Re: Thanks and Alt's place in the world etc.

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From: Robert Lyman (railroad@northweb.com)
Date: 06/22/01-10:59:01 AM Z


Hi Dick

A somewhat belated congratulations on this terrific and well deserved honor.
Vive le Alt. proc.

Bob Lyman ( railroad@northweb.com )
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/7610
http://www.artists-in-residence.com/users/radiance/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Sullivan FRPS" <richsul@earthlink.net>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 12:29 PM
Subject: Thanks and Alt's place in the world etc.

> Witho and all,
>
> Thanks for the good wishes.
>
> I think the important thing is that platinum photography and alt in
general
> are being recognized as being part of the mainstream, so in a sense, it is
> an award to platinum and palladium photography and photographers.
>
> A couple of years ago when I was planning the first APIS I was talking to
> one of the gallery owners here in Santa Fe about the symposium. At that
> time he was not impressed by my vision of APIS saying that he didn't sell
> much alt-photography. I was standing and talking to him in his show room
> with Annie Leibowitz platinums on one side and David Kennedy's on the
> other. Cleary at that time two thirds of the room was platinum. When I
> pointed this out the gallery owner sputtered a bit and said "But those are
> platinums!" His definition was apparently that alt-photography was weird
> processes that don't sell. Twenty five years ago platinums would have been
> included as alt. Platinum had clearly become mainstream and in many
> collectors minds the well made platinum print has become the standard of
> excellence.
>
> I am also a silver printer. I like silver prints. But I can't tell you how
> many big time photographers who choose to only print in silver have
> expressed annoyance at being asked why they don't do platinum. "Your work
> is good enough to do in platinum" will set their teeth on edge.
>
> When B+S started out there were perhaps a dozen serious platinum printers
> worldwide. A few years previously there had been a few more supported by
> Elegant Images. Anyone remember them? Once EI went in the dumper, a lot of
> those printers moved on to other things. I was one of them, though I was
> doing mostly Kallitypes at the time.
>
> None of the biggies would sell to me at that time so I started making my
> own chemicals and only sold off the excess to support my own habit. Of
> course we had a company name, letterhead, and all of that, so I could
write
> off the losses. At that time, the IRS came down hard on "hobby
> photographers." I figured if they tried to label me a "hobby platinum
> chemical maker" it could keep their knickers in a twist for a while.
> Eventually things got out of control and we were in business. I've loved
> every minute of it.
>
> One of the biggest rewards has been getting to meet people in the field.
> That is why we do the Platypus Parties and APIS's and why I love hanging
> out on various lists and my Discussion Group. I think it is true that
> people who have some form of creative output are genuinely more exciting
> people to know. We all know that many folks can only talk about last
> night's lakers game. Bah!
>
> My peak experience in meeting photography folks? Being invited to a dinner
> for 8 with maestro Manuel Bravo of Mexico. Ok, it's gross name dropping
but
> damn I enjoyed it!
>
> I wouldn't mind sharing a cloud in heaven with him eventually though I
> think he is planning for his next 100 years behind his Rollie and I am
sure
> there are a few folks working on a one-way ticket for me in the other
> direction. Come to think about it, the photo-ops there are better than
ones
> on clouds.
>
> --Dick Sullivan
>
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