[LargeFormat] Shen Hao's Yer Father

Fri May 24 13:41:25 2002

Dear Uncle Dick,

Over the time I've participated in this list, I have developed (N+1, Pyro) a
quite vivid image of you in my mind's eye.  However, being a citizen of one
of the former Northern colonies, where we tend to overly categorize people
and things, I have been wondering whether you might fit into one or more of
the following:

-Eccentric (as in a wobbly nut that shifts its bolt's attitude depending
upon the spin imparted)

-Medicated (prescription or otherwise)

-Colorful (or colourful, as in, "Before we realized he was just colorful, we
assumed he had escaped from a mental hospital or gone off his medication."
(see above))

-Unbalanced (as in mentally and/or physically tipsy or unstable as a result
of any or all of the above)

Curiously yours,

Schuyler Grace

Phone:        480.693.3569
FAX:          480.693.7555
CO-MAIL:        52N-AWT

-----Original Message-----
From: rstein [mailto:rstein@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 3:38 AM
To: largeformat@f32.net
Subject: [LargeFormat] Shen Hao's Yer Father

Dear Friends,

     I see I have collected a number of cats by wagging my tale. Ah, it's
just like the old days. Mind, you this nostalgia you get nowadays isn't what
it used to be....

     Let me answer a number of queries in one post.

     The first is to Mr. Wilkes. Donald, whenever you are puzzled by what I
say put the worst possible construction upon it. It might be in deadly
earnest - ie. see post re. mortar bombing the outdoor dunny at Williams. If
that does not seem possible assume that I am perpetrating a hoax such as
challenging the CSM of Taminick Camp to a sabre duel on behalf of the Polish
Army Veterans. Be careful - if you take a formal complaint to the local
police force they may be inclined to boot you out of the station. The third
possiblity is that I am merely having a mild joke with all and sundry. Mild
as in minimal damage and no paper work.

     Or the final alternative - I am telling the complete and unabridged
truth. This means it is too late to run.

    Next correspondent is Mr. Lambert. Yes, Philip, I do know those sort of
people and they are a remarkably inventive and skilled group of enthusiasts.
A surprising number are even law-abiding, though once they are in secluded
places amongst friends things get taken out of the back of vans and set up
in spite of the statutes. Sometimes things are unloaded from trailers and
wheeled into battery and unexplained noises are heard throughout the land. A
wooden-wheeled carriage for something as light as a 30-kilo camera would be
child's play.

        And finally little Jamie Brick. Jamie is obvoiusly a novice in the
art of photography because he asks why one buys a camera. The reasons are as
many as there are cameras, but most revolve around I had the money at the
time and it was there and I needed it badly and I'll make a zillion dollars
with it and it was calling to me and no-one in the state has one and if I
didn't buy it a fairy would die. Honest. Oh, and it is an investment for the
future/children/grandchildren/widow/state/wold of art. Say that fast and it
works.

        I have measured the bellows draw and it will go as short as 120mm
and as long as 1000mm plus so I expect it will be able to accomodate any
lens I can afford. The f.5.6 300mm that I got with it is coated and looks
fairly flawless and as it was the lens quoted for the camera will presumably
have enough covering power. No rise or fall to the lens or back that I have
been able to discover.

    The next question, after the sensitive materials one is answered, will
be that of period studio lighting. Yes, I know I have strobes at present,
but this is vintage stuff, folks. I need to light it as per original to get
that 20's look. All advice gratefully received.

     Also advice on suitable attire for the artist. Were velvet smocks and
berets favoured in the period studio or is it to be the 3-piece suit and
spats?

    Uncle Dick

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