Link to my Website

https://www.webbersphotography.com/

DUSK OR DAWN?

Both are quite appealing in photography. The sunrise gives a unique copper color to all the subjects it illuminates while the sunset shows as a beautiful gold tone. The challenge we have as photographers is to be ready for either “event” at the right time of day. Both appearances only last about 5 to 10 minutes at most. Therefore, you need to be ready to go prior to sunrise and in place for the sunset.

As a black & white film photographer, obviously I’m not capturing color. What I enjoy is the quality of light only present at these two times. Yes, you can photograph all day long from any and all angles but the early morning and evening light has a special appeal in making a fine art photograph as opposed to a shot at noon.

Have you tried either of these time “events” in your photography? If so, leave a comment as to what you captured and why. Thanks - Hank 

 

TO DO OR NOT TO DO – Did you ever think just that about building a photography business assuming you wanted one? Well, my wife and I did just that and started a portrait and wedding business years ago. We did baby portraits, family portraits, environmental portraits, school portraits, executive head shots, sports, photojournalism, corporate contract work, and then some. However, weddings were the most time consuming of all. Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays and then all the days in between for prep work.

 More than 15 years ago, I was President of the Professional Photographers of America – Central Jersey chapter. The members I was most close to have all abandoned wedding photography as did we. Nevertheless, there are many wedding photographers today who are doing quite well no doubt. Are you one of them? If so, what do you like the most about it? When my wife and I closed our studio, I sold all my very high-quality professional equipment but I kept enough to pursue what I’ve always enjoyed, B&W fine art photography from film.   

What do you enjoy from your hobby or your business? Would love to hear your story. Please leave a comment below. Thanks - Hank

 

GIVING – It’s always a good thing if you have an opportunity to donate your work for a worthy cause. My grandson attends an elementary school in New York City and as is the case in many schools, there are items and events that are outside the standard school budget. Therefore, the school staff organized an auction of all types of salable goods and/or services. My contribution was an 11 x 14 matted print of “Summer Snow”. The principal advised me that the print sold well and helped to generate needed revenue along with all the other auction entries. It’s always good to give.

Have you had an opportunity to donate something from your hobby or business? If so, leave a comment with your details. Thanks - Hank

 

COOL NEWS - If any of you have the Disney app on your TV, go to National Geographic, then to Cosmos, and then to season 1 - episode 13. In the first 5 minutes you’ll see some of my 1939 World’s Fair night shots that Cosmos paid a license fee to use which they found in

https://www.webbersphotography.com/c/1939-worlds-fair

The image above was not chosen thought it's one of my favorites, however, three other photos were. Pretty neat. Perhaps an Academy Award is next (ha ha). No harm dreaming big.

Have you had the opportunity to exhibit your work be it photography or some other medium that appeals to you, something you enjoy? Please leave a comment about your passion

 HAND COLORING – have you ever considered adding colors to your B&W photos? I’m told you can do that with photoshop but I prefer using the skills from my darkroom. The type of prints that I work with are silver gelatin photographs, not digital. What follows is a Facebook post by Marshall’s Photo Coloring System you may find helpful should you venture into hand coloring:

"To begin with, you’ll need some PM solution made by combining turpentine at 2/3, and 1/3 safflower oil. A small jar would be plenty.  Turpenoid can also be used and it seems to work as well and not smell as bad. Distilled turpentine would probably be safer as far as yellowing down the road. Safflower oil has been used for making white oil paint for years as it does not yellow. Use PM to prime the paper before using oils and pencils. Apply with cotton and rub it down with paper towels. Apply paint with cotton swabs or toothpicks wrapped with cotton and kind of buff to smooth it out. Apply color pencils and rub or stroke with swabs or tooth picks wrapped with cotton to smooth that out. Get good cotton at drugstore. Do one section at a time using the above steps."

Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear your reaction be it photoshop or darkroom. Thanks for your time!

Hand colored cards & prints at

https://www.webbersphotography.com/c/cards--prints

 

 

MY FRONT YARD – this past summer, I was relaxing on our front porch bench. Looking to my left, I gazed upon the trees at the edge of our property. The sunlight was perfect, shining on the leaves, and highlighting between them and the branches. I got my camera, loaded with Infrared Film, looked through the viewfinder, and saw the image I liked. Next step was the darkroom.

Whether you use film or digital, do you look right around you to compose an image in your mind and capture it? It’s great fun and requires no travel. Try it!

Please let me know your thoughts/techniques. Leave a comment below. Thanks!