Razor Sharp

Ray Thibault owns Northern Knives of Anchorage, AK with his son Ryan. Shot with the "Burnett Combo" Graflex Speed Graphic with 172mm F2.5 Aero Ektar Lens on 100 ISO Kodak TMax.

Many years ago I fell in love with large format photography, well I fell in love with the idea and results of large format photography. David Burnett's work on Huricane Katrina was published in National Geographic and it was like nothing I had ever seen. I began an earnest search into who this man was and how he achieved these landmark images. After viewing his portfolio it was clear that he exists on another plane of imagery from us mere mortals. But, I also found out that he uses a very unique camera rig; a vintage 4"x5" Graflex Speed Graphic with a Kodak Aero Ektar lens. After researching these items it was apparent that more people than just me had taken a liking to this set up. A Dutch machinists had created lens boards, lens shades, and filter holders for this set up in addition to a slew of technical information and usage tips. It took me two years to find the right camera and lens and put it all together and about that long to pay for it. The whole rig cost me the same as a good Canon L series lens, even though it was about my fathers age. Now I had the mighty setup, but now the hard part......learning how to use it. A good friend sold me his sturdiest tripod and head (a mere 25lbs of metal) that he was unwilling to carry in the field anymore and now I had all the pieces of the puzzle. Except how to really use it. This would take another year and the equivalent of another L series lens.

Large format photography (4"x5" in this case) is not only about results but about the process and dedication it takes to make it happen. Could I use digital and some fancy photoshop actions, maybe. But that doesn't get at the heart of what big film is all about, patience.

I'll pick this up next week.
David

Greed is Good

Daryl Pederson owner of D&M Photography, image by David Hayes 

BIG DISCLAIMER: Daryl is not the subject of this post, the image simply went with my idea this week. He is in fact a generous person that I have known and worked with for over 10 years, but more about him in another post.


Greed
I am a greedy devil, probably the greediest person you will ever meet. But, my greed is not for those items that can be held. My greed is for experiences, and time for that is the only thing worthy of greed. Time allows us to learn, to experience and to travel beyond our own bonds. I weep in a library because I have not a thousand lifetimes to learn all that there is held in that one building. Give me enough time to learn all the world’s libraries. Beyond that even, I want enough time to accomplish all those thoughts held within mankind’s tomes. To listen to the symphony is not enough, I want to fell the trees, saw the planks, shape the instruments and write the music, to be performed in a structure built by my own two hands. Not to declare “Look at my work” but to say, “That is how it feels to create”. This is greed in its truest most dangerous form. For alas, I will not have the time to accomplish a mere pittance of these things. And furthermore, I would run great risk of missing out on the most valuable learning of all, the experiences of those around us.

Many a parent has missed a lifetime trying to secure the future. Like all things in life we must strike a balance, because we don’t have a thousand lifetimes, just this one fragile uncertain life. My greed must drive me to succeed but not blindly forward without regards to life itself. Everything you have in life can be taken from you, what we do with our time is the only thing we can control. Many an empty mansion could be traded for a full happy apartment. I want more, more than Gates, more than Jobs, more than Trump, because they have no more time than you or I. Their caskets may be gorgeous in the end but the results are the same. I am greedy, I make no apologies. I want a thousand lifetimes. 

Good Health and Travels,
David 

Image Info: 100 ISO TMax, Graflex Speed Graphic with Aero Ektar 172mm F2.5. Shot at 1/250 @ F 2.5

Burning Bridges and Life Lessons

David Jensen on Kodak 320 TXP 4"x5" shot at f2.5 at 1/250th with an Aero Ektar equipped Graflex Speed Graphic

 About five years ago this man turned me down for a job that I really, really wanted at his studio. Needless to say, I was upset. Not only had I been turned down for a job, but had my portfolio had been turned down once again. Any artist will confess that having their portfolio turned down is like coming home to find the locks changed on their house. I had two options, get angry and burn the bridge or admit that my portfolio needed work. I wasn't the right fit for the job, and it was time to step up my commitment to photography. It was hard to admit, but I am a better man and photographer today because of not getting that job. Well more importantly I'm a better photographer today because of the man in this photo.

He is an Anchorage icon, and somebody that has impacted more families than anyone else I know. He is a memory maker, and a damn fine one at that. Many homes in Alaska hold his art, art which allows memories to be visualized. David Jensen has taught me more about what it truly means to be a photographer and responsible business man than all my years attaining a degree.

 This image is from a series on Alaska business owners that I'm completing, and David graciously sat for me and my giant slow camera. But, it could have easily not been, I could have taken that rejection personally and let anger get the better of me, but it was just part of life that we all must accept if we want to improve. It would have benefited me to learn this 10 years ago, but at least I learned it. Like so many others, thanks for the lesson David.

Good people are rare, great people are even more so, like the Cubs in the World Series. And then there are people like David. David, I hope everyone has the opportunity to know someone like you in their lifetime.