AltPhoto Source Update

Kerik,
Can't remember who said it about critics:

"Critics are the ones who go out on the battle field after the fighting is over
and shoot the wounded"

I like Sally Mann's previous work - I agree that it is powerful
and that she marches to a different drummer. When I said her
work was provocative I was referring to reviews at the time not my
personal opinion.

Her last images just did not do it for me.

In regard to the question previous of what images I like -
Many of the images on this site I consider well done - I especially
like the portraits and the combination gum images.

Enough said of this topic - lets get back to collodion.

john

Gee whiz..... I guess I forgot to set my sack 'o' you know what on fire so I
could stamp it out.

Since we're getting all creamy regarding Ms. Mann's work may I
comment??? It's just my opinion folks, a tale of sound and fury, signifying
nothing... I'm not a great critic walking along shooting the dead, (book
idea?); nor am I a great artist, now apparently hobbist, trashing the work
of a famous person that somehow needs the protection of adoring fans
that have had the priviledge so as to comment on work experience.

Do my homework??? So I may gush more forthrightly??? I use my heart
and my little mind thank you very much. To me, the only thing missing
was that the plate wasn't dropped for "effect".

Is the work about transition of time... loss... unconscious memory...???

Am I envious??? Certainly! Who wouldn't be???

My personal and obiviously un-art/hobbist informed opinion is that the
work presented whenever... was done so in a calculated manner to
precede the resurgance of Wet Plate. I feel success earned has
responsibility; I just don't see it. She no doubt deserves it all and has
earned such through hard work; great for her. I'm not attacking the
person.

I   just don't like it. It feels hollow and disingenuous. But then it's just
an opinion... and I didn't even get to the marketing.

cheers,
s.

Edited by ambropoetica

I'll put in a plug here for the Alt Photo Source chemistry. I just used some Keystone positive collodion today for the first time since I obtained it from Gerald a few months ago. It was really nice, a bit thicker than what I've used previously, and the image color was redder than I've had result before, but these were all plusses as far as I'm concerned. I managed to do a few ruby ambrotypes on black glass today and will post some scans tomorrow if possible.

I'll be ordering some more of this stuff as soon as you guys formally launch the business.

As far as Sally Mann, I'm a big fan although I'll say many of the recent images from that series didn't do anything for me and, like others, I question the critical response to them. However, I found a few very moving and suspect the albumen prints in person would have a much greater appeal than the small web pics.

I suspect a great deal of intent is present in what appears to be haphazard. She knows what she is doing, is very talented, and she is playing her cards well.

I wonder what her favorite images are from her very diverse evolution?

Just yesterday I found this link in another forum to an image of her by Karen Kuehn. I got a grin out of it.

Portrait of Sally Mann on Karen Kuehn's website

Joe

Edited by smieglitz

To all... I wish to apologize for the tenor of some of my remarks
regarding my recent posts, especially the feces attributions. I will admit to
being a hot head of sorts... that being said, I remain unmoved by most of
the works discussed. My comments are meant to improve and contribute
to discourse of the art and craft we persue.

My thanks to Quinn for providing the forum from which we all have the
opportunity to learn.

best,
steve