PhotoBob's Atelier

My First Exhibition of the Year

2012-01-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

Why I prefer fibre photographic paper (FB) over Resin-coated (RC) paper

2012-01-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

I like to use resin-coated (RC) paper for contact prints or when I just need a quick print. RC is easy and quick to work with and the results are nice.
However, using fibre paper is my preferred choice because I like to workflow - which is quite demanding and involves several more steps if processing for optimum permanence. Fibre paper is a lot of work if you want gallery-exhibition prints or something for the hands of a collector.
The feel of a well made fibre print also has a certain appeal especially after putting in so much work.
I am not claiming to be a master printer, although I strive to be one, - there are always things that I can learn. Nevertheless, printing with fibre paper is a photographic working process that resonates with my approach and development as a fine-art photographer.
A negative aspect of fibre paper is the unreasonable high cost of the paper itself. Thus, it is very important to be conservative and careful when working with this stuff, but I still make mistakes.

Artist Wanted Request

2012-01-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

Your vote and that of anyone else would be really appreciated.
Click on the name below to vote ... please and thank you :)

Bob St.Cyr

These images reflect the diversity of my photographic interest from instant film to 4x5 large format transparency work.
My work as a budding fine-art photographer is about growth and artistic exploration through the various tools I am able to employ that convey a particular cognitive vision.

Toy Cameras Legit

2012-01-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

In this TEDx talk, Michelle Bates describes a bit of the process and inspiration achieved by working with the Holga toy film camera.
One doesn't need hi-tec to achieve artistic creativity
Click here to see her short video.

A perfect gift for the new year ... Portfolio #1

2012-01-05T17:33:00.001-08:00

Portfolio #1 by Bob St.Cyr | Make Your Own Book

2012 First images of the new year

2012-01-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Beautiful morning ... picked up a Tim Horton's coffee and then off to the bottom of Victoria ... and Canada ... Dallas road in the Clover Point area overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
As has become my custom over the past few years. I like to begin the first day of each new year with my pinhole cameras. This year I worked exclusively with my 4x5 Zero Image pinhole camera set at 100mm for a focal length and metered with my Sekonic L408 light meter.
Made six images with exposure times ranging from about 10 seconds to 15 seconds and processed the film in HC-110b for about 5 minutes @ 21 degrees Celsius.
I scanned the negs using my Epson V700 which does a very nice job and then with a little cropping and contrast control in Elements 7, uploaded a few to my flicker site.
I've attached one here below. All in all it was a nice crisp and cold morning, cloudy, but the sun did make a brief appearance.
My motto this year: Film is my therapy.

Some Recent Work from Beacon Hill Park

2011-12-14T21:41:00.000-08:00

Working early last Sunday morning with my Mamiya C330 Pro F in Beacon Hill Park.
After living in Victoria for several years, I find this park somewhat challenging to photograph within because of the "been-there-done-that" syndrome.
Nevertheless, I like the challenge of exploring for a fresh photographic perspective.
Up beside the animal farm is a little path heading up over a hill towards Dallas Rd and the ocean. It was here that a group of tree branches hang over the path that I waited for what I considered to be the right elements to work together before pushing the button (shutter release).

The other image is merely of the quaint stone bridge that gently arcs across a large pond in the park.
Sometimes it is just nice to get outside in the crisp cool air with a camera.

Salmon Life-Cycle

2011-11-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

Salmon return to Goldstream on the last leg of their journey.
Was out yesterday with my 4x5 (Toyo 45 AII) and captured a few shots.

Darkroom

2011-11-09T19:46:00.001-08:00

Honourable Mention

2011-11-03T06:28:00.001-07:00

Won an honourable mention at an International Colour Photo Competition

Working with a Leica M4-P - 50mm Summicron f/2 lens

2011-07-16T23:56:00.000-07:00

Had lunch a few weeks ago with a dear friend who is a Leica aficionado and at this lunch meeting, he brought along his Leica and told me that I could borrow it ... wow ... are your serious!

Sure ... so I've had the pleasure of not only becoming re-aquainted with small format photography, but have been WOWED by the supernatural ability of the optical engineering ... I was incredibly impressed with the resultant images to say the least.

Out and about here in the city are some of my modest attempts. What do y'all think, I'd really appreciate some comments and if you know of any fine-art photography collectors ... please let them know about me.

All the Best,
Bob

Watering Potatoes

2011-06-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

I got up this morning and knew I wanted my usual Ex-Lg. coffee with cream from Tim Horton's. But I wasn't clear as to where I wanted to make images. I thought I'd pull out the Toyo 4x5 camera for this morning's outing.
As I was driving towards Dallas Rd I remembered a site I wanted to visit with my large format gear on the way to my son's baseball club. Turned around and headed for the junction of Carey Road and Wilkinson - just across the road from Saanich Baptist Church was a beautiful field of row upon row of potatoes and it was watering day.
I parked the car and lugged my gear across the road but to my dismay, I discovered a large fence and an entrance door with a commercial lock upon it.
I got my lens (Schneider 150mm) pretty close and made some black & white (Ilford Delta 100) and a few colour (Fuji) E6 images.
Metre reading for sunny with some cloud was around 1/8th of a second @ f/64 with ISO 100 film (I bracketed). I wanted maximum depth of field for this type of image.
Processed the film, dried it and made some scans. Here is one of the results. Please let me know what you think.

Rocket Launch

2011-06-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

My son and I headed over to his middle school yard to launch a simple but entertaining Alpha III model rocket. He was reluctant at first ... you know how kids are these days being "plugged in" to digital technology ... anyway, we got out to the school yard and the weather was beautiful, overcast but bright with very little wind blowing towards the NorthEast as I recollect.

After educating him on the procedure, I pepared the rocket for launch and let him have the honours whilst I used his iPod Touch to capture these moments for posterity :) I tell ya, his attitude sure changed in a hurry. Ahhhh, now this rocketry stuff was fun, WOW!!!
We launched successfully twice and then he invited his friend over to watch our final flight ... it was an enjoyable time.

Being Published Again

2011-05-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

Some of my early Polaroid (Impossible Project) images will appear in only the second issue of a new film dedicated magazine called Films & Grains. Three images on page 14 (left side).
I work with a Spectra Pro using Impossible PZ UV (+) film and to a lesser degree a Pinhole 100 which takes Polaroid 664 film.
I look forward to seeing the magazine when it comes out next month.
I have found the PZ film not only to be light intolerant for the first 90 seconds, but is also very temperature sensitive. However, when you do get the technique of shielding the film as it ejects out of the camera and making sure it is warm (body temp. works), some wonderful images are to be had ... who needs digital :)

Featured Ar-Tea-St

2011-05-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a recent feature I received from Red Bubble. The top-left image (water cascade - made with a pinhole blender 120 camera and Fujichrome slide film).
This is what they said, "One of our homepage curators picked your image because they thought it was brilliant. Less than 3 in a thousand works make it onto the homepage – so that’s a great achievement!"

WORLD PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY (WPPD)

2011-04-18T12:11:00.001-07:00

G. Kemp designs

The Golden Ratio
Isn't God an awesome mathematician amongst many other things.

China by Night

2011-04-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

When I visited Guangzhou, China last Nov/Dec 2010. Some of the images I made reflect the colourful beauty visible @ night.

Please pray to Jesus on behalf our Japanese Neighbours

2011-03-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

Japan has been devastated by natural disaster.
Please pray to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for the Japanese and their country.
Thank You

UVic in February

2011-02-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

2011-02-23
Near Petch Fountain looking towards Education Faculty on the left.
Mamiya 645 AF with Acros 100 film
f/5.6 @ 1/180 of a second
~~~~
For this Print:
Paper: Ilford MG4 fibre 20x25cm
Printing: A few variations to change the tonality of the snow, but Gr. 3.5 (50cc M), 5 seconds @ f/5.6
Processed for optimum permanence.

Impossible (Polaroid) Emulsion Transfers ... My very First.

2011-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

I visited one of the local art supply stores after viewing some youtube videos to gain some appreciation for how to do an emulsion lift with Impossible Project film - PZ UV+ 600 to be exact. The Impossible website also has a video on the process, so between these videos I set out to give it a try and here are my first two successful results.

Impossible? Here are my first Images

2011-01-29T16:06:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to find endeavours to preserve and promote traditional photographic film technology. To that end, I am pleased to be a small and modest contributor/supporter of the Impossible Project by incorporting the Polaroid-type imaging into my photographic methodology. Here are the first 3 image results (#2 is really #3 and vise versa) made yesterday when I received my Spectra Pro and two packs of PZ +UV film in the mail.

#1 Rain Drops - looking up at an angle under the overhang of an office building.

# 2 A flowershop along Fort Street

#3 A convenience store that sells flowers on Blanchard Street. I liked the flower display out front and the neon in the window.

I finished the first pack (8 photos/pack) whilst walking about downtown until it began to rain ... then I just caught the bus home.

Downtown

Discarded pepper and abandoned sofa noticed whilst taking the dog for a morning walk.

PhotoBob & Ilford @ Work

2011-01-27T23:20:00.000-08:00

Set up my Nikon D60 to record some of my work in the darkroom with an my long-time favourite photographic materials.

Gallery Video

2011-01-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

If you recall in the past posts of this site, I had an exhibition of pinhole works downtown at the Legacy Gallery last summer June 11 - July 11 2010.
Well last night at the opening of the group exhibition at Victoria Emerging Art Gallery I meet a person responsible for video taping art events in the city (Victoria, BC). This young man had made a video of my exhibition at the Legacy so I'd like to take this opportunity to share the link with you.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ExhibitVic#p/search/9/tx7OPNbElQc

Comments welcomed

First Show of the New Year coming up on Jan. 13th

2011-01-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

PhotoBob will be in an exhibition and sale at the Victoria Emerging Art Gallery downtown Victoria this January.
What a nice way to start off the year.
Here is a link to their site where my leaf shadow image is featured.

http://www.victoriaemergingart.com/Home_Page.php

Do not go gently ...

2011-01-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

Whlist out and about with my Tim Horton's extra large coffee at one of my favourite photo spots, I began thinking about a question I recently responded to on a film site I belong to.
Why do I still use film for photography?
The following are just some musings and opinions.
I began film photography as best I can recollect back in junior high school. I was facinated by the chemical process and joined the club when I graduated up from elementary school. My next recollection comes from doing a science project that involved photographing star trails, i.e., earth's rotation, and then processing the film, printing a few images and writing up the report.
For me photography is about the creative process not just about pulling out a mobile phone or pushing buttons. Its not about awkwardly squinting and straining over a tiny LCD screen either. It is about careful consideration for the choice of camera and what message I am trying to convey through my photographic instruments. It's about considering how something will look on a negative or transparency and then reproduce as a print. Photography is about previsualisation, contemplation, composition, tones, hues, colours, gradations, contrast and visual impact. I suppose one could argue these things just as easily for digital imaging, but that just doesn't "feel" right to me, at least not at this point.
No doubt our world is currently racing ahead at mach 2.0 with it's hair a-fire, jumping from this new bell or whistle to that.
On the other hand, I wonder if the masses are not letting the billion dollar - human psychology marketing/advertising influenced corporations pull their purse strings like a marionette puppet this way and that. "You got to have this new feature on the new model ... last month's just won't do anymore!" Let's face it, technology corporations depend upon manufacturing for their massive unfairly gained profits just like the food market industry. For the manufacturing sector to succeed, the public must continue to buy ... buy ... buy! So it makes me wonder how things have changed when that ol' reliable film camera was sufficient for decades ... all of a sudden the latest and greates new types of digital cameras or computers for that matter, are obsolete within months!
I am not anti-technology, quite the contrary as I use it and welcome it everyday. But when it comes to that creative endeavour we call photography, here is where I am glad we have a choice. Yes, I have a nice DSLR and use it from time to time, but it is not my main imaging tool.
The point is that we consumers must be vigilant against the wiles of human psychology influnced marketers and advertising.
Furthermore, there is perhaps a different creative milieu associated with film versus digital photography or have I missed something?
Therefore, as a film photographer, I shouldn't need to justify why I use film, this question shouldn't even be asked!
As Dylan Thomas once wrote, "Do not go gentle into that goodnight ..." with respect to his dying father, I think we can apply it as an anology for my continued advocation of traditional photography from the imaging tools to processing film and working out the final print in a darkroom - photography is a hands-on labour of passion and dedication. I do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because, dare I say, it is therapeutic. Coming to the painful awareness that I am not the sharpest pencil in the box, and stuck in a life with many disappointments, I also see photography in light of a therapy, which is why I look foward to weekends or any time I can get out with camera(s) and perhaps a coffee-to-go.

New Year's Pinhole Images

2011-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

I think it is becoming a bit of a custom whereby I head out with my pinhole cameras to capture some images on the very first day of the normally accepted year.

This year working with my ZeroImage 4x5 camera at the 100mm setting, I visited Beacon Hill Park - a pearl of southern Vancouver Island.

Here are some of the images.

2010-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

Well finally back on blogger banned in China. So if you were trying to reach me, I wasn't able to log on.
Ahhh yes, only a little time to go before my flight back to Victoria via Vancouver, been here since early this morning.
Good bye to the land of eating snake, eel, pig's knuckle, chicken feet, all of which I ate by the way.
Can't wait to try out my new Kung Fu tea set and some of the tea varieties I got. My students even gave me a very nice traditional Chinese shirt to wear.
Last night rushed to get some souvenirs. Picked up some really cool and versatile women's scarfs. Then picked up a couple of Gucci branded ladies wallets. One for my lovely young wife and one for our beautiful daughter. I sure hope they appreciate the trouble I went through to get this stuff.
Picked up specific labelled pens and a few electronic gizmos for the kids.

Out of China

2010-12-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to wish everyone a very blessed CHRISTmas and ...
Xin Nian Kuai Le, gong xi fac cai

I've been in Guangzhou, Guangdong Prov., China for a little over three weeks. And now that I'm back home, have access again to Blogger which is banned in China. I know ... I know ... get a VPN to jump over the blockade, but that isn't my style at this juncture nor my desire; I agree with censorship of certain things for the betterment of mankind, so I understand a little.

Good bye to the land of eating snake, eel, pig's knuckle, pigeon, chicken feet, all of which I ate by the way.

I was able to expose several rolls of Ilford Delta 100 & HP5+ through my Mamiya 645 w/ 55-110mm zoom, 30mm Arsat and the Zero Image 69 pinhole camera at the 645 format setting.

I find people a bit reluctant to street photography, but for group photos they are like Pooh-bear to honey. There seemed to be a self-consciousness about being photographed in the real environment, so I had to be sensitive to this. I hope some of my work is good, although I didn't capture the types of images I had imagined as I was not in the right area, so this work is primarily urban and a bit celebatory as the Asian Games were happening at the time of my visit.

I was there to teach Chinese teachers of Science & Technology, but was pleased to also find a Music and an Art teacher amongst the cohort. They are very wonderful people to work with and befriend.

Highlight of the China trip (I guess I can share it now), was being able to share the true Christian meaning and significance of CHRISTmas with a group of Chinese post-secondary students. Then we had small cell groups where I could testify about the Gospel a little more and field questions. I'd have to say, sharing the Gospel with Chinese nationals in China was the Pearl of the trip. The one thing I didn't like was that I could not invite Chinese nationals to church as it was only for us non-Chinese nationals due to government regulations. I was warned to carry ID as the red army (I think) or police, might do an inspection. This did not happen the few times I was able to attend.

Large Format Photography in Autumn

2010-10-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

It really is a pleasure to enjoy God's creation working with large format photographic tools that can be shared with company that appreciates and understands the work-flow of large format. The technique ... the patience ... the expression of art through the visual mind's eye that refreshes our spirit can scarcely be verbalised. Autumn is a great time of year to work in colour, but the versatility in zones and/or tones possible with today's black & white films, also make it a valuable component in this type of imaging. Here are a few images made from a contact sheet with my "small" large format Toyo 45 AII and a 150mm APO Schneider lens. Please excuse the poor quality due to an inferior scanner.I process my film in HC-110b - it is a very energetic developer, but I like it and have used it for several years now. Occasionally, I'll use something else, but seem to come back to HC-110.
Kind Regards,

Creativity & Education

2010-10-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Over the last few decades so much in the form of technology and more importantly in thinking, reflecting and speaking out on education, i.e., where we or future students fit into it and into society, has come to light.
I knew it ... I knew it ... the world covets math/physics smarts to the exclusion of anything else as far as status, prestige, and income earning potential are concerned. I've been sucked in to the lie big-time, that a better education means a better job, i.e., lifestyle/future. IT ISN'T TRUE ... IT IS A BIG MALICIOUS LIE!!!
Why? Is it because even in this post-industrial age, (which is still petroleum dependent), hard science and mathematics still over shadow other areas of academic diversity and creativity?
But don't misunderstand - I respect and value mathematics, it isn't the field that is to be criticised so much as it is our attitudes and values system regarding academics.
The arts ... are okay ... as long as (a) they don't interfere or (b) they fit within the budget. Traditional Photography programme, music programme .... Am I wrong? Is this overly simplistic or does it resonate somewhat with Ken's lectures in the videos above?

8x10 & Outer Space

2010-10-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well here we are at an important point in modern history. It was on this date October 4th in the Year of Our Lord 1957 that the then Soviet Union launched the first successful man-made satellite into orbit around our big beautiful planet. Here is a link to where you can hear the satellite:

On this date in 2010, I successfully processed my very first sheets of 8x10 black & white film, Ilford FP4+. Wow! this size of negative is such a joy to work with and view.
Can't wait to get contact prints made.

Ilford FP4 film exposed with a 305mm lens at 1/4 sec - f/45.

An Adventure with 8x10

2010-10-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

I rendezvoused with Jim at the Whippletree Junction on the #1 hwy just this side of Duncan. We had a coffee at a nice little shoppe and then off to his place to swap lens boards for my Schneider 150mm APO from a smaller Linhof board to a standard 110x110mm board. Then we went out to Chemanius get a few images of an old locomotive with a tender of old logs set on a piece of track as a monument I suppose. Jim pointed out what looked like a little fern growing out from a part of the train and I thought that fresh green against the black of the train would be a nice composition. I was working with my Toyo 45 AII and exposed a few sheets of Velvia 50 and some Acros 100. Unfortunately, as I was set up, the sun popped out from the clouds. This was not want we wanted. The light overcast made for a beautiful soft light ... oh well, I did the best I could with what I had ... i.e., my focusing cloth, I held it up to create a soft shadowy type of light.
It was time for lunch, found a nice little place downtown and then off to see if more images would find us. Sure enough mid-afternoon, thinking about heading back home to Victoria as I had to let the dog out ... we came across an interesting scene of hydro lines heading off across the Cowichian River. The river was far below us whilst the hydro lines extended straight out above us ... across the river ... up and then angled off over a high ridge. What made the scene attractive was the interplay of light off the hydro lines at different places along them. It was at this type that Jim kindly offered to let me use his 8x10 ... oh boy ... oh boy what joy. Finally, now I can say I have used an 8x10, with his help of course. It is somewhat different from the 4x5 I was working with this day, but enjoyable for sure. Can't wait to process the sheets which again will be a new experience as I've never tray processed before. Perhaps I'll post the results if possible when ready.

Experiment in Bread Making

2010-09-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

A break from the usual fare.

I'm not much for cooking/baking and don't really care for shopping.
However, here is something that worked out not too bad.
Forgoing all the colloquial expressions associated with the term "bread", I'll just rise straight to the point.I successfully baked my very first loaf of bread this past Sunday.It takes a long time unfortunately, several hours, but the results were edible. Now that this experiment has provided some good results, it is time to add other components towards different nutrients and flavours.
Any suggestions?

Luxton Fair 2010

2010-09-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Attended the Luxton Fair last Saturday afternoon.
Had heard about it, but never attended until this year. This fair is much smaller than the Saanich Fair, but it has one thing that beats the Saanich Fair into the dust ... Free Admission as all fairs should be.
One suggestion for the Luxton Fair - provide adequate parking for the numbers that you will receive during the fair.
Anyway, here are a few of the images I made with the Mamiya C330 Professional F and a 65mm lens.

Through a Twin Lens Reflex (TLR)

2010-09-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Visiting one of my favourite locations this morning, which I can do because my church service meets in the afternoon, I noticed crocuses ... large, beautiful, purple crocuses in bloom. Now why make special note of these, simple because this is a flower I usually associate with spring ... along with the yellow daffodils.
Is it because of the unexpected amidst the familiar or that which is expected? How then do we react when our camera is before the world?
Anyway, captured a few hopeful images (not crocuses), and sat on one of the terrace benches overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca whilst I finished my themos cup of coffee.
Another pleasant Sunday morning at the Gov't House Gardens.

Pinhole Camera Interview

2010-09-03T22:40:00.001-07:00

Was recently asked to contribute answers to a set of questions for the Pinhole Camera blog.
You can find my interview here: http://www.thepinholecamera.com/take5_090310.cfm

Received CAPA Awards

2010-09-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Received a few accolades from the Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA) today.
The Maple Leaf and the Associate Fellowship awards.

Here are the pics, which I've converted to greyscale, but keep in mind that the maple leaf is red.
The awards relate to photographic achievement and service as well as an exceptional contribution to photography.

Playing Go

2010-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

A game I've seen in Japan, which appears to be popular there with men, is Go - stategically placing and capturing either white or blue petons on a large chess-like board.

I was having a coffee after doing a little photography and when I saw these guys I just had to photograph the scene. I asked permission and they didn't mind.
Since the only camera I had with me was my 4x5, that would have to do. Exposed four sheets of Acros 100 and got something a little different each time. Here is just one example.
Moka House - Cook St. Village

Day in the Life of Saanich - Saanich News

2010-08-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

Saanich is a municipal district, which I believe is apart of Greater Victoria here on Vancouver Island.

This evening I was looking through the Saanich News and low-and-behold, near the back of the newspaper I noticed one of my photos has been published ... yeah, yeah ... I know it is no big deal, but it will make a nice addition to my portfolio.

A long time ago, a wise woman told me to keep stuff like this, throughout one's life, these type of things are important not only when applying for certain types of jobs, but as a record of one's own journey I suppose.

My current curriculum vita is nothing that special, but it does play a significant role in reminding me of where I've been and what things I have accomplished - who knows ... someone might be interested at some point, but if not, it is important for me to know.

Thus, here is the latest addition to my CV.

Tokyo Pinhole Photography Exhibition

2010-08-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

As an international member of the Japan Pinhole Photographic Society I was given the privilege of showing some of my work in the August exhibition they recently held in Tokyo.

Here are my images on display.

Radio Interview

2010-08-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

I was invited into the campus - community radio station at the University of Victoria this morning to talk about my recent photo exhibition and pinhole photography.

Broadcast HERE, through CFUV 101.9 FM in Victoria, BC Canada.

Large-Format Photo Outing

2010-08-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Finally got togther a few other members of the Victoria Large Format Photography Group.
Our outing today was near Duncan.
We met at a quaint little cafe at the Whippletree Junction on the way to Duncan - North on the #1 highway.
Had a coffee some discussion then off to photograph a near-by Anglican church that has been recently retired. Got an angle that excluded the overhead wires and included some of the tombstones in the fore/mid-ground. The mid-day lighting was harsh ... seemed like we didn't get the cloud cover when we needed it - oh well, we do the best we can with what we have eh?
Next, down the road to an old delapated saw mill.
The shots I made of the old standup radio in one of the shacks was f/64 @ 60s & 30s with ISO 320 film. Processed in HC-110b for about 5.5 minutes.
Made other shots of the mill with an old Dodge truck from the paved road that runs in front of the mill.
This trip was somewhat taxing because of the carrying gear and setting up the compositions and it appeared quite hot and muggy ... I tell ya ... I was sweating like a stuffed pig-on-a-spit!!!
Anyway, enjoyed working with other large format photographers in the area.
Hope everything is going well Andy :)
Stay tuned for images ... they are in the wash right now,so I have to stop writing and go hang them to dry.
******************************
A few images.
NOte: These were digitally photographed negatives in their protective sleeves - just to give an idea of the content of what I am talking about - these are not good quality copies.

4x5 work @ Ft. Rodd Hill

2010-07-23T03:24:00.001-07:00

2010 July 22
Had a great photo outing with Jim exploring bits and pieces of the Fisgard Lighthouse and then onto some really spectacular scenery where incredible simply yet powerful images were made.
He was working with a Canham 4x5 whilst I worked with my Toyo 45 AII. I use to own the "L" version which takes Linhof boards that are smaller than the 110mm x 110mm the non-L standard. However, I was able to purchase a step-down standard which works quite well.
Perhaps some day I will just change boards.

The outing culminated in a nice lunch at the near-by WhiteSpot.
Not only can outings be good exercise, but also great fellowship and a time of learning ... at least for me :)

Cafe Conversations: The Inside View

2010-06-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of the exhibition.

Here is a photo taken by the gallery curator directly [2010-July-11th]

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:46:42 -0700
Subject: RE: Legacy Gallery Exhibit
From: jhulbert
To: photobob@live.ca
Hello Bob,
Here is the press release for your artists talk:

Conversation Café with Pinhole Photographer Bob St. Cyr

Join Bob St. Cyr, local artist, photographer and University of Victoria
lecturer for an introduction to pinhole photography at the Legacy Art
Gallery and Café, Sunday July 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
St. Cyr will give a 45 minute lecture on the process and art of pinhole
photography, followed by a discussion of his recent series, Café
Conversations. The series is on display in the Small Room at the Legacy
Art Gallery and Café, from June 11 to July 11, 2010. These insightful
images allow us to see how the pinhole method requires the photographer to
slow down and reflect on the photographic experience. St. Cyr’s playful
approach experiments with perspective, motion and composition at cafes
and other meeting places.
Admission is free.
Legacy Art Gallery and Café
630 Yates Street
250.381.7670
Wednesday - Sunday
10AM - 5PM

Photo Selected for Academic Web Page

2010-06-17T21:48:00.001-07:00

One of my photos was selected for the June showing on the UVic website.

Large Format Infrared

2010-06-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Took out the Toyo 45 AII today at Finnerty Gardens on the campus of my university here in Victoria.
Very hot, clear skies and I've got sun singes to prove it!
Anyway, it made exposures very easy since the lighting was so consistent.
So I started out at Finnerty and realised that I had forgotten the filter mount on the Mamiya. I exposed some tri-x with just the yellow #2 and was thinking of packing up and heading back home early. However, the thought came to me to compromise, hold the filter in front of the lens (with the Y2 removed of course) and make the exposures.
I had 6 sheets (3 holders) loaded with Efke IR 820 4x5 film and wanted to make the best of them.
After making a few shots in the garden I proceeded to Petch Fountain in front of the library where the water was running again for the season. Got a couple of shots here with the trees in front and the water in the mid to foreground area.

Finally I composed a couple of shots between the new Geography building & Business building (I forget the name) looking straight into the new administration building with greenery on either side.
Many people were crossing at the time I wanted to photograph. It looked like some kind of special sports event, and then some lady parks her car illegally right in line of my shot. Thankfully she wasn't there too long.
Anyway two shots one at 5 seconds the other at 10 and I had my six exposures and was homeward bound with time to spare on the meter.
The reason why I only loaded six sheets is because this is a full load for my processing tank.
Now can't wait to get them processed.
It really is nice to be working with a large format camera again.
Now if I could just get a Schneider 75mm APO lens.

Cafe Conversations

2010-06-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well it is finally going to happen.
Here is the poster for my exhibition.
Here is a link where it is mentioned online.

Bicycle Racing Downtown Victoria

2010-06-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

2010 May 30th I was planning to see what I could find photographically at a favourite spot of mine. Whilst on the way I remembered that the Camera Swap was on that day and proceeded to re-route for downtown.

When I got there I noticed sections blocked off and people crowding around the area. I realised it was a cycling race and found a wonderful parking spot near the event.

As I wasn't planning to photograph this event I only had Efke infrared film with me and exposed it as regular black & white.

I wanted to portray a sense of motion so used a slow shutter speed and did a little panning with my Mamiya mounted on my Manfrotto. I wanted something away from the typical stop-action shot.

I printed up some images on fibre yesterday, and scanned negs today - here are a few from the scans.
Then walked over to the camera swap where I meet and chatted with some people and purchased a 1957 Kodak Master PhotoGuide and two cable releases. Toyo today
Not a bad morning.

Medium Format Infrared Imaging

2010-05-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

Photographing in Beacon Hill Park right here in Victoria, BC, Canada
Mamiya 645 AF with 55-110mm zoom
Efke IR 820 film & Cokin 007 filter; f/32 @ 6 seconds.
Developed in Ilfosol 3 (1:9) for 5 minutes @ 19 degrees Celcius.
Since I've been here so many times, it is challenging to come up with a fresh vision from this place. Hopefully, working with a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum has provided an innovative way of seeing everyday scenes.

Article Writing

2010-05-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

I signed up with a company recently to do some article writing. It is quite an experience and a good way to continue to hone one's skills while contributing to the corpus of general knowledge across the world-wide web.
Here is a link to my first published article with this new venture.

More in Black & White

2010-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

A few scans
I have worked the tractor - tree area on several occasions, but usually with a pinhole camera. At this particular time, I made the image with a Mamiya 645 AF and Efke infrared (820) Aura film and no special filtration save the UV on the front of the lens.
Exposure: f/32 @ 6 seconds.

Even though I didn't use a IR filter, I still notice a bit of Aura in the image and I kinda like it. Perhaps I'll take more straight images with this film in the future.

This next one is from 2007.

I like it because only one player is looking at me, breaks the pattern and that is what makes the image.
Something that isn't following a pattern.

Exhibition Coming Up

2010-05-15T23:57:00.000-07:00

Bob has a pinhole photography exhibition coming up this June/July 2010 at the Legacy Gallery on Broad Street in downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
A sub-theme that will be featured is Cafe Conversations.
If you're in town, I hope you will be able to take in the show.
Here's a link ... scroll down a bit.

1st Goa International Pinhole Photography Competition

2010-05-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

Goa is a region in the country of India (if anyone was wondering).
I entered this competition and unfortunately the judges did not deem my work worthy of an award.
However, I was included in the Jury's selection of the Top 53 images. (Why 53, I don't know???)

Anyway, here is the link to the image.

120 Infrared Images

2010-05-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Click - Infrared Photo Notes

Went to school (UVic) yesterday to try out some Efke IR 820 & Efke IR 820 Aura film in 120 size.
I really appreciate the larger negatives and am comfortable back working with a Mamiya 645 camera.
Here are a few of the images I made - negative scans and hopefully I'll make some prints in the near future.

"New" Camera

2010-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a used (but new to me) medium format camera: the Mamiya 645 AF.
I first became acquianted with this camera back in 1999 when I purchased one brand new at Camera no Naniwa - Osaka, Japan.
It is good to have this model back. I like that I can get 16 exposures per 120 roll and that the film back is changable on-the-fly.
Here are a few images from my first roll of Acros 100 film.

Online Teaching & Learning Showcase 2010

2010-04-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

I was asked some time last semester by the Online Learning Services to share with other university faculty members & students some of the things I was doing with digital technologies in a face-to-face classroom, something akin to blended learning.

The thing I focused upon was podcasting within the online learning management software: Moodle.

I was also very surprised to win a door prize ... iPod Shuffle 2GB.

Anyway, it was a good day ... rare for me these days.

World Pinhole Photography Day...Yay

2010-04-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Decided to make it a bit of a psudeo-tradition and make my pinhole photos at the same place I've been making them since I started participating in WPPD: Government House Gardens on Rockland Avenue here in Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
Lovely, peaceful and quite morning to work.
I've processed some of the film and the results look good.
Click here to see the image I chose to upload.
I was working with my ZeroImage 69 set @ 645, my ZeroImage 45 @ 50mm & 25mm and finally, decided to use some E6 in my Pinhole Blender 120.
Would have liked to spend more time, but alas had to work in the scorekeeping box at Hampton for my son's baseball game.

NEW PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE NOW READY

2010-04-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce the first issue of a new Pinhole Photography Magazine.

Pinhole Photography Magazine is a publication based entirely on photography without a lens. Founded by a group of photographers and professionals, Pinhole Photography Magazine covers aspects of lens-less photography and emphasizes artistic styles and affect, technique and people behind the camera.

Now accepting orders for the first issue and readers can purchase copies by sending the following information to:

pinholemag@aphvisions.com

Name First & Last:

Mailing address:

City:

Postal Code / Zip:
Country:
Phone :
E-mail address :

In case e-mail is bounced due to spam filters alternatively you can call

1-250-652-0349 and order by phone.

Single copy $13.99
Yearly subscription (2 issues) $20.95

Shipping & Handling
Canada $.3.25
US $5.25
Inter'l $6.95

All prices are in Canadian dollars.
Payment can be made through a subscription form or contacting
pinholemag@aphvisions.com

Pinhole Photography @ TRU

2010-01-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

As usually, some people give me weird looks and a few brave souls approach me to ask what I'm doing and "what is that?" I began my process of making photographs at the new school I'm teaching at for a term.
Developed my first roll of Acros 100 - 120 here at Thompson Rivers University. Nice big room just for film processing and drying and then another for printing.
I must say that I'm somewhat impressed with the commitment to traditional photography that I've seen in the Visual Arts and the supplies that the bookstore carries.
Just a few scenes from around campus with my ZeroImage 69.
Hopefully I'll be able to find a scanner someplace and upload a few.

Here is an image I made in the International Building one Friday afternoon.
Printed on Ilford MG IV fibre - glossy paper

First Black & White Printing

2010-01-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

Finally printed some black & white images in my own home, i.e., garage. I've primarily been printing elsewhere, but this year decided to try and print right here at home. Thanks to the kind generousity of a few people in the city, I've received some paper and film to use.
Printed some 120 b &w from photo shot yesterday, e.g., old decaying boat, misty meadow, and Ken's baseball from 2007.
Prints are drying now.
See yesterday's post for the photos.

New Year's Day Photography

2010-01-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

Terrible weather - wet and raining. Not ideal for taking out pinhole camera gear to capture images.
Today I drove out along Prospect Road and ended at Francis King Park, which really is not that far from my place.
That is the interesting thing about Victoria, you can be out in the seclusion of nature in a matter of minutes and yet the city is so close.
Anyway, made some images of a scene that reminded me of the famous "postcard" type shot of Maligne Lake in the Rocky Mountains, i.e., a little island of trees surrounded by water and mist.
Then I found a decaying and dilapidated old row (?) boat called El Toro.

Drove along ... parked at the Francis King Park parking lot and walked a ways to capture a nice vista with the wet shimmering winding road off in the distance (I was on a high point looking down into a meadow/field). What attracted my attention most was the berries on low bushes with water drops hanging down.

[Printing Data: Overall 7 seconds, burn sky 120 seconds]

Thankfully I had a large plastic bag which I used to shelter the cameras and myself somewhat ... it worked not too bad.
I next did a little hiking up a trail in the park, but the constant rain drove me back into the car and home in time for lunch. Now I look forward to processing the film.
Camera: Zero Image 4x5 @ FL 100mm - Tri-X 320 ISO
Zero Image 69 @ 645 - Acros 100 - 120 format
Metre: Sekonic L608
Tripod: Gitzo
Large plastic bag and cable release

Infrared Pinhole Image

2009-11-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

Finally, I've had a little bit of success (I think), working with infrared film in a pinhole camera.
Clearihue Building Clocktower on the University of Victoria Campus
2009-09-26th

ZeorImage camera 69 set @ 645 format
Filter: Cokin 007
Bright sun, clear sky: exposure calculated with metre set for an ISO of 3, 1 min. @ f/128
from here I extrapolated to arrive at an exposure time of 16 minutes
Negatives a little thin, so I probably could have added at least one more stop to the exposures.
However, I noticed that the overall effect seems like a zone plate, i.e., soft without much sharpness.
The clocktower is unfortunately small in this image and in the hole between the lower branches - left side.

Lest We Forget

2009-11-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

I took my little boy with me to this year's Rememberance Day Service down at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia & Cenotaph. It is very important and personal as my grandpa, son's great-grandpa served with the Regina Rifles in W-W II.
As usual a lot of people both civilan & military & other services.
I found a fairly good spot and worked with my ZeroImage 69 @ 645 pinhole camera loaded with Acros 100 and processed in Ilfosol 3.

Here are a couple of the images from yesterday, one during the service with the Canadian flag lowered and one post-ceremony.

Extreme Double-Exposure

2009-09-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Working with my pinhole gear in Sidney, BC near Victoria one nice Saturday afternoon.
I came across what looked like a band shell reminiscent of the design of the opera house in Australia if I'm not mistaken.
I really liked the design on the inside of the shell.
Oops ... I think I double exposed the film here.

ZeroImage 4x5 @ 25mm f/138
Fujifilm Acros 100

Straight Black & White

2009-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Konica AutoReflex T3N Camera Pinhole Pics

2009-09-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

As mentioned previously (below), here are some of the images I got out of the Konica T3N circa 1975 with my aluminium foil pinhole.
After finishing off the roll downtown on the way to school. I got to the darkroom and set about figuring out a processing time for the Ilford Delta 3200 speed film, which is an ISO I very seldom use.
There was no time for using D-76 @ 1:1, so I looked at a similar processing time and added 1 minute to the time I gave the film - 10 minutes, and it came out nicely. I wasn't using fresh fixer and read in the film specs that this particular film requires longer fixing, so I gave it about 12 minutes.
I hung the roll to dry and fanned it, to quicken the process and allow me to print as soon as possible.
I was using Ilford's postcard stock at grade 3.0 (50M) dialled into the enlarger.
I was mildly pleased with the fairly good results from my pinhole diameter calculation, film developement time calculation and the actual prints ... they came out okay.
I must apologise however, as these scanned prints do not do justice to the actual prints I have here.
I dropped off two prints (Bible text, City Hall) for Anthony @ Camera Traders - hopefully he'll see them tomorrow.

Bible Text

Victoria, BC City Hall

Prunes from my backyard ... boy is this tree ever loaded

Konica T3N Pinhole Camera

2009-09-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

I stopped by Camera Traders yesterday and Anthony kindly gave me an old camera from a box he pulled down from his stacks.
It was the body of a Konica T3N ... a camera I know very little about.

I found out that it is a very robust, heavy and a little on the large size for a 35mm SLR. Nevertheless, it has a working shutter, "B" setting and film advance, and ... I like it :)
Seems this version was first released in 1975.
Anyway, here is an image of it converted to a pinhole camera.
I calculated the focal length at about 49mm and used a needle #13 for a pinhole diameter of approximately 0.30mm providing an F-stop of around f/163.
Now I realise that the optimum size is 0.28mm, but I work with what I have.
I've loaded the camera with Ilford's Delta 3200 black & white film, so stay tuned for images.

Bulk Film Tin Pinhole Camera Experiments

2009-09-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I tried out two new pinhole cameras with tin foil pinholes made with #10 and #12 needles.
Much better shape results with this material than the thicker stuff I used earlier on the TeaBox.
Images at 5 minutes on bright day with sunshine.
However, I'm still not satisfied. Images appear too grainy and crude.
But I got images.
UVic-SUB - bicycle spokes and tyres.

#10 camera

5 minutes - sq. paper neg. - good

#12 camera
5 minutes - rounded image
Image not bad, but perhaps I could add a minute to the exposure time.

Reducing exposure seems to be a bad idea as the results are quite the opposite of what I would expect.

Perhaps this is because it is a negative and I am thinking about exposure time in the wrong direction.

Tea Box Pinhole Camera Experiment

2009-09-09T23:05:00.000-07:00

Today 2009-09-09 was the first day of university although I don't start teaching till tomorrow afternoon.
In preparation for another course I'll be teaching, University 201, I built a small pinhole camera out of a wooden tea box. I took it into the darkroom in the SUB loaded it and went out around the building for 3 exposures and 1 over at the Clearihue clock tower.
Using the data from a pinhole photography book I have, I calculated the f/stop and pinhole size I needed for the focal length of this camera.
Nothing is machine precise, but I think it was established pretty good.
Focal Length: ~80mm; Needle #13 for a 0.30mm diametre pin-hole; which gives close to an f/stop of 242.
Using photo paper I calculated based on the given in another book, an ISO of 4.
Today's lighting conditions were cloudy with rain for all exposures.
Exposure #1: ~3 min. ... too light
Exposure #2: 9 min. ... best of the test shots
Exposure #3: 10 min. ... a little too light, not sure why, maybe because of the angle, but still produced an image.
Exposure #4: 9 min. ... Clearihue Clock Tower w/ puddle of water reflection, paper curved over in the camera, just to see what effect I'd get. Didn't produce a satisfactory result.

Conclusion: Cloudy w/ rain ... f/242 @ 9 minutes. (+/-)

I noticed the images all had jagged edges, I assume this is because I sanded the pinhole too roughly and damaged it. I also noticed a lattice design across the image, so I changed the pinhole this evening to a smooth thin sheet and sanded ever so lightly. Hopefully this will produce better results, but for now here is a shot looking east from the SUB entrance towards the bookstore. Despite the loneliness of the image, there were quite a few people walking about campus today.

JAPAN EXHIBITION

2009-09-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

As an international member of the Japan Pinhole Photographic Society (JPPS), I was given the honour of having a few of my humble images displayed at their recent PINHOLE PHOTO EXHIBITION 2009 in Tokyo, Japan between 19-23 August, 2009.

My images are the first two from the left-hand side.

Pinhole Blender photo made in Beacon Hill Park - Victoria, BC and the one beside it is of blacksmiths @ work - Saanich Fair made with a ZeroImage 120 camera.

Special thanks to Xiao for his correspondence and efforts between our two lands.

On the Road to the Misty Morning

2009-08-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Up @ 0530hrs this morning, doesn't take me too long to get ready.
Today, heading down towards Creston and Moyie Lake to capture the morning mist in the low lying areas along the road & railway tracks. Today Ian and I had some company: one of my students who is visiting from Chile joined us. He also enjoys photographer and mentioned something to me about it, so I thought it would be nice to invite him along on the morning foray.
I was using my ZeroImage 6x9 @ the 645 setting and my Nikon FM3A with my popular lens: 28-105mm Nikkor.
Ian was using a fixed lens Fuji FinePix and Mario was using a small point-and-shoot along with a Pentax K200.
The first place we stopped turned out to be the best place - off the main road, but near the Moyie River. Well you know me, I dress for the occasion and was in that water like a dirty shirt eh. And found a nice spot near the centre of the river where I set up my tripod, and to my surprise, the sun began to push through the fog ... with the flowing river beneath and in front of me, and trees sticking out from the river bank completed the pastoral type composition ... it was great.

On the way home stopped at a neat little place in Yahk that looked like a small barn with a red caboose to one side and a bunch of nick-nacks tacked to the front of the building.
Along the high-way Ian wanted to stop for pictures of the water running off the step rock walls.
Got home by about 1030hrs and still have the whole day ahead.
It was a very nice morning.

St. Eugene Mission Historical Site

2009-07-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my hosting family, had access to the little Toyota Echo again this afternoon.
Headed out towards Kimberley not really sure which path I would take to photography once out in that nick of the woods. Then I saw the sign for St. Eugene, in all the time that I have lived and sojourned in Cranbrook, I had never ventured out to the mission which is approximately 8 Km from the city.
Turned off the highway and around the first bend saw an old dilapidated Gulf Oil fuel truck back in the woods - mental note to self - stop there on the way out.
Wow, the beautiful trees and groomed grounds made me think of posh resort and that is what it has now become since the Oblates have left some time ago. The large school capped with the Cross and two tipis off to one side by the golf course, is now a hotel.
I found a composition behind the school-turned-resort along with two white tipis and Fisher Peak in the background to make my first pinhole images.
Working with the same gear as yesterday: ZeroImage 6x9 120 format camera set at 645 format with TMax 400 metered @ 320 and my Nikon FM3A loaded with Rollei 25.
To photograph the front of the school/resort was challenging due to the fact that people kept parking right in front of the staircase leading up to the front entrance doors. This despite the fact that a generously sized parking lot (which is where I parked) was so close by.
Anyway, I decided to head over to the the quaint white church established Anno Domini 1897 with the Madonna above the front door and come back later to get the front shot of the school-turned-hotel.
The little church was a wonderful photographic experience. I recall seeing a shot recently by an Alberta photographer (E. Rose) on an film dedicated website from this location. I didn't want to duplicate his exact results and found a lot of variation to bring to my compositions. Sometimes the most intriguing shots are not the obvious ones ... at least this is what I am finding out.
You may head out to a photographic location with a set parametre of compositional ideas to explore, and many times these are just extensions of someone who has already been-there-done-that! So it is really important to set up one's own creative compositional frameworks and give oneself ample time and opportunity to explore these. That is why it is nice (on occasion), to photograph on one's own - no pressures or concern for others.
In my case, I walked around the entire building and as I came around the back, I looked up and noticed what appeared to me to be a unique composition of the two different roof heights, chimneys and the very tall pinnacle with the Cross at the top. The interruption of these different levels and planes in space really caught my attention, so here is where I found my compositional framework. Of course, I made the other shots too, i.e., the front of the church.
Having satisfied my pinhole and lens camera compositions, I headed back down the road a few hundred metres back to the school/resort and made a pinhole image of the front of the building.
Time to head back to Cranbrook and stop at the old fuel truck rotting away in the bush off the road. Couldn't find a safe parking place along the road, so had to drive up a bit and turn into a driveway. It was a short hike back to the truck where I moved about, got some shots and I was done.
Having new images in hand, it was time to head back into Cranbrook, do a little shopping and home for a shower - it was very hot today, but I see thunderstorm clouds moving in. Glad I got the shots when I did.
Feel free to leave comments if you like.

Lumberton 2009 Foto FieldTrip

2009-07-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

"Get-Up" it was that time, i.e., about 0530hrs this morning. Time to get up, grab the gear (ZeroImage 6x9 & Nikon FM3A loaded with Rollei film and Acros 100, T Max 400 @ 320 both in 120 format) and head out to Lumberton. As we drove into the area the low lying regions consisted on a hovering white mist that moved graciously along the landscape prior to the sunrise. However, moving higher up into the region we quickly left this landscape scenery to explore another.
[Exposures metered with the Sekonic L-408 and extrapolated from the minimum aperture reading of f/90. I bracketed between 5~15 seconds for most exposures.]
Now a few years ago you may have read my posts and seen the photos as I worked with Acros 100 in one of my pinhole cameras and tested the Rollei near IR 400 ISO film in my Nikon. So, I have some familiarity with the area.
Today, was a day of contrasts between parts of the forest on the mountain sides that had succumbed to forest fire back in 2003 and new growth ... a little bit older growth ... and older growth still. It was spectacular looking at the different growths reflected not only in size, but in shade of green as they carpeted the far reaches of the mountains and valleys. As far as wildlife, we saw grouse, deer, and a black bear high-tailing it away from us.
I spent a fair bit of time working with my pinhole camera to capture the contrast between white daisies and fuchsia coloured blossoms with standing burnt trees whose bark was black, curled and peeling off, to reveal the dead, bald almost white patches of tree. Then there was the lush undergrowth and saplings that needed attention.
Large dandelion type blossoms in seed with the sun illuminating them added to the unique mystique of this naturally transformed landscape and made for another fantastic photo opp.
On the way home, stopped on a bridge to photograph the swift flowing river strewn with smooth rocks of varying sizes, shapes and colours. As I waded into the flowing water, I noticed that it was not as icy cold as when I waded into the Kicking Horse Creek a few weeks ago. The water was quite pleasant ... as a matter of fact ... one could enjoy just sitting there I suppose. I waded into a location where I could stabilise myself against a large bolder and yet still remain in the thick of the flowing water over rock in a stepped pattern and curving around to the right.
Although to our eyes, this landscape may appear static, their is a constant ebb and flow from this place.
Boy am I going to have a lot of film to process when I get back home to Victoria.
Special thanks to my host Ian for his excellent outdoor skills and knowledge of the area.

MOIR Park in Cranbrook

2009-07-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Just outside of Cranbrook, BC is a fairly new and big beautiful park with what looks like an awesome baseball diamond ... anyway, went out there to see a friend and make some images at the Mopar Classic Car Exhibition. Focusing primarily on pinhole (ZeroImage 120 format) imaging with a few shots from the Nikon FM3A. Scene metering with my Sekonic L-408.
The cars were parked on a large grass field which made kneeling down for shots pleasant :)
As well there was a beautiful background of a mountain range and the landmark - Fisher Peak.
After lunch, headed out the Marysville loaded with Kodak HIE and a red filter to work the river in infrared and of course pinhole 120. Only problem is that I am all most at the end of my 120 film.
Bad time of the year to photograph on the river however as there were a lot of people sometimes getting in the way loitering in the river. Nevertheless, I persisted with some patience and things worked out okay.

Wild Horse Photo Foray

2009-07-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Had access to a nice little car this morning, so took a drive up the Wild Horse Creek near Ft. Steele.

I found a beautiful vantage point at the Historical site. Seems like in c.1865 the area was popular for gold mining. I went down to the hydraulic pump area (name and plaque only) and must have been about 200 metres above the creek (which I think is more of a shallow swift flowing river). Anyway, I was determined to find a way down to the river from the steep embankment I stood upon. After meandering for about 20 - 30 minutes I found myself standing in the clear cold water.
I wear a special type of sandal that works well in and out of water. Got some interesting vantage points for working with my ZeroImage 6x9 [645] pinhole camera and my good ol' Nikon FM3A.
On the way home, I stopped in at Ft. Steele as the steam locomotive was awaiting passengers at the station. Got a bunch of images here too.
Overall, a nice outing and who knows ... perhaps I captured a few nice images.
Boy, I don't know if I could see
myself several years ago with a pinhole camera; I seem to treat it like a regular piece of photographic equipment these days - just as legit as a lens camera ... I've no complaints.
Glad I re-discovered it (pinhole photography).

New Pinhole Publication

2009-07-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

New Pinhole Photography Journal

Is there any interest in having a print-on-demand pinhole photography journal that you can sit back with and enjoy whilst you wait for an exposure making new pinhole images, or anywhere you fancy?
A hard-copy collectible of our fine fotographic art.

Are these the things you'd expect:

Reviews of cameras, home-made and commercial.
A small marketplace to show us where we can buy supplies and get started if just new to the art.
Techniques to build and use pinhole cameras.
Featured Pinhole Photographer's and some of their work.
Interviews with artists
Special collector's gallery - distinctively presented within the magazine.

Sunday Morning Pinhole

2009-06-07T11:03:00.000-07:00

Cooler today - overcast and simply beautiful, just beautiful temperature
As my church does not start till the afternoon, I find early Sunday morning can be quite pleasant for photography ... sometimes.
Today's camera: Zero Image 4x5 built to 75mm, Film Tri-X 320, Neopan 100
Metre: Sekonic L608, small Gitzo tripod
With the overcast sky I was getting a reading of 2~4 seconds @ f/128 (ISO 100) from which I extrapolate further to get my exposure.
Travelled out to Ogden Point to capture image of steps-into-the-sea. Wasn't quite what I expected as the tide was pulling out. I had hoped to capture waves splashing up against the bottom step as I had earlier with a Hasselblad ... oh well.
Re-composed my vision and made images of the seaweed debris, sand and a lady collecting seaweed.
Working with a pinhole camera I knew people moving about would blur or disappear altogether.
Next moved out onto the breakwater looking for perspective and found it. However, rather than a straight photograph of converging lines, I noticed people walking and running. I set up in the middle and waited for running people to reach a certain point at which time I opened the shutter and wa-la.
Hopefully, I'll be able to process the film in the near future and critique the results.
And of course ... I invite you to share your thoughts as you peruse this blog site.

New Photo Site

2009-05-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

Recently joined a Polish photo site.

http://fotografiaotworkowa.pl/ofotografii.php?p=4&c=24

WPPD Photos

2009-04-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Part of me in one view which I only discovered after processing.
Gov't House - Victoria. BC CANADA
ZeroImage 120 camera
Acros 100 film
Ilfotec-HC dev for 6 min.

WPPD

2009-04-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today is World Pinhole Photography Day
Got up early and headed out with pinhole camera gear to Government House on Rockland Avenue - a ritzy part of the city. This is the same location I chose to make my WPPD images last year as well. However, I think the weather this morning is some of the best I've experienced here.
Beautiful quiet morning, sunny, occasional cloud, and an ever so light breeze. The grass and flowers drenched in dew or water made fine fotographic subjects. In the front of the house are terraced gardens that overlook the Strait of Juan de Fuca and onward to the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington, USA. A large tanker of some sort was out in the strait, but my focus was on the patterns of rock, trees, grass and flowers that make up the unique landscape for which this location is noted.
It was a very peaceful - nice and cool - morning to be out and about with pinhole gear.
I'll post some images once I get them processed. Worked solely with my ZeroImage 120 multiformat set at 645 shooting Acros 100 and Velvia 50 film.
I even had the thought of producing a video-cast of my working process. This certainly would be a good place to do such a thing.
Hope April was good to you.
Take Care

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY

2009-04-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Jesus is risen
Thank You Lord Jesus

Creative Image Maker magazine features PhotoBob & Pinhole Photography

2009-04-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

This month's issue of Creative Image Maker magazine is devoted to Pinhole Photography.
The cover image was made with a Zero Image 4x5 @ 25mm at Government House in Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
The magazine also contains an article and images by PhotoBob

Featured Photographer (Pinhole)

2009-04-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
Just thought I'd let you know that PhotoBob has been selected as the Photographer of the Month over at Traditional Photographer.
Here is the link:
http://www.traditionalphotographer.net/Default.aspx

Photo Critique: A Binary Algorithm

2009-03-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on the true purpose of paying someone to tell you if your work is good or not, e.g., a juried exhibition.

Can anyone tell you this or that about your work other than they like it or they don't. A binary algorithm, 0 or 1 ... no?

Is the purpose of having someone critique one's work to inspire, encourage and if so, why is such a catalyst needed?

Winter Scenes

2009-02-20T22:24:00.000-08:00

Sharing some of the snow images from Dec. 2008

Pinhole Photography Lecture

2009-02-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday evening 19:30hrs [2009-02-12] I gave a presentation on pinhole photography to the Victoria Camera Club.
Lots of people showed up and had some great questions and comments after the formal presentation.
It is nice to share with others especially in the digital photography realm of these days.

Photographic Philosophy

2009-01-10T21:50:00.000-08:00

In a photographic online community I belong to, the question of photographic philosophy was put forward, here is my response.

A difficult question to answer for a couple reasons.
a) A thoughtful answer can require much careful consideration and reflection.
b) I feel that what I type here may be somewhat ephemeral ... my photographic philosophy in other words is dynamic and not static, it changes as I read, see, and communicate and interact with photography, and other things on a daily basis.
For instance,
I have a few images made from around the era of my high school days that I can reflect upon and note what has changed and what has remained the same.
Same: still love the prairies and miss them
Change: added other film formats and gear, use of digital capture. As well, I now see where a fill-flash on a sunny day would have been useful, and see where I could have perhaps acquired more images from different perspectives. One of the most important things I have also come to appreciate is the value of light to photographic imaging. And finally (but not completely), Try to fill-the-frame!
If my images stand out, if they cause someone to pause a bit longer to study the image - my work and philosophy are developing nicely.
Whatever my photographic philosophy is at any point in time, I hope it honours my Lord, Saviour and Creator, Jesus Christ and leads to wholesome responses to my photographic endeavours.

Pinhole Pallette

2009-01-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

All images made with pinhole cameras from 2007 May through 2008
Title from top to bottom
1. Urban Tractor
2. Blacksmiths @ Work          3. Weaving
4. Goose Shadow                   5. Macaulay Point surf
6. Mark Creek
7.Palmer Bar Stream             8. Blowing Off Steam
9. Keeping up the fire         10. Green Energy
11. Threshing from the past   12. Gateway

Kind Regards,
Bob

Pinhole Pallette II

2009-01-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

More pinhole images.

Pinholing into the New Year ... oh yeah!

2009-01-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

Image made from sidewalk on Johnson Street looking towards Blanchard Street(2009-January-01st)
Set camera with tripod attached on top of fence lip at a construction site - just held there nicely and made the image.

Data
Zero Image 4x5 w/ FL of 100mm @ f/250
Exposure: ~ 45 seconds
Tri-X film that expired in 1982! (We do our bit to recycle eh? )
Metred for ISO of 320 and then extrapolated exposure
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

First Image of the New Millenium, Century, Decade & Year

2008-12-31T17:05:00.000-08:00

I realise this is about nine years late, but I recently came across the images I made from the top of Mt. Rokko, Kobe Japan on 2000 January 01st.
Amazing how many people joined me atop the mountain to watch the sunrise.
Anyway, just wanted to share it with y'all.
May you have a blessed new year.

If only ...

2008-12-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

The Pond-Moonlight Photograph by Edward Steichen – $2,900,000

The Pond—Moonlight is a pictorialist photograph by Edward Steichen. The photograph was made in 1904 in Mamaroneck, New York, and features a forest across a pond, with part of the moon appearing over the horizon in a gap in the trees. The Pond—Moonlight is an early color photograph, created through the use of light-sensitive gums. Only three copies are known to exist. In February 2006, a print of the photograph sold for US $2.9 million,[1] at the time, the highest price ever paid for a photograph at auction.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pond-Moonlight

Cafe & Snowy Pinhole Photos

2008-12-26T16:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, here are some more images now that I've processed some more of my 120 film.
Some more from Max's which I made with the 6x9 120 camera from 3rd Eye Cameraworks set at the 645 format. Focal Length: 50mm, f/167
I usually metre with my Sekonic which unfortunately only shows readings up to f/90 and then extrapolate from there.
Inside the cafe, exposures around 15 ~ 30 seconds as best I can recollect.
I also turned the camera on myself and share the result here with readers.
Acros 100 film processed in Ilford Tech-HC, 5.5 minutes @ 21 Celsius
=========
Other images are from the same outing as the digital images below from Beacon Hill Park but with two different 120 roll film pinhole cameras.
Film: Acros 100 & HP-5 plus

Pinhole & Digital Imaging

2008-12-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

We've had some terrible dumps of enormous snow leaving lots of shovelling to do. On the bright side, was able to get out to Beacon Hill Park this morning to do some pinhole & digital photography. That's right ... you read it correctly, pinhole & digital photography ... nothing wrong with working both types eh?
Anyway, it seemed like one of those rare opportunities to capture the park in a rare attire of snow.
The whole idea is to capture some images and whether the light, shadow, and other information that consists of a photograph is recorded on film or digital card really doesn't matter ... as much as the final result.
Anyway, I don't want to take up too much time in text so here are a few samples from the day.

New Pinhole Camera

2008-12-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

Recently acquired a multiple 120 format pinhole camera from 3rd Eye.
I had it specially built to take a cable release as this is how I work with most of my pinhole cameras.
Mike did a great job, the knobs are large and easy to use, the wood construction is not only beautiful, but sturdy as well.
I usually work at the 645 format which allows more images per roll.
I also like the little rubber knobby feet on the bottom - these are great for stability and protecting the wood itself.
50mm focal length,
0.3mm pinhole diametre
f/stop of: f/167
Max's Place, is where I often would go for coffee, snack or lunch and to read or study.

Award for IFA Exhibition - Japan

2008-12-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received an award for an entry in the International Fine Art Association photography exhibition in Japan.
It appears that this was the first exhibition for the major museum in Osaka to feature photographic works and I was one of a small contingent representing Canada.

Pinhole Work Published ... again

2008-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Just received some copies of the latest (Winter 2008/09) issue of CANADIAN CAMERA the publication of the Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA).
I thought they did a good job, I did however take a little artistic license with the little illustration.
Any thoughts or comments are welcome.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Exhibition News

2008-11-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Recently I've had the opportunity to present some of my fine-art black & white images as part of a special collection that has received exhibition status at the National Museum and the Silks Gallery in Cyprus.
As well the Royal Museum in Brussels will also be featuring some of my work in an exhibition in Belgium.

I'm currently working in Cranbrook and looking forward to returning home on the 5th of December. Meanwhile, I've endeavoured to add new images to my portfolio and test out a new pinhole camera.
However, I am finding the whole endeavour quite challenging as I do not have the necessary access to a vehicle.

Pinholing @ Heritage Acres

2008-09-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today, went to Heritage Acres to enjoy the old time threshing, just like last year.
However, this year I did not have opportunity to catch the pressure release valve blow off steam, instead I had to settle for the steam whistle - that was okay.
Some surprises and pleasant conversation over the "retro" gear I work with, nothing out of the usual.
Met an art history prof from UVic - had a very nice little chat with him and he pointed out someone at school who has worked in pinhole imaging.
The weather was similar to last year, very overcast with a few drops of rain, but nothing to ruin the afternoon.
Photographed using both the Zero Image 4x5 and 6x9 set @ 645, and also the Pinhole Blender. It was also a chance for me to use my new Sekonic L308s for the first time.
Can't wait however, to get and try out my latest acquisition: a 3rd Eye multi-format 6x12 pinhole camera with built-in shutter release.
Photographed the steam engine and threshing machine, working model train, blacksmith shoppe and street scenes.
Shall post images as soon as I can.

Walking to NoWhere

2008-09-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

On campus today, noticed that the Student Union Building employees were still on strike, so the building was pretty quiet save for a few businesses not related. I took the opportunity to make some unique photos that would not normally be possible or common for this time of the week and year.
Here is a walker to nowhere.
Made with D60.