Photography

10
Feb
2014

OUR FIRST EXHIBITION OF 2014. . . JUSTUS SUNDERMANN GALLERY. . . Dallas, Texas

We will kick off 2014 with an exhibition of our B&W photography at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dallas beginning March 16th.  We will have a selection of our traditional photography on display through April 6th.  We would also like to invite everyone to attend the opening reception Thursday March 20th  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

TRADITIONAL BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JB & SUSAN HARLIN

The traditional fine art photography by JB and Susan Harlin is an expression of the beauty of the world as seen through the view camera.  This husband and wife team are on a life-long mission of seeing, learning and doing.  All of their photographs are produced solely in the wet darkroom using traditional materials and processes.  The photographic art by JB and Susan Harlin is a labor of love and dedication to the beauty and craft of traditional film photography.

Justus Sundermann Gallery
St. Matthew’s Cathedral Arts
5100 Ross Ave.
Dallas, TX  75206
(214) 887-6552
www.cathedralartsdallas.org

TRADITIONAL BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JB & SUSAN HARLIN
March 16, 2014 to April 6, 2014
Opening Reception March 20th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

 

Posted by JB Harlin in Events, Photography
30
Jan
2014

ARE YOU USING CLOTHESPINS?

There are some things that seem to never change, or are never improved upon.  I have used the lowly, common wooden clothespin forever to hang sheet film to dry.  I have a bunch of them strung up on picture framing wire with springs at one end to keep the wire taut.  I had never given much thought to the fact that the common wooden clothespin sticks to the corner of the film and usually splinters a little wood onto the film when you remove it.  Just a fact of life and I have always lived with it.  I try to clip the very edge of the film and it has never been much of a problem. . . it is more of an annoyance.

There are times that things just happen unexpectedly.  I was walking through a store several years ago and saw something I had not seen before. . . bamboo clothespins!  Didn’t think much of it, but I did examine them closely and noticed the bamboo looked like a good material for a clothespin since it was not as porous as the wood I was used to seeing.  I ended up purchasing a package and replaced one of my film lines with them.

I was amazed at how well they worked.  They held the wet film just like what I had been using. . . they did stick, but not as bad. . . and. . . they did not splinter.  I immediately replaced all of the clothespins on my drying line and have been well pleased with the result.

You never know what you will discover if you take the time to look around.  If you are one that uses the old wooden clothespin to hang your film, you might want to look into getting some bamboo.  They work great for me!

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in Darkroom, Film, How-To, Photography
25
Jan
2014

SUSAN AND HER VERTICAL 4X10, ZION NP, DECEMBER 20, 2012

Here is another video of our travels.   In this short video you will see Susan with her 4×10 vertical camera making the photograph “WATERFALLS, ZION” December 20, 2012.

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in Darkroom, Film, Photography, Travel
19
Jan
2014

D/FW LF GROUP FIRST OUTING OF 2014

Susan decided we needed to start off the new year with an outing.  We have been trying to get back to Cedar Hill State Park and Saturday turned out to be a prefect day to be there.  We had seven people brave the near 60 degree weather.  though the forecast called for a windy day, it was near still when we arrived at 3:00pm.  This is a place where the afternoon light is amazing.  Plenty of very old wood buildings and people with real film cameras makes for an afternoon that can be near perfect.

We do plan to get back again before the weather gets hot.  Everyone is invited to join us, so watch here for more information.

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in D/FW LF GROUP, Film, Photography
16
Jan
2014

VIDEOS FROM OUR 2013-2014 TRIP WEST

On our last adventure we traveled to, and photographed in; Yosemite NP, Zion NP, Arches NP and along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah.  Here are a few videos we made during our trip.

Enjoy!

JB

 

 

 

 

Posted by JB Harlin in Film, Photography, Travel
09
Jan
2014

WE CAME BACK HOME!

We just wrapped up another trip to the South-West.  This year we got a delayed start, due to that pesky ice storm here in North Texas, but we made the best of it and only lost four days.  This was one of our usual trips we love to take this time of year.  It was nice and cool with snow in places. . . just right.  We could have used better skies, but you take what you get.  Here are the quick stats:

  • Days On The Road:  26
  • Days Shooting Film:  18
  • Total Miles Driven:  4,326.3
  • Total Elapsed Motor Time:  94:26:50
  • States Visited:  New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado
  • Places Photographed:  Yosemite NP, Zion NP, Arches NP, Colorado River near Moab, UT
  • Film Exposed JB:  114 sheets 8×10  15 sheets 11×14
  • Film Exposed Susan:  101 sheets 4×10  12 sheets 8×20

Next we have to start processing film. . . but first a few days to unwind!

We have created an album on our web site from the numerous snapshots we made and we invite you to take a look HERE.

Posted by JB Harlin in Film, Photography, Travel
04
Dec
2013

A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY

More good news about Ilford traditional products.

PRESS ROOM STORY

BORN, ESTABLISHED, DEVELOPED! … A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY
4th December 2013

BORN, ESTABLISHED, DEVELOPED! … A NEW ILFORD MULTIGRADE FIBRE BASE FAMILY
ILFORD PHOTO announce a new range of variable contrast Baryta Fibre Base papers, a completely new and improved MULTIGRADE FB and a new COOLTONE FB paper to complement the existing MULTIGRADE FB WARMTONE.

For 20 years the best selling ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV FB paper has been the product of choice for creative photographers and printers the world over. BORN following extensive R&D, significant improvements have been made to the product that is now renamed ILFORD MULTIGRADE FB CLASSIC. The new paper is available in Glossy and Matt surfaces and offers sharper images, improved maximum density and shorter exposure times. The new MULTIGRADE FB CLASSIC has also been developed to better respond to traditional toning techniques than the product it replaces.

More info here: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=174
and here: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/producttype.asp?n=5&t=Photographic+Papers

Posted by JB Harlin in B&W Paper, Darkroom, Photography
24
Nov
2013

WADDAYA KNOW. . . FILM IS STILL NOT DEAD

This is a fascinating little film made by Indie Film Lab and sponsored by Kodak.  Rather than try to explain it all, here is what they have to say;

Published on Nov 16, 2013

Earlier this year, Indie Film Lab took a trip from Montgomery, AL to Las Vegas, NV for the annual WPPI trade show. After we decided it would be more interesting to travel via RV than plane, we started planning our trip around the places we wanted to see. Originally, we had an idea to create a 5-10 minute video of our trip, for fun, then Kodak came on board and our project has turned into a 47 minute feature. The film has now turned the focus less on the trip, to more on the photographers themselves and why they shoot film. We can’t thank Kodak and all our friends who helped and supported us and our project. We hope you enjoy the film and are inspired to create things you truly care for, in a way you are truly passionate. Long Live Film.

You can find the film on YouTube at this address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjtphPVchJI&feature=youtu.be

I suggest if you are a photographer or are interested in photography, that you sit down and take the time to watch this 47 minute video.  Listen carefully to what the people are saying.  Take note that those interviewed are not a bunch of old fogies “dinosaurs” that are bitter about film getting a bad rap.  These are young, first generation digital only photographers that are beginning to realize that they have been lied to.

They are beginning to “get it!”  They are realizing that digital is not a replacement for film.  It is simply another art form. . . another way of working.  Listen carefully to how nearly everyone interviewed talks about the look of film being different.

This is a breath of fresh air.  Exactly what I was hoping would happen. . . the younger generation has suddenly discovered they have an alternative when it comes to their photographic art.  You cannot hide the truth.  Truth always rises to the top.  Do not be fooled into thinking anything is a dead ringer replacement for anything else. You can bank on it!

Shoot digital. . . shoot film. . . it does not matter to me.  Just don’t tell me film is dead  and that digital is a replacement for film.  Digital can not do everything film can, nor can film do everything digital can.  Not so. . . choose your tools wisely.  As Fred Picker used to say;

“Different Is Not The Same!”

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in Commentary, Film, Photography