430am and I am back from the darkroom after a LONG day. Been in there since 9am, minus a final photography dinner with my mentor and the other photo students and our program director. Delicious meal, well needed after the bananas, chocolate bars and tea I keep in the darkroom to keep me going. The trip back at 430 am was beautiful, Prague is lovely. Its was clear and quiet, but not spooky or scary (the way Los Angeles can be at night.) It was very at peace. There wasn't anyone around, except near the bus stops, where the occasional person shivered quietly. Its nice that the public transportation runs all night long, so even at 345 when I wanted to come home, I was able to. That said, the trip usually takes me 15 minutes, not 45 but still.... 3 cheers for public trans!
The exhibition is tomorrow and I am so excited! It should be very nice. I'm thrilled to finally see all my work from the last few months together in a collection. I know what I've done and spent so much time on each piece individually, that I am curious to see how the final body of work looks. The best thing about this is that my work is in no way done. This exhibition is just an end to my time in Prague with these particular people (So sad to leave Miroslav!), but I will keep working and perfecting this project and my work in general. I'm so happy with this project that I almost don't want it to be over... so hey! It isnt, until I say so! (heehee!)
That's all for now! Glad to share my excitement with you before I get some much needed sleep before a busy day setting up the exhibition space and in the evening.... SHOWTIME!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
A Lovely Culture Shock
Sorry about the infrequent posting! As the semester comes to a close I am been crazy busy preparing for my final exhibition! That means: lots of time in the darkroom...So many hours!
I am also working on several other projects. One is a book of aerial photographs I have been working on for three years. Today, it was finally ready to go to the publisher. My mentor, Miroslav, introduced me to a former student of his and now prominent printer and photographer, Mr. S. He prints entirely on archival paper. None of this glossy paper, plastic coating crap. Just beautiful old fashioned paper. This is really important for this particular book because the photographs concentrate on texture and line. I wanted heavy paper, one where you could see the grain and fiber under the ink and around the borders. Mr. S helped me pick lovely 320gram paper (that's really heavy). It's perfect!
I arrived at the studio at 10:30am and we looked over the photographs and I described the paper I needed. We pulled out some papers to choose from, and a second round, and mixed and matched. He treated me like a VIP client, not a student. I suspect it was out of respect for his former teacher, Miroslav, who is truly loved around Prague. Every photographer in Prague worth his salt has worked with Miroslav and those students who are too young to have studied under him envy me for having the chance. I am so grateful for getting to work with him. Miroslav knows so much, it has been such a great experience.
But back to my day with Mr. S, the printer: after we picked the paper, he basically taught me how to create books and the basics of preparing photographs for printing until 3pm. He took 4 hours (!!!) out of his day to mentor me on information that would not only help me with our current project but also with endeavors in the future. I just couldn't help thinking that in the US, something like that (a professional donating that much time out of their day) would seldom happen. That lesson was a lovely surprise and gift.
I am also working on several other projects. One is a book of aerial photographs I have been working on for three years. Today, it was finally ready to go to the publisher. My mentor, Miroslav, introduced me to a former student of his and now prominent printer and photographer, Mr. S. He prints entirely on archival paper. None of this glossy paper, plastic coating crap. Just beautiful old fashioned paper. This is really important for this particular book because the photographs concentrate on texture and line. I wanted heavy paper, one where you could see the grain and fiber under the ink and around the borders. Mr. S helped me pick lovely 320gram paper (that's really heavy). It's perfect!
I arrived at the studio at 10:30am and we looked over the photographs and I described the paper I needed. We pulled out some papers to choose from, and a second round, and mixed and matched. He treated me like a VIP client, not a student. I suspect it was out of respect for his former teacher, Miroslav, who is truly loved around Prague. Every photographer in Prague worth his salt has worked with Miroslav and those students who are too young to have studied under him envy me for having the chance. I am so grateful for getting to work with him. Miroslav knows so much, it has been such a great experience.
But back to my day with Mr. S, the printer: after we picked the paper, he basically taught me how to create books and the basics of preparing photographs for printing until 3pm. He took 4 hours (!!!) out of his day to mentor me on information that would not only help me with our current project but also with endeavors in the future. I just couldn't help thinking that in the US, something like that (a professional donating that much time out of their day) would seldom happen. That lesson was a lovely surprise and gift.
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