Thanks so much. Yes, that’s Bill Schwab and he’s got great information and is very generous with sharing his knowledge. I’m also not wild about the chemistry aspect, but I use protective gear and am careful.
I did not know that gum bichromate is wildly unpredictable. It sounds just as appealing as it does challenging, but looks gorgeous with your photographic/photomontage process.
This reminds me of yin and yang - a more measured approach combined a risky one that can wreck everything, but that can also result in exquisite beauty.
Maybe the point is not to master the process, but to feel more fully alive by experiencing the process. I believe Joseph Campbell talked about this.
Your post is helping me to reframe my own struggle with what feels like an unwieldy process that I'll never master. Thank you.
Yes, I think that avoiding the "must master" attitude has been important for me. I do want to understand it better though...and I'm starting to realize that, at least for me, I'm going to have to approach each image completely on its own because the gum aspect is really varied based on the tones from the original. My mindset has to be much more flexible.
I love the central image in this post Ann, it really draws the viewer in and invites them to walk that path. The tones are so beautiful too.
I agree with you, I think our photographic voices develop over time and are born from all the decisions we make and the things that interest and inspire us. For a long time I didn't feel like I had a voice but that has definitely changed and I now feel as if I have a direction and something to say with my images. I am sure that will evolve as time goes on as I don't think our voices stay the same for long.
Thank you for your kind words - I remember when I was first in art school desperately wanting to figure out my style... and being completely frustrated by an instructor who told me to be patient and it would develop over time. Turned out he was right - and I like your idea of our voices not staying the same for long, although I think there's a core thread that we retain throughout the journey.
I love this moody photo! Northlight Photography on youtube does some cyanotype and platinum prints. The are really beautiful.
I find gum prints to be fascinating. I'd love to try it myself, but I'm a little scared of the chrome part of the process.
Thanks so much. Yes, that’s Bill Schwab and he’s got great information and is very generous with sharing his knowledge. I’m also not wild about the chemistry aspect, but I use protective gear and am careful.
Love reading about this internal process, Ann.
I did not know that gum bichromate is wildly unpredictable. It sounds just as appealing as it does challenging, but looks gorgeous with your photographic/photomontage process.
This reminds me of yin and yang - a more measured approach combined a risky one that can wreck everything, but that can also result in exquisite beauty.
Maybe the point is not to master the process, but to feel more fully alive by experiencing the process. I believe Joseph Campbell talked about this.
Your post is helping me to reframe my own struggle with what feels like an unwieldy process that I'll never master. Thank you.
Can't wait to see what unfolds.
Yes, I think that avoiding the "must master" attitude has been important for me. I do want to understand it better though...and I'm starting to realize that, at least for me, I'm going to have to approach each image completely on its own because the gum aspect is really varied based on the tones from the original. My mindset has to be much more flexible.
I appreciate your wisdom on avoiding the "must master" attitude and a more flexible mindset. Thank you :).
I love the central image in this post Ann, it really draws the viewer in and invites them to walk that path. The tones are so beautiful too.
I agree with you, I think our photographic voices develop over time and are born from all the decisions we make and the things that interest and inspire us. For a long time I didn't feel like I had a voice but that has definitely changed and I now feel as if I have a direction and something to say with my images. I am sure that will evolve as time goes on as I don't think our voices stay the same for long.
Thank you for your kind words - I remember when I was first in art school desperately wanting to figure out my style... and being completely frustrated by an instructor who told me to be patient and it would develop over time. Turned out he was right - and I like your idea of our voices not staying the same for long, although I think there's a core thread that we retain throughout the journey.