Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Hello,
Attended the very first Large Format Conference at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque around 2002-2004?
Not sure, but this was possibly connected to Steve Simmons and other prominent names in Large Format Photography. There were many suppliers, vendors, and reps at this conference. Think there were short 1-1.5 hour-long workshops/presentations during that conference.
Due to life and responsibility, I fell away from the LF use for quite some time, but now seeking information on that conference or other gatherings that might be going on in the USA.
Any information appreciated on the status of this conference or whatever it morphed into helpful. Thanks!
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
I feel I may have missed a bit of a golden age - when there were actually Mammoth Camera workshops
Steve Simmons wrote up the 1999 Waterford School Mammoth Camera event in the Sept / Oct issue of View Camera. And I believe there was a second one.
And there was one in Ireland
https://www.inversnaidphoto.com/mcw.htm
There looks like there were a wonderful series of Large and Ultralarge events in Southern California that a listed on this site that Tri Tran and Jim Fitzgerald were involved in.
Sorry I missed these gatherings - but I would not miss them now.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
FrancisF, I did look over the Ireland Workshop you linked. There may have been a couple of those folks at the LF conference I was talking about. I also now remember
we went to a studio in downtown Albuquerque and saw a demonstration of a 20x24 LF camera, and I think it was using Polaroid film?
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Conferences are one thing, but shooting workshops are quite another. Tillman Crane used to shoot LF exclusively but no longer, however at his shooting workshops he encourages folks to shoot with whatever equpment they like. If you bring LF gear to a workshop he is very knowledgeable and can help you get the most out of it.
https://www.tillmancrane.com/workshops/
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
djdister
Conferences are one thing, but shooting workshops are quite another. Tillman Crane used to shoot LF exclusively but no longer, however at his shooting workshops he encourages folks to shoot with whatever equpment they like. If you bring LF gear to a workshop he is very knowledgeable and can help you get the most out of it.
https://www.tillmancrane.com/workshops/
Or a John Sexton or Bruce Barnbaum workshop.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
There is a gallery over there in Astoria that has workshops (Jim Fitzgerald is/has given carbon workshops there). You might inquire there and/or get on their mailing list.
http://lightbox-photographic.com/
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
I was at that 2002 conference as both a booth holder (right next to Jens from Durst), and as a presenter on designing and building view cameras. Don't think I achieved much traction at either (I think I kind of bombed as a presenter)...but I had a blast after hours with many LF folks - capped by a group camping foray up to Chaco Canyon. Yup...those were the days alright!
By the way - I'd truly like to know...where in the world is Steve Simmons?
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
aljackson
I also now remember we went to a studio in downtown Albuquerque and saw a demonstration of a 20x24 LF camera, and I think it was using Polaroid film?
Tracy Storer here probably knows about that - I don't recall the exact timing of his early involvement with the Polaroid 20x24, but he may well have been there.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Steve Simmons may weigh in on the LF conferences he held several times*, I think the first one MAY have been in '02 and yes, it was in Albuquerque. I was there with the Polaroid 20x24 from my studio in San Francisco.
Tillman Crane organized and hosted the "Mammoth Camera Workshops" in Sandy Utah in '99 and '00, and I was glad to be part of both of those along with reps from various manufacturers (Canham, Wisner, Lotus, Jobo, Phillips, Bostick and Sullivan, etc) as well as LF luminaries (and friends) Michael A Smith and Paula Chamlee, and Lois Conner.
Tillman Crane also organized the Inversnaid Mammoth Camera Workshop (in Scotland not Ireland) which I was originally to be a part of, but it never came together quite as hoped.
In the late '90's, shortly after I brought the 20"x24" to the west coast, I did a "Polaroid Roadtrip" and gave lectures, demos, and offered discounted studio sessions with the 20x24 at Calumet locations in LA, Santa Barbara, and Santa Ana.
For three years in the early "00s Polaroid Corporation did "The Polaroid Roadshow" which featured the 20"x24" as well as smaller format Polaroid products, techniques and seminars.
Jim F, Tri Tran, and Hugo Zhang organized a few LF/ULF get togethers in So Cal that I never managed to get to.
(*Steves LF Conferences were held in Abq NM, Monterey CA, and I believe Fort Collins CO over the years.)
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Layton
By the way - I'd truly like to know...where in the world is Steve Simmons?
Steve Simmons is alive and well, still living near Abq(EDIT: I think he is no longer in NM, maybe in Idaho now), retired from publishing, and seems to be living the dream spending a lot of time on horseback.FYI, He may still offer the occasional LF workshop, look him up on Facebook !
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
...Steve hosted yet another LF conference in Springfield, Mass (I had a table there, and hung some work in the exhibit hall) - in '05 if I remember correctly.
Lots of great folks there...Richard Ritter with a then-new ultra wide LF (7x17?) - Barb Lowry from Cooke Optics, A nice Arca-Swiss table (showing the newly released Misura I believe), Blue Earth publishing, Lotus Camera had a nice setup also, plus loads more.
At any rate...nice to hear that Steve S. is doing well - and I wish him the best.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Thanks again to all who replied to my original post. That was an enjoyable and fun conference with some great memories. Now that I'm retired LF holds new interest for me! - Thanks again for the information surrounding Steve Simmons.
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Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
aljackson
FrancisF, I did look over the Ireland Workshop you linked. There may have been a couple of those folks at the LF conference I was talking about. I also now remember
we went to a studio in downtown Albuquerque and saw a demonstration of a 20x24 LF camera, and I think it was using Polaroid film?
We almost saw the 20x24 Polaroid in use this particular year (in Sante Fe...2003?) -- the humidity difference was too great for the camera and they could not get it all light-tight for "Big Cameras on the Plaza". At least that is my memory of it.
After they determined that the 20x24 was a no-go, Dick Sullivan asked if any of the folks with the big cameras had any loaded holders to do a group shot from the stage. Apparently, I was the only one who did (or admitted it, anyway), so I took one with my tiny 8x10. Only had a 300mm lens -- could have used the 250 I have now.
Image from an 8x10 silver gelatin contact print...That is Steve S. holding up a couple copies of View Camera Magazine.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Steve Simmons runs a group on that Meta app and is quite active there.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vaughn
We almost saw the 20x24 Polaroid in use this particular year (in Sante Fe...2003?) -- the humidity difference was too great for the camera and they could not get it all light-tight for "Big Cameras on the Plaza". At least that is my memory of it.
After they determined that the 20x24 was a no-go, Dick Sullivan asked if any of the folks with the big cameras had any loaded holders to do a group shot from the stage. Apparently, I was the only one who did (or admitted it, anyway), so I took one with my tiny 8x10. Only had a 300mm lens -- could have used the 250 I have now.
Image from an 8x10 silver gelatin contact print...That is Steve S. holding up a couple copies of View Camera Magazine.
Ah, THAT was 2001, and part of APIS. The problem with the 20x24 was that it was one of Wisners versions of the Polaroid. They were barely light-tight enough for use INDOORS. (fact not snark)
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vaughn
We almost saw the 20x24 Polaroid in use this particular year (in Sante Fe...2003?) -- the humidity difference was too great for the camera and they could not get it all light-tight for "Big Cameras on the Plaza". At least that is my memory of it.
After they determined that the 20x24 was a no-go, Dick Sullivan asked if any of the folks with the big cameras had any loaded holders to do a group shot from the stage. Apparently, I was the only one who did (or admitted it, anyway), so I took one with my tiny 8x10. Only had a 300mm lens -- could have used the 250 I have now.
Image from an 8x10 silver gelatin contact print...That is Steve S. holding up a couple copies of View Camera Magazine.
When giants roamed the earth....
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Steve Sherman is conducting a workshop conference this fall in Connecticut , many of us here have gone to his place for these and he is quite the host.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bob carnie
Steve Sherman is conducting a workshop conference this fall in Connecticut , many of us here have gone to his place for these and he is quite the host.
Wish we had one up here. We may not have the numbers but we would make up for it haha, and the US dollar goes very far up here lol. Think Rob Skeoch organized some informal ones when he ran BigCameraWorkshops.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
I ran one about 4 years ago and about 6 people from APUG and this Forum showed up, The first one I ran in 2006 had over 200 people attend from all ports.
Steve Sherman'sis intimate and well run and probably the closest thing to the old style conferences. And of course there is Photostock which Bill Schwab organizes most years in Michigan.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bob carnie
I ran one about 4 years ago and about 6 people from APUG and this Forum showed up, The first one I ran in 2006 had over 200 people attend from all ports.
Steve Sherman'sis intimate and well run and probably the closest thing to the old style conferences. And of course there is Photostock which Bill Schwab organizes most years in Michigan.
Yeah, I remember the first one when you had the lab on Industrial, was a good time. I don't spend much time anymore at whatever APUG has become. Always wanted to go to Photostock but pandemic...maybe after I retire, whenever that will be lol But would like something bit more casual and low key, with loose workshops, and closer to home.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
aljackson
Hello,
Attended the very first Large Format Conference at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque around 2002-2004?
Not sure, but this was possibly connected to Steve Simmons and other prominent names in Large Format Photography. There were many suppliers, vendors, and reps at this conference. Think there were short 1-1.5 hour-long workshops/presentations during that conference.
Due to life and responsibility, I fell away from the LF use for quite some time, but now seeking information on that conference or other gatherings that might be going on in the USA.
Any information appreciated on the status of this conference or whatever it morphed into helpful. Thanks!
We will be starting a LF group that will get together in August. We are looking at the 20th of August as our first meeting. It will be held at LightBox Photographic Gallery in Astoria Oregon. We hope to get photographers who may have gotten out of LF for whatever reason back into it. We have a historic process darkroom and a full silver darkroom at the gallery. This weekend I'm teaching a carbon transfer workshop. Please contact Michael Granger at the gallery and tell him you heard about our group we are forming. We would love to have anyone who wants to join us come out on the 20th of August. You can reach Michael at michael@lightbox-photographic.com.
Re: Large Format Conference / University of New Mexico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fred L
Yeah, I remember the first one when you had the lab on Industrial, was a good time. I don't spend much time anymore at whatever APUG has become. Always wanted to go to Photostock but pandemic...maybe after I retire, whenever that will be lol But would like something bit more casual and low key, with loose workshops, and closer to home.
Well Photostock is about as casual as one can imagine and extremely welcoming, I have always wanted to go back
