Advancing From Film

The transition from film to digital has been quite exciting. I shoot much more on my memory
cards, than I could ever afford to shoot in film. I refer to my memory cards as rolls of film
out of habit. I've been in the photography field for many years now and I have to admit, being
in front of my computer is a lot different than working with prints in a wet darkroom.

Infrared film

I do have all the same techniques available right here at my Mac, they're just applied in a
different way. Sepia tone, I've got it and without the rotten egg smell from the sulfur.
Cyanotypes, add more cyan to the image. Solarize, yes, I can do that and I can posterize,
polarize, and improvise too, but I've never seen a photograph from the computer or the
darkroom that was pasteurized.

Digital Sepia Tone

I work well with others in the field, from beginners, to hobbyists, to amateurs, to
professionals. I've worked alongside professional photographers in a wet darkroom, after I
learned how to from a professional fine art photographer/professor, where I am now and have
been since, an assistant instructor teaching new photographers in the wet lab. I've printed for
professional photographers who couldn't be bothered or were too busy to work in the
darkroom.

It's been quite a ride and I've always found it safe and secure behind the scenes, in the
darkroom or behind my computer. Thanks to a man named Mu, I think I'm now ready to
continue getting out in the fresh air and do what I was born to do, photograph. It's such a
great feeling to be able to show what a good day's work looks like.

Here are a few things I've learned over the years: (in no particular order)

1. Be a good listener, this is very important especially when photographing trains, because
they can sneak up on you before you know it.
2. Objects appear larger and closer than they really are when you are looking through your
zoom lens, but this keeps you grounded and alert.

3. Learn something new everyday and maybe someday you'll know it all.
4. Be your biggest fan, you owe it to yourself to toot your own horn, but don't let it go to
your head.
5. If you ask for advice, try what is advised before you try to argue with the advisor.
6. Always remember your roots.
7. Practice makes perfect and nothing is really perfect, so keep on shooting!

That's enough for now; I don't want to give out all my secrets. ;)

-KC