Robert Dawson and his "Accordion View Camera"

[tgtaylor]

In todays SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/art/article/Photographer-checks-out-US-public-libraries-5405100.php?cmpid=hp-hc-entertainment

Thomas

[Thom Bennett]

Cool! My grandmother was a librarian so I have a special affinity for libraries. Thanks for sharing this Thomas.

[William Whitaker]

His next project should be a series on accordions... sheesh!

[Amedeus]

Not to mention the use of the word "cumbersome" ...


In todays SF Gate: http://www.sfgate.com/art/article/Photographer-checks-out-US-public-libraries-5405100.php?cmpid=hp-hc-entertainment

Thomas

[karl french]

I've been using my even bigger more cumbersome 8x10 inch accordion view camera to document the demolition of the much despised Jack Tar Hotel in SF. Still waiting for my story in the Chronicle... :-)

I do like those images though.

[tgtaylor]

Hey Karl, that is a classic demolition site. I frequently pass it while driving up Franklin street to the Marina Green, in fact I drove by yesterday and was impressed as always with the site of so many square partitions, formerly rooms, shown in cross section in the process of being demolished. I never stopped to take a picture but I will the next time. Arriving in SF in late 1984, I always knew it as the Cathedral Hill Hotel. One of my first watering holes was Tommy's Joint next door on Van Ness and Route 101 a little further up Van Ness on the other side. For those not familiar with the Jack Tar (Cathedral Hill), here's an article on it that was published late last year: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/End-of-line-for-S-F-s-infamous-Jack-Tar-Hotel-4992130.php#photo-5481854

Thomas

[William Whitaker]

Rooms are probably pretty cheap now...

[karl french]

113863

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Deardorff V8 8x10 w/Goerz 6.5" Wide Angle Dagor on Ilford HP5+

113865

113866

KB Canham 8x10 Traditional w/Rodenstock Sinaron S 300mm f5.6 on Fomapan 100

[ROL]

"says Dawson, who still shoots Adams-style with a cumbersome accordion view camera on a tripod."

Dang, I gonna have to get one of de'm Angel Adams accordion cammys. Lady of Spain...*







* …then there would be at least two more reasons for people to leave me alone when I shoot.:p

[BarryS]

You guys haven't been keeping up. :)

http://www.wanderingbears.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/andrew-lewicki-accordion-obscura-camera-large-format-front-standard-4x5-treble-keyboard.jpeg

[William Whitaker]

a truly digital camera...

[ROL]

Ah yes, the whole ZS musical analogy writ real. Barry, you must explain the origin of that picture! Something from HP Marketing perhaps?:D

[BarryS]

Ah yes, the whole ZS musical analogy writ real. Barry, you must explain the origin of that picture! Something from HP Marketing perhaps?:D

It's a piece by artist Andrew Lewicki (http://www.wanderingbears.co.uk/2011/05/blog-andrew-lewicki/), called Accordian Obscura.

[tgtaylor]

113863

113864

Deardorff V8 8x10 w/Goerz 6.5" Wide Angle Dagor on Ilford HP5+

113865

113866

KB Canham 8x10 Traditional w/Rodenstock Sinaron S 300mm f5.6 on Fomapan 100

Great shots Karl! You took them just after they cleared the floors but before demolition of the core began. But how did you go about gaining access for the high perspectives?

Thomas

[karl french]

Thanks. I live right across the street. Our pool is above the Van Ness side of things and we have some balcony space above the Franklin side.

[tgtaylor]

I had a feeling that you did but I kept thinking that you lived down from the Round House near that coffee shop that we met up in that Sunday and you somehow got the construction company to hoist you up or got access to a nearby apartment window or something.

Thomas

[brucetaylor]

"Accordian Obscura" - weird. It visually describes my two extra-curricular activities, playing my piano accordion and shooting LF. I like it! Do the photos get louder the harder you squeeze?

I remember the Jack Tar. I went with my parents when it was new, they went there for cocktails. It was considered pretty swanky at the time, I believe. I thought it looked strange when I was a kid, when I was a teenager and when I went there for a conference about a decade ago. It tried, but it just didn't work. Quite out of place given the neighboring buildings as I recall.

[ROL]

"Accordian Obscura" - weird. ...I like it! Do the photos get louder the harder you squeeze?

I believe the subjects get farther away, as well as louder.