The Next Generation

Two Richmond photographers,
Thomas (on the left) and Joseph
(on the right).

What I do

This a sampling of the sorts of things I do as a
museum photographer: Reproduction: Meade Bros.
Daguerreotype of Daguerre, Objects: Third base from
World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, and Glass, Geissler Tube, Event: Boston Red Sox presentation. Ah the endless variety!

Necessary things from the past

How to load a 4X5 film holder.
Remembering to go between the rollers on a Rollei 2.8 TLR
How to load a Hasselblad back.
How to load and process film hangers
How to load a 35mm or 120/220 stainless film reel
How to load a Leica M film camera ( although that does not seem to have changed)
Am I showing my age?
Feel free to add to the list, this is just the beginning, I am sure.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography in Photoshop CS2

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography in Photoshop CS2

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Converting a Digital Color Photo into Black and White

Converting a Digital Color Photo into Black and White

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My Day Job

This is where I work and this is an example of the work I do.
Digital photography has greatly shortened the time between concept and and final work. The assignment was to photograph Lincoln's coat. I thought it would be great to include the hat. Having "floated" a gazillion hats, caps, and helmets, for another exhibit I had a good idea how to do it. Two photos, one of the coat, the second of the hat on a stand beside the coat, a little Photoshop
(LEARN LAYERS!!!), and it's done, all in about an hour. Of course what you don't see is four pairs of very nervous hands outside camera view on guard for the hat.
Tech stuff: (The Hat/Coat)Hasselblad H1 80mm lens, H101 P25 back ,1/125th, f22. This shot, Canon G5,of course.

Commuting

A portion of our days is spent going from point A to point B

Setting up a View Camera

I had the opportunity to photograph this camera and it got me thinking about how different it is to work with a view camera. There is a deliberation that takes place long before a picture is even taken. Pick your spot, take meter readings, set up the tripod (this one was a bear by the way) and get ready to unpack the camera. Unpack, unfold, (monorail camera users results may vary), check groundglass (not broken I hope,did I pack an extra?) select lens, mount lens, and mount on tripod,attach cable release. I walk around the camera check the levels, zero the front and rear standards, open the lens and get ready to go under the darkcloth to compose the picture. How many film holders did I bring?
Not a single picture taken yet.
There is something abou this that is soothing in a way, an air of "Wax On Wax Off."

PS You will probably point out some step I missed, feel free to let me know.

No, not shot with the G5. I would go nuts trying to do this with that camera. Tamron 90 Macro (manual focus). Kodak DCS full chip (14.5MP) camera. Thanks Eric for letting me borrow this. Lying around Sunday watching the cat (May). Wonderful things are always nearby.

A word about the name

Ikontakt Imago

Well, once upon a time I had a business, no, let me be honest, I had some business cards made, with the name Icontact Photography. I thought it was pretty smart at the time, a triple pun, containing, Eye contact, I contact, and Icon (Gk., the very image ). Lo and behold, when I went to start this blog I found (Duh!) everybody had something called Icontact. So much for the brilliance of my own mind. The name and spelling are my pathetic attempt to be unique (Hah!)

How it all started

As corny as it might seem, this is the image I credit for where I am today. It was shot probably with a Pentax Spotmatic on Tri-X
FILM. It was all about waiting, for the film to process, using the enlarger, exposing the paper, and putting it in the developer.
When this started to come up in the developer tray, I was amazed. While I appreciate digital, it does not have that same experience. I don't miss the smell of fixer on my hands though.

Tech Stuff: I use different cameras for work. Many of the photos here will have been taken with the Canon Powershot G5. It's small, it has a fast lens f2.0-3.0. By today's standards it has a cranky focus in low light, not an action camera (unless you preselect where you think the action will be), all in all somewhat eccentric. Lots of noise, but I grew up with Tri-X, so I think of it as my Tri-X camera. A wonderful flip-out screen for different viewpoints.

First Thought/Reflection
Although still photographs appear to be similar perhaps in theme or point of view each one is wonderfully it's own image, the result of an instant of visual decision, a very image (Icon).