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Greetings!

If these first two months are any indication, 2011 looks to be a busy and rewarding year!  In January, I had the pleasure of hosting and teaching a wonderful couple from Italy (more on this below).  Towards the end of the month, Julie and I traveled to Dallas for the opening of a show of my work at the Sun To Moon Gallery.  Owners Scot and Marilyn Miller are not only fun, funny and passionate about photography, they are just nice people.  Stop by the gallery if you're in the Dallas area--they have a wonderful collection of color and black-and-white work, and I'll be there March 5th for a brief reception as the show comes down.  Last weekend, I gave a new presentation on Polaroid and Ansel Adams at the Albuquerque Museum.  Putting the presentation together was a great incentive to dig through my Adams archive, and I found a lot of fun tidbits and images in the process!  I'll be sharing some of my favorites in the coming months.

So, here's a quick look at workshop opportunities on the horizon and a few tips and tidbits on my favorite subject...photography!
AA SJB
Cheers,

Sig on clear
[email protected]
www.alanrossphotography.com


Newsy and Possibly Noteworthy
 
June Workshop in Southern Italy?!

My January workshop student-now-friend, Francesco Bosso, and I talked a good deal about doing a workshop based out of his home town of Barletta, Italy - on the Adriatic coast almost due East of Naples.  A fashion designer by trade and a photographer by passion, Francesco has offered to help coordinate a five-day workshop based in Barletta in late June.  We would have the use of his darkroom for some film processing and print demonstrations.  The region has some amazing architecture and wonderful landscapes that I would love to explore with you.  Unlike the Tuscany session I had planned just as the recent recession hit, this would not be a total "package."  Instead, participants would be able to choose their own lodging with Francesco's help - from B&B to ?stars.  The cost for just the 5-day workshop would be €1000 (Euros - payable to me at current USD equivalent).  Airfare, lodging, ground transportation and meals would be up to each participant, although we would have lots of help and advice from Francesco.  Tentative dates are June 20-24 or June 27- July 1.  The group would be limited to ten participants and we need a minimum of 8 to make it go.  Partners/companions would be welcome to join social times and field sessions (provided ride-sharing can be worked out - we will not have a bus).  I'd like to get a feel for interest before going much further, so if this interests you, let me know and we'll move ahead.  Also, let me know if you have a preference on dates.  The b/w image below is of Matera - a definite stop!  Photo by Francesco Bosso.

Italy













Yosemite - Crafting the Fine Black-and-White Photograph - April 6-10

Spaces still available.  While this is not designed as a class for digital photographers, the essentials of great photography also apply to digital, so pixel people are welcome!  April is a great time of year in Yosemite - the falls are starting to roar, plants and trees are greening up, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived.

Utah Road Trip in September?

The last few road trips have taken us through the Four Corners area and we've had some magnificent scenery and photo opps.  But, it's time for a change of scenery so I'm thinking Utah, September 19-23.  Email me if you're interested.  

Tech Tips and Observations
 

Instant Film

 

While I was doing the research for my recent talk on Polaroid and Ansel Adams (in conjunction with a 900+ print exhibit of SX-70 images), I learned that SX-70 film is still being made by The Impossible Project in Holland.  They are also making black-and white SX-70 film and have plans to bring back 8x10!  You may also know that Fuji has an SX-70 type instant camera and Polaroid has reintroduced one!  Fuji is also offering color and BW films in both 4x5 and 3x4 packs (not individual sheets).

Eco Pro Developer

 

I recently tested some new b/w paper developer which proclaims itself to be eco-friendly - containing no metol, hydroquinone or phenidone.  It's a liquid concentrate and in its undiluted form has a much better shelf life than stock solution Dektol, my gold-standard "soup" for nearly forty years.  The package suggested a dilution of 1:9 for 2 minutes, but I found that to be a bit short of the tonality I'm used to getting with Dektol 1:2 for 2 minutes.  After a bit more testing, I found that 1:6 for 2 minutes or 1:9 for 3 minutes matched the Dektol just fine.  In recent years I've had some inkling that I have been developing a mild skin allergy to the Dektol, so this may wind up working well for me.  It is fairly yellow in color, but that seems to pose no problem - and its nice to not have to mix from a powder.

That's it for now.  Email me with questions, comments, or what you've been up to, photographically or otherwise!  Until next month....

Alan 
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