Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/27

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Military Photographers (USCG)
From: S Dimitrov <sld@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 08:07:29 -0800
References: <20010322132907.23410.cpmta@c014.sfo.cp.net> <3ABA1632.6672277F@earthlink.net> <024101c0b439$9eec5d80$8f2d0dce@g4s5g1>

Hi Gary:

I shoot the CG's Bicentennial in 1990. I did it on 120 mostly, with some
M work. The M didn't really satisfy me the way that the 120 did. The 120
was done in T-Max 100 B&W, whereas with the M, I somewhat unsuccessfully
tried using high contrast chromes on the water. The new emulsions are
much more forgiving with their lower contact.
At the time, the Hollywood Office, in West LA, was my contact for the
self directed project. Had I dealt with DC, I don't think it would of
ever happened. I did manage to get the project exhibited at the LA
Maritime Museum in 1991. Various book deals fell through, as it was only
the CG, and not "glamorous" enough with the Iraqi event going on.
At the time I was talking with the CG historian, John Thorn, about
having a photo section to the artist program. We went around in circles
for a several years, and as it was a personal project the hassle factor
started to outweigh the enthusiasm that I came in with. I moved on to
what turned out to be even more difficult pastures, that of documenting
Labor. But this time the difficulty factor became a driving force in
itself, making me think that I should of stuck with the CG project.
I had an article published in the British Journal of Photography on the
Bicentennial, called "lifesavers". Can't remember which issue, and I'm
running late for a client meeting. But I'll look later and give you the
issue number, or scan it and jpg it to you.
By the way, who's the Historian now? An who should I contact at DC for
the photo program?
Yea, I know, once it's in your blood, it's hard to walk away from it.


Best,
 Slobodan Dimitrov


Gary Todoroff wrote:
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: S Dimitrov
> > Doug:
> >
> > Is Gary a painter or a photographer?
> 
> I have painted a couple of houses, Slobadon. Even helped my dad paint his
> Austin Healy 3000 many years ago. . .
> 
> But for the Coast Guard, I mostly use Leicas. They made me a photographer
> with the Coast Guard Artist Program (COGAP) about two years ago. At the
> time, everyone said I was the first photographer in the program, though I'm
> sure many of the painters (art, not houses) use cameras in their work. A few
> photos are now in admirals' offices and air stations, and the local Group
> Humboldt Bay (Calif) has several of my photos at their headquarters, mostly
> taken while flying Dophin HH65-A helicopters. Eureka was designated as a
> "Coast Guard City" last summer, and I showed a slide program, "Aerial
> Photography with the Coast Guard" a few times at the Eureka Theatre, once to
> Admiral Loy, CG Commandant, and most of the Group.
> 
> The last project was photographing a CG C-130 over the Golden Gate at sunset
> a few months ago, and it looks like another flight may be on for April along
> the coast just north of Eureka. At the end of May, I'll be at the Air War
> College in Alabama for a week, too. Now, if I could just get the time for a
> tour over in Guam or on one of the ice-breakers! As Hillaire Belloc wrote in
> "The Path to Rome", "Oh to have the time for strange voyages, if even for a
> little while!"
> 
> I have a very simple "place-holder" web site, while currently building the
> real one. You can see a couple of CG photos at
> http://www.datamasterdesigns.com/ and also an old press release about last
> year's CG City at http://www.datamasterdesigns.com/wsn6E30.html where I got
> to brag about the CG - a really great goup of people. The web-site isn't
> much, but I hope to have the real thing up and running in a week or two.
> 
> As for this too long post running under the heading of "Military
> Photographers", I have never been shot at, but do admit to being slightly
> nervous while flying over some bright green "gardens" in southern Humboldt
> County.
> 
> Regards,
> Gary Todoroff
> Tree LUGger
> 
> >

In reply to: Message from Doug Herr <telyt@earthlink.net> (Re: [Leica] Military Photographers (was: New M6))
Message from S Dimitrov <sld@earthlink.net> (Re: [Leica] Military Photographers (was: New M6))
Message from "Gary Todoroff" <datamaster@humboldt1.com> ([Leica] Re: Military Photographers (USCG))