From: Cactus Cowboy (cactus@tritel.net)
Date: 02/12/02-09:31:46 PM Z
I've extensively photographed petroglyphs and pictographs in the
Southwestern United States. Black and White, while effective for some rock
art images, too often appears as just a bland record shot. Cibachrome is
horrible with this subject matter - too much of a false 'plastic' look. My
displeasure with conventional materials led in part to my experimenting with
gum for this particular subject. Gum, using pigments such as carbon black,
indian red, burnt sienna, raw umber, etc.... is exceptionally well suited
for rock art images. The rich earth tones available for use in gum printing
are such a good match for the actual subject - muddy yellow and orange
sandstones streaked with rich desert varnish. Many of the pigments used by
indians in creating pictographs are virtually identical to umbers and
siennas commercially available.
I've also photographed many cloud formations. The sky is an especially
accessible and appealing subject here in Wyoming. I've made some beautiful
prints of clouds using combination cyanotype and gum. It's possible to
create 'mind-blowing sunset' pictures using these two processes with a B&W
negative original.
Best regards,
Dave Rose
Powell, Wyoming
Here's a link to a (straight) digital photo of a recent sunrise in my
backyard:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/cactigal/msg012003238920.jpg
----- Original Message -----
From: <Grafist@aol.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 12:13 PM
Subject: A Process to Suit the Subject
> The search goes on,
> One of my favorite subjects is cloud
> formations........and then landscape with overtones of abstract forms
which
> come from the environment being photographed. Direct Carbon is a lengthy
> process demanding many tests before settling on a batch of useable
material
> tho' much manipulation is possible with sawdust and brushes. Gum does not
> get reported as being so easy to control whilst the image is sometimes
lost
> altogether. Oleobrom, on the other hand, might offer a system which is
midway
> between the two processes, rather like Bromoil. Viewing clouds regularly
in
> my garden I see, as many people do, suggestions of animals, faces,
monsters
> etc.,(I do sometimes get very, very drunk*****JOKE*****) but getting
these
> images onto paper presents a problem which could be interesting to explore
> further. That is my own personal little story. Are there any ideas
floating
> around out there regarding the suitability of particular processes for
> particular subjects? e.g. Portraiture seems to be unsuitable for Bromoil
> (mentioned in Gene Laughter's recent article in Amateur Photographer
> magazine). For what subject is Gum most suitable (or not
suitable).......in
> YOUR opinion?
> Best for now. Clouds at night are
great.
> John- ftgrfst
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : 03/08/02-09:45:21 AM Z CST
