Re: gum platinum . . . ?

Oy, vey.

Okay.

So, so far I've learned that I missed previous posts in the group about
gum platinum prints (tossed off, as if I should have KNOWN that).
(There couldn't have been that many, because I've read these posts
every darned day for going on five years now.)

--Okay. . . yeah, I should have known about gum platinum--you're right.
  No idea how I missed it.

--and that Alvin Langdon Coburn was influenced by Ezra Pound (the first
truly modern poet--meaning that his poems were image narratives--"put
down thy vanities"--like word photographs, yes?--a hero of mine, Ezra
is). That was helpful, thanks very much.

--but I don't buy the responses about the garb or the backdrop
(although I do admire and respect the responders, mind you). The garb
looks very utilitarian and purposeful. And the backdrop is a backdrop.
  It looks very studio to me. I mean, look at the set of the shadow.
Right?

So, hey. . . .

Tell me more.

It's a very compelling image--somewhere between portrait and
industrial. And very studio. Marxist, even.

. . . or maybe I'm just reading too much in to it. . . . what do I know
. . .?

I learn so much from all of you every day. And I'm grateful.

Go easy,
John
__________________________
John Campbell
PhotoGecko Studios & Gallery
1413 South First Street
Austin, Tx 78704

(512) 797-9375

www.photogecko.com

_____________________

the problem with people is
everyone has their reasons
                                -Rodin

On Friday, November 28, 2003, at 11:23 PM, David J. Greiner wrote:

>
>
> Hello,
>
>> -- who was Alvin Langdon Coburn?
>
> Here's a link that some infor on him:
>
> http://www.masters-of-photography.com/C/coburn/coburn.html
>
>
>> -- what is (was. . . ?) a copper plate press?
>
> photogravure and the like.
>
>> -- do we have recipes for "gum platinum" prints, and are any of us
>> doing them?
>
> I've seen them when searching through the archives.
>
>> -- what's with the garb Alvin is wearing? (i.e., do the hood,
>> drawstring, and forearm pad bear significance to the printing
>> process?).
>
> It's nothing exceptional, just loosfitting and comfortable clothing
> for a
> day working with a press (there's no hood BTW, his shir's puffed up
> becausing he's leaning foward. I would guess that the pad (if that's
> what
> it is) is so that he can rest his arms on the press. Who knows, he's
> an
> artist, could be a hundred reasons for wearing it.
>
>> -- was the backdrop paper, canvas, muslin. . . or a precursory
>> Photoshop plug-in, perhaps? (:~>)
>
> Looks like a wall, probably white.
>
>
> -David-
>
>
> *****
> Life is nothing but a competition to be
> the criminal rather than the victim.
> -Bertrand Russell
>
>
Received on Sat Nov 29 00:58:24 2003