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Digitalsilverimaging

The Fine Art of Printing in a Digital World

Digital Silver Imaging

What I Want to Say is…Take5 Foundation Exhibition at the PRC

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I made it over to the Photographic Resource Center in Boston last night to see the current exhibit, “What I want to say is…”  This exhibition features the work of five middle school children from Epiphany School in Dorchester who participated in Take 5’s inaugural program in photography.  Brenda Bancel, the president of Take5 Foundation, worked with the 5 young students and taught each them about photography and how to work with the camera.  Brenda is a recent graduate of the New England School of Photography and owner of Brenda Bancel Photography,  She has utilized her photography skills and years in advertising to help the students explore their worlds and express themselves through photography.

Each of the students had some exceptional photographs.  They seemed to break all the conventional rules of photography, which was refreshing.  Through the process, the students opened up to Brenda and expressed in words and photographs, their very personal experiences.

Digital Silver Imaging is honored to work with Take5 and the students to help with the printing, mounting, and framing of this exhibition. The show is up through Saturday, May 26th at the Photographic Resource Center 832 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA 617-975-0600

 

Essential Photoshop Tools for Photographers

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Photoshop remains the most powerful imaging software available. Knowing how to best use Photoshop in your post production workflow is essential, even when using other applications such as Lightroom and plug-ins such as Nik. This workshop will get to the heart of Photoshop for photographers.

What will be covered:
Using Adobe Camera Raw for non-destructive image editing
The power and ease of using Smart Objects
Utilizing and understanding Layers
Pixel replacement, retouching tips and tricks, which tool works best for your needs
How to efficiently collage images
Creating panoramas
Photorealistic HDR
Power user’s guide to menus and shortcuts
Plug-ins that add punch to PS

Requirements: You should be running Photoshop CS4, CS5 or CS6.

This will be a 3 hour workshop with a 15 minute break and time for question and answer. Your instructor, Bob DiNatale, will tailor the class to meet the needs of the participants so please include your response to the questions in your confirmation email.

Additional Benefits: After the workshop Bob DiNatale will moderate a class “Web-Forum” where students can post and discuss class concepts and questions for one week following the class and offer a one hour open-mic online meeting (a $29 value). In addition Bob will also create a workshop website resources page. Plus all participants will receive a $25 OFF coupon on the purchase of any Digital Silver Imaging printing, framing, matting, or mounting purchase of $50 or more.

When: Thurday, June 28, 6-9:00 pm
Location: Digital Silver Imaging, 11 Brighton Avenue, Belmont, MA
Cost: $99.00
June 28

Bob DiNatale’s Bio:
“Photographer, producer and consultant for corporate digital media programs, Bob also conducts workshops, lectures and private instruction in the area of digital photography. Beginning serious photography in 1965, Bob explored conventional darkroom techniques in both B&W and color. His work at Polaroid R&D in silver emulsions along with his US patent in color printing give Bob a broad base in film photography. He presented his first digital media production in 1984, founded the Olympus School of Digital Photography in 1998 and continues to work at the leading edge of digital technology. As digital photography advances, Bob blends his unique background of film photography with his extensive experience in the digital world.”

Tintype & Ambrotype Wetplate Workshop

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© Frank Lopez

Come explore the Wet Plate Collodion process in this hands-on all-day workshop. Lead by wetplate photographer, Frank Lopez you will learn both the Tintype and Ambrotype process. Frank will teach participants how to coat glass and aluminum plates, expose, and process both wet plate mediums. All participants will leave with a tintype and ambrotype portrait that they created. All materials will be provided as well as the use of Civil War Era lenses to expose your plates. Frank will also provide chemical formulas and supply list so you can make your own tintypes or ambrotypes after the workshop.

What is the Wetplate Collodion process? The Wetplate Collodion Process was the predominate photographic medium utilized during the Civil War and was popular from 1850’s to 1880’s. Tintypes are unique images on blackened iron (or in this case, aluminum) that are totally handcrafted. Collodion is poured onto the metal plate, immersed in Silver Nitrate and photographed while wet. The final image is then dipped in Cyanide to fix, washed and varnished according to the original formulas. The resulting image is a unique, one of a kind image that is truly one of the special processes in the history of photography.

Ambrotypes are the exact same process, however, they are performed on glass (clear or black).

Frank Lopez is a Dallas, TX based photographer and has specialized in 19th Century techniques for over 20 years. Frank is the Photographic Instructor at Greenhill School in Addison, TX and has built an international award winning program over the last 6 years. An adjunct professor, Frank’s work has been exhibited nationally and is held in numerous private collections. During the summers, Frank teaches a cultural immersion class for Greenhill School in China and Korea and specializes in photographing the Cultural Landscape with a pinhole camera. He is a recent of Greenhill’s highest award, the Faculty Leader Award and is a recent recipient of the Dallas Observer’s Mastermind Award, recognizing an artist or organization making significant cultural contributions to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Frank lives in his Fair Park studio with the most interesting dog in the world, Sparky and travels whenever he can. His imagery may be viewed at www.franklopez.com.

This workshop is being hosted by Digital Silver Imaging and Stan Godwin Photography. June 23 & 24 workshops will be held at Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, MA and June 25 & June 26 workshops will be held at Stan Godwin Photography in Brewster, MA.

Workshop 1, Saturday, June 23,  Location: Digital Silver Imaging, 9am to 5pm, Location: Digital Silver Imaging, Belmont, MA

June 23

Workshop 2, Sunday, June 24,  Location: Digital Silver Imaging, 9am to 5pm, Location: Digital Silver Imaging, Belmont, MA

June 24

Please note that we incorrectly advertised the dates below on our email, sorry for any inconvenience.

Workshop 3, Tuesday, June 26, Location: Stan Godwin Photography, Brewster, MA

Workshop 4, Wednesday, June 27, Location: Stan Godwin Photography, Brewster, MA

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2+ Workshop

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Janice Wendt Image - Ruins
© Janice Wendt

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 is the most powerful plug-in available for creating superb black & white images. We are proud to host this workshop featuring instructor Janice Wendt, Nik Software’s Education and Training Manager. Janice has been called the “Image Whisper” for her ability to use Nik Software to bring life and emotion into an image. Janice will focus on utilizing Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 in your post production workflow. Janice will demonstrate how you can save time and achieve amazing results in black and white.

What does the “+” in the title stand for? Janice Wendt is a teacher, photographer and artist of rare talent and she will demonstrate more than simply how to use Silver Efex. In the workshop, helpful tips and techniques will be revealed that will give your image making the added “+” to make your photos amazing. Janice will also demonstrate the use of other Nik products, such as Dfine and Sharpener Pro, that support excellent black and white image creation. The “+” also means that all participants will receive a $25 discount on any Nik Software product purchased or $25 off any printing service we offer. (Minimum purchase of $50 to receive the discount, this offer expires 5/18/12.)

Who should attend? Any photographer or visual artist that has an interest in improving their black & white imagery. Anyone using Nik Silver Efex Pro or anyone interested in Nik Silver Efex Pro. Participants should also be currently using Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture.

What to bring? This workshop is primarily instruction so only note taking material is required.

When and Where? May 5, 10 am – 1 pm, 2012, at Digital Silver Imaging, 11 Brighton Street, Belmont MA 02478 (617) 489-0035

How much does it cost? The cost of the workshop is $49, plus you will receive a $25 discount coupon for Nik Software or Printing Services from Digital Silver Imaging.

How do I reserve my seat at the workshop? Simply click on the tab below. Hurry we are limiting this workshop to the first 20 participants.
Silver Efex Pro 2

Selecting a Nature Photography Trip

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©Russ Burden 2012

I had the pleasure to talk with Russ Burden about photography tours and trips. Russ is a renowned nature photographer, author and contributor to Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, PHOTOgraphic, www.takegreatpictures.com. Russ has lead over 100 photography tours and is a fulltime workshop leader. Russ was kind enough to answer some questions about the ins and outs of photo tours and trips.

Q: How long have you been organizing and leading nature photography tours?

Russ: 20 plus years, full time since 2000. I run about 10 a year, all over the US mostly in the West, the Pacific Northwest and Florida.

Q: Do you have a favorite location for a nature photo tour?

Russ: That’s tough because I love doing them all. Close to the top of the list for me has to be the Tetons, especially in the fall. The landscape, the colors, the wildlife, and the light is beautiful. Having said that, they are all my favorites. All the trips I lead are great and each trip is different. So in a way my favorite is the last one I took.

Q: How long do you typically spend on a trip like the one to the Tetons?

Russ: Those trips are 10 days because the photographic possibilities are too great for a short one. The majority of my tours run for 7.

Q: Why not a short trip, like 3 days for instance?

Russ: That would make it too rushed and also at times the weather is a factor. My last trip to Florida, that focused on aquatic birds, we had terrific weather for every sunrise and sunset but that’s not always the case. For example, if you go on the trip to Monument Valley and you want that iconic shot of the dunes and it is raining, you miss that opportunity. With a week or 10 days, I can shuffle the schedule around so if we have a break in the weather, we can take advantage of it.

Q: Sometimes you can’t control the weather. What if the weather just isn’t cooperating?

Russ: I do a lot of advance work preparing the participants on what to expect. We shoot if the weather is great or not so great. On a recent trip to Canyon Lands we set out in the rain and pulled up to the scheduled location and sat in the van. We were chatting about various things and all of a sudden the rain stopped. We got out of the van, the clouds parted and we had a double rainbow. If you sit in the hotel you miss that. I wrote a piece in Outdoor Photographer

about just this subject. http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/a-mist-shot-better-fog-photography.html. I am driven to give the participants a good experience on my tours.  A not-so-perfect day can also be a good teaching opportunity. Overcast conditions are great for flowers, macro work and some wildlife.

Q: What makes a good trip leader?

Russ: Someone who really knows the location. I never take anyone on trip where I haven’t been multiple times. It’s also about the time of year and knowing what to expect during that season.  A good leader knows how to plan so I have my students bring their laptops so I can teach them Photoshop or show them other tools like Nik Software when we have down time. I also keep the number of participants low so my instruction can be one-on-one. I find it next to impossible to make a great outdoor image when you are in a big group. It’s hard to keep 20 people quiet when that rare bird appears out of nowhere. To get back to your question, it’s about passion and love of photography and I want to share that with others.

Q: Let’s say that all your trips are booked, how does someone find a great nature photography trip/tour?

Russ: First you look at the track record of the leader. If he/she has been doing this for a while chances are they know what they are doing. Pick up the phone and talk to the trip leader. Do you feel comfortable with the level of knowledge of the leader. Will the leader be actually teaching or is he/she simply a tour guide? Does the leader have experience teaching? Does the trip leader take the kind of photographs that you want to take? Ask the leader how many times they have run the trip? How well do you know the area? Do you know the roads?  Experience is very important.

Q: How should someone evaluate the price/value of the trip?

Russ: I believe that the number of people going is the most important factor. I only take 5 people because I want to teach them what I know. The hotel, food, transportation that is all just a fixed cost. The hotels need to be clean and comfortable, the food good, but for me its about the photography. My trips are very competitively priced, I know the areas, the great places to shoot, where the wildlife is, and I am passionate about photography and that enthusiasm spreads throughout the group.

Q: What lets you know that your trip was successful?

Russ: When my customers tell me they wish the trip wasn’t over. When they thank me for teaching them how to read the light. When they leave with great images. Those are just some of the measures of a good trip. Of course, when we have a great time, which is easy when you are in a beautiful place making photographs. I also get a lot of repeat customers, so I think that says a lot.

The Monkees in St. Louis 1967

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In the wake of Davey Jones sudden death, we have worked with another amazing archive of images from the great era of musical history.  All the images were shot by a young Tom Morton working for Teen Magazine. The collection consists of 325 black and white Kodak Tri-X negatives.
Pictures taken of The Monkees and Lulu Kennedy-Cairns on the1967 US Tour in St. Louis, Mo. August 5th at Kiel Auditorium and at the St. Louis Lambert Field Ramada Inn.  The stars included were Davey Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Lulu. .
At the Ramada Inn swimming pool and putting green area the pictures include the following:  Davey (always in bathing suit at this location) signing autographs for kids, Davey taking pictures of fans, and on putting green with golf club, Davey and Mickey on the phone calling home, Mickey and Davey, and Lulu in the pool, Nesmith being interviewed in coffee shop, great shots with fans.  Shots with Johnny Rabbit St. Louis disk jockey (Don Pietromonaco, who played Little Beaver on the Red Rider show)
At the venue (Kiel Auditorium)  Shots include:  Incredible mobs of fans screaming and taking pictures as the group arrives, interacting with fans, shots of the stage performance, crowd. All photographs copyright Tom Morton – traditional silver gelatin prints are available upon request.  Contact Digital Silver Imaging.