I recall what Mark Twain routinely said to howling laughter on his popular speaking tours later in life: "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated!"
+1. The Van Dyke brownprint is killer!Excellent points by Brooks.
Thomas
Hi Mark,
I was deliberate in not endorsing the work, which perhaps belies Brandt's observation of film. However, I understand what he was suggesting about film, and the indefinable magical quality.
I believe that there is currently an exhibition of Brandt's work at Brooks in Santa Barbara, in case anyone is interested. Check first, this is from memory (often unreliable)!
Yup, and that's fine with me. Film has always been my alternative.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/andy8x10
Flickr Site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62974341@N02/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.oneill.artist/
In this case, I do not think the Petzval lens aesthetic motivated his "alternative photography" comment. I am not "swirly" Petzval portrait photographer. The image below is one of the images he was commenting on and is representative of the photographs he was looking at. I should also add that there were a few portraits taken with RR, Heliar, and a Kodak Portrait (meniscus) lenses.
Billy
8x10 Kodak 2D
Dallmeyer 4D - Wide Open
8x10 FP4+ in HC-110
Kennewick, WA
Jay, this is so beautiful, spontaneous and natural, I'd never guess it was made with a view camera. Regarding your question, I think the answer depends on who you ask. For the guy who made the comment; yes, I suppose LF film photography might be considered an alt process in much the same way Nirvana might be considered an alt rock band -- a convenient label in absence of a deeper understanding of the subject. I'm sure he meant it as a compliment.
Jay,
Your portrait is lovely. I think the classic eyes-in-focus wide-open-lens approach is, these days, quite unusual and thus "alternative," regardless of lens or even technology. Also, you made no effort to "air-brush" her face, which was the norm back in the day. I think the same portrait made with a high-end digital camera would be "alternative." Your young visitor was, apparently, responding quite nicely to your artistic vision, albeit is a somewhat inarticulate youthful manner.
Personally, I think being an alternative to the commonplace, the mainstream, the comfortable, the Q&D, or the usual methodology is a really good thing. IMHO film has been "alternative photography" for a few years now.
Thanks,
Kirk
at age 73:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep"
Bookmarks