Platinum Printing Classes Coming Very Soon!

Hey Everyone, I just submitted my class proposals to Rayko Photo Center for the platinum palladium printing classes.  Yes, there is more than one.  One class will be digital negative to platinum print and the other will be medium format/4×5/8×10 traditional black and white negatives to platinum printing.  Whats so different when using actual negatives, well how about selenium toning the negatives for contrast control in the print.  Or pushing and pulling the shots just for the platinum print process.  This is the part were you dear reader say, “Carlos that sounds crazy, fun, but crazy.”  I just quietly nod.  Here is an example from my student and newly addicted platinum printer Hiroshi Suzuki.  This is his first completed print and I must say, I’m a pretty good teacher.  He has gone on to make more, and I’m excited to see what he and all of you come up with.  Expect and lookout for the classes in the Fall 2012 schedule.

Best – C.

George Eastman’s Kodak Creation

Due to the recent sad news of Kodak filing for bankruptcy, here is a great PBS video that reminds us of the great rise of Kodak, the obstacles overcome, and the urgency for for experimentation in photography and in business.  Historically interesting and overall inspiring, I hope you enjoy this George Eastman video as much as did.

Favorite Line is in part 2: Photography, “a little black box held by someone you knew.”

Just off the Heels of Rayko’s Plastic Camera Show, I found this:

Michelle Bates, 2010′s featured artist in the Rayko Plastic Camera Show recently gave a TED talk.  If you don’t know Bates, you don’t know plastic cameras as she is the official spokesperson for the medium.  I was lucky enough to talk with her last year and help her with some scans for a future project which I cannot mention here but yes it involved plastic cameras.  Enjoy everyone and if you were not at the show, you should definitely check out Rayko’s Plastic Camera Show in San Francisco which is up now!  It’s real life Instagram. Ha. 

 

 

Michelle Bates

Alternative Process Kids Time to Show Your Aces!

I’ve got a new years resolution for you all.  Submit work to more shows!  This is the year to get all that great work you guys were working on in my alternative process classes shown to the world.  Just remember to give me a mention when your all famous. To get down the fame road, you have to take baby steps.  Here is your first.  The Center For Fine Art Photography is having a call for entries for BW silver prints and a separate Alternative processes show.  Here is the LINK for the info and some details below. Good luck everyone, and yes, you will be competing with me so bring it!

Mark Your Calendar iPhone Shooters!

iPhotomania, the app company that brought us Touch Retouch, is bringing us something amazing on January 17th. The new app is called AntiCrop and as the name denotes, it is for uncropping images.  Or actually extending the canvas of your image, then smartly cloning and healing the newly added area.  Those of you familiar with Photoshop CS5 know content aware fill can be used to do this, but this has never been available on the iphone until now.  Watch the video below for a demo, and if you say, “Carlos I have CS5, and don’t know what content aware fill is?”  You should take my photoshop workshop at Rayko Photo Center to realize its vast potential.  Also, iphotomania, please make a free form transform or perspective correction app please.  Have fun out there!

Happy 2012 Photo Followers!

(Source: tastefullyoffensive, via missredaholic)

This is just a friendly reminder to those of you creative photographers out there, “keep it fun in 2012.”  So many creative people I meet take their artwork way too seriously.  Remember, that a big part of art is enrichment.  For your life in its creation, and for those that chose to enjoy what you’ve created.  It’s easy to lose sight and I’ve been guilty of this as well so, my biggest resolution of 2012 is to actively try to keep photography fun!

Who’s with me?

-Carlos