A Warm Reception

Friday's opening of Jonathan Stark's France:Chaleur was a celebration of the warmth found in sweeping views of Paris, the French countryside and the depth of character of it's people. Shot on film during successive trips abroad the fiber silver gelatin prints are as soulful as their subjects. Intimate glimpses of Gallic pride shine from the soft eyes of a daper, elderly gentleman and the crisp attentiveness of a grandly mustached geradement. Stark caught Paris from the seat of a famed carousel, which no longer exists, allowing the vantage point of a bird surveying the quiet elegance of Hausmann's orderly and grand design for the city of light. Caught at night the Eiffel tower is it's quintessential playful self. Stark unobtrusively documents the serious pastime of a game of boule and the care and precision given to measuring the competition. These Black & White images exude a reverence of the ordinary while acknowledging the depth of tradition. Powdered truffles, fluted madeleines and red wine aside, these images transport the viewer to a place where time honored craft and care warm the heart.

 

Exhibition dates:

November 18 - January 14, 2011
Friday, November 19, 2010 opening reception 6 -8
Talk at Digital Silver January 11, 7 PM

Visit Digital Silver Imaging for complete details about the lab and gallery hours, or call 617-489-0035

Tom Ashe from The School of Visual Arts and color management

For the past six years in the Fall and Spring semesters I have been teaching a course I created in Digital Printmaking and Color Management as part of the BFA Photography program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. The aim of the course is to help the students to be knowledgeable about different printmaking technologies and how to produce the best quality digital prints possible. One of the biggest challenges for my students is creating good quality digital black-and-white prints. That’s why an important part of the Black-and-White Digital Printing Assignment is to have the students make a true silver gelatin digital print. Although, most students come to the class not knowing that this is even an output option, they are even more surprised to find out they can get digital output on the same fiber based silver gelatin photographic materials they have loved in the traditional darkroom. Digital Silver Imaging is one of the few service bureaus in the country and the world that produce fiber based silver gelatin digital prints.  Luckily for us, Eric Luden and his staff have been kind enough to help our students to experience their digital black-and-white images on these silver gelatin materials with their unique aesthetic and technical qualities.  

Tom Ashe is the associate chair of MPS Digital Photography Department, School of Visual Arts in New York.  He is also an excellent photographer & consultant to the photographic industry. Visit his website for more information.


One of Tom's students, Azhar Chougle, had this to say about working with us:


"It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to work with Eric on producing digital silver gelatin prints. Working with labs is always a twisted and convoluted ballet, but in this case the process was surprisingly simple and straightforward. Given Eric's vast experience in the field, he demonstrates a firm understanding of his process and requirements. At the same time, he is incredibly personal and accommodating.  The most important factor is of course the prompt delivery and the print itself. The images produced take on a refreshingly analog quality, a welcome deviance from the manufactured predictability of the inkjet process. The papers (especially the fiber) are thick, heavy and feel exquisitely organic, something that would be expected walking out of a darkroom rather than a digital lab. I would say it is impossible to replicate the aura and feel of a silver gelatin print, which makes this avenue of digital output a very worthwhile exploration."

Rachel Mathews on "Food Cycles" at the DSI Gallery

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I’m not absolutely sure that this is true, but I do know that first impressions can count for a lot.

I was lucky this week to visit an outcropping of the Griffin Photography Museum and enjoy an exhibit of photographs titled “Food Cycles”. The photographer, Francine Zaslow, has a fascinating take on food as art. Her images, which are on display at the very intimate gallery at Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, Massachusetts, are intriguingly delicious.

You must understand that these are my first impressions of her work. I love these silvery visions, so removed from glossy food magazine and cookbook portrayals of perfect doneness. This isn’t food in the “we eat with the eyes” sense exactly, it is food as art, and being a pragmatist (and foodie, I guess) I asked the folks at the gallery if the subjects of the photographs had in fact been eaten after the shoot.

I have to tell you that I don’t understand how they do what they they do at DSI to turn warm food into cool prints. Their site says “Digital Silver Imaging offers a unique printing process that provides beautiful fiber-based and resin-coated black & white silver gelatin prints directly from digital files.” but I think its some sort of magic. In any event, I loved the exhibit. Her “Belt Fish l” makes me wish I was a Pisces, and her “Silkie Chickens” could be dragon embryos.

Please read Rachel Mathews complete review by visiting her blog.

You can visit the DSI Gallery Mon - Fri from 9 - 5:30, or click on our Facebook on-line gallery if you're far away.

Interesting feedback on Nik HDR software

A few lucky photographers have had their hands on the beta version of the new Nik HDR Efex Pro software that will start shipping this week.  Like us, we're anticipating another great product from the folks at Nik.  They have demonstrated great products and some of the best web tutorials and support.  We believe that when utilized properly, this will be another enhancement to our true black and white silver gelatin printing process.

Here is what one photographer had to say about his experience:

"I have been playing with CS5 HDR becuase I've been very disappointed with my current HDR software. But still I had not been able to get any HDR images that I like better than a straight shot with some localized adjustments using Nik Viveza.  Maybe all user error.  But I could not get good HDR images like they show in the HDR books with Photoshop or Photomatix.  Lots of other people have fantastic results with these I know.  I've failed.

Last week I tried the demo version of the NIK HDR program (I am on their email lists, since I already have some of their products). Wow!  With only watching the 3 minute Nik video, I was making HDR photos that were so much better than the junk I had before."

We are excited to be one of Nik's top resellers in the country.  We work very closely with them and have provided B&W silver gelatin prints for their trade shows. DSI is offering a workshop on HDR on November 3rd from 6-8PM at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA.  Join Victor Ha of Nik Software as he reveals the technology and creative possibilities behind Nik Software’s latest creation, HDR Efex Pro! Victor will explain the techniques of how to properly shoot HDR for the best results, demonstrate the uses of HDR Efex Pro’s revolutionary features, and show how it integrates into Nik Software’s complete workflow solution of photographic products. Registration is required, so please visit the DSI registration page for complete details and information.

Digital Silver Imaging creates true black and white silver gelatin prints directly from digital files.

Check our special software pricing for great deals on Nik Software!

Nik Software Announces Availability for HDR Efex Pro™

Köln, Germany, September 21st, 2010 – From the Nik Software Press Release

Nik Software today announces that its highly anticipated HDR Efex Pro software will be available October 11, 2010. This completely new HDR solution is designed to help professional and amateur photographers quickly and easily achieve the full spectrum of HDR enhancements from the realistic to artistic. The company is showcasing HDR Efex Pro with live demonstrations of the software at Photokina 2010 at booth H09 in hall 4.1.

“Our HDR Efex Pro beta group has over 500 photography industry professionals and HDR enthusiasts and the feedback from this group has been both comprehensive and incredibly positive,” said Michael J. Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “We have incorporated many of the recommendations from this group and I am confident that this product will truly advance HDR imaging.”

HDR Efex Pro brings innovative and best-in-class technologies to HDR, including proprietary unrivaled tone mapping, Nik Software’s award-winning U Point® technology, and powerful ghost reduction, all of which have been developed specifically in response to photographers’ requests. HDR Efex Pro overcomes limitations in other software products with a revolutionary all-in-one approach that enables both realistic and artistic effects to be applied within a single tool. Photographers looking to explore the new realm of HDR will find that HDR Efex Pro offers a complete solution that takes HDR to new levels and offers new possibilities to fine-tune and finish HDR images with a simple and intuitive workflow.

Nik Software’s U Point® technology provides, for the first time, precise selective fine-tuning of HDR images without the need for complicated selections or layer masks. Photographers will find that the ability to control adjustments exactly where they want them provides unprecedented power and will further enhance their ability to create amazing HDR images.

Key Features
· Intuitive interface, with easy to understand photographic terminology and the actual processed results always displayed
· U Point powered selective tools for fast, precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments
·  Multiple proprietary tone mapping algorithms enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities
· Visual presets that produce amazing results in a single-click
· Ability to create the HDR look from a single exposure
· Advanced technology for automatic image alignment and reduction of subject motion artifacts known as “ghosts”
· All-in-one workflow enabling the creation of professional HDR images

Pre-Launch special from Digital Silver Imaging is $139.95 plus receive 50% off your first print order when you purchase the software from DSI.  HDR Efex Pro is Free with either of the Complete Collections. Visit the DSI Nik Software page for our special offer.

Circles of Life: Images by Francine Zaslow

How many people travel across state lines to attend an opening? Apparently, several! Estimates of 100 guests filled the gallery with a tangible buzz over the toned, sepia toned fiber prints of Francine Zaslow's collaboration with chef David Remillard and food stylist Beth Wickwire.

On it's way to a cookbook, the work was influenced by the practice of utilizing the whole animal in foods of other cultures. The decision to print the digital images in black and white turned vegetables, fish and fowl into sculpture; a feast of texture and painterly still-life beauty. Known for her attention to detail and a Zen-quality of suspension - Francine enhanced the "otherworldly" quality of the prints with painted backdrops by Susan Strauss. The eloquent artist statement by Tom Babbitt speaks to the journey beyond food to the cycles of life, art and spirit that the images evoke.

Local photographers including Sylvia Stagg-Giuliano, Nancy Carbonaro, Randy Goodman, Meg Birnbaum, Bruce Peterson and Bob Packert joined Barbe Ennis & Michelle Tetrault of Ennis, Inc and stylist Ann Fitzgerald of Team in admiring their colleague. Guests from Maine, CT, NH and Western Mass made the effort to be part of the celebration. City Planners and Renovation Specialist Bruce Irving, who attended our last architectural show and gallery talk made their way to explore this body of work.

At Digital Silver Imaging, we celebrate the myriad connections the gallery affords us with our community.   Intended as a format to showcase our ability to make true, silver gelatin prints from digital files and exposing the art of photography to unique audiences - we have tapped a creative synergy beyond our expectations. We may ship internationally and form virtual relationships, but we continue to be grateful, honored and amazed by the cycles of relationships within our own photographic network.  We are grateful for our association with the Griffin Museum of Photography and the amazing support from director Paula Tognarelli and Frances Jacubek.

All 13 of the toned silver gelatin fiber prints are in our online gallery.  The images are 18x24, and framed 25x31 for $1200.  The diptych image is 20x30 in a 26x36 and is $1400.  Please contact Eric Luden at Digital Silver Imaging for details.

"Food Cycles" is on display DSI in Belmont through Nov 12th.  Gallery hours are Mon - Fri 9-5:30.  Francine will have a gallery talk on October 14th at 7PM at the DSI gallery in Belmont, MA.

Jon Lester: 5 Pitches by Steve Wilstein

Ever wonder how baseball pitchers make the ball dance up, down, in and out to baffle batters? Boston Red Sox left-handed ace Jon Lester showed photographer and sportswriter Steve Wilstein how it's done with the positioning of his fingers on the five pitches in his arsenal: four-seam and two-seam fastballs, change-up, cutter and curveball. Wilstein photographed Lester in spring training this year using a Nikon D700 and a 105mm micro lens. Working with Christopher and Eric from Digital Silver Imaging, Wilstein created a 4-foot wide composition of five square close-up images, printed in color on HARMAN inkjet paper and framed by DSI . A framed print sold recently at Panopticon Gallery, which also is showing Wilstein's other color images of the Red Sox and fans in spring training, as well as black-and-white images of Muhammad Ali that Wilstein made in 1978.

Wilstein, a longtime sports columnist for the Associated Press, can be seen discussing baseball's steroids era in Ken Burns' and Lynn Novick's two-part documentary, "The Tenth Inning", on Sept. 28-29, on WGBH public television.

Contact Jason Landry at Panopticon Gallery to purchase this image.

 Andy Ryan's gallery talk drew an SRO crowd of Architects, MIT faculty and Photographers eager to learn the inside story on documenting the landmark projects construction over seven years. Ryan accompanied his remarks with a slide presentation of images documenting twenty years of work in China. He discussed the major impact digital photography has had on his workflow, his ability to create a vast archives of "virtual" work and the challenges related to usage rights.

He related his use of equipment and the capturing of a matrix of images to control for distortion while covering the immense expanse of these huge structures.  This attention to detail and honoring the needs of his clients is tantamount to the process. Architect Steven Holl remains particularly pleased by Ryan maintaining his favored cubed windows, patterns and shapes from becoming rectangular. Ryan shoots with a Hasselblad digital camera and has been working with their GPS metadata systems as part of his work. These massive files are stitched together in post production creating finely detailed and sharp images. Ryan chose to work with Digital Silver Imaging to produce rich toned black & white silver gelatin fiber prints using a true photographic process to maintain the integrity of his work.

Discovering, initiating and building creative relationships is at the heart of Ryan's work. He actively courts several clients simultaneously to make the most of the time spent abroad. Dealing with the incredibly crowded, dusty, busy city is a constant challenge. The winds that create the below freezing winter temperatures also make for a crystal blue sky.

You can view the complete portfolio from our recent exhibition, Architecture of the New China: Landmark Projects of Beijing. 

All of the images from this exhibition are for sale.  Please contact the gallery for further information.  info@digitalsilverimaging.com

Nik Software Announces HDR Efex Pro

Digital Silver Imaging is excited to announce the pre-launch of the latest Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture plugin from Nik Software. Nik HDR Efex Pro will revolutionize the way photographers work with HDR files and tone-mapping.  We have seen test files from the new software and think the simplified Nik experience will make this a great new product. The software will start shipping in early October.  Check the DSI site for special ordering info and pricing.

"Experience all the power, control, and creative expression HDR has to offer with HDR Efex Pro, the essential new High Dynamic Range imaging standard.

For the first time, high dynamic range imaging has been simplified and redefined to produce the highest quality realistic and artistic HDR images possible.

HDR Efex Pro includes a revolutionary all-in-one workflow with a wide selection of one-click visual presets for fast results and the highest quality possible.

Advanced class-leading tone-mapping technology, innovative new capabilities for efficient handling of image alignment and ghosting control, U Point® technology for precise selective fine- ‐tuning of colors and tonality throughout your image, and full access to shadow and highlight details make HDR Efex Pro the first choice among discerning photographers. Finishing touches like color and contrast control and vignettes let photographers enhance their images from subtle and natural looking to the surreal."

DSI has special pricing on both of the Nik Software Complete Collections that include a FREE upgrade to the HDR Pro Efex software in early October.  If you pre-order the HDR Efex Pro software, there is a special $10 discount.

Portland, ME

We just came back from a road trip that took us up to Maces Bay in NB Canada (part of the Bay of Fundy) and then back down through Portland, ME.  I am still editing all my infrared shots I took up in Canada.  We have a Nikon D80 that was converted to Infrared and I am still working on the files in Lightroom and Nik Silver Efex Pro. 

The coast is amazing up there; very rustic and rugged. This photo is actually from Portland; I don't have any of the other shots edited yet, so you're getting one shot from the iPhone!

During our stop in South Portland (we were looking for a lobster roll!) we came across Meredith Perdue and her photo studio on Prebble St.  She had a lot of black & white photographs hanging in her studio, so we had to stop in and introduce ourselves. She does very elegant portraits and other photography.  She is conveniently located next to the best ice cream shop I have been to.  You'll have to visit Meredith at her photography studio to find out the name of the best ice cream in Portland, ME. You can tell them Eric & Syb sent you!

I'll have more of the infrared shots to upload here soon.

65th Annual New England Camera Club Council

Digital Silver Imaging exhibited at the 65th annual New England Camera Club conference in Amherst, MA this past weekend.  Despite the heat and economy, over 1,100 enthusiastic photographers came to learn, share, enjoy and talk about photography. According to NECCC staff, there were also 165 new registrants at this year's event.

The DSI Booth featured black & white print samples from our true silver gelatin printing process.  We showed examples of the RC and fiber prints from a variety of photographers, including Ron Rosenstock, Andy Ryan, Brian Marcus, and Herbie Greene.  Visitors were interested in learning about this photo chemical process as an alternative to inkjet printing.  We had some great examples of infrared photographs taken by photographer Ron Rosenstock.  We had converted his Canon 5D to the 715nm wavelength and had 3 large 20x24 black & white silver gelatin prints on display in our booth.

William Barnett's presentation "Beyond Human Vision - Infrared Photography" drew large crowds.  His knowledge of this creative art form is spectacular.  He explained many of the unique aspects of how cameras can be converted to capture in IR and the various wavelengths one can select for their camera.  He favors cameras with an electronic viewfinder, or live view, that make it easier to preview the image in infrared. Digital Silver Imaging is offering infrared camera conversions at a reasonable prices.

Victor Ha and Janice Wendt from Nik Software were also there doing presentations on the various plug-ins for Photoshop and Lightroom.  DSI sold copies of our favorite B&W plug-in, Silver Efex Pro and will have it on sale through the end of the month.  Photographers like the ease of the U-Point technology and control points and the black & white film grain works very well.  DSI had a drawing for a free copy of Silver Efex Pro and the winner will be announced on Monday the 19th.  Nik is also sponsoring a black & white photo contest in July.

The exciting news from Nik is their new HDR plug-in that is expected in early September.  The presentation on the software looks great and I'm sure this will be another great product from Nik.

I also spent some time talking with Alicia from Shuttbug Bag Designs. She just started her company in January and NECCC was her first trade show.  Her booth was very active for most of the show and photographers liked her new bag concepts.


We enjoyed being there again.  I got to hang out with my friend Paul from Lens Pro To Go and test out some of the great Nikon and Canon gear he is renting.  Call and ask him about his new "equestrian" lens!

Feats of Grandeur

Andy Ryan’s serene images of the sleek and mind-boggling-massive landmark projects of Beijing sparked awe-inspired conversation well past the viewing hours of the opening last night at the Griffin Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging.

Architects marveled at the scale and scope of Steven Holl’s Linked Hybrid complex including sky bridges containing a suspended swimming pool, gallery, theater and auditorium.  The bird’s nest design of the Beijing National Stadium, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics, was dwarfed from a distance. In comparison, the close-up capturing the broom-welding harnessed workers cleaning the façade brought home the magnitude of this $500 million feat of engineering and was a favorite among viewers.

Photographers marveled at the 3 sepia-toned prints from Polaroid Type 55 negatives which exemplify DSI's mission of the art of B&W in a digital world. The fairy tale quality captured in "Heaven" belies the gritty reality of this dangerous construction site. Kudos to our intern extraordinaire, Anna Rotti, who mastered this tricky technique.

The talk of the show were the fiber based prints flush mounted to aluminum. The unique sizes and ability to have the print float off the wall make for a stunning, clean and modern presentation. It amplified the starkness of the cutting edge architecture.

DSI had our own feat of grandeur in creating the workflow to provide these beautiful pieces. We are excited to add this output option to our services.

Andy provided a comprehensive presentation of the landmark projects in a digital slideshow. The show will be up for the summer and Andy will have a gallery talk on September 9th. Don't miss it.

Digital Silver Imaging
Belmont, MA

NH Wedding Giveaway

A free wedding you say? What is included in this wonderful wedding giveaway?

One of our clients, Kendal Bush Photography, told us about this idea. An independent group of like minded wedding professionals located in the Monadnock region of NH have joined together to donate time, space, products and services to create a beautiful winter wedding for one deserving couple at the elegantly rustic Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH.

The comprehensive wedding package will accommodate up to 100 guests and will take place on December 11th 2011. The contest kicks off May 5th 2010. Entrants will be required to write an essay introducing themselves and their fiance. Entrants must also explain why they deserve to win a wedding. The deadline for entries is January 23rd, 2011 at Stonewall Farm’s annual bridal show. The winner of the contest will be announced on February 14th, 2011.

http://nhweddinggiveaway.com/

Tradition: Innovated

Our new show featuring photographs by Charles A. Meyer captures a slice of life rarely seen by anyone not buying or selling a mule. Vintage in feel and intimately voyeuristic the images were shot over the past five years at the Dickson Mule Auction, the countries oldest and largest, held outside Nashville TN. Meyers’ explores the intersection between commerce and community, tradition and innovation, supply and demand, humility and profit.

Who knew these sterile crossbreeds to be such a complex and current topic? See Susan Orleans’ New Yorker article, Riding High: Mules in the Military, in the February 15 & 22nd issue.  Alongside the Mennonite, Amish and Mid-American family farmers buying and selling these exceedingly strong, intelligent, and endlessly tolerant, pack animals is the U.S. military - looking to fly some to Afghanistan.

Our opening was full of it’s own intersection of tradition and innovation, including friendship and state-of the-art technology. Charles A. Meyer taught Digital Silver Imaging’s owner, Eric Luden, traditional darkroom photography at Boston College twenty-seven years ago. Meyer shoots with a traditional medium format Hasselblad fitted with a 645 back and Ilford Delta 3200 film. DSI scanned his negatives to create digital files and used Nik Silver Efex Pro to retouch, edit and enhance the detail of his warm and moody images.

The crowd was filled with fellow photo professors: Peter Laytin, Lisa Kessler, and Rachel Loischild. Barbara Hitchcock, former Director of the Polaroid Collection and painter, Mark Cooper, joined Griffin Museum staff and Griffin family members at the show.
We were pleased to welcome newcomers to our gallery including the in-coming PRC director, Glenn Ruga, Stan Trecker, Director of The Art Institute of Boston, and freelance writer Delia K. Cabe. BC students came to see Meyers’ work and were introduced to the new technology by DSI production manager, Christopher Bowers. They stated; ”It smells like a darkroom in here” and were “blown away” by the capability of DSI’s Durst Theta.

The exhibit is on display through June 6th and the gallery is free and open to the public Mon - Fri from 9 - 5:30.  All of the images are custom framed by Ava Art of North Andover, MA.

It's INFRARED season

Now that New England has finally thawed out, the trees are beginning to show signs of life and the warmer weather is bringing new growth.  For some, this is time to start gardening and preparing the lawn.  But for photographers, the photosynthesis and all that heat energy make us want to shoot infrared photographs.  Shooting in infrared is another way to create stunning black and white images.

© David Fronapfel

Once Kodak stopped making the infamous HIE-36 Infrared Film, many photographers were left with few choices to create infrared photographs.  Many people have tried to recreate the IR look in Photoshop, but these are not authentic infrared images. With the advent of digital cameras, many photographers are discovering that they can convert an older model digital camera to capture in true infrared. The IR blocking filter is removed from the camera's digital sensor. It means that once the camera is converted, it becomes a dedicated IR camera. But, the advantage is that you don't need any special filters on  the lens (like we did with film) and you can shoot at any ISO, handheld, and be able to see what you shot on your camera preview!  If you have a newer model DSLR with liveview, you can actually see the image before you shoot.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of infrared photography.  The interest in this medium continues to grow and more photographers are looking to find reliable and affordable ways to convert their cameras to capture in infrared.  Digital Silver Imaging has been chosen by Precision Camera as their key partner in Infrared conversions.  Precision is able to provide top notch conversions with spectacular service and turn around times.  As their largest customer of infrared conversions, Digital Silver Imaging's IR Conversion Service is competitively priced.  Compact cameras are only $149 and DSLR's range from $299 -$349. We can convert in three different wavelengths, depending on the photographer's interest.

The chart shows 2 different wavelengths, 665nm and 715nm.  The 715nm is your typical Infrared Conversion. It blocks wavelengths shorter than 715nm and allows those longer than 715nm to go through. It is a true Infrared filter that should primarily be used for B&W photos, although very limited color Infrared pictures are possible. Conversions performed with the 715nm filter are capable of rendering beautiful and rich Black and White images with a dramatic Infrared look to them.

The 665nm is a specialized Infrared Conversion. It blocks Wavelengths shorter than 665nm and allows those longer than 665nm to go through. This conversion is especially well suited for color Infrared Photography because of its broader transmittance properties. With this conversion a more saturated color infrared image is possible. B&W Infrared is also possible with the 665nm although the results will not be as dramatic as the 715nm.

The 830nm is also now available.  Deep Infrared Filter which allows for a very dramatic B&W IR look. Not suitable for color work. Filter has a cutoff point of 830nm, which means that only wavelengths over 830nm will expose the sensor. Since visible light cuts off at 720nm, the 830nm will give you a deep infrared look which is reminiscent of the old IR Black and White films.

Once a camera is converted, the file is still captured in RGB, so some post production is always necessary.  We have been working with Nik Software Silver Efex Pro   for all of our black and white work at Digital Silver Imaging.  DSI's exceptional silver gelatin prints are enhanced by the power of Nik Software's Photoshop plugins.  Silver Efex Pro has become our standard for all of our black and white printing at DSI.  It does an excellent conversion from color RGB to black and white RGB by preserving all the values in each of the 3 channels.


We have found that the Infrared files out of any of the 3 choices work very well with Silver Efex Pro.  One of the presets provided in their software is called "High Structure" and this does a very good job of enhancing the file.  The software works with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture and most versions of Photoshop Elements.  It is easy to learn and use.  We recommend downloading their 15 Day Free Trial and trying the software.  But remember to save some money, buy the software from Digital Silver Imaging!

As an authorized reseller for both Nik Software and IR Conversions from Precision Camera, Digital Silver Imaging has been leading the way in providing exceptional black and white workflow solutions for today's digital photographers.   Combine these two creative black and white digital solutions with our true black and white silver gelatin printing and you can recreate the beauty of classic black and white photographs without having a darkroom.

As part of our ongoing campaign to help educate our clients about the benefits of Nik Software, we are sponsoring a free 1 hour webinar on Silver Efex Pro on Wednesday April 21st.  Vistor Ha will be leading the online seminar and the best part is, you can join in right from your own computer! Registration is required for the online training.

Black & White workflow using Nik Silver Efex Pro-Wed April 21st

Digital Silver Imaging is pleased to announce our 2nd FREE Webinar on Nik Software and Silver Efex Pro.

When: Wednesday April 21st 1PM Eastern Time
Where: Your Computer

Registration Required at the DSI Site

Join Victor Ha of Nik Software and Digital Silver Imaging for an in depth training on the award winning Nik Silver Efex Pro. Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is the most powerful tool for creating professional quality black and white images from your digital files. For the first time, all the advanced power and control required for professional results have been brought together in one convenient tool. We will demonstrate how to work with your digital files from RAW to print in an easy to follow online training.

Digital Silver Imaging's exceptional silver gelatin prints are enhanced by the excellence of Nik Software Photoshop plug-ins.  We have been using Silver Efex Pro in our lab since Nik Software launched the software in July 2008.  It has revolutionized the way we worked and saved us many hours of wasted production time.  It provides an excellent conversion from color RGB to B&W RGB and preserves all the necessary information in the channels to provide smooth transitions form highlight to shadow in our silver printing process.  In addition, the Upoint Technology developed by Nik Software makes use of the Control Points in their plugins for precise control of specific areas of your files, without having to make multiple masks.  In addition, the film grain simulation that is built into Silver Efex Pro is phenomenal!

We have printed images for Nik Software, for their trade show booths, and made many successful black & white prints for clients around the world.  As a result, we have become a reseller of the Nik Software and have excellent pricing on all of their plugins. 

Be sure to join us for the free webinar training on Thursday April 21st at 1PM Eastern Time.

Intrepid Visitors from Maine Media Workshops

Facing south and driving through a few hours of torrential rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of this Maine Media Workshop class visiting Digital Silver Imaging yesterday. Professor Brenton Hamilton brought this international group of shooters to learn about the process of creating silver gelatin prints from digital files.

Their interests range from street photography to portraiture with the majority deep in exploration and hopeful to find a career path at the end of their intensive study. A few are dedicated to creating silver prints and one is using Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro and happy with the Dfine plug-in that reduces noise from digital files available in the Nik Complete Collection. One teacher and some students are multi-media focused with still imagery just one piece of their portfolio.

Owner Eric Luden gave a brief overview of his vantage point of the digital revolution and it's impact on classic B&W output solutions. They received a hands-on demonstration of DSI's blend of traditional silver gelatin printing practices and new technology solutions.

Students took in our present show by Jonathan Spath.

ASA Photographic Portrait & Wedding Lighting Workshop with Dan Doke

My friends Gail & George Lucozzi are sponsoring a workshop at their studio in North Billerica, MA.






Details for the lighting workshop:

Sunday April 25th or Monday April 26th
Time: 8:30 on both days

Course Description:

Doors will open at 8:30am so come on in, grab a coffee and muffin and chat with the other participants—network, network, network! 

The morning, a lecture style class, will begin at 9am.  Dan will discuss how to find light, balance different types of light and how to make the best out of any location. 

We will break for lunch at noon, pizza and salad will be provided though you are welcome to bring an alternative of your own.

In the afternoon, models will join us for a hands-on demonstration.  Participants will see Dan in action and have opportunities to put their new found knowledge to the test!  We will explore the renovated mill building with our bridal couple, find the light and create dynamic portraits!

This training is geared for the advanced photographer.  Participants are encouraged to bring their camera and a fast lens, flashes are optional.  Please label your gear.

Be sure to visit their site for complete details and registration.

Competition Printing Services

Digital Silver Imaging is pleased to announce the launch of our new Competition Printing services.  We have added this service to meet the growing demand for black & white printing.  I have seen an increase in black & white prints at the regional PPA competitions and noticed that many of the prints are on color papers.  Many photographers had moved away from printing b&w images due to the color cast they were getting from their professional color labs.

We recently did two true black & white competition prints for Dan Doke at the Professional Photographer's of Massachusetts convention and this is his response to our printing:

 "Man they look awesome.  I used to be a pretty good black and white printer...Then digital set in 10 or so years ago and I did not touch my darkroom. I got used to the bluish grey color my lab put out.  I sent those same files to my color lab and they said that the contrast was off and would not look good.  So I called you right away and had Digital Silver Imaging do  them.  They look awesome!!  I forgot about the real blacks and mid-tones in a real print. I am blow away."

Dan earned two blue ribbons, including an 82 & a 90 for his two images.

Digital Silver Imaging's Competition Printing services are reasonably priced and provide a great solution for your print.  We use true Ilford B&W silver gelatin papers and chemicals to produce neutral tone, archival prints.  These are mounted to the appropriate board for PPA competition requirements.

A Pulitzer nearly Missed? Jan 2010 News Photographer

 

Photographer Stanley Forman came to Digital Silver Imaging a few months back to discuss his images and "brainstorm" about how we might work together.  He has been successful at selling some of his singular Pulitzer Prize  winning photographs, including Old Glory and Fire Escape Collapse. We suggested creating a digital contact sheet from that fateful day when he captured the images that make up Old Glory.  As you look through the images, the sequence that appears rolls like a film.  The brutality is not easy to look at, but the images, the bystanders, that lead up to the final frame are important in the context that Stanley Forman captured these images.

This month, NPPA's News Photographer Magazine ran a feature story and they used our digital contact image that we created.  Following is an excerpt from the full article:

Forced busing was in its’ second year the Spring of 1976 holding steady a sense of outrage and heated passion for citizens of Boston. A pleasant April day I reported to the City Room and was cleared by my editor, Al Salie, to join Gino (Gene Dixon) at the latest anti-busing demonstration at City Hall. I found a parking spot on Cambridge Street, grabbed Glossy, my dog, two Nikon F’s with 3 lens and 2 motor drives.

Anti-busing proponent and City Counselor, Louise Day Hicks, had hosted a group of students in the Chambers for a salute to the flag, served with cookies and milk. Pouring onto the Plaza steps after the reception, this group of demonstrators confronted a second group of students invited to tour the Hall. Tempers flared and some shoving began.

I had a 135mm lens and motor drive on one camera and a 35mm on the other. As the shuffling began I switched my 35 mm lens to a 20 mm. Over my shoulder I saw a Black man (later identified as Ted Landsmark) approach the Plaza from Washington and State and immediately thought he would be a target.

I felt like I was watching a Clint Eastwood movie, witnessing the slow-motion moment when the gauntlet is tossed before igniting the outbreak of violence. I started taking photos with the 20 mm lens. Detecting a sound I realized the motor wasn’t transporting  film. I stopped shooting continuous shots and pressed the button for one frame at a time. 

The victim, Ted Landsmark, was transported to the Mass General Hospital. The crowd worked it’s way to the Federal Court House in Post Office Square. Once there I was told to run my shots into the Herald by reporter, Joe Driscoll. I did not grasp the magnitude of what I captured until later that day.

AP and the Globe had tried to cover it from a bad angle and before the real action began. I had the best shots. The demonstration had come to me. I took my chances and developed my film in the unreliable Kodak Versamat at the office, known to shred film like a pasta-maker. It developed just the way it should have. 

The editors were very frightened by the series of images captured on my contact sheet. It was a volatile situation, it was busing, and this was Boston.  As fate would have it, Howard Hughes had died that day. Appeased by sharing front-page space with other big news, they no longer feared showing the racism that rang out that day on the top of page one.  

We were the first paper in Boston to get motor drives and the whole staff got one Nikon F with a motor drive and 4 lenses: 20, 35, 135 and 200.  We had community lens in the locker for longer telephotos.  I bought my own second Nikon F camera. I was always prepared and I got my shot.

Working with Digital Silver Imaging I have reprinted the original contact sheet. It allows me to show the full impact of the photo series. The full story did not run then but can be viewed in new light today. For prints contact www.digitalsilverimaging.com.

Fuji Launches new Medium Format film camera

Fujifilm Launch Medium Format Film Camera

From the London Photographic Association:

"It cheered me up to see that Fujifilm are launching a new medium format film camera this spring. We are not sure when it will sell in the UK as yet.

First shown as a prototype at the Photokina trade show in Cologne last year, the GF670 Professional will now be released in Japan in mid-March as a portable folding bellows camera, jointly developed by Fujifilm and Cosina. The production may be limited to just 5000 units.

Its most unusual feature is a mechanism for switching between two different film formats - 6x7cm and 6x6cm. It is also fitted with an 80mm f/3.5 fixed focal length lens, which is composed of six glass elements in four groups. The GF670 has an automatic lens shutter, and an SPD sensor with both automatic and manual autofocus. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 25 to 3200."

Gallery talk with Photographer Jonathan Spath

Gallery Talk

February 11

5:30 – 7 PM

Photographer Jonathan Spath discusses : Romancing  ∑tone 

Griffin Museum @ Digital Silver Imaging 11 Brighton Street Belmont, MA 617-489-0035

info@digitalsilverimaging.com 

A high school Math teacher Jonathan blends two areas of deep personal interest – Math and Photography in highly detailed abstract configurations of sea and granite from Cape Ann.

Where we may see aspects of nature, he sees underlying mathematical theory. His interest is the unifying perspective between everyday objects and the surrounding space.

 

New Exhibition: Romancing Σtone by Jonathan Spath

In his series of photographs Romancing Σtone, Jonathan Spath unifies two areas of deep personal interest - math and photography.

The photos, taken in a former granite quarry on Cape Ann, MA, also reflect his style of photographing which "looks further and deeper into everyday surroundings to discover what singular perspectives may exist both in the object and the space around the object," he says.

"The stones' shapes, tones, textures, and scale were all of initial interest to me," Spath says. "I then spent time sitting, being in and getting a sense for the place and its formations. After some time passed, I began seeing the distinct geometric shapes, the spheres, the many triangles and other polygons. My natural inclination to uncover the order, even the mathematical, within the randomness of the stone piles emerged."

Spath adds that the photographs' titles also describe a mathematical quality he sees or feels within the stone. In the photo Inscribed, for example, Spath says "the oblate stone is positioned to almost touch the exterior triangle in three locations. The egg shape is therefore 'inscribed' within the triangle."

"As an educator I love to take opportunities to teach through the arts," says Paula Tognarelli executive director of the Griffin Museum of Photography. "Jonathan Spath has woven and integrated some enduring lessons on math into the exhibition of his photographs that can long outlive the classroom. Learning through the arts is learning that lasts a lifetime."

Romancing Σtone is featured at the Griffin Museum at Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, MA, January 21 through March 28. An opening reception with the artist at Digital Silver Imaging is January 28, 6-8 PM.

All framing at the DSI Gallery is provided by Kathy Skarvan from Ava Art Custom Framing.

Arthur Griffin: Ted Williams, The Splendid Splinter @ The Cambridge Homes

From The Wall Street Journal.
by William Meyers
January 16th, 2010

My older brother, Leonard, idolized Ted Williams. Growing up in Providence, R.I., in the 1940s, and a good schoolboy baseball player himself, Leonard regarded Williams with something like awe. He wasn't the only one. Arthur Griffin, a longtime sports photographer for the Boston Globe, was asked by Kodak in 1939 to try its newly developed color film; he used that 4-by-5-inch film to shoot pictures of Williams. In 1939 Williams was Rookie of the Year—young, personable and eager to oblige the press. (Later his relations with the press and his fans would sour.) The color pictures Griffin took show the Splendid Splinter in various stages of his incredibly accurate swing.
Griffin also took black-and-white pictures with his 35mm camera of Williams in the outfield leaping for a ball—his feet high off the ground, his body twisted but relaxed, and a great smile on his face. There is a picture of the Fenway crowd, all the men wearing Panama hats or straw boaters; the women, too, wearing hats. A large-format color picture of Williams at rest is a quintessential portrait of a young man for whom things are going well. In 2002, when Williams died, Sports Illustrated used one of Griffin's 1939 color photos for its cover.

Arthur Griffin: Ted Williams, The Splendid Splinter
The Cambridge Homes
360 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA
Through February 7th.

Ron Rosenstock – 2010 Photo Tours

Join accomplished photographer and guide Ron Rosenstock. Ron started leading photo tours in 1967. In those years he has led more than 200 tours to many destinations worldwide. Ron retired from Clark University after teaching photography there for thirty years. His published books include his exquisite black and white photographs: The Light of Ireland, Chiostro (Cloister), and Hymn to the Earth; and color
photographs in Journeys. His photographs are to be found in the permanent collections of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, The Polaroid Collection in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the International Center of Photography in New York City. Ron’s striking; one-of-a-kind photographs can be seen at www.ronrosenstock.com.

• Morocco:  February 23-March 9, Sold Out, please call for waitlist
• Iceland:  May 13-23 
• Ireland:  St. Patrick’s Day March 13-23, Accompanied by Paul Caponigro May 31-June 10, Exclusive Camera Club Members August 29-Sept. 8, Photo Workshop with Peter Cox August 20-30
• Venice:  September 21-30
• Prague:  October 1-11
• Death Valley:  October 20-26
• Bhutan:  December 1-13 
• 2011 Tours to be announced including Santorini-Greece, New Zealand

Digital Silver Imaging has worked with Ron on his Black & White digital infrared series.  Ron came to us and we helped convert his Canon 5D to infrared.  The Griffin Photo Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging exhibited his new series of Infrared prints that were printed at the lab, Digital Silver Imaging.  The images were all from the Infrared digital files, but printed onto true Ilford silver gelatin  paper. 

Contact Strabo Tours for complete details:
607-756-8676      www.phototc.com

Eric Luden interviewed for Inside Analog Photo Radio

Scott Sheppard from Inside Analog Photo interviewed me for the iTunes Podcast of his program.  We explore our silver gelatin process in detail and discuss the workflow at our lab.

So grab a cup of coffee or a nice glass of vino and listen to the interview on Inside Analog Radio. 

You can also visit the iTunes feed.

Enjoy and let us know what you think.

Archy LaSalle wins Excellence in Teaching Award

A friend from many years back, Archy LaSalle has just been awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from Center, The Point of Great Photography.  I have always enjoyed his Widelux images and I hope my son gets to work with Archy next year when he enters the high school!

Please visit the Center site to read the complete text from Archy.


2009 WINNER
Archy LaSalle, Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, MA

"Archy's approach to photo education is comprehensive, meticulous, generous and infectious. He has long led one of the country's top high school programs, where he nourishes his students' photographic passions every day. Archy masterfully understands and values people. His teaching effectiveness is proof that strong work is intimately connected to individual support and meaningful community."
-- 2009 Juror Patrick "Pato" Hebert

Teaching Philosophy (excerpts)
"I have been teaching the art of seeing in one aspect or another since 1963. While as a sophomore in high school, I taught art to an Elementary After School program at the Boys and Girls Club in Mobile, Alabama. Professionally I have taught to middle school, high school, college, and post-grad students. There were many reasons behind my choice to teach at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (C.R.L.S.). It was renowned as one of the top photo labs and programs anywhere. In addition, my interest in diversity attracted me to the school community. There are currently 98 different ethnic groups and races represented in our student body."

About Center
Center, formerly known as the Santa Fe Center for Photography, was founded in 1994. Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports, promotes, and provides opportunity for gifted and committed photographers. Their programs bring exposure to worthy photographic projects and series, and create fellowship among photographers and influential members of the photographic community.

Congratulations to Archy - Well Deserved!