That project of street portraiture is an incredible tour de force. Even without printing everything for the show. Thanks for the wealth of detail in your story(s). You definitely win the 2024 Nobel Prize for humility. I lived in Hamilton ‘80-81 and the guys’ uniform then was the red & black checked jac-shirt now known as the Canadian tuxedo. Quite the place. When meteorological conditions back then were “just wrong”, what I called a killer smog moved in (winter time).
Very enjoyable episode. Thanks. Did you consider using a roll film back for the 4 x 10? Or switching between the latter and the 5 x 7? In any case, there are some excellent portraits here, and you have certainly captured the context (which suggests "environmental portraits" might be the most accurate term). And I, too, would like to hear about your work with 8 x 10.
Congratulations for all your great job on taking us along on your photographic journey. Excellent photos, very interesting and very personal presentation of your projects, mixed with all the amazing and explicit background information. Your channel is one of the most interesting ones on TH-cam. 👍 Thanks from Luxembourg.
Hope Ave. at Kenilworth Ave. N. I looked it up. Agreed: a gritty area. That’s a helluva lot of work you did for a master’s degree! I’m sure looking forward to your next story. Thanks a million. I’m loving your channel.
Love the idea of large format street portraits. I have to ask why your images appear to be tight on the subject, i.e. no space above the head, house…. Is this a particular personal style? Thanks.
That's a good question. I would call it user error. Photos like at the 6.20 or 16.20 marks were early in the shoot and the camera didn't frame up 100% with the holder. At 12.53 it was framed up fine, but then the girl dropped her leg down and I didn't notice it in the time between framing/focusing and shooting. The lines on the camera were 4x10 but when the holder would cause a slight rebate when holding the film in, then the enlarger negative holder would compound the issue by covering some of the frame, and finally I would have to crop slightly when making a copy of the print which cut into it ever more. So the solution would be to back up a bit and give it more space. However I wasn't printing the images right away but just made contacts and then back out shooting so I didn't realize these compounded mistakes until well into the project when I started making good prints. I should have done more testing before starting but was so excited to get started I was out shooting and learning as I went. Easy to blame the equipment, but it's all user error.
Great portraits and stories Rob. You have a great personality for storytelling. Seems like street photography is a great fit for you. Enjoying your videos.
That was a moving story, I enjoyed hearing about your subjects. Life is always moving and we capture these vignettes, these moments in time. My mentor always told me to capture life as it is, to be in and among the people. Sadly he is now gone as well. Your experience also highlights the benefits and pitfalls of committing to a non standard format. I’ve been teaching younger photographers how to mat their work since they had previously only shown their work on insta and now want to display prints. Love the black book, that could be its own workshop!
The black book is more important than people realize. Sure it has field notes and addresses, and also a contact of the work, but a body of work is way more interesting to an institution like the national archive if you have a book that goes with it explaining the thoughts and day to day.
Hi Rob, how did you make out with Peter Turnley. As I understand it he is/was a war photographer of some amazing merit. It would be interesting to know what you butted heads over. If you are studying fine art photography Peter Turnley (and believe me he is an amazing man) and a super skilled photographer, however, fine art would not be the first thing that would come to mind. Of course he certainly is that skilled that he would be able to assess/edit photographs for sure. It would be a privilege to have him assess anyone’s photos. Lucky you!
Peter was great and was very available for a weekly phone call. The plan was to work with him one-on-one by providing some weekly digital files, that we would discuss on Friday. That was how it went for the most part but neither of us felt we had a strong story idea and I was always searching for something better. Although the degree is a "Master of Fine Art", all of my work was Photojournalism or Documentary. It's just they didn't offer a degree in that, just Fine art. It's also good to know the degree in Fine Art is different than a degree in Art History, which is likely a bit more common. There are lots of art movements that I know nothing about while instead I have a good understanding where my work fits in the world. Both Peter and I have strong views about photography, and sometimes those views were different. He's a great photographer and was very generous with his time, although as I mentioned, I've never actually met him.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite When I was shooting in hostile environments, I left the high-priced equipment at home and only carried low-cost expendable equipment. I also wore body armor. I traveled with one or two other people. When shooting in the wilderness where there was a great possibility of being attacked by bears, feral hogs, or wild dogs, I carried a firearm.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite Wasn't meant as a critique of your presentation. You did say a few times before that this was a dangerous area. I am from Europe and there are bad areas aswell just the getting shot part is mostly missing in our region.
Where I live, there are no guns. It's Canada. I think it was a drug deal that went south. Also what some would consider a 'bad' part of town. I shot there for a year, including at night, and never felt threatened at all.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite oh! Maybe I will look at those… thanks for sharing. I’d like to see the photos you took! I really appreciate your channel. I am 50 plus years as a photographer but never got past 4x5 except for a Polaroid 20 x24 studio grant to use the camera at their NY studio for a project they supported…. Thanks again.
It’s a tough call. Do you take a photo then try and engage, or start a conversation and then the photo is gone. Each of us will learn what works best for them.
I really enjoyed this episode. As much because of the location in Hamilton.. my wife and I were graduate students at McMaster University in Hamilton from 1973-1976, and we knew that there was a dual personality in Hamilton. Between the Academic and prosperous West end and the gritty steel mill end of town toward the East end. We were very familiar with our environment, and your photos shine light on the part we missed.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite my interactions usually start the conversation to get a street photography. Or just waiting for that silly thing they are doing to repeat.
Whoa! Best stories and photos yet. And I’m only 40% through. It’s great these stories are being preserved. Thanks, Rob!
Glad you're enjoying the channel. Thanks for watching!!
That project of street portraiture is an incredible tour de force. Even without printing everything for the show.
Thanks for the wealth of detail in your story(s). You definitely win the 2024 Nobel Prize for humility.
I lived in Hamilton ‘80-81 and the guys’ uniform then was the red & black checked jac-shirt now known as the Canadian tuxedo.
Quite the place. When meteorological conditions back then were “just wrong”, what I called a killer smog moved in (winter time).
Hamilton’s an interesting city with some wonderful people
Awesome video. Your stories are always interesting.
Glad you like them!
Sounds like that was a great project. I like 4x10 too.
It's a very interesting format to use. In the end it wasn't for me and I went back to 5x7 but I enjoyed shooting it for a couple years.
Very enjoyable episode. Thanks. Did you consider using a roll film back for the 4 x 10? Or switching between the latter and the 5 x 7? In any case, there are some excellent portraits here, and you have certainly captured the context (which suggests "environmental portraits" might be the most accurate term). And I, too, would like to hear about your work with 8 x 10.
Thanks, I’ll put something on 810 on my calendar
These are awesome! Love the shot in the pool hall especially.
Glad you're enjoying them.
Impressive story, great photographs. Now book from your diary/notepad !!!
We'll have to see. Thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed the video.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite yes I did
so much fun
Congratulations for all your great job on taking us along on your photographic journey.
Excellent photos, very interesting and very personal presentation of your projects, mixed with all the amazing and explicit background information.
Your channel is one of the most interesting ones on TH-cam. 👍
Thanks from Luxembourg.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you're enjoying them!!!
Hope Ave. at Kenilworth Ave. N. I looked it up. Agreed: a gritty area.
That’s a helluva lot of work you did for a master’s degree!
I’m sure looking forward to your next story.
Thanks a million. I’m loving your channel.
That was only one class. I think there were eight in all, lol
Love the idea of large format street portraits. I have to ask why your images appear to be tight on the subject, i.e. no space above the head, house…. Is this a particular personal style? Thanks.
That's a good question. I would call it user error. Photos like at the 6.20 or 16.20 marks were early in the shoot and the camera didn't frame up 100% with the holder. At 12.53 it was framed up fine, but then the girl dropped her leg down and I didn't notice it in the time between framing/focusing and shooting. The lines on the camera were 4x10 but when the holder would cause a slight rebate when holding the film in, then the enlarger negative holder would compound the issue by covering some of the frame, and finally I would have to crop slightly when making a copy of the print which cut into it ever more. So the solution would be to back up a bit and give it more space. However I wasn't printing the images right away but just made contacts and then back out shooting so I didn't realize these compounded mistakes until well into the project when I started making good prints. I should have done more testing before starting but was so excited to get started I was out shooting and learning as I went. Easy to blame the equipment, but it's all user error.
Those photos are remarkable. I realize how difficult it is to produce those. And connect with you subjects.
Glad you’re enjoying the videos
Great portraits and stories Rob. You have a great personality for storytelling. Seems like street photography is a great fit for you. Enjoying your videos.
Thanks glad you’re enjoying them
Fabulous!
Thanks, glad you liked it.
Have you tried using a 30M filter for your fluorescent bulb? Would that even work?
I never did try that as a correction attempt. It might have worked. Too late now as I've sold the unit.
Nice story; great commentary ..thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it
That was a moving story, I enjoyed hearing about your subjects. Life is always moving and we capture these vignettes, these moments in time. My mentor always told me to capture life as it is, to be in and among the people. Sadly he is now gone as well. Your experience also highlights the benefits and pitfalls of committing to a non standard format. I’ve been teaching younger photographers how to mat their work since they had previously only shown their work on insta and now want to display prints. Love the black book, that could be its own workshop!
The black book is more important than people realize. Sure it has field notes and addresses, and also a contact of the work, but a body of work is way more interesting to an institution like the national archive if you have a book that goes with it explaining the thoughts and day to day.
Hi Rob, how did you make out with Peter Turnley. As I understand it he is/was a war photographer of some amazing merit. It would be interesting to know what you butted heads over. If you are studying fine art photography Peter Turnley (and believe me he is an amazing man) and a super skilled photographer, however, fine art would not be the first thing that would come to mind. Of course he certainly is that skilled that he would be able to assess/edit photographs for sure. It would be a privilege to have him assess anyone’s photos. Lucky you!
Peter was great and was very available for a weekly phone call. The plan was to work with him one-on-one by providing some weekly digital files, that we would discuss on Friday. That was how it went for the most part but neither of us felt we had a strong story idea and I was always searching for something better. Although the degree is a "Master of Fine Art", all of my work was Photojournalism or Documentary. It's just they didn't offer a degree in that, just Fine art. It's also good to know the degree in Fine Art is different than a degree in Art History, which is likely a bit more common. There are lots of art movements that I know nothing about while instead I have a good understanding where my work fits in the world. Both Peter and I have strong views about photography, and sometimes those views were different. He's a great photographer and was very generous with his time, although as I mentioned, I've never actually met him.
Enjoyed the story, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
What do you do for self protection when shooting in hostile environments?
The only time I've been in a hostile area was in Haiti, and we just left the area. Too much gear to stick around just to see what will happen.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite
When I was shooting in hostile environments, I left the high-priced equipment at home and only carried low-cost expendable equipment. I also wore body armor. I traveled with one or two other people. When shooting in the wilderness where there was a great possibility of being attacked by bears, feral hogs, or wild dogs, I carried a firearm.
I think you've been in more hostile situations than I have.
wow I didn't see the "ends up being murdered" coming
I might have been a bit too casual when I said that. I guess I've accepted it and it doesn't affect me the way it did when I first heard.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite Wasn't meant as a critique of your presentation. You did say a few times before that this was a dangerous area. I am from Europe and there are bad areas aswell just the getting shot part is mostly missing in our region.
Where I live, there are no guns. It's Canada. I think it was a drug deal that went south. Also what some would consider a 'bad' part of town. I shot there for a year, including at night, and never felt threatened at all.
I am interested in 8x10. You mentioned your experience was sad story. Why?
The greatest camera I ever owned/used was an Ebony 810 which sadly I sold for no good reason and have regretted it every since.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite oh! Maybe I will look at those… thanks for sharing. I’d like to see the photos you took! I really appreciate your channel. I am 50 plus years as a photographer but never got past 4x5 except for a Polaroid 20 x24 studio grant to use the camera at their NY studio for a project they supported…. Thanks again.
I'll consider a show on the 8x10 kit.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite 👍🏼
Have a great week.
Very interesting enjoyed the content. I’ve been shooting street but want to get more engaged with the subjects.
It’s a tough call. Do you take a photo then try and engage, or start a conversation and then the photo is gone. Each of us will learn what works best for them.
I really enjoyed this episode. As much because of the location in Hamilton.. my wife and I were graduate students at McMaster University in Hamilton from 1973-1976, and we knew that there was a dual personality in Hamilton. Between the Academic and prosperous West end and the gritty steel mill end of town toward the East end. We were very familiar with our environment, and your photos shine light on the part we missed.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite my interactions usually start the conversation to get a street photography. Or just waiting for that silly thing they are doing to repeat.
Superb presentation. Very enjoyable to listen to and many wonderful photographs.
It's a great city, with great people. I hope you enjoyed your time there. I worked at the Spectator for years.