Large Format gathering Oct. 23-27th

[Steve Sherman]

Below is the line up for the Large Format weekend culminating with the Middlesex Cancer Center and exhibition of 150 Large Format images. Anyone can attend any or all of the weekend festivities, admission is free.
There are slight changes to the previously announced schedule. Events take place in central Connecitcut.

Oct. 24th Friday

Monty McCutchen Wet Plate Demo
Charismatic Ultra Large Format photographer who knows this process well and will give a live demonstration
Begins 10 AM

Oct 25th Saturday

Jack Holowitz Face and Figure Studio and Location
Holowitz has lectured world wide on Black & White portraiture and the female figure. His work has long been the focus of Fuji Film’s Professional Division
Begins 10 AM

Glenn Curtis Scanning to Digital Output
Curtis teaches analog photography at Paire College of Art. His love is the digital process. A rare combination, he will demo the complete process from scanning through PhotoShop to digital output.
Begins 3:15 PM

Oct. 26th Sunday

Steve Sherman Reduced Agitation Development
Traditional ULF photographer who popularized the century old process of Stand Development
Begins 11 AM

Oct. 27th Monday

Setup for Large Format Exhibition and Cancer Benefit 2008 10AM - 1 PM
ROG Cocktails and Exhibition 6-9PM There is a $25.00 Tax Deductible Donation for this event
After party 9PM - ??? Sherman Home

Print shares each evening by all in attendance.

The Middlesex Cancer Center has arranged for reduced hotel rates at several different hotels close to the activities. Please email for particulars.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Sure wish I could go...

[climbabout]

I'll be there - hope to meet some of you as well.
Tim

[bob carnie]

Good luck with this Steve, I wish I could go we have an event the same time here in Toronto. I am dying to see Montys setup and we hope to have him up here in Toronto sometime soon.

Bob

[Bob Salomon]

It is too bad that you scheduled it to conflict with the largest exhibition of professional camera equipment as well as seminars in the country that takes place at the Javits Center in NYC on the 23 to 25th. Some people just might want to do both.

[eddie]

i am there!

[Michael Mutmansky]

Bob, what's with the vitriol? What do you gain from a post like that?

[climbabout]

As a clarification - our group"s activities revolve around the Raid our Gallery Cancer Benefit, which we sponsor. The date of which is determined by Middlesex Hospital.
Tim

[Bob Salomon]

Bob, what's with the vitriol? What do you gain from a post like that?

No vitirol. Just a question.

Perhaps if you were spending upwards of $40,000.00 to exhibit and man booths at a show you would understand that conflicts in the general geographic area are not always appreciated.

And the explanation that it is tied into another event does help to explain some of it.

[ASRafferty]

It's always great to hear about New England gatherings...and what a treat to have Monty with you -- one of the nicest, brightest people in the community. I know the folks in Canada will also be having a fabulous time together as well. If Ted were here, I'm betting he'd be feverishly trying to find a way to get to Toronto by way of Connecticut, or vice versa!

[CG]

Bob, what's with the vitriol? What do you gain from a post like that?

Doesn't sound vitriolic - just direct.

C

[Michael Mutmansky]

I stand by my statement, Bob. You could have expressed your feeling more diplomatically and without the edge that is clearly present. Considering that the event is timed with a specific fundraising event, I really don't see how your comment is a meaningful contribution.

If I were spending $40,000 on a booth, the last thing I would be worried about is a few people getting together in CT to talk about photography. And if I were, I certainly would be careful to not alienate any of them with my comments.

Please lighten up and be more personable, you only hurt yourself otherwise.

[Bob Salomon]

I stand by my statement, Bob. You could have expressed your feeling more diplomatically and without the edge that is clearly present. Considering that the event is timed with a specific fundraising event, I really don't see how your comment is a meaningful contribution.

If I were spending $40,000 on a booth, the last thing I would be worried about is a few people getting together in CT to talk about photography. And if I were, I certainly would be careful to not alienate any of them with my comments.

Please lighten up and be more personable, you only hurt yourself otherwise.

Sorry Mike, I don't feel I was too blunt. I asked a question. Perhaps you were reading too much into the question. But then I asked a similar question when some members put together a shoot in June that also conflicted with a large format show. Considering how few shows are venues to show large format equipment if these types of conflicts keep occurring there could be no venues to exhibit new products in niche markets.

[Mick Noordewier]

Gotta agree with Michael. If Steve has put in the time and effort to organize this event, then one assumes he has considered conflicts that might matter to him. In this case, it appears that presentations on photographic art and methods trump a content-free hawking of professional photographic gear. It is, oddly enough, a free country.

I doubt that Bob means to be malicious, but he certainly doesn't do HP Marketing any favors with his messages. His post has the swaggering sound of a deep-pocketed vendor yelling at a group of hobbyists for inconveniencing his commercial opportunity.

-Mick

[Kerik Kouklis]

And the explanation that it is tied into another event does help to explain some of it.

Some of it?? Not ALL of it?? I'm with Mike and Mick on this. If I could get to the east coast that weekend, I'd choose the casual gathering/FUNDRAISER over a commercial leg-humping event in a heartbeat.

[Mike Castles]

Well, it looks to me like we should be happy that there is SO much going on that weekend. I am aware of 4 different gatherings, with the one mentioned in NYC. One in Canada, one in NYC, Steve's in NE and a modest group plans to get together in Texas the same weekend. From where I sit that is only good..still think there are plenty of LF photographers to go around and not all can make it to a big event - but it is sure nice to have alternative events to enjoy and share.

[climbabout]

Easy does it everyone - tone and intent are dangerous to infer from emails and forum posts. So Bob, (whom I don't' know, so I won't make a judgement) I give you the benefit of the doubt. As one of the sponsors of this event, I urge all to refer back to the original post and the reason for it. As I stated earlier, Middlesex Hospital dictates the timing of this fundraiser. Both Steve and I have had very close experiences with cancer in our immediate families, so this cause is near and dear to us. For those of you who would like to know more about the fundraiser here's a link:
http://www.middlesexhospital.org/go/midNewsDetails/newsid/7B9D105E-BB34-E90D-FA005CFFEFAA9D3B
Tim

[Steve Sherman]

Actually, the first Cancer Benefit last year was a week later, the first week of Nov. Middlesex Hospital was so impressed with the way things went last year they immediately encouraged NELFPC to do it again in 2008. With the Presidential Election this year the hospital moved the event one week earlier and so the stars are aligned.

BTW Bob, would you have attended any of the activities going on in central Connecticut?

Cheers

[bob carnie]

Last night we had the opening of the Dylan Ellis Gallery, just around the corner there was a photographic lecture by Cyla Von Tideman and as well a fundraiser by 23 local professional photographers in the Distillery District.

Talk about picking a bad night, but, we had over 4 hundred attendees to see Cornish's work, Ms Tideman packed her venue and the pros made lots of cash for a good benifit.
Granted we are a fairly large market, but well organized and interesting events will always draw .
It is impossible to pick evenings, weekends for such events that do not conflict and the best you can hope for is to market it well, give tons of notice and put on a first class show .

I hope you do well Steve with your event. Tell Monty I have a few choice words for him, I am sure he will understand and I look forward to seeing him up here.

[Bob Salomon]

Actually, the first Cancer Benefit last year was a week later, the first week of Nov. Middlesex Hospital was so impressed with the way things went last year they immediately encouraged NELFPC to do it again in 2008. With the Presidential Election this year the hospital moved the event one week earlier and so the stars are aligned.

BTW Bob, would you have attended any of the activities going on in central Connecticut?

Cheers

I don't know as we never got an invitation to it. Normally either we or one of our reps would go if we have enough advanced warning and it doesn't conflict with something already scheduled. In this case we would not have been able as it does conflict, one of our reps in that area will be at the NY show and the other one will miss all shows due to a family health problem.

[Steve Sherman]

I hope you do well Steve with your event. Tell Monty I have a few choice words for him, I am sure he will understand and I look forward to seeing him up here.

Thanks for your kind words Bob. Congrats to you and the greater Large Format community in Toronto.

Open invitations were issued on the popular internet forums and have been well received.

Hopefully next year's event will be even bigger with more new faces.

[eddie]

friday was an AWESOME DEMO!!!!

THANKS MONTY AND STEVE!!

thanks to everyone who showed up. what a wonderful collection of very very talented photographers! i enjoyed seeing everyone's work.

the demo was top notch. monty is an excellent presenter. the darkroom was one of the best i have ever worked in.....and the food! oh boy! the food was perfect.

it was a wonderful day. i am very happy i was able to attend. i am sorry i will miss the rest of the weekend festivities. based on last night i am guessing i am missing some of the very best information available!

thanks again. i will post some scans of the plates i poured and shot soon.

cheers.

eddie

[climbabout]

Eddie - It was nice to meet you there as well - I enjoyed checking out your camera as well - was thrilled to see my nephew Matt soaking everything in as well.
Tim

[eddie]

Eddie - It was nice to meet you there as well - I enjoyed checking out your camera as well - was thrilled to see my nephew Matt soaking everything in as well.
Tim

yeah! tahnks Tim. same. good to meet you. you have some great photos!

we will get your nephew shooting LF soon. do not worry. he will want t o borrow all your stuff soon! :) we are goingto shoot together when he hits NY!

cheers

eddie

[Steve Sherman]

Yes it has been an inspirational weekend to say the least.

Monty is as good a presenter as I've seen and Jack Holowitz's portrait demo yesterday took in basic lighting and then went onto advance figure modeling in a huge working portrait studio. Many thanks to these two very special human beings.

Two LF guys drove 9 hours from Maryland yesterday and will stay most of today before a 9 hour return trip. Another brave soul took a 5 hour bus ride from northern Vermont to be here through the Cancer Benefit. Picked him up at the train station last night to find him dragging a ski bag filled with Micro Brew beer from the north.

The house and darkroom were filled with LF photogs all weekend and still more to come today.

I will post some JPegs of each days activities to bring everyone up to speed.

Many thanks for everyone's interest.

Cheers

[climbabout]

By all accounts, last nights cancer benefit was a huge success. We had 153 prints to raffle off and most went home with one of their top choices. I heard nothing but positive comments from all in attendance. I don't have actual figure for money raised, but I'm sure Steve will inform us when he gets them from Middlesex Hospital. According, to Sally Ann Lee, the hospital event coordinator, they were ahead of last year.
Tim

[gene LaFord]

I would like to thank Steve for hosting an incredible weekend. It was great. Monty is such a wonderful teacher. And Eddie... I haven't seen that much enthusiasm in one person in a long time. It was a pleasure to meet you.

gene

[Steve Sherman]

The energy, fellowship and inspiration all in the name of defeating Cancer is better left to a few pix.

Photographic Nirvana

Thanks to all who participated!

[Monty McCutchen]

Which camera to buy? What film, developer, paper, process to use? What lens will make my work glow? I asked all of these questions--most of them on this forum. The fact remains though that since I took up Large Format photography the real payoff has been the people that have entered my life. The friends I have made are the real joy. Steve, Jack, Gene, Tim, Marie and all of the rest of the incredible group up in the Northeast are what make the benefit for Middlesex Hospital what it is-which is top notch. If you have a chance to participate next year I encourage you to as it will be worth your time and energy to be associated with such fine folks.

Thanks for allowing me up to help this year--it was an incredible experience.

Monty

[fuegocito]

Just saw this now, what a great group of people, I had so much fun drinking, er, I mean meeting everyone, no, I really mean learning something about photography:-)

Many thanks to Steve and Vicky, Monty and rest of the NELF something something gang. I never thought I say this since photography has always been a solitary endeavor for me, but, Sign me up!!!, Please! :-)

[eddie]

I would like to thank Steve for hosting an incredible weekend. It was great. Monty is such a wonderful teacher. And Eddie... I haven't seen that much enthusiasm in one person in a long time. It was a pleasure to meet you.

gene

thanks gene,

enthusiasm still high! i have the hard to get chemicals ordered......i will order the rest tomorrow when my recipes arrive.....been selling the extra to fund it...man this is going to be fun! stay tuned.

thanks again everyone. i had a great time all around!

see you all soon.....right?

eddie

[Steve Sherman]

Which camera to buy? What film, developer, paper, process to use? What lens will make my work glow? I asked all of these questions--most of them on this forum. The fact remains though that since I took up Large Format photography the real payoff has been the people that have entered my life. The friends I have made are the real joy. Steve, Jack, Gene, Tim, Marie and all of the rest of the incredible group up in the Northeast are what make the benefit for Middlesex Hospital what it is-which is top notch. If you have a chance to participate next year I encourage you to as it will be worth your time and energy to be associated with such fine folks.

Thanks for allowing me up to help this year--it was an incredible experience.

Monty

One day soon your novel will be published as you have a rare talent to say a whole bunch with a few words

[rjphil]

Thanks to Steve, Glenn, John and all who worked to make this another great event. Sorry that I missed Monty's wet plate demo, but seeing his and Dave Prifti's work made up for it. When you put work from 50+ photographers together, it's great to see the difference in vision, printing styles and the myriad variations on the printing process.
I'm looking forward to the next event already.

[Alex Wei]

I am glad that I went there, even for only one day. It was very nice to learn portrait from Jack in the morning and saw so many excellent works at night. Most importantly, the people I met is amazing, what a group of up-beat photographers! I haven't laughed like that for a long time.

Also, I am glad I went shooting with Monty and Prifti in the afternoon, greats guys to hang out with.

I will see what I can come up with in one year, because next year I will participate for sure and I will try my best to make three my best prints for the show.

Thanks to Steve, Curtis studio for their efforts to make things happen.

[eddie]

i got everything ordered...should be here soon.....i am close! still excited!

here are some scans from the plates i made (well, i am missing one. i took it to work and sprayed automotive clear on it instead of varnish just to try it. seems to have worked!)

you can see monty holding the one plate in post #28

thanks again all.

eddie