Midwest Large Format Asylum Print Review April 28 & 29, 2023
Check out the MWLFA facebook page to see images of previous event. https://www.facebook.com/groups/275113417230/
What To Expect – How To Prepare
The Midwest Large Format Asylum (MWLFA) is not a formal organized group. There are no dues, official meetings or officers. For liability reasons, the MWLFA is just a bunch of people who get together informally from time to time to shoot photographs or to view and enjoy photographs. All friends who attend these informal get-togethers have a common interest in large format photography. Individuals attend on their own volition and at their own risk. I might add you might also run the risk of making good friends for the rest of your life and seeing museum quality photographic work.
The MWLFA’s next get-together “Print Review” is on April 28th & April 29thin Chesterton, Indiana at the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel located at 558 Indian Boundary Road (219-926-2200). The get-together will be time spent learning from other large format photographers and showing and enjoying photographic prints made with large format cameras.
The Best Western Indian Oak Hotel is a little tricky to find for newcomers. The address of 558 Indian Boundary Road is actually a strip mall with many businesses. Head towards the Hallmark store and there is a road that leads to the hotel. Just past the Water Bird Lake Side Inn, you will find the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel.
Many people book rooms for Friday & Saturday nights so they can spend as much time as possible being absorbed in all things large format. Other people drive in on Saturday morning & just spend the day. If you decide to book a room, the MWLFA has a block of rooms reserved with a special rate.
Friday, April 28th
For those arriving on Friday, April 28th, there are several functions on the agenda. But before the fun begins, anyone is welcome to come to the meeting room on the second floor (near the lobby) to help set up the room for Saturday’s print review. Helping to set up the room is optional but if you are around, we will start about 2 pm. After lugging in the bins of equipment (there is no elevator to the second floor), we arrange the tables & chairs & set up the lights and electrical. After that is done, we will hang around to chat before we head out for dinner.
Friday Dinner
Dinner will be from 6 to approximately 7:30 pm at Round the Clock Restaurant (1607 S Calumet Rd., Chesterton, IN). Check out the menu: https://www.roundtheclockrestaurants.com
Anyone interested in dining together is welcome. Just call or text Francis Fullam (708-595-5831) by April 25 so he can make a reservation. Everybody is responsible for covering their own expenses.
Friday Presentations
On Friday night, MWLFA has two 45 minute talks scheduled for after dinner at 8 pm. The first speaker is James Kyle and he will talk about his work with paper negatives. The second speaker will be Ken Hough and will talk about camera bellow, maintenance, repair and construction. The talks will be in our meeting room on the second floor of Best Western Indian Oak Hotel located at 558 Indian Boundary Road.
Photo Shoot Opportunities
For those of you arriving early on Friday, there are shooting opportunities at the Dunes. There are both National and State parks in the area. Check the links for details
https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
https://www.in.gov/.../parks-lakes/i...es-state-park/
Saturday, April 29th
The Print Review. The print review is a day of viewing and enjoying photographs made with large format cameras. There is no judging, just enjoying. There is not a requirement to show photographs to attend.
Saturday Breakfast
For those staying overnight at the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel, there is a continental breakfast provided. Or, another option is to meet downtown Chesterton at Peggy Sue’s Diner (117 S Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN). It has become a tradition for many previous attendees to meet there.
The day starts at about 8 am when the door is open to the meeting room, which is on the second floor the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel. Upon entering, you will be asked to register by signing the guest book. There is no charge to attend, but the MWLFA will ask for a goodwill donation to help cover the expense of the room, which is gladly accepted any time during the day. You will be given a nametag and asked if you will be showing photographs. You will also be given a menu to choose your entrée for lunch and pay for it. We will be ordering from a local restaurant that includes vegan and gluten free options. There is not a requirement of showing photographs to attend.
Print Review
Sometime around 9 am we get started. After a welcome and introductions, the first portfolio is set up for viewing. Each portfolio is viewed one at a time in the front of the room where we have 17 easels that are lighted. Everybody is welcome to get up close & personal with the photographs. After some time a signal will be given for everybody to return to their seats. The photographer is then able to speak or answer questions.
The order of portfolios will be random. Names will be drawn out of a hat during the day. Nobody will know the order until their name is drawn.
The only requirement to show a portfolio is that the original capture of the image be made with a large format camera. We are a large format group and do not allow images to be shown made with medium format, 35mm or digital cameras. The prints, however, can be traditional silver prints, or alternative processed prints or digitally printed prints.
There is no restriction on how few or many prints to show. We set up and light for 17 easels. If you have more than that, there is extra room on the tables in front. Framing, mounting or matting prints is not necessary, although most prints shown are mounted.
Saturday Lunch
Lunch is catered in. Upon registration you will be offered a menu. All entrees on the menu will be the same price of $22. We have tried to be mindful to offer a variety of sandwich and salad options, vegan and gluten-free. You are responsible to pay for your lunch and can only pay by cash. The price will include the entrée, delivery, tax, gratuity and dessert. The MWLFA will provide soda, iced tea and bottled water. You also have the option of going out to lunch, but you will miss a great opportunity for visiting with fellow colleagues. We very much encourage you to stay and join us in the meeting room for lunch.
At lunch time we also want to discuss the topics of: 1) what time of year to hold the annual print review – in the spring as we are doing this year or in January as we have in the past and, 2) gauge interest in planning for a group shoot day gathering…and who is interested in organizing it.
Portfolios will be shown one at a time throughout the day starting at 9 am. We try to end by 5 pm. It is always our hope that everyone stays the entire day so the last person to show is given the same respect they had for you earlier in the day. Prepare to be inspired.
Marketplace
In the back of the meeting room, there will be tables set aside for photo equipment that you want to sell or give away.
Raffle
For those staying till the end, there will be a raffle for some photographic items. There is no cost to take part but you must be present to win – an incentive to stay till the end.
COVID
We are so glad to be able to gather for our first in-person event in some time. Covid is largely behind us…..but it is still with us and we wanted to outline the precautions to follow at the event to protect each other from the spread of this disease.
Please use a self-test at home the day before you come to make sure you are testing negative. If you have Covid symptoms or test positive, please stay home and take care of yourself. Mask wearing is optional at the event. Masks will be supplied at the event for those interested. These precautions help assure that you leave the event with good memories, and not Covid.
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Originally Posted by FrancisF
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