>
>Then I can't help wondering what in your background (and that's the
>editorial "you", I mean the other 555 lurkers) makes you so easily
>embarrassed and so afraid of the condition. Believe me, being embarrassed
>is like vitamins, and small price to pay for freedom of expression,
>growth and learning. Is that the American school system left you in this
>frame of mind? (I expect to be embarrassed several times over at responses
>to this message, but...... honi soi que mal y pense, and so forth.)
>
>As I say, these are just the first things that occur to me. I don't want
>to embarrass anyone, but to express my own growing weariness -- not
>only with card-carrying bomb throwers, but much else.....
>
>Cheers,
>
>Judy
>
No. 346 lurker, or so, giving her credentials and explaining her
position.
I have a small background in Van Dyke, cyanotype, platinum & palladium
printing, laser transfer, emulsion transfer, and image transfer. I am
currently working on a year long project on cross-processing. My next
project that I'm looking forward to deals with pinhole photography. I
have a college degree in English and attend junior college level
classes in photography. I consider anything that isn't straight,
mainstream photography, perhaps better stated, requires more hands-on
effort approach, alternative photography. Financially, alas, I am not
interested in weddings, product & advertising, or (especially)
photojournalism. My parents think my work is too artsy and artsy
people think my work is too obscure. Well at least I like it.
Embarrassment is less a factor for me than the fact that not much
discussion is going on about processes with which I am currently
working. (I will admit some months back it was invaluable for
knowledge about platinum and spreading solution methods. Thank God
for glass rods.) I have only posted once before to defend a newbie
who was feeling attacked. I can understand that newbie's position. I
have read large portions of the archives (via the web and via
downloading) and sometimes a subject was discussed with little real
information. (Other subjects, of course, have plenty of information.
I'm only just beginning to read the pinhole stuff.) But sometimes it
does feel like people will go on forever on pet topics and chase
newbies to the archives just because they aren't discussing the
process in vogue at the time. That is a side issue and not what I
posted to talk about.
I tend to like grainy photographs and know some things about achieving
those. I know a lot about cross-processing (I have done less with
pushing my cross-processing than adding a B&W predeveloper.) I know a
little about the other processes I mentioned.
It is less embarrassment than shyness, I guess. If anyone ever asks a
question where I might have an answer, I promise I will do my best to
post. In the meantime, I will soak up what knowledge I can. I am
sorry to see active members leave. Lurkers who leave only hurt
themselves; active members who leave lose and take away shared
knowledge, shared experience, and shared comradeship lurkers like me
can only envy.
Angela
aeophoto@napanet.net