. Develop film and file in numbered archival sleeve pages, stored in archival ring binder containers
  6. Make proof sheets and file into notebooks with the same numbers and added description of the what is contained on each roll of film and when it was taken
  7. Add roll numbers and descriptive information into a searchable Microsoft Word table to assist in easy of location and retrieval
  8. Examine a proof sheet and select negative(s) to print
  9. Make test strips (I use a full sheet of paper for each one) for several contrasts
  10. Determine your starting print exposure and contrast grade of paper
  11. Make my best print, writing down all the steps taken onto a print “recipe” form I’ve made
  12. Wash and dry on print drying screens
  13. Selenium tone the print (some do this as part of step 11 and cut out step 12; I wait until I have a number of prints and do this as a separate step)
  1. Wash and dry on print drying screens
  2. Dry mount the print using archival mounting tissue and archival mat board
  3. Evaluate the print
  4. Redo the print if necessary or just trash it if it is hopeless
  5. Spot the print if necessary
  6. Frame the print as appropriate using black Nielson frames
  7. Store mounted prints, toned unmounted prints and untoned prints in archival boxes

I hope this is helpful. In the future I intend to discuss each one of these process steps in some detail but this is a good start. Note that the process I have outlined above is what works for me.  You might choose a different approach. The key is to establish the foundation that gives you the results you desire and then maintain a consistent and repeatable process. Once established you will see how much more enjoyable your photographic life becomes!

You Can’t Ever Go Back … Or Can You? Don’t Give Up!

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Sometimes things don’t work out as planned the first time around. Sometimes they don’t work out the second time you try. But sometimes the third time’s a charm. That was the way it turned out for me recently.

In landscape photography the masters have often revisited a location numerous times waiting for the right light or a beautiful cloud formation to arrange itself overhead. Then think of how may times Edward Weston photographed his pepper to get exactly what he was looking for. In the case of street or documentary photography you often only get one chance, as the picture is there for a fleeting moment and then it’s gone forever.  But not always, especially if you are persistent and not willing to give up!

Such was the case when I went to the large open air Italian Market in South Philly last summer. First things first; as soon as I arrived I grabbed some quick chow. Then off to make some photographs. After walking around the central area I decided to keep going … I always find it the most interesting when I have no clue where I am headed. I quickly came upon Capitolo Park and the semi annual Capitolo Park Flea Market.

The exterior of the Park along the sidewalks was packed with vendors selling their wares on top, on the sides and beneath tables, which they sat or stood behind. In some cases they had things hanging from or leaning against the metal chain link fence behind them that bordered the playground and basketball court. I walked around, mostly in the street because there were cars parked in front of the tables and the sidewalks were jammed. This of course made for some challenges when trying to make some of the pictures I was interested in.

I finally stumbled upon a gentleman selling the usual stuff, but behind him leaning against chain link fence were stuffed animal heads mounted on some kind of wooden board. A little bizarre, so naturally I got excited and made a few pictures. Unfortunately I couldn’t get what I really wanted due to the parked cars and the mass of people I wasn’t able to control. But you do the best you can or walk away empty.

I eventually got around to developing the film but the proof sheet turned out the way I thought it might; the pictures were not worth printing. Nevertheless, I stored what I saw in my memory for future keeping. On a Saturday morning this June I drove back to the same location hoping the flea market and the guy with the animal heads would be there. Of course I hadn’t done any checking beforehand and so no flea market and no guy with his animal heads. I walked around and made a few pictures but felt a little dejected until I spoke to a nice woman who I guessed live lived in the neighborhood and asked if she knew about the flea market. Yes she did; it takes place twice a year and the upcoming one would be next Saturday!

With great anticipation I drove back to South Philly the following Saturday.  It took forever to find a parking space within walking distance, but I finally found one and started hiking towards the park.  It was packed with people, tables and of course the damned cars parked in front of the tables. I walked around the park and playground and then I saw him with his animal heads against on the fence, in the exact same location as last before!  And yes there was a car parked in front of his area, but with enough of a space to hopefully get a decent shooting angle.

I had a nice chat with him about what he was selling, especially since he had a couple of boxes vinyl LPs and I only own several thousand myself. A few more couldn’t do any harm. Good ice breaker. In a short while he was happy to move into position so I could make some photographs and I was able to get the passing onlookers to stop while I made them. All very enjoyable!  I finished what I set out to do and went to find my car.

A few days later I developed my film and made my proof sheet with a certain amount of anticipation. And yes, third time was a charm!

I really wanted this picture and wasn’t willing to give up on it even if the probability of success was pretty slim. There are a number of pictures I have missed either because I didn’t have my camera with me or I couldn’t quite get it right or I just screwed up completely. I wanted to keep trying to see if I might capture this one. I thought somehow that if I kept trying the photography gods might look kindly upon me and magically it would happen.

I did, and it did.

If your picture really matters to you, don’t give up!

Lest We Forget … the 75th Anniversary of D Day

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Both my parents were WWII veterans and I have always been grateful for their service and sacrifice.  I always think about them on Memorial Day, but this year was special because we were also the 75thanniversary of D Day.

I think it is hard to fully grasp the peril that the world faced in 1944 unless you grew up during that time. You can read about it, but the best way is to communicate with those who lived it.  And while America has endured many conflicts since the end of WWII, nothing can compare that conflict in terms of total horror and number of casualties.  Over 400,000 Americans lost their lives during WWII. Then there was the mass amount of casualties our allies suffered. All so tyranny could be defeated and we could maintain the freedoms we take for granted today.  But what about today? There are storm clouds on the horizon … neo-Nazi groups, white supremacists, growing racism and anti semitism at home and abroad, and ultra nationalism spreading across Europe like a disease.

Those Americans that fought in WWII so that their children and grandchildren could have the kind of lives that they could only dream of are passing away at a rate of 372 per day. That is why the recent 75th anniversary of D Day and events surrounding it like Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 29th Anniversary WWII weekend are so important!  They help us remember, to imagine, and teach those who are not familiar.

I decided that one of the ways I could become more immersed in the anniversary was to take the drive to Reading, Pennsylvania and check out what the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 29th Anniversary WWII weekend was all about … and of course make some photographs. After all, the Reading Regional Airport was only about an hour and a half from where I live, so it would easily fit within my self imposed Two Hour photography plan I have been operating under and have previously written about.

There were tons of vintage WWII aircraft on the ground and flying overhead. My father-in-law was a B-17 jockey and would have felt right at home! Then there were the hundreds of WWII era re-enactors milling around in uniform or civvies, not to mention important world leaders giving rousing speeches.  And there were bands playing the great popular music of the 1940s. Of course there was a lot of food.  So far so good!

My hope was that I would see some WWII veterans and make some photographs of them. I did see a few and thanked them for there service, but they were in a very crowded area inside one of the air hangers.  So I didn’t have much luck in terms of the type pictures I was hoping for but seeing them was worth far more.

Now what? No problem. Look for other opportunities! They’re always there if you are open to the possibilities and I had a lot of fun finding them. In the end I got a few keepers I’m happy with and I have now started printing them.  But most of all I was able to be part of a truly wonderful event. It reminded me of how great the “greatest generation” really was and what they fought for to protect.

It really was a different time.

Thank you for your service!

Just One More Video … John Sexton: Print Your Legacy

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Just when you think you have had enough I would like to alert you to one more video, because it is worth seeing! I seem to be on a video roll, but only because I recently watched an outstanding short video produced by Epson of John Sexton discussing his photographic and working philosophy that all leads up to one thing … creation of a finished print that contains everything you meant to say when you made the photograph. The video is part of an Epson advertising campaign and is entitled John Sexton: Print Your Legacy.

I was lucky enough to take two of John’s workshops when I was much younger. One of them was a 30thbirthday present from my wonderful wife. I learned a lot and met some truly outstanding people, including the great Henry Gilpin.  It goes without saying that John is a gifted photographer, but I can also tell you without hesitation that he’s a tremendous teacher and a lot of fun to be around. While I haven’t seen John in some years we have stayed in touch and I always look forward to receiving his informative newsletter. In the latest one he mentioned this award wining a video. You can find it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1T1DEZX1a4

It’s less then five minutes in length but long on inspiration.

Check it out. I think you will be glad you did!

It’s Another Video … Of Me … I’m Not Kidding!

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And now for something different!  Last week I wrote about the wonderful and inspiring film Don McCullin – Looking for England. I hope you were able to watch it. Staying with the video theme, I thought I would provide a link to a video summary of my presentation at the recent Photo Arts Xchange (PaX) I previously wrote about. In it I talk a little about my thinking and the stories behind the photographs I showed. Thank you Steve Sherman for posting this, along with videos of other PaX participants!

You can find it on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yyFbLb-Bgw

I thought I would share this so you might get a little better idea about what makes me tick photographically.  To be on the safe side I watched it again to make sure I wouldn’t completely embarrass myself to those that are kind enough to visit this outpost every week. I hope you enjoy it, and despite having watched it, decide that you still want to come back for more!

You Need to Watch This … Don McCullin – Looking for England

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Last week I happened upon a marvelous film entitled Don McCullin – Looking for England. Made this year, it takes us on a tour with McCullin through his old photographic stomping grounds and other fascinating locations to make pictures. It also brings us into the sanctuary of his darkroom to watch him print. At 83, McCullin is one of the great living photographers and he is still passionate about black and white film and the silver print.

The film is truly inspirational. I came away from it not only learning about how the man works, but perhaps more importantly I gained an understanding of what has enabled him to truly live a full and active photographic life into his eighties.  To illustrate this I thought I would share some notable things McCullin says as we follow him from place to place.

“I use photography to find myself in this world.”

“Photography has given me not so much an education, but a lifetime’s experience.”

I couldn’t agree more or say it any it any better, even though I have written about my own similar feelings several times here.

Thank you Don McCullin for all the great pictures and stories you have given us over these many years … and thank you for sharing in words how to live a truly photographic life.

So set aside hour when you won’t be interrupted and watch this great film. You can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOTedHe-_lg

Enjoy!

More Good News About Film Damn It!

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A friend and reader of this site sent me an article written by Stan Horaczek that was recently published on Popular Photography’s website entitled Films Worth Shooting With Before They’re Gone. The tag line read “Give your digital camera a break and shoot these rolls while while you still have the opportunity”. The article goes on to state:

“Film photography is not dead. Although a few years ago it was hurting, with old film stocks being lost every couple of months, but in the last few years there has been a resurgence of new film stocks hitting the market and a companies bringing back once discontinued films. Although the remaining selection is a small fraction of what we once had, there are still plenty of films out there worth loading into a camera. The second hand film camera market is also having a bit of a revival. But who knows what the future holds?  We’ve put together a collection of films you might want to try while you still can.”

How’s that for a good news/bad news story? Come on. No need to be a Debbie Downer here! While there is no doubt we have lost some great films as a result of the digital onslaught … Plus-X, Pan-X, Verichrome Pan to name a few … we are very lucky and still have a large number of wonderful films such as Tri-X that we can use in confidence (not to mention a great selection of tremendous papers to print them on and all the chemistry you will ever need!). A number of them are mentioned in this article – both black and white and color.

Like vinyl, film is back. A small amount of film cameras are still being manufactured and a number of vintage camera models have seen their prices steadily rise on the used market. Thankfully many can still be had at bargain prices and their use is helping to feeding the film resurgence.

So I am happy to see this article but the sense of it is almost like hey, we’re all digital users, but once in awhile it’s fun to try something more old word and charming.  I have run into a number of photographers that still print digitally but have given up on digital capture completely. They love the experience and love the look of film. Think Tri-X. I have met others that have come back to analog completely.

Look, film is not going anywhere and there is an abundance of cameras to use them … believe me, I know! Maybe what we really need is an article that discusses using your mobile phone to snap a picture when you are out an about and don’t have your film camera with you!