Two Ways to Eat a Slice of Pie

Digital photography is holding a slice of pumpkin pie plucked by hand from the pan and scarfing it down over the sink in seconds. It's delicious but it's gone quite quickly. It's a phone photo that's sent out for a glance and a swipe. That's what it's made for, not for long-studied looks. A quick...

Is Social Media Detrimental to New Photographers?

Andy Adams of FlakPhoto asked recently which social media would photographers choose as an alternative, and which qualities they were looking for in a different platform. And I asked myself a very simple question: "Why would anyone join any in the first place?" It seems like it can only be for one reason—they aren't making...

My Work Featured in Ilford Film’s Online Magazine

Ilford Film (a UK company that makes black and white film) featured a story about my Longmont Lake Project in their online magazine. I worked for 10 weeks with a Rolleiflex 3.5F loaded with Ilford HP5+ film. We make work to be seen. At least I do. I have heard of photographers who just like...

Latest Portraits for The Wise Photo Project

Here are a couple of portraits for The Wise Photo Project. The couple's photograph was made with a Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 on Kodak Tmax film. I am always looking for those moments that reveal a little bit about the subject. The first gentleman's laugh certainly is one. These legacy portraits are created for people...

I Don’t Make Baby Photos

My dad years ago said I was missing the boat when it comes to making money in photography. "Take baby photos," was his advice. I was working as a photojournalist and still, he said, "Stop trying to reinvent the wheel, go where the money flows: Babies!" (Which always made me think of Rodney Dangerfield in...

Glass Plate Photography: Glimpse Into the Past, A Snapshot For the Ages

I went to a local garage sale and there were glass negatives for sale, a whole box for $3. For the price of a coffee, I got a collection of 4x5 glass slides that each probably cost the subject a considerable amount of their weekly paycheck to make. Which makes me ask two questions: 1)...

Making a Senior Portrait on Black and White 4×5, (Not That Kind of Senior Portrait!)

I love having a job as a working photographer that permits me to meet new people constantly.When I'm between assignments or client work, which usually is Mondays, I open my studio to local senior citizens age 70 and over to come in for a complimentary portrait.I get to work with whatever camera I want since...

The Finest for Your Family: Statement Artwork, Iconic Portraits on 8×10 Film

Legacy artworks--they’re not just for the U.S. President and First Lady. Most people would say that for portraits of their family, "Eh, digital is good enough." The thing is, YOU'RE not most people. Neither am I. We're the ones who seek the finest, the best--that's who we are. We care about quality. We can't accept...

Film Sprockets, Baby, from a Yashica 44

I picked up this Yashica 44, an obvious "homage" to the Baby Rolleiflex, at an estate sale last weekend for a Jackson. Got it home, quick mod, then popped in a roll of HP5 in to see what it could do, and took a walk in my downtown. Interesting effect if you like sprockets in...

Sisters Portraits: 8×10, Rolleiflex and the In-Betweens

I had a portrait shoot this week with a pair of sisters, ages 15 and 16. I told them to wear fancy formal dresses and meet me at the lake in my town. Their mom drove them over and the two girls had a look of embarrassment and annoyance at being dressed like that when...