Re: 19th cent. photographs
Gary Auerbach ()
Thu, 23 January 1997 10:05 AM
Jonathan Bailey wrote:
>
> Greetings-
>
> I would be interested in knowing how much time and energy the members of
> this list give to the viewing of 19th century photography. How important to
> you is looking at various 19th century photographs (the whole range- dag's,
> mammouth plates, tin-types, CDV's, stereoviews, and of course platinum,
> cyanos etc., et.al.)?
>
> How does the 19th century imagery inform and influence your own imagery and
> how it is you approach your work?
>
> How many of you own and/or collect 19th century photography and where might
> that activity "fit" on your personal landscape?
>
> My fascination with these "renaissance processes" (it gets my vote, a great
> name!) is firmly rooted in the actual, historical artifacts. I've come to
> these processes through a long time friendship with a collector and dealer
> of 19th century photography. I used to wait tables with this guy for many
> years, and we'd talk photography and photo-history when it was slow (and
> even sometimes when it wasn't). But I've also walked through The Met's
> wonderful exhibition "The Waking Dream" and had him point out no fewer than
> three photographs on the wall which he had found and identified, and sold to
> Howard Gillman. It's been a living history lesson for me (I'm self-taught,
> never had any art courses)- "living"- in all senses of the word. I've sit
> around in his house with simply incredible things right in my own hands
> (usually a glass of wine somewhere nearby.) So my sense of the history of
> these photographs is really quite visceral.
>
> I signed on to this list, not because I *practice* these processes
> (something which is out there lurking for me) but because of a love of the
> processes through their history. My interest in these processes has lead me
> to explore "further developing an image" through various toning processes.
> Something that I could afford to try at a time when I was wanting to try
> albumen and platinum. I have been amazed at how this decision has rendered
> a remarkably "19th century" image without having to literally resort to
> using the 19th century processes. (Of course, the imagery itself - from a
> "Diana" camera - is in no small way responsible for this too).
>
> So, that's my long-ish way around to inquiring of this list where it stands
> vis-a-vis the antique photograph.
>
> (I may regret this, but I would be happy to send a few of my exhibition
> announcements to anyone who would care to send a snail-mail address...)
>
> Thanks and good luck-
>
> Jon Bailey
Nice comments Jon. Certainly my sentiments. It is late 19th century
work in platinum and platinum with gum that has sparked me to venture
in a similar direction. Thus far I have managed p/p. And am attempting
to offer it in a commercial manner. 101326.553@compuserve.com (tough) Adding gum is the next step
for me.
Gary Auerbach
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