[LargeFormat] introductions

[Arie]

Clive wrote:
"It seems that we do not hear from a large number of people on the
list so this in an invite to everyone to come out of lurking mode and
tell us who you are. Something simple on your photographic
background, kit and preferred format/film and location would be a
good starting point."



Hi
    I've been a lurker on this list for a while, occasionally putting in my
2 cents worth.  To start off with I'm not exactly in the gray curmudgeon
section nor am I in the shallow end of the pool.  I'm 39 and have been
exhibiting my art in galleries for the past 20 years.  Originally from New
York city, having studied at the School of Visual Arts and completing my
degree in unemployment at the Cooper Union (with a side trip in-between in
Arizona studying at ASU) I now find myself since 1990 in San Francisco
working as a museum preparator.  I used to work in the commercial photo
industry doing table top product shots in Az. (back in the heat after
college)as well as auction catalogue work for Butterfields here in SF.
    Originally I wanted to be the next Gene Smith but then I was introduced
to the work of Danny Lyon with his personal diary style of work.  That is
the beginnings of the degree in unemployment.  Currently I've been working
on a series of the museum which is more about arrested decay and the
changing attitudes of what is precious and what is not.  As well as my usual
street and landscape work.
    My equipment is mostly "vintage" stuff.  I shoot everything from 35 to
8x10.  The museum series is shot mostly with toy Holgas, while for the past
few years I've been playing with  4x5 pinholes and only now see a thread
growing in the landscapes that I shoot.  The 35 is mostly for the street,
and that kit is older Leica glass with a m6 as well as a IIIa from 1938, the
Nikons are now just used for copy slides.  The Hassy (a very well used
500c ) and the speed graphic I'll choose one or the other and toss it in the
tank bag of the motorcycle to go out shooting.  The SF bay area has got to
be one of the best places in this country for both motorcycles and
photography!
    Right now I'm in the process of designing a handheld 8x10 to use a 127
Ektar from a Graphic so that it produces a round image much like the
original Kodaks.Those images will be contact printed on to POP paper and
toned.  Mostly I shoot black and white Ilford HP5, color is for the copy
slides.  Though lately I've been experimenting with tin types as a final
print, not as an in camera process, this is now leading me towards
ambrotypes.
    Any hints or suggestions regarding camera building or the processes that
I'm exploring will be greatly appreciated.

Arie Knoops