Museum

[Walter]

I made it to the UCR (University of California, Riverside) Museum of Photography to check out some 'real' photographic art. I was quite impressed they had far more photos exhibited than advertised. A lot of BW, older stuff. I don't believe I've seen actual Ansel Adams prints before--up close--real close. I liked what I saw, and it was quite inspiring to me. There was one Diane Arbus print, a hermaphrodite. Damned ugly one too. I recognized the name Arbus from a weird-looking photo of twins I've seen that I liked. I spent about two hours wandering around checking things out. More contemporary work consisted of collages, actual print-type work, prints that were made at 8x12 or so and laid overlapping. I might try that. I got some ideas for matting, framing and presentation. Daguerrotype and tintype images are a trip. Daguerrotype printing may make for some exotic-looking landscape presentations. I'll have to check into it.

http://www.outbackphoto.com/DigitalCameraExperiments/dce_002/essay.html

The examples I was looking at were best viewed at a right angle. Sometimes from the right, sometimes from the left (it seemed?). I could really have some fun with that. I spent about two hours there all total. They were closing up when I left. I was the last visitor out the door. I want to see if some of my artist and photographer friends are interested in checking the place out. I got a number to call ahead and view more of the Adams prints they have that aren't publically displayed. That could be cool. I'll definately be going back. Next, I need to find a 'real' art museum. I think there's one around the corner.

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[Terri]

I am genuinely thrilled for you, Walter. :cheer: This is exactly the kind of exhibit that can act as inspirational as well as educational. I felt the same way after seeing actual AA prints for the first time, in a proper museum setting with good lighting. I finally appreciated what all the fuss was about.

I've never seen any Arbus exhibited, but would certainly attend.

The link you shared here led to an essay by Brad Hinkel. I'm familiar with him as I have his book on digital negatives (http://books.google.com/books?id=cSkLcFnVuk8C&pg=PR9&lpg=PR9&dq=digital+negatives+brad+hinkel+ron+reeder&source=bl&ots=PIlkBCwMxv&sig=NtNP9Zgx0idfs8V-6b0O8bg_30U&hl=en&ei=9-dHTqmpBYWjtgfnzIXYBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false). Without this book, I wouldn't be able to make silver gelatin prints from some of the old family prints my mother gives me from time to time to hand color (at her request). I don't think I'll ever try daguerreotypes, but have been drawn to tintypes for years. Aren't they beautiful?!? Just something else on my "to do" list! :)

The whole experience sounds like it was wonderful! Glad you had so much fun and sound so energized. I had a similar experience a few months back with the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit - so many more photographs than I had anticipated, I went twice to take it all in (and would heartily recommend as someone's work worth seeing up close and personal).

Good for you! Looking forward to seeing what comes from your experience.

[Fox Paw]

Sounds great, Walter. Our local museum has had quite a few good photography exhibits in the last couple of years, including an Adams exhibit. When I saw some of the old black and white prints in person, I realized that viewing them over the internet is like eating soup through a napkin.

Almost makes me want to get a darkroom.

[Walter]

Thank you Terri and FP. It was a real experience for me and I can't wait to hit it again. I'm really going to get into reseaching the different ways they are matted and framed. I'd like to get into some alternative printing, but it's a bit out of the question for now.

The web does pale by comparison. I'm hoping to see some 'real' paintngs soon, and hope I come away from it with at least a shred of self-esteem intact. I got to see though.