Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]telyt@earthlink.net (Doug Herr)6/11/0112:07 PM > > vision (no pun intended) of what I want from this medium. I'd love to hear > > statements from others about their visions and goals. > > > > Besides, it will be a most welcome break for me from mulling too much over > > equipment purchasing decisions. > > Dan, Dad had an enlarger in the basement which attracted my interest at around age 12 (1958). First roll of film - 620 - in an Ansco something or other, and I made my first print on 20 year old Dupont 5x7 paper with chemicals of about the same vintage. That hooked me. Around age 14 I started cleaning a commercial studio on Saturdays, and Dad let me occasionaly use his Argus C-3. And by 15 the studio actually said I could use the Speed Graphic, Deardorf, and Bronicas. Bought a Mamiya C-2 about that time and did all the high school year book and student newspaper stuff and had the run of the school darkroom as well as the commercial studio's darkrooms all through high school. Bought my first M-2 in 1965 and worked my way through art school at the commercial studio and moonlighting in freelance photo journalism. Eventually got fired from the commercial studio for printing 20x24 anti-war and civil rights posters in their darkroom. During the early years of those struggles tempers ran pretty hot. Went full time into freelance photo journalism for about 6 years - my true love. But eventually I had to earn real money and stay home to support my new daughter and returned to commercial photography and graphic design (still self employed) for 20 years. Managed to have a few really good and loyal clients for most of those years, but when individuals started retiring I lost the accounts as the new young managers brought their folks in. Now, I find myself returning to more heart felt and personal work and a much lower income. During all of this I managed to have gallery shows, or exhibit in group shows every year or three. My only regret in this wonderful life - that I didn't stay with photo journalism - my first and true love. As far as vision: With such a wide and varied background in the medium - it all interests me - which has a down side - a huge and varied body of work that no one can really get a handle on - including me. Currently holding my interest: 4x5 Linhof 5:1 macros 120 Hasselblad documentation of 3 blacksmiths working on the Villa Terrace Neptune Gate (a Wisconsin Arts Board Grant) 35mm Leica journaling of my life Teaching Visual Design for Interactive Multimedia at Columbia College And still doing some advertising design and photography for few clients George