In my previous post I spun a yarn about how I ran over a huge Bull snake on my way back from The River.
I was at The River on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, with my dear friend (and world-famous photojournalist and professor extraordinaire), Kevin Moloney. We went to The River to commit art. As Kevin said… we were committing crafts.
I was crafty as I set my tripod in the road, the very narrow and winding road that runs adjacent to The River, a few yards away from a blind turn. I saw a tree I have been looking at for two years. The early morning backlight coming through its pine needles made me stop the car and back up to a spot where I could park.
That 8×10 camera wasn’t this heavy last year. I digress…
I got under the dark cloth and saw a few cars, upside down, pass before the lens. I composed with a certain discipline of the ground glass, focused, took a meter reading, closed the lens (very important), set the aperture and shutter, pushed the 8×10 film holder in its slot, pulled the slide and committed art.
It’s not so bad. I will have to create a mask* to bring down the blown highlights of the water in the left section of the frame. And I will. But not until I go back today, set up and wait for the light to return. Maybe it will be softer on the water… Only God knows!!!
*To learn masking techniques, take one of Alan Ross’ workshops at his home in Santa Fe.
I leave you with, “Bent Tree.”
TekTok
Sinar 8×10, Fuiji 420mm lens, 1/4 @ ƒ/90, Delta 100 at 100, Rodinal 1:50 for 15 minutes, processed in a Stearman Press 8×10 light tight tray, running water as stop, Photographers’ Formulary F4 Archival Fixer, running water rinse, HypoClear for 2 minutes, 10 minute wash in Zone VI Archival Print Washer, 1 minute PhotoFlo, hang dry, scan Epson V850 at 600 dpi and 48-bit RGB color for CMYK separations for the book.
