Fujifilm Quits Quickloads!

R.I.P.: Fuji Acros 4x5\

On August 10, 2009 I reported the demise of 4×5″ black and white Fuji Quickload/Kodak ReadyLoad emulsions: black and white packet films have been all but absent from the market since (excluding eBay).

Well, Fuji broke news yesterday (LINK) that they will cease manufacture of ALL Fujifilm Quickloads in April 2010. Yep, you read that right. Start buying up your favorite Fuji Quickload emulsions now, because after April 2010 it may only be bulk cut Fuji film with which to load your currently empty film holders. If you’ve been hesitant to load your own holders until now, well, you now have no choice. Here’s how to do it.

Fujifilm’s Senior Product Manager for Professional Film, Russ Gunn, explained the move: “It is with great sadness that we have taken the decision to withdraw our Quickload range from the market. Unfortunately the volume of Quickload sales has dropped off to such an extent that they are simply not viable products.”

Gunn continued: “We need to consolidate our range of professional films in order to support our remaining lines. We remain fully committed to the continued support of photographers who appreciate the quality and flexibility of real film but sadly this means slower selling films have had to be sacrificed to enable us to continue to produce and market our more popular formats.”

So, is film dead? No, not a chance. It just got a little less easy to procure and use.

See also: Reaction to Fujfilm’s decision to shutter 4×5 Quickload film.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Valley Portal

I made this photograph on Monday, December 7, during a beautiful winter storm in Yosemite Valley (see this post for more info). Frankly, I haven’t worked in such poor conditions for some time! When I first spied this scene, it was windy and snowing heavily. I did not let this stop me from setting up the camera, yet for nearly an hour following the setup, I fought to expose a sheet of film. The snow was deep; my dark cloth was blowing around; my ground glass and lens kept fogging; snow kept landing on the front element of the lens; I was covered in snow; and ultimately, it was simply snowing too heavily to make the photograph I had hoped to make. But I couldn’t quit it, as the idea of this image gnawed at me. So I fought the conditions for an hour, using randomly placed expletives along the way, and finally got my negative exposed. And then the idea of the image once again bugged me and bugged me until I finally got the chance to develop film a couple of days ago.

And now I am at peace. When I have business to attend to and can’t get away, this photograph will serve as my magical portal to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Happy Holidays, folks! Thanks for staying tuned to my blog during 2009!

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Happy Holidays!

Yosemite Chapel, Yosemite Valley

I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holidays with best wishes for prosperity and good health in the coming year. May your 2010 be joyful!

Download a large desktop version of this photograph by clicking the thumbnail at left. Simply right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) and select ‘Set as Desktop Background’ to save it to your desktop. Enjoy!

On December 7, 2009, I placed myself in Yosemite Valley for the arrival of California’s first winter storm of the season (see my previous post for more). And boy was it a good one! I awoke at my campsite in Upper Pines to two inches of snow, and by the time my coffee was ready (home roasted! mmm…), it began snowing again in earnest and would not let up until after 4pm.

The Valley received at least a foot of snow from this storm, and it was magical. I was alone, the roads were deserted, and all was quiet in that beautiful world. Around midday I found the Yosemite Chapel in these beautiful conditions and couldn’t resist pointing my camera at it. You can see the snow streaking across the frame if you look at the Chapel facade.

If you ever get the chance to experience a snowfall in the Valley, do it. It feels like one of those once-in-alifetime experiences.

I sincerely Thank You for your continued support of and interest in my work!

Michael

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Yosemite Valley SNOW!

(L to R) Large Format Photography workshop client David, and Michael

I had yet another private workshop last Saturday, this time in the Happiest Place on Earth: Yosemite Valley. I worked with David Okner on Large Format photography, helping him to gain control over view camera movements and teaching him my easy system of metering and exposure (no more bracketing or failed negatives!). We had a great day together, with David displaying a sense of wonderment (how could it be this easy?) and camera confidence by day’s end.

Yosemite Chapel in fresh snow

The first big winter storm of the season was slated to arrive after midnight on Sunday (and it’s not even yet winter!), so I stayed in The Valley and hoped to awake to snow on Monday. Sure enough, the National Weather Service nailed it. There were two inches of white stuff on the ground when I awoke, and by the time my coffee was ready, it had begun snowing again in earnest. By 4pm Monday – after a full day of non-stop snow – approximately one foot of new snow covered everything. It was absolutely beautiful, and there’s hardly a better place to enjoy a beautiful winter storm like this one.

Fresh snow on the Merced River, Yosemite Valley

Right around sunset I made the photograph at left and then decided to try to head home via Hwy 41/Wawona. It was a slow drive out, as it was snowing, foggy, icy – you name it. Driving conditions were challenging and required vigilance. Heading south on Hwy 99, I learned that Caltrans had closed both the Grapevine/I-5 and Hwy 58 to snow, so I did not make it home that night and drove back into the Sierra (southern) to find a place to bivouac and photograph in the morning

Thanks for a great workshop, David!

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Workshop Announcement: Introduction to Large Format Photography. Feb 13-14, 2010

Introduction to Large Format Photography Workshop
February 13-14, 2010, Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierra (just outside Lone Pine, California)
Limited to only 5 photographers; $349 per person

4x5 large format view camera in the field

Despite the digital photography boom, large format film photography is witnessing a resurgence of interest and an increase in users. Large format negatives and transparencies offer extraordinary resolution, and view cameras offer extraordinary control over fine focus and perspective. Simply stated, a large format camera offers the ultimate in photographic control over the creative image-making process. Further, a market flooded with used but clean large format gear and a couple of new economical yet quality view camera manufacturers have made this an excellent time to enter the world of large format with only a moderate amount of expense (a good LF kit can cost and weigh less than a professional D-SLR kit).

My teaching methods and techniques are direct and easy to comprehend, and I will successfully put you in full control of your camera. At the completion of this intensive two-day workshop, you will be able to efficiently and confidently compose, focus, and expose your own photographs.

This workshop will take place in the world famous Alabama Hills (featured in scores of movies and television commercials), just outside Lone Pine, California (in the rainshadow of Mt. Whitney and the High Sierra). We’ll be learning in an outstanding location and will have access to the Eastern Sierra’s incredible wintry mountain scenery.

Due to the decrease in available instruction, my Introduction to Large Format Photography workshops have become increasingly sought after. Please do not delay your registration, as I expect this workshop to fill quickly. For more information and to register for this workshop, please see my Workshops page. Thank you for your interest!

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

SOLD: Ebony SV45Ti 4×5″ Large Format View Camera

Sorry, but this camera has been SOLD.

side view

I can see it now as I type: some will be rushing to this post to see if Michael Gordon has given up large format and “gone digital”. Nope! The Chamonix 045-N has become my view

front standard

camera of choice, and I’ve just acquired a second one as backup. The Ebony has been hiding in my closet since my first Chamonix acquisition (which was serial #92), so it’s time to let it go to someone who will put it to use. If you’re here looking at this posting, you’re probably already know that Ebony cameras are sought after and amongst the finest. So sought after that they’re very difficult to find on the used market. That is, until right now.

back standard, includes Ebony fresnel lens

You can get all the specs on the SV45Ti from Ebony’s site. Needless to say, in the Ebony 4×5″ camera lineup, the SV45Ti is only second from top of the line (the two SV45U models feature assymetrical movements; otherwise, this one can do it all!). It’s a full-featured camera built for a lifetime of use and enjoyment. This camera retails new for $2645-2845 USD depending upon dealer. The camera is USED in the classical sense. It is light-leak free and undamaged, but it has clearly visible signs of use.

bellows close-up

The photographs here are of the actual camera for sale. In the interest of full disclosure, the only ‘weakness’ to this camera is the aging bellows. Some wrinkles are visible and the pleats are no longer perfect (hey, I said the camera was used!) but to repeat, they are currently light-leak free.

bottom/mounting plate

I am asking for $1750 (plus actual shipping costs) for this camera. If you are interested, please contact me via email. I can supply additional detailed snapshots of the camera if necessary. Thanks for looking!

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Rare Earth

I made this photograph before dawn in Utah’s Caineville Badlands (east of capitol Reef National Park) one October 2009 morning. That’s Factory Butte on the right and the Henry Mountains on the left. Nearby, my good friend Guy Tal was making his own photograph. Out of sight from each other and enveloped by silence, our minds quieted. And all was right in the world.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Great News for Joshua Tree National Park!

Joshua Tree National Park

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s rejection of a plan — 20 years in the making — that sought to turn a former iron ore mine near Joshua Tree National Park into the “largest landfill in the United States,” according to the decision.

Tuesday’s ruling was a setback for proponents of the controversial Eagle Mountain Landfill, who say it would bring much-needed jobs and revenue to the Coachella Valley and the surrounding region.

But landfill opponents called Tuesday’s ruling a “landmark victory” for the animals who call the national park home and the more than 1.3 million people who visit the park every year.

The appellate court’s 2-1 decision upheld a 2005 district court decision that overturned the land exchange needed for the 4,654-acre Eagle Mountain Landfill, which was proposed for a former iron ore mine near Joshua Tree National Park.

“Thank God this thing is over; it’s been going on for more than 20 years,” said Eagle Mountain resident Donna Charpied, who lives two miles from the proposed site with her husband, Larry. “It’s time for the government to stop with this nonsense.”

Read the rest of this story at The Desert Sun website.

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.

Art from the Pit

Art from the Pit

Nope – this post has nothing to do with juicy tips from the trenches. Although it may end up being the first of many Art from the Pit posts. What the hay am I talking about?

I have a sweet and loving pit bull named Mojave. You can read a little about her story here. Despite her sweetness (no different than any other pit bull well-treated by humans), she has jaws of steel and enjoys crushing containers, cans, basketballs, wood…you name it. Pit bulls enjoy exercising those fat muscles in their heads and relish in the careful disassembly of most objects, and Mojave is no different. So I’ve decided to start photographing her ‘works of art’. It’s an aluminum cat food can today, but it could very well be a glass container tomorrow….

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website

Lucky – one month later…

Lucky the Cat, pre-injury

About three weeks ago I wrote a post about our cat, Lucky, who had been shot at close range and sustained a severe fracture of the front left humerus. It’s now been about one month since the incident, and Lucky had yet another follow-up appointment and more radiographs today. I’m happy to report that Lucky is doing excellent and healing as planned, so he won’t have to visit the vet again for another month. He still has another month of low-activity confinement, but we hope that for his sake the time will pass quickly. He is growing bored

THANKS to everyone for their compassion and support!

You are visiting the blog of fine art photographer Michael E. Gordon. For additional photos and information, please visit his official website.