Digital Silver Imaging

ATTENTION: Our Blog is Moving!

2011-06-06T15:47:00.000-04:00

We are moving our blog to a new home on our website. We are sorry for the inconvenience, however this move will offer our followers and visitors a better online experience. If you subscribe to this blog please follow the link: http://digitalsilverimaging.com/digital-printing-blog/ and click on the "All Post" link to re-subscribe.

If you have our blog book marked, please delete the old book mark and add a book mark to the link above. We have a lot of interesting post coming very soon.

Eye Candy at AIPAD

2011-03-22T15:24:00.001-04:00

The AIPAD show was like a walk through Dylan’s Candy Shop, filled to the brim with fantastical, historical, sometimes absurd and mostly wonderful treats. Picture strolling through Beaumont Newhall’s History of Photography. Galleries and collectors exhibited vintage gems from Margaret Cameron, Bernice Abbott and Man Ray, next to electrifying examples of contemporary work by Pierre Cordier, Jim Campbell and Julie Blackmon.

Look beyond some repetition, occasional mediocrity and feast your eyes on sweet treasures. We were pleased to be introduced to artists new to us and here we share our favorites:
Verve Gallery of Santa Fe represents veteran lensman Misha Gordon. His stunning dramatic work of staged series uses pattern and light to reflect a moving serenity and intelligent wit. The filmmaking duo, Charbonneau/French, create elaborate and fantastical sets that utilize daylight and shadow, props and people in real time.
L. Parker Stephenson Photographs, located a block away from the Armory, showcased Raphael Dallaporta’s huge color images detailing the grand church organs of Paris. Also available were his beautifully printed and haunting series of life-sized land mines, now a book, Antipersonnel.

The NYT article reviewing the show highlighted several Asian artists and we noted one donating proceeds to victims in Japan.
Hyperion Press Limited introduced us to the elegant and painterly images of Qin Wen. His subdued use of color illustrates allegory in layers using traditional ritual and current culture.

Gallery 339 of Philadephia showed work from Ephemeral Existence by Tetsugo Hyakutake, featuring his ephemeral large scale industrial landscapes of Japan.
The Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica CA carries noted social documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado. His exquisite images offer rarely seen remote areas of undeveloped countries.


© Sebastiao Salgado

Lastly, more than one dealer featured the work of Beth Moon. Using traditional film and a medium format camera she shoots moody portraits in lush natural settings. Her images are hand coated in platinum and palladium metals on heavy French watercolor paper.

Science, Poetry and the Photographic Image at SPE

2011-03-15T07:19:00.000-04:00

Imagine someone who is highly educated, passionate about their art, dedicated to teaching and happy to share their ideas with others. This last week Eric and I not only found one of these rare individuals but an entire conference full. This amazing reunion was the 2011 national conference of The Society of Photographic Education, SPE.

This amazing conference started for us with keynote lecture by old friend and legendary photographer and educator Abe Morell. Always understated, funny, and thought provoking, Abe’s talk inspired and amazed everyone. He shared many stories about his camera obscura work; we especially enjoyed his new body of work. We also got a great insight into Abe as a teacher from his former student and fellow Guggenheim recipient and SPE Board Member Joann Brennan who gave a wonderful introduction, but I have a bias.

We would have liked to attend many of the others lectures but we had work to do. On the exhibition floor we had a great time making new friends such as: Ann Simmons-Myers, Angela Kelly, Vesna Pavlovic the Crew at Bostick & Sullivan and many more who we hope to see at SPE 2012 in San Francisco!

We also saw many old friends: Justin Kimball, John Willis, William DuBois. This is a very incomplete short list and if you didn’t make it that means you didn’t buy us a drink!

We left the 2011 SPE Conference, Science, Poetry and the Photographic Image, enlightened, feeling good, and secure in the belief that the future of photography is in great hands. If you are a photography or film educator you need to be part of this amazing community, they throw one heck of a party.

Earth Now - American Photographers and the Enviornment

2011-03-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

Two of our western friends, Carlan Tapp & Joann Brennan will be showing at the New Mexico Museum of Art along with such notables as Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter. The Show is titled "Earth Now" and is curated by Katherine Ware and features the work of 12 photographers. The exhibition opens April 8 and runs through October 9, 2011. It has a great website that is worth a visit.

WPPI - The Take Away

2011-03-02T11:34:00.000-05:00

WPPI was an amazing event and a tremendous learning opportunity. We experienced WPPI mostly from the trade show floor, a place where you can get the real story of being a professional photographer at least 100 times a day if you listen carefully. We talked to a lot of great people and these are 5 things we heard time and time again.

1. Be unique. Create your own style. Today anyone with a DSLR can be your competition… if you let them. However, if you develop an individual identity, an original look to your imagery, a special service or services that differentiate you from the crowd clients will find you. Our friends Walter van Dusen and Bob Coates push a fine art side of their business to attract new clients. A group of photographers from Maine has started the Maine Photographer Coalition to help promote their businesses by selling more fine art images.

2. Don’t make price a factor. The top professionals we talked to didn’t figure cost into their success equation. Don’t ask yourself “what is the other guy charging,” but ask “what is the value of my talent and services.” When you know what you are selling, and that your talent and services are something of value, you will know what pricing model is right.

3. Quality matters. Time and time again we were complimented on the excellent quality of our printing. If you take pride in your photographic abilities why settle for an inferior print? To quote a photographer at the show, “There are a lot of beautifully bound albums here (at the WPPI trade show), with some really badly printed photos inside.” The wrapper may be gorgeous but it’s the print that defines your ability as a photographer.

5. Use your resources. Why limit yourself to just a few options. If you need a special lens, camera or piece of lighting equipment why not rent it. Our friends LensProtoGo have just about any piece of equipment you need in stock now. Tired of the same old look get some new backdrops. Need a cool website but don’t have the funds to pay a web designer? Try BluDomain for an extensive selection of websites at great prices. And most important, if you have a question ask your vendors, like Digital Silver Imaging, we know what’s out there and we can help you find it.

We love going to photo events like WPPI because every time we connect with a photographer we learn something. Check in with us in the coming weeks and find out how we put what we've learned into practice. Keep shooting in black and white, and maybe we’ll see you at the SPE Conference in Atlanta March 10-12!

Multigrade Art 300-Ilford launches new silver-based Fine Art paper

2011-02-10T10:01:00.002-05:00

I love reading about developments in our industry, both digital and analog. I have maintained a good relationship with my former employer, HARMAN technology, which is the parent company of Ilford Photo based in the UK. I knew they were working on developing a new silver based fine art paper that would have the look and feel of Hahnemuhle fine art inkjet papers, but have a true silver gelatin coating.

I have been speaking with Mike Bain, Rod Parsons and others at HARMAN about the launch of the Multigrade Art 300. Now that HARMAN has a relationship with Hahnemuhle, this has become a reality. Initially, this paper will be available as an analog (that's "darkroom" for all you digital newbies!) product. We will be part of a test phase shortly to evaluate this in rolls for digital exposure in our Durst Theta 51 photographic laser enlarger.

This will initially launch in the UK in early April in sheet sizes from 8x10 up to 20x24. There is no official launch date for North America, but we're their largest market, so I'm sure we'll see it soon! I know representatives from HARMAN will be at the SPE (Society for Photographic Education) conference in Atlanta and will have samples on display.

Stay tuned for more details.

Read more about Digital Silver Imaging and our services

Fall River Camera Club

2011-02-10T09:14:00.000-05:00

Owner Eric Luden made a trip to Fall River last night to present his black & white program to over 30 photographers at the Fall River Camera Club. What I like most about speaking with photographers at these camera clubs is their passion about photography. They are doing this for fun, pleasure and education, and are not jaded by the demands of trying to make a living with their hobby.

I give an overview of the changes that have impacted black & white photography as digital methods have evolved since the mid- 90's. I explain how photographers used an LVT film recorder to produce b&w negatives and then made darkroom prints and then the evolution of inkjet printing. We discussed the evolution of digital enlargers, like the Lightjet or Durst Lambda and how we utilize the Durst Theta 51 to produce real black & white continuous tone prints.

Photographers are aware that black & white photography is making a comeback. So many digital tools are available to make this possible, including multiple plugins and other software. More than a third of the members already own Nik Silver Efex Pro and are eagerly awaiting the launch of Silver Efex Pro 2, which is due out at the end of this month. This plugin makes working in black & white so much easier and produces the cleanest files. When you combine this with our silver gelatin printing service, you get the best of both worlds.

Thanks to Lorraine for inviting me down to the club - you have an excellent organization and I look forward to coming back. Congratulations to Richard who won the raffle for a free 11x14 Fiber print!

Better in Black and White: Digital Silver Imaging

2011-02-03T23:01:00.000-05:00

Better in Black and White: Digital Silver Imaging

Collections

2011-01-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. Guests attending last evenings gallery opening of the Griffin Museum of Photography @ Digital Silver Imaging were challenged to view the haunting elegance of anatomical specimens from the Mutter Museum in Philadelpia and the Lazzarro Spallanzani collection in Regio Emilia, Italy. Noted landscape photographer, Neal Rantoul, took a courageous departure by pulling back the curtain on this slice of human experience with grace and candor. Boldly curated by J.Sybylla Smith the 18 images of animal and human studies move beyond voyeuristic curiosity to ephemeral beauty.

A steady stream of seasoned photo educators, staff and board members from Northeastern, Boston's Photographic Resource Center and the Griffin Museum including Glen Ruga, Director of the PRC, George Slade, and Cathy England concurred the work was "Luminous", "beautiful", "striking" and "strong". Represented by Panopticon Gallery, owner, Jason Landry and Neal's colleagues were pleased to see the new work in this intimate venue. A special edition book including extensive images from both collections along with the taxidermy from Cabelas is available for sale. The selenium toned silver gelatin and giclee ink jet prints are available in limited editions.

We are all looking forward to Rantoul's gallery talk on February 3rd. We are eager to hear him take us on the journey prompted by an NPR interview by Terry Gross with Gretchen Warden in 2002 on the Mutter to his international travels to illuminate and record this historic tradition.

You can view the complete collection of images in our online gallery. Contact Digital Silver Imaging for information to purchase his prints or his book.

Artist's Gallery Talk @ The Griffin Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging

2011-01-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

Je Ne Sais Quoi

by J. Sybylla Smith

Articulate and humor-filled descriptions of his creative process informed and entertained an eclectic audience at the Griffin Museum of Photography at Digital Silver Imaging's gallery talk last evening. Photographer and videographer, Jonathan Stark, waxed poetically on the feelings evoked by France, shooting with film and the “magical faith-based” moments of creating art.

Armed with 3 Nikon cameras, loaded with color and black and white film, Stark approaches his work with an open respect for the dialog between the subject - animate or not - and the shooter. Eagerly seeking resonance with his subject his goal is to “capture the energy.” The most important lens being that of his own emotion, imagination, and aesthetic. His desire to make a photograph overrides any sense of timidity or inclusion in another’s intimacy. Ask him about shooting the Hassidim in Jerusalem preparing for Passover.

A curious documentarian, Stark, exposes himself to the culture and ritual he discovers while traveling. What separates a photograph from a snapshot? In his view it is the willing involvement of the shooter to engage and exercise a disciplined and attentive awareness to one's inner vision. An artist transforms the obvious, moving beyond mere representation. Stark notes black and white photographic images convey emotion and render moments timeless in a way color cannot.

A diehard film fan, he favors the nuance of a silver gelatin print which cannot be mimicked by “spraying” ink on paper. Giclee and silver gelatin are different animals. Just as a diamond traveling across vinyl picks up the peaks and valleys of sound in a manner not replicated by high definition electronic transfer - we sense the difference in output despite the ability of our eyes to register the minute pixilation used in ink jet printing.

Darkroom magic is that inexplicable happening when the image unfolds its secrets - the culmination of subject, light, exposure, framing, and myriad processes, both human and chemical, that birth a photograph. In Stark’s opinion art reflects relationship.

Stark approached Digital Silver Imaging's output as an experiment. He was both pleased and surprised with the results. "Digital Silver Imaging's printing technology enabled me to take a color transparency and convert it to black and white, which revealed the character that appealed to me, but had not translated in color. The DSI silver gelatin print made the image sing."

You can view all the images from the exhibit here. Contact Eric Luden at Digital Silver Imaging for information about purchasing any of the prints from this exhibition.

Digital Silver Imaging Impresses the Press

2011-01-06T16:53:00.004-05:00

Shutterbug’s Steve Bedell interviewed Eric Luden about the current state of black and white printing and the tools that are available to photographers to obtain quality prints. The interview will run in the February 2011 issue of Shutterbug.

Read a pdf of the interview on your computer or grab a copy of Shutterbug.

Stay in touch with us on Facebook for gallery news and information about our lab.

A Warm Reception

2010-11-22T22:27:00.001-05:00

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

2010-11-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

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

2010-10-21T23:17:00.001-04:00

“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

2010-10-14T23:19:00.001-04:00

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™

2010-09-21T00:14:00.001-04:00

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

2010-09-17T17:45:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-17T15:18:00.000-04:00

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.

2010-09-13T22:55:00.001-04:00

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

2010-08-25T18:20:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-19T13:55:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-19T08:20:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-01T17:35:00.000-04:00

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

2010-05-10T07:57:00.002-04:00

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

2010-04-11T17:41:00.003-04:00

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

2010-04-10T14:47:00.001-04:00

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.

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

2010-04-01T18:02:00.004-04:00

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

2010-04-01T10:59:00.002-04:00

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

2010-03-29T12:18:00.001-04:00

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

2010-03-16T13:42:00.001-04:00

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

2010-02-05T18:32:00.002-05:00

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

2010-02-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

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

2010-02-02T12:10:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-19T17:22:00.004-05:00

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

2010-01-19T11:21:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-19T10:15:00.002-05:00

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

2010-01-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-05T12:25:00.001-05:00

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!

Evolution of the Revolution

2010-01-03T15:09:00.010-05:00

Over the past 6 months, we have converted close to 100 cameras to digital Infrared for our clients. These conversions are usually at 715nm, which produces files that are very similar to the classic black & white infrared images we had with film photography. Our continued partnership with Precision Camera has enabled us to provide an outstanding service to our clients who are looking for solid advise and experience. Precision Camera has also selected Digital Silver Imaging as their preferred partner for Infrared Conversions.

Once we have converted the cameras, we can then advise people about how to work with their files. The images that come up in the camera and in your photo editing software will still have to be adjusted to produce a true Infrared image. This is what you can expect your digital file will look like:

The file looks red or magenta. We have found that working with Nik Silver Efex Pro software yields the best results for all of our black and white digital work, and especially when we're working with digital infrared files from our clients.

We open our RAW file in Photoshop and then launch Silver Efex Pro and look at the preview file again.

In this side by side comparison, we can still see the RAW file on the left and the initial black and white conversion on the right. Nik gives you some basic presets on the left hand side as a good starting point. For many of the Infrared files we have received, we have found that the preset for "High Structure" yields great results. You may have to reduce the amount of structure depending on the individual file.

Neutral Setting High Structure

Of course you can continue to tweak and edit the file according to your own needs. We like to add in one of the preset film types that comes with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Digital Silver Imaging is offering a special package price on Infrared Conversions and Silver Efex Pro software. We can provide conversions on most major digital cameras, from compact point & shoot models to full frame DSLR's like the Canon 5d.

Save $10 on any compact camera model or $25 on any DSLR model when you buy Nik Silver Efex Pro from Digital Silver Imaging.

Black & White Photography in the Digital Age

2009-12-30T17:09:00.004-05:00

CALL FOR WORK:

“Black & White Photography in the Digital Age”

April 10 - May 8, 2010

Gallery Seven in Maynard is seeking submissions from MA artists for their upcoming digital photography show. All work must be black and white. We are accepting both ink jet prints and gelatin silver prints from digital files.

As this show is about the beauty and rich tonality that can be achieved through digital black and white we will be judginging from actual prints. NO SLIDES OR JPGS, please!

$25 submission fee for up to 3 pieces. Please call for complete information before dropping off work.

Drop off dates are: Thursday Feb. 11th - Sat. Feb. 13th from 11-5 p.m. at Gallery Seven, 7 Nason St., Maynard, MA. Contact Kelli Costa or Nick Johnson at 978-897-9777 or galleryseven@verizon.net.

Pick up dates are: Thursday Feb. 18 - Sat. Feb. 20th from 11-5 p.m. at Gallery Seven.

Digital Silver Imaging is offering a special 10% discount for any orders for this gallery show. Please mention this when placing your order for true black & white gelatin silver prints for the gallery show.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photographic Gift Ideas from Digital Silver Imaging

2009-12-05T15:25:00.001-05:00

Buy One Get One Free

We know it's close to the holidays and you might be wondering what to give as a special gift this year. Photographs make great gifts; they're personal, thoughtful, and unique. Have Digital Silver Imaging print a beautiful true black & white print from one of your files that you can give to someone this year. We are offering a special Buy One Get One FREE on all custom prints 11x14 and larger, on both RC or fiber papers. The second print can be from the same or a different file. The promotion runs through December 30th.

Nik Software Promotion

We also have great pricing on our favorite software from Nik. We have just made a special purchase and are selling the Complete "Ultimate" Edition for $399.95 - that's $200 off the regular price! Our website has the complete list of all the Nik Software plug-ins at exceptional pricing. Of course our favorite Nik Plug-in is Silver Efex Pro-it is by far the best Photoshop/Lightroom/Aperture B&W tool on the market! We are offering a special $10 coupon towards our True B&W printing with any Nik Software purchase.

Ted Dillard - Pipeline Series

If you're thinking of books for yourself or someone else, consider the Pipeline Series by Boston area author Ted Dillard. We have found his books very easy to read and helpful. Please visit the Pipeline section of the DSI site for complete descriptions and pricing information.

Infrared Camera Conversions

Finally, Infrared Photography has become very popular again. We are working with Precision Camera to provide a top quality digital camera conversion service at an affordable price. This is a great way to re-purpose an older model digital camera. Free Shipping on all orders placed by Friday Dec 18th! Get complete details and information on the DSI IR Website.

Thank you all for your support throughout the year and we wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season.

Your friends @ Digital Silver Imaging

DSI to Sponsor Eugene Richards at ASMP Tues Nov 10th

2009-11-06T11:58:00.001-05:00

An Evening with Eugene Richards

Eugene Richards is a photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker who is best known for his books and photographic essays on such diverse topics as breast cancer, drug addiction, poverty, AIDS, and emergency medicine. He is the author of fifteen books, the most recent being The Blue Room (Phaidon, 2008), a collection of his photographs on abandoned houses in rural America, as well as A Procession of Them (University of Texas Press, 2008), which confronts the plight of the institutionalized mentally disabled. His current book project, War Is Personal, is a documentation in words and pictures of the consequences of the Iraq war.

In his talk, Eugene Richards will discuss the many book projects he’s undertaken since becoming a photographer nearly forty years ago, as well as his forays into filmmaking and advertising work. His main focus will be his latest publications, A Procession of Them and The Blue Room, both published in Fall 2008.

Location: MASS BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WELLESLEY HILLS CAMPUS | 50 Oakland Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (781) 239-3000 | directions

Parking: Parking is free with permit. Please download and print the permit PDF, and remember to display it on your dashboard.

Time: Social hour begins at 6pm. Presentation begins at 7pm.

FOOD, DRINKS & DOOR PRIZES INCLUDED.
* You must pre-register to be eligible to win a door prize.

Pre-register Online Now!

Pre-registration:
$10 members and students
$20 for non-members

At the Door:
$15 for members and students
$25 for non-members

Sponsored by Digital Silver Imaging and Ava Art

Mojica Photography blogs about DSI

2009-10-30T17:34:00.001-04:00

They don't make cameras like they used to--literally! Digital photography can be both a blessing and a curse. While amenities such as printing images on a printer instead of a dark room and Photoshop instead of an airbrush can cut down on costs for prints and photo restoration or manipulation, the quality of a true black and white picture has all but faded away like antiquity--until now. Digital Silver Imaging has brought back one of the keystones of traditional photography, the silver gelatin print! Silver gelatin is superior in every way to run-of-the-mill digital prints. It is the material that is warranted when you have a true piece of art. Like Durer making wood-cuts of his creations, DSI uses a medium that stands the test of time. Too many beautiful images are spoiled by sunlight and exposure to humidity. The problem is, if you have a beautiful picture, you want to display so it can be enjoyed. When you chose DSI for your black and white prints, you get the best of both worlds: the longevity of silver gelatin and the definition, clarity, and emotion of black and white. We recommend Digital Silver Imaging prints for your most cherished images. You may have save your wedding cake in the freezer or store your wedding dress in the closet, but your wedding pictures should be out in the open. DSI prints let you keep your pictures out in the open without having to worry or fuss over having reprints or restorations done. And the clarity of silver gelatin is unparalleled!

Joshua & Loraine McCall from Mojica Photography
www.mojicaphotography.com

Adobe Lightroom Workflow for Photographers with John Flaherty 11/21/09

2009-10-25T23:15:00.009-04:00

Get that inspiration back!

“Great Art is 90% inspiration and only 10% technique” Is this old adage still true?

Photography has become a maze of steps and computer programs, actions, presets, and filters. Many photographers have lost their inspiration because of the confusing process they must undertake from capture, develop, and printing their images. A solid foundation for image processing WILL expand your creativity. John Flaherty has taught many photographers how to be comfortable with this process to allow their creativity to flow. Learn how to use Lightroom, LabPrints, and Photoshop to streamline your workflow and focus on creative imagery. John will also demonstrate the integration of Nik Silver Efex Pro B&W plugin for Lightroom and Photoshop.

The final part of this workshop will show how to use LapPrints to upload your files to Digital Silver Imaging for true B&W prints from you digital files.

This workshop is intended for beginning to intermediate level or for more advanced users who are looking to further their knowledge of Adobe Lighroom.

Date: Saturday November 21st

Time: 10:00AM - 2:30PM (1/2 hour lunch break from 12-12:30)
Place:

Lens Pro to Go Studios

152 Commonwealth Ave
Unit M-1
Concord, MA 01742

Price is $60 per person.

Please click here to register and make payment arrangements.

DSI & Nik Software to present at B&H Photo Nov 2nd

2009-10-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is the most powerful tool for creating professional quality black and white images from your photographs. For the first time, all the advanced power and control required for professional results have been brought together in one convenient tool.

Featuring Nik Software’s patented U Point® technology to selectively control the tonality and contrast of the image, Silver Efex Pro includes advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, a comprehensive collection of emulated black and white film types, over 20 one-click preset styles, and a state-of-the-art grain reproduction engine that help produce the highest quality black and white images possible from your color images while providing more freedom to experiment.

Janice Wendt from Nik Software and Eric Luden from Digital Silver Imaging will be at the B&H Event Space on Monday Nov 2nd from 3-5PM to present and in depth demonstration on the black & white workflow using Silver Efex Pro and how to get true silver prints from your new black & white digital files from DSI.

For more details, and to register if you're in the area, please click here.

Infrared Conversions - 715nm versus 830nm

2009-10-19T16:27:00.000-04:00

Clients are asking us about our new Infrared conversion services and how we differ from other companies that are offering the conversions, or "do-it-yourself" kits. DSI has partnered with Precision Camera Repair to provide this service at very competitive rates. We offer two IR filters, 665nm and 715nm. So, I asked Mark Soares, Professional Services Technical Representative from Precision Camera to explain this more clearly for our clients:

"The filter we use still allows a small amount of visible light to penetrate through the filter and expose the image. What this does is create an image that it ~95% IR and ~5% visible spectrum. Although this may seem like a disservice when you talk about shooting specifically in IR, we find that using the 715nm filter allows for better tonal range in the highlight areas (where there is a lot of IR, with all the foliage, etc), whereas the B&W filter the competition use is much higher contrast(and as such has less tonal range). The filter they call B&W is an ~830nm filter, which means that the exposed image is 100% IR and no visible light. The truth is that the difference between both is a matter of contrast in the image (which is a result of IR levels in the image). The 830nm will be more contrasty than the 715nm, however, with minimal post processing the 715nm can have the same contrasty B&W look as the 830nm with the added benefit of a better tonal range. What this means is that the 715nm overall ends up being a more versatile conversion capable of producing results as dramatic as the 830nm, and with more tonal range (not to mention it allows you to do low saturation color IR work, which is also nice.)"

For more details and info about our IR Conversions, please check our website for more details and information.

DSI Announces Agreement with Nik Software

2009-10-16T10:53:00.004-04:00

Photo Plus Booth 863 – Eric Luden, owner of Digital Silver Imaging, was a user of Nik software before he became a reseller. “Nik’s Dfine 2.0, Sharpener Pro 3.0 and Silver Efex Pro saved us many hours of Photoshop time and helped us produce some of the finest B&W images we’ve printed”, says Luden. “Our relationship just continued to grow from there, and we became an authorized dealer of Nik software. We’ll have co-operative displays at Photo Plus and will launch a joint webinar and field training seminars after the show.”

Luden is scheduled to present on the software, particularly Silver Efex Pro, at an upcoming B&H Photo event scheduled for Monday, November 2. Per Luden, “The Silver Efex Pro is a remarkably complete package for those working in black and white. The software gives the user total control of tonality and contrast. The software emulates most of the common B&W film types, allowing the user to choose grain, color sensitivity and tone curves as needed. In addition, Silver Efex Pro gives additional brush and filter tools when used on conjunction with Adobe Photoshop. It really is a package that can be used by professionals and hobbyists alike.”

To promote the software at Photo Plus, Digital Silver Imaging is offering special show pricing on Nik Software purchased at the their booth during the show. Details on the offer, including an additional discount on printing services through DSI, can be found here.

In addition, DSI plans to raffle off two packages containing a Canon G series camera, converted by Precision Camera to shoot in infrared, plus a copy of Nik’s Silver Efex Pro. One package will be raffled off on Thursday, October 22 and one on Friday, October 23.

Join our FREE Web Training session for Silver Efex Pro on Wednesday Oct 28th from 3-4PM Eastern Time.

Click here for free registration.

Free Web Training for Nik Silver Efex Pro B&W Software

2009-10-15T09:33:00.004-04:00

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.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28th 12:00 - 1:00PM Pacific Time

Webinar Details

Working with Silver Efex Pro (SEP) as a smart object
SEP workspace and preferences
SEP Presets
Work with Tonality controls
U Point Powered Control Points
Film Types with state-of-the-art grain engine
Saving files for printing

Click Here for FREE Registration

Off the Wall Opening Celebration

2009-10-13T00:51:00.002-04:00

Magnifique!

It's a unique event which brings a Boston Globe international war correspondent, a visiting Neiman Fellow and member of Vii - together with Marilyn Riseman, the doyenne of style - to celebrate fashion! The packed opening of Off the Wall brought 200 plus photographers, designers, academics, stylists, journalists and revelers out to view the work of 11 area shooters to the Griffin Museum @ Digital Silver Imaging. Ennis, Team and other agencies who represent the talent behind the photographs joined their freelance artists in celebrating their work.

Accolades are still pouring in: "Paris in Belmont". "Never saw such glamour in Boston". "The opening was lovely, I think the show was so smart and exquisite". "I have been out all fashion week and never saw such a diverse crowd"."How did you get all these people here?". An outdoor tent and self-portrait gallery managed the overflow crowd and added to the festive vibe.

While heavy on the female, the show covers subjects ranging in age from 6 - 81 including Savannah youth in their Sunday best, abstract close-ups of accessories, witty and sublime takes on the act we all do everyday - dress. A unifying factor is the handsome custom framing provided by Kathy Skarvan of Ava Art. A guest described the beauty of the frames as "standing on their own without taking anything away from the image." It is a masterful balance to strike.

A poster asking "Are you ready for your close-up?" , led guests to a studio set up for their own shoot. Individuals, couples, families and groups captured themselves in all manner of fun. The photographers in the show suffered through being on the other side of the camera for a group portrait. We edited 250 raw files and posted the results in the OTW Studio Gallery.

It is a stellar show pulled together in a short amount of time. Thanks to the confidence of Paula Tognarelli, The Director of the Griffin Museum, and the inclusiveness of Jay Calderin, The Founder of Fashion Week, we were able to create a "perfect storm" of interest and excitement. I had the challenging task of deciding what to eliminate. It was a pleasure reuniting with colleagues I have worked alongside at various times over the past 15 years and to meet the new breed of talent lending their eye to the art of fashion photography.

Wanting to preserve this special collection of photos, we created a custom book bound in platinum Japanese silk. The show is up until November 1st. All images are for sale and the book can be ordered.

DSI and Nik Software to present at B&H Photo 11/2/09

2009-10-07T00:01:00.016-04:00

Complete Control for Professional Quality

Black and White with Nik Software and Digital Silver Imaging

November 2^nd 2009 3-5 PM at B&H Photo Event Space

Featuring Nik Software’s patented U Point® technology to selectively control the tonality and contrast of the image, Silver Efex Pro includes advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, a comprehensive collection of emulated black and white film types, a variable toning selector for adding traditional toning techniques, over 20 one-click preset styles, and a state-of-the-art grain reproduction engine that help produce the highest quality black and white images possible from your color images while providing more freedom to experiment.

Janice Wendt from Nik Software will demonstrate how to best work with your files, from RAW capture to output using the award winning Nik Software tools. You will learn how to easily work with your files to create stunning black and white images. Techniques that will be taught in this lecture will remove the need for tedious selections and endless numbers of steps. Janice will teach how to get the most out of your workflow, optimizing raw images, noise reduction techniques, global adjustments vs. targeted adjustments, selective enhancements, bringing out detail, applying traditional techniques, black and white images from color capture and creating a style with your retouching.

Eric Luden, Owner of Digital Silver Imaging, will discuss more about output and their unique black & white printing methods. DSI incorporates cutting edge laser printing technology from Durst with true gelatin silver papers from Ilford Photo to produce stunning black & white prints. DSI was an early adopter of Silver Efex Pro and has been recommending the software to their clients for the past 15 months. “Silver Efex Pro takes the mystery out of the black & white digital workflow and allows the photographer total control, without all the headaches.”

Gallery Talk with J. Sybylla Smith "Off the Wall - Fashion in Black & White"

2009-09-25T18:39:00.005-04:00

October 4, 4 PM
The Griffin Museum at Digital Silver Imaging
11 Brighton St., Belmont, MA

Photos: Marilyn Riseman by William Huber

Inspired by famed fashion and portrait photographer, Richard Avedon, who shot and edited for the wall rather than the page, this exhibit showcases black-and-white images by area fashion photographers. Curator J. Sybylla Smith gives a brief tour of the exhibit, followed by an intimate behind-the-scenes discussion on style and fashion concepts in today's fashion photography

Digital Silver Imaging to exhibit at Photo Plus Expo

2009-09-21T17:00:00.007-04:00

Come to New York City from Oct 22nd - 24th and stop by the Javitz for the PDN Photoplus trade show and conference. Booth #863

DSI will have a full display and beautiful true black and white gelatin silver prints on our gallery wall. We will be having a shared presentation on working with Infrared converted cameras and Nik Silver Efex Pro. We will be offering a special promotion on converting digital cameras to shoot IR and bundled with Silver Efex Pro.

One of our images, from Rock 'n Roll photographer Herb Greene, will be on display at the Ilford Photo booth. It's a great studio image of Jerry Garcia with his band and Bob Dylan is seated right in the middle. We're honored to have this on display during the expo.

BC Kagan will be in our booth signing silver prints of Bono, The Police, Billy Idol and other rock 'n roll musicians from the late 70's and early 80's. Come by on Friday from 2- 4 PM and buy a signed print!

To get your FREE PDN Expo pass courtesy of Digital Silver Imaging, click here.

October 2nd Gallery Reception

2009-09-21T16:38:00.004-04:00

Join us on October 2nd at the Griffin Museum Gallery @ Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, MA. The opening is from 6- 8 PM

The show features 11 Professional Photographers and 14 images. All of the black and white gelatin silver prints were made at Digital Silver Imaging and custom framing was provide by Ava Art.

Click here for the full press release and details.

Eric Luden to lecture at Stan Godwin workshop

2009-09-21T16:26:00.004-04:00

Eric Luden will be heading to the Cape this weekend as a guest at Stan Godwin's workshops. We will be discussing black & white work flow and how to integrate some of these into printing at Digital Silver Imaging. There will be a brief overview of the various options that have existed for digital shooters and how DSI is working to offer another solution for photographers today.

Once you have an RGB color file, how do you "see" it in black & white? Does the image have a different look and feel once you remove the color? How does our true black & white gelatin silver printing process compliment the black & white digital work flow?

If you're in the area this Saturday, October 26th, come to the Cape and find out.

For more details about the lecture and other workshops with Stan Godwin, click here.

The Soiling of Old Glory - by Stan Forman

2009-09-04T17:19:00.009-04:00

From Wikipedia -
"The Soiling of Old Glory is a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph taken for the Boston Herald American in 1976 by Stanley Forman.

The photograph depicts a white teenager, Joseph Rakes, about to assault black lawyer and civil-rights activist Ted Landsmark with a flagpole bearing the American flag. It was taken in Boston on April 5, 1976, during a protest against court-ordered desegregation busing. It ran on the front page of the Herald American the next day, and also appeared in several newspapers across the country. It won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot Photography."

I believe this is the first time the sequence of photographs leading up to this historic image have been displayed. Stan's camera jammed twice just before the final image. Click the image to view a larger copy.

This strip of negatives was scanned in a Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 with a Nikon glass mount carrier. I needed to scan the strip once from each end and once for the middle due to its length.
Photoshop CS4 Photomerge took care of piecing things together.

For sales of this and other images by Stanley Forman please call 617-489-0035 or email info@digitalsilverimaging.com.

Ted Kennedy: Stan Forman's Photographs tell the story

2009-09-02T14:14:00.012-04:00

Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Stanley Forman, has documented Boston history for more than 40 years. He has captured many famous images over the years as a still photographer. He is best known for his image of the young girl falling from a fire escape and "The Soiling of Old Glory".

Stan has recently compiled his collection of images of the Kennedy family he has taken over his career. The National Press Photographers Association ran a story on August 27th, 2009 about Stan's images. A collection of his images of Senator Ted Kennedy appear in a Channel 5 story. WCVB Boston also produced a video about Stan' work. Click here to watch the video.

This collection of images, once they are retouched in Photoshop, offer some great images that Stan captured during his many visits with Senator Ted Kennedy and his family. Many of these images have never been seen before. They provide us with some intimate moments that very few people ever had access to before.

Digital Silver Imaging is working with Stan to help get these images out into the public and make them available for purchase. We are scanning them and will make true black & white gelatin silver prints from the cleaned up digital files.

8x10 B&W RC Silver prints $99.00
11x14 B&W RC Silver prints $129.00
Framing available for an additional $50

For information about the images, contact Digital Silver Imaging via email at
info@digitalsilverimaging.com

The Kennedy Brothers at The Boston Globe Store

2009-09-02T13:52:00.005-04:00

We have all read, seen, and heard a lot about the Kennedy family over the past week. The passing of Ted Kennedy brought a lot of people out to share in his life and remember a lot of the good things that family has done over the decades. Ted Kennedy was a dedicated family man and held up many people through a lot of tragedy.

This image of the 3 brothers taken by Robert Lilyestrom in July, 1960 reminds us of the energy and charisma that these men possessed. Photography helps us all hold onto the memories of a bygone era, whether it's our own family, or others. This black and white print has been very important to many people and we have been making many prints this week.

You can visit the Boston Globe Store and get your own copy of the Kennedy brothers, printed on true gelatin silver black & white paper for the best in archival quality.

"Off the Wall" - Fashion Photography in Black & White

2009-08-29T18:55:00.002-04:00

August 30, 2009 (Winchester, MA) Inspired by portrait photographer Richard Avedon’s practice of shooting and editing for the wall versus the page, this group show features 12 New England-based photographers capturing fashion in classic black and white.

The photographers included in the show are Tracy Aiguier, Sadie Dayton, Conor Doherty, Cig Harvey, William Huber, Michael Khachadoorian, Kim Kennedy, Liz Linder, Jorg Meyer, Bob Packert, Phil Porcella and Francine Zaslow.

What constitutes a fashion image constantly evolves. Frivolous, glamorous, sumptuous, witty, painterly, and stark, fashion - and images of it - evoke emotion. Photography and fashion have moved to center stage during the past 50 years, as advertising simultaneously chronicles and shapes our visual culture.

The show runs from September 14 through November 1 at the satellite exhibition space: The Griffin Museum @ Digital Silver Imaging, 11 Brighton Street, Belmont MA. The gallery is the newest of the museum’s satellite locations. The opening reception is October 2, 6-8 PM, to coincide with Boston Fashion Week.

The show is juried and curated by Paula Tognarelli , executive director of the Griffin Museum; Jay Calderin, founder of Boston Fashion Week; and J. Sybylla Smith, wardrobe stylist and owner of GoTo Design Studio.

“Off The Wall” is the title of a book, a movie, and a record-breaking album. It is slang for unconventional, bizarre, manic, absurd, inappropriate, unpredictable, and eccentric,’’ says Smith. ``It aptly reflects the stylistic range of these large format true silver gelatin prints produced by Digital Silver Imaging.”

Smith gives a brief tour of the exhibit at the gallery in Belmont on October 4 at 4 PM, followed by an intimate behind-the-scenes discussion on style and fashion concepts in today's fashion photography. The talk is open to the public and free. .

The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM, to mirror Digital Silver’s hours, or by appointment. Call 781-729-1158.

Digital Infrared Conversion Comparisons

2009-08-21T18:37:00.004-04:00

Many of our customers who are thinking about converting one of their older digital cameras to shoot infrared ask what the differences are between 665nm and 715nm. We wrote about this earlier in another one of our blog posts, but this comparison chart is an excellent visual aid to help you see the differences.

The 665nm IR conversion allows less of the IR light to reach the camera's sensor, which yields better results for shooting color IR, but less of an effect for black and white infrared photography. Most of the conversions we have provided to our customers have been at 715nm. The dramatic affect is perfect for a more accurate black & white infrared effect.

As you can see, the file is still in RGB when you shoot it, so post processing is required. We are big proponents of the Nik Silver Efex Pro plugin for Photoshop for all of our black & white production work. It makes an excellent, non-destructive conversion and then provides many excellent tools to work on the file. We do offer a 15% discount on all of the NIK plugins, plus you will receive a special coupon when you order the software using our coupon code.

The files we have been printing for our clients have been outstanding. We still have the entire show of Ron Rosenstock's work that we produced here at the lab. All of his images were processed using Nik Silver Efex Pro and printed on our true gelatin silver fiber paper here at Digital Silver Imaging. You can click here to see his exhibit that we have on display through Sept 9th.

Visit our site to get your camera converted at a great price. Free Return shipping for the rest of August! Click HERE for details on our Infrared Conversion Program.

Polaroid 8x10 Black & White Film

2009-08-20T10:20:00.007-04:00

My former employer and current black & white supplier, HARMAN technology, has teamed up with the Impossible Project to help breath life back into Polaroid films.

"Polaroid's 8x10 instant films to make a comeback"

"Investors behind the Impossible Project, designed to bring back Polaroid's popular products, have purchased machinery necessary to revive 8x10 instant films".

The news about the possibility that there may be black & white Polaroid films back on the market is exciting. Polaroid enthusiasts will read this news and expect miracles, but time will tell. At Digital Silver Imaging, we are also enthusiastic about any news that champions the black & white cause! We wish all parties involved continued success!

This article appeared in the British Journal of Photography. To read the entire text, click here.

Boston Globe Store - Photo of the Week - Revere Beach

2009-08-17T12:36:00.005-04:00

This shot was taken in 1962 and has been another great black and white photo from the Boston Globe Store. This famous shot of Revere beach with cyclone roller coaster in the background can be purchased directly from the Boston Globe Store. Digital Silver Imaging will print the image on true black and white silver paper to give the print its true beautiful black and white quality and longevity. We can even frame it for you. Order your copy today from the Boston Globe Store.

Boston Globe Store Photo "Pic of the Week" - Julia Childs

2009-08-10T20:52:00.008-04:00

The new movie, Julie & Julia, about our famous local chef, Julia Childs, has sparked renewed interest in her cookbooks and photos. This great image of her in her kitchen in Cambridge was taken in her home in October 1975. I love the pegboard on the wall that her husband put up for her to make it easier to find all of her cooking utensils and accessories. You can tell this was way before Williams Sonoma got a hold of the American kitchen!

So, you too can own a classic image of one of our most beloved chefs. Just go to the Boston Globe Store and order your own copy of this image. We'll even frame the black and white print for you!

Click here to order your true black and white print.

IR conversion on a Canon G7

2009-08-10T11:22:00.012-04:00

I replaced my Canon G7 with a G10. Both are great cameras, excellent in manual and do great video. I didn't want the G7 to sit around doing nothing so I had the 715 nm IR conversion done by our partner Precision Camera.

The 715 nm conversion I had done is a 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 & rich B&W images with a dramatic infrared look to them.

The other conversion - 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.

I really like the skin tone with the 715 nm conversion. It gives a smooth gray/silver tone.

Of course foliage looks great in IR.

If you're considering what to do with your older digital camera, consider converting it to Infrared. Digital Silver Imaging is offering IR conversions through our partner, Precision Camera. They have chosen Digital Silver Imaging as their preferred lab partner to provide true black & white gelatin silver printing from the IR files.

For more information and pricing about digital camera infrared conversions, please click here.

Photo Pic of the week from The Boston Globe

2009-08-04T15:00:00.006-04:00

We just received an order for this wonderful image from Boston Globe photographer, Bill Greene. Many of the images we print for the Boston Globe are of sports and other historical images. This one caught our eye for its classic black & white beauty. Greene captured this moment with natural light coming in from the window on the left. It's images like these that remind us of how classic and timeless good black & white prints can be.

Brothers- 62 year old twins Greg and Gordon Stafford at their deer camp with Gordon's 4 year old grandson Tristan. "If you couldn't go to hunting camp there would have to be something drastically wrong," says Gordon. "For Vermonters, deer camp is almost a necessity. It's a vacation a family thing. Island Pond, VT.
To view this image, and other images at the Globe Store, click here and order your copy today.

Another successful opening reception at the Griffin/DSI Gallery

2009-08-01T14:47:00.014-04:00

Thanks to everyone that came out last night to our gallery reception with photographer Ron Rosenstock. Despite the heavy rain that started around 4:30, we had a great turnout for the event. This is our second opening and I am pleased with how successful the response has been for our gallery. We had well over 75 people during the evening. Dave's Fresh Pasta of Sommerville provided us with some excellent hors d'hoeuvres and wines.

Ron spoke with many of the guests and had an opportunity to discuss his new work in digital infrared photography. The 11 gelatin silver fiber prints represent a new direction for Ron. He was a student of Minor White's at MIT from 1967 - 1973. White did a lot of his work using Kodak 4x5 infrared film, but Ron did not start working with infrared until he converted a Canon digital camera to shoot in IR. "The ability to shoot IR digitally, without all the hassles of shooting it on film, gives me a new found freedom", say Rosenstock. "The fact that I can then have them printed on one of my favorite black & white silver papers at DSI is a perfect match."

To view all of the images in our gallery show, please click here. Images are all 17" x 22" and can be purchased for $650 matted or $750 framed. Please contact the gallery at info@digitalsilverimaging.com

For more information about digital camera infrared conversions, please click here

New sign for Griffin Museum Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging.

2009-08-01T14:32:00.003-04:00

Our building is on a busy street, but our first banner sign didn't make it easy for people to find us or know anything about what we're doing. So, we went through the small town bureaucracy of applying for a sign permit for the town of Belmont. Keith Gaffney, Jay's brother, helped us design and construct a large sign that now hangs perpendicularly off the front of our building. The sign features the new Griffin Museum Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging.
Keith started to hang the sign just as the storm blew through the area. The high winds slowed him down for a few minutes, but he finished hanging it in the pouring rain just 30 mins before our gallery reception started at 6:00 PM!

Maine Media Workshops

2009-07-31T09:38:00.007-04:00

I traveled up to Maine yesterday to drop off my daughter at camp and then drove across on Route 17 to Rockport to meet with Kate Izor from the Maine Media Workshops. The workshops were in full swing and classes and enrollment were solid. Stan Grossfeld had given a presentation about his Pulitzer Prize winning work on Wednesday night. Photographers John Goodman and Zig Harvey were in the middle of a workshop as well.
It is great to see that this wonderful place that so many of us have visited is alive and well with some solid leadership and passionate people. Kate and I had a great meeting and discussed ideas for future workshops and collaborating together.

When I left I got to travel down the coast in search of a Lobstah roll.

I found Shaw's, somewhere near Pemaquid Lighthouse. ZuZu, my faithful travel companion, kept looking for seagulls to chase, but had no luck. She's a great a great car traveler and never once asked me to change the music!

Walter Cronkite and JFK in Hyanisport 1963

2009-07-22T17:00:00.005-04:00

As a kid growing up in Connecticut, I remember when Walter Cronkite came to our local junior high school in 1975 and shared with our class many of his favorite moments in his life. He recalled sitting with JFK in Hyannisport and his reporting on the Apollo mission.

This shot of these two great men is available at The Boston Globe Store - order your copy today!

Boston Globe Store - All Star Photo

2009-07-14T19:54:00.004-04:00

We have hunted through the Boston Globe Store and come across this vintage 1946 All Star Game photo from 1946 - 65 years ago!

You can order your copy of the photo directly from the Globe Store and have it printed at DSI!

DSI Exhibits at NECCC in Amherst, MA

2009-07-13T11:30:00.004-04:00

DSI had a great looking booth at the New England Camera Club Council meeting and trade show this past weekend. This was the 64th annual conference and some of the attendees we spoke with have been coming there for the past 30 years in a row!. Kathy Skarvan of Ava Art was with me on Friday to discuss her customer framing. She saw some familiar faces from past shows we have done together.
We also had some of Ted Dillard's books on display and sold copies of RAW Pipeline and his latest book, Smart Object Pipeline.

Eric took in a few orders for the new IR Conversion service we are offering through Precision Camera. Folks are excited to learn about a new option for their older cameras and that we can make true silver prints from their IR files.

There were many great workshops and photographers on hand to discuss their work, travel programs and various techniques. Ron Rosenstock had a great talk on both Friday and Saturday. People are excited to see his new work, Infrared, was printed at Digital Silver Imaging and that we have his images on display at our gallery. We had taken two of his images with us to the show.

The trade shows are most fun when we get to meet people and make new friends. Paul Friedman owns a great rental company called Lens Pro to Go in West Concord MA. He has been in business for over 3 years and has built up a solid reputation and provided outstanding service for photographers looking to rent all kinds of Canon and Nikon gear.

Nik Software July Newsletter feaures DSI promotion

2009-07-07T14:28:00.006-04:00

Nik Software has included Digital Silver Imaging in their July newsletter under their promotions section. Nik Silver Efex Pro is our favorite Photoshop Plugin. It has dramatically improved our work flow at the lab and consistently produces the best files we have printed here on our true gelatin silver papers. Nik has recognized DSI as one of the premier B&W digital photo labs in the country.

Remember, you can order Nik Software and use the DSI code for a 15% discount plus get processing discounts only at DSI.

Order your copy of Nik Software today through DSI and save!

INFRARED DIGITAL CAMERA CONVERSIONS - FREE SHIPPING!

2009-07-06T17:41:00.009-04:00

Digital Silver Imaging has partnered with Precision Camera of CT to provide the absolute best Digital IR conversions. Precision Camera offers the finest in camera repair and has factory trained technicians. They also have the most sophisticated camera and lens calibration equipment. Precision's is also doing the conversions at a fraction of the cost compared to the competition. You shouldn't have to spend too much to turn your under utilized camera into a creative tool.

Digital Silver Imaging has partnered with Precision because Infrared Photography has generally been a Black & White medium. When Precision launched the new service, we decided to partner with Precision to unite the their technical component of IR photography with our true B&W printing services. It makes perfect sense to bring these two services together.

Click here for more details

DSI is offering free return shipping on any conversion in July or August.

Keiko Hiromi at Gallery Bauhaus, Tokyo

2009-07-06T13:15:00.004-04:00

One of our friends, Keiko Hiromi, documentary photographer from Dorchester, has her work exhibiting at Gallery Bauhaus in Tokyo (Japanese language website).

Keiko's work from Jacques Cabaret features performance and backstage photos of drag queens, and is some of the coolest work I have printed in a long time.

For those of us who don't read Japanese, here are details -

Galley Bauhaus
Open 11am~7pm
Closed on Sunday, Monday and Holidays

Address: 2-19-14-101 Soto Kanda Chiyoda-Ku Tokyo
Phone #: 03-5294-2566

If you're lucky enough to be in Japan this July, check out the show.

- Jay

Boston Globe Store - Photo of the Week

2009-07-06T12:08:00.004-04:00

This shot of the old Paragon roller coaster is another favorite of ours and is from The Boston Globe Store. The shot is from the Boston Globe Archive from Boston, MA 7/19/78. The camera catches expressions of peoples faces as they ride the worlds longest and highest coaster at Paragon Park

Click here to go directly to The Globe Store to order your copy of the photo.

Photoshop Infrared compared to Digital Camera Infrared

2009-07-01T22:48:00.015-04:00

We asked Mark Soares, Professional Services Representative from Precision Camera, to help explain the difference between Infrared (IR) photography done in Photoshop as compared to converting a digital camera to do infrared capture.

Here is how he explained it to us:

"There are a few differences between the real thing and a Photoshop filter applied in post processing. When you use an in-camera high pass filter you are only allowing the camera to expose for the infrared wavelengths, which means your image will be free of most visible light. This may not seem like a big deal to some people but the fact is, when shooting a true IR picture you want to have an image that is as true to that wavelength as possible. Just like the manufacturer's applied a lowpass filter to block IR light from affecting the image, you should block out everything else when shooting an IR picture.

When using a camera that is converted to expose for the full spectrum, your camera will expose for all the wavelengths. This causes the image to be soft by nature because the IR focal plane is behind the visible light plane, and the UV plane in turn is in front of the visible light plane - when you sandwich all those wavelengths into one flat image, because they have different focal planes the image will be softer.

The other issue with using a full spectrum camera and performing adjustments in postprocessing is that Photoshop will usually perform an adjustment where one of the channels (green usually) is copied, then blurred on purpose (to create the softness which is natural in IR photo) and overlayed on top of the image. The file is then converted to B&W and the contrast punched up. There is some deterioration of the image there since you are manipulating it to the point of losing detail in the highlights. The end result will not look like a 100% true IR image because the postprocessing is dependent on the amount of green in the image, whereas the IR image will factor in the actual IR light from the subject being photographed.

The best analogy I can come up with is comparing it to music.

An image captured with a full spectrum camera is like listening to the whole song (guitar, bass, drums, vocals). If you wanted to remove all the instruments and just listen to the vocals, it would be very difficult because all the information is intertwined and embedded with each other. Basically, the instruments and vocals have combined to create one song which cannot be broken down to its basic elements (unless you have the original tracks of course).

An image captured with an infrared camera is like a song with just the vocals (for example), and all the drums, bass and guitar are not audible, in fact, they have never been recorded. The sound will be nice and clear without any distortion because you are not manipulating it to get the vocals out, like you would if you wanted just the vocals from the full song.

A dedicated IR camera is a very limited device, however, it is very good at what it does. It allows for the isolation of a wavelength range with minimal deterioration of the image.

That's my take on it!

Mark Soares - Precision Camera

© Ron Rosenstock

Great description, Mark! If you're looking to have your camera converted, Digital Silver Imaging has partnered with Precision to bring you the absolute best Digital IR conversions at a very competitive price.
Click here for more details about our IR conversions.

Barack Obama, New Editor Harvard Law Review

2009-07-01T18:03:00.004-04:00

DSI is pleased to be the official black & white printer for The Boston Globe image archives. We get to see some fantastic images come through from the Boston Globe Store. One of our favorites is this shot of Barack Obama as the new editor of the Harvard Law Review. We made a number of prints from this file on his inauguration day.

Infrared Camera Conversions

2009-07-01T14:42:00.001-04:00

DSI is pleased to partner with Precision Camera, the world's largest camera repair facility based in Enfield, CT, to provide Digital Infrared Camera Conversions. Precision has earned their reputation for over 59 years in the camera repair business. With their repair authorizations, test equipment and factory service training from all the major camera manufacturers, no one does camera service and IR Conversions better than Precision Camera! Precision is also able to provide their IR conversion service at a fraction of the cost of the competition.

Point & Shoot IR Converions.....just $129
D-SLR IR Converions....just $249
Full Frame D-SLR IR Conversions....just $299

This is for either the 665nm or the 715nm conversion and includes any lens you want calibrated. The competition will charge you more if you send in anything other than a 50mm lens!

Precision has chosen Digital Silver Imaging as their preferred lab partner to help promote this service and to provide our true B&W printing for their IR clients. DSI will charge the same price plus has special printing rebates when you send your conversion through us.

©Ron Rosenstock

We make it easy to convert your camera:

Email your camera & lens make, model and serial #'s
Fill out our credit card application form or call us with your information
We will email you a pdf with a shipping label
Pack and ship your camera & lens to Precision
You will receive your converted camera in 1-2 weeks

Click here for more details about the IR service from Precision Camera, but please return to DSI to complete your conversion order.

Potter Photography - B&W Infrared Conversion

2009-07-01T11:26:00.004-04:00

Judith Potter (Potter Photography) of RI has just converted her Canon 20D through DSI and has produced some great new IR images. You can check these out in a new video of her images here.

Check out the new IR Conversion Service from DSI through Precision Camera.

David H Wells - Article on Outsourcing

2009-07-01T00:32:00.004-04:00

David H. Well, one of our clients from Rhode Island, has just written a great article on the importance of outsourcing his photographic printing and why he has chosen to use DSI as his preferred lab for B&W digital printing.

Here is an excerpt from his blog:

"As photographers, outputting our images as final prints, is one area where many photographers think they should invest a lot of time and energy. I am NOT one of them. I know how much per hour I can make if I teach a class, do an assignment or work on my stock photography business. All of those activities pay me much better than spending months, even years, learning how to make first rate prints from my digital files. So, I for one outsource my color printing to: http://www.adoramapix.com. Similarly, I outsource my black and white printing to: http://www.digitalsilverimaging.com/index.php I am now able to get first rate prints for very reasonable costs. The one thing that I invest energy in when it comes to printing my images is the calibrating of my monitor and the profiling of my images to match the profiles of the photo labs that I use. Printing your own work can give you pleasure so that is something to put into the calculation but for me, printing images is work, work that someone else can do better and more efficiently."

You can read the rest of David H Wells' Blog here.

New Professional RC Print Service. True B&W RC Prints at a great price!

2009-06-26T17:39:00.005-04:00

DSI is pleased to offer a new Professional RC B&W print service. This service is ideal for the photographer who wants total control of their digital workflow.

We have some specific file requirements as far as sizing and format. We can still deliver stunning black & white prints, with absolutely no color cast, on true B&W RC paper.

You can get 4x6 prints as low as $0.99 per print and 8x12 prints for $4.99.

Plus get a FREE 8x12 print with your order of 25 4x6 prints. Please visit our promotion page for more details.

ARTMARKET Juried Show

2009-06-23T10:36:00.005-04:00

Corinne Schippert prints at Jam N Java

2009-06-19T09:05:00.003-04:00

We are happy to let you know one of our favorite customers, Corinne Schippert, has her photographs on display at Jam N Java, 594 Mass Ave, Arlington. Hours are Monday through Saturday 6:30am to 7pm, on Sunday till 6pm.

An Arlington resident, Corinne Schippert has been a professional photographer for over 15 years. She lives with her husband Winslow Martin, also a photographer, and their son Eliot, a first grader at the Brackett Elementary School.

Corinne has always been drawn to people and in particular rites of passage. She is known for her unique ability to capture expression, emotion and soul. Sometimes with humor, sometimes quite seriously, but always with her own artistic style.

Most of her commercial work thus far has focused on weddings, winning Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” wedding photographer in 2002, and last year being recognized by the Improper Bostonian as “Boston’s Best” wedding photographer. She is trusted by Boston’s most prestigious wedding planners to cover events from the most intimate gatherings to the largest, most opulent galas.

Now deeply immersed in family life herself, Corinne brings the insight and love of being a parent to her children’s photography. Her approach is to meet the child on their own level and BE with them, to photograph them as they are. This means playing, having fun, living in the moment. It is childhood at its best.

All work is done with the most critical eye for quality and craftsmanship. Black & white digital images are custom printed on true black and white papers, producing the most archival prints available today.

A special thanks to Eric Luden of Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont for his support in printing all of the black and white images in this show.

Commissions are now booking for Summer and Fall 2009.

For more information, or contact the studio directly to speak with Corinne.

corinne schippert photography
20 Coolidge Road Arlington, MA 02476
781 643 1919
cschipper t@rcn.com
www.corinneschippert.com

DSI Launches "Pixels 2 Prints" professional B&W RC Print Service

2009-06-17T22:50:00.009-04:00

We are pleased to launch our new P2P "Pixels 2 Prints" professional RC Print service. This new service still provides TRUE black and white RC silver prints from digital files. This streamlined file prep process allows us to get files through our system more efficiently and provide a cost saving program for portrait, wedding and other commercial photographers. We have a special promotion for June as part of our launch.

Order 25 4" X 6" prints, you receive a FREE 8x12 RC print.

Prices
4X6 $1.09
8x12 $4.99
11X14 $9.99

Ron Rosenstock "Infrared" June 30th - Sept 4th. Reception July 31st 6-8PM

2009-06-16T09:18:00.013-04:00

We are proud to announce the next exhibit at the Griffin Museum Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging. Ron Rosenstock's "Infrared" will be exhibiting from June 30 to September 4 with an artists reception July 31 from 6 to 8 pm. The Gallery is located at 11 Brighton St. Belmont, MA. (Zeff Photo is next door to our gallery)

Ron has been conducting international photo tours since 1967 (www.phototc.com) He specializes in Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Morocco, and the Czech Republic.

INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY

The first time I saw examples of infrared photography was in 1967. My photography teacher, Minor White, had shown a number of the images he made using infrared film. I was struck by the altered state of reality of each image. Black and white photography is an abstraction by itself, but using only the wave length of infrared, reveals a reality that we can not see with our eyes.

Up until recently the only way to achieve infrared photography had been with infrared film, a tedious and difficult process. With the advent of digital photography it is now possible to have a camera altered to become a dedicated infrared camera. All digital cameras come with a filter that omits infrared light. There is a company, www.precisioncamera.com, that will remove that filter and add a special filter that only allows infrared light to pass through it. Once that change is made, that camera will only be able to make infrared images.

Because of this new technological development, making infrared photographs is as easy as making any digital image. It's an opportunity to explore a different level of reality. The photographs along this wall were all made recently in Morocco and Iceland and were printed on silver gelatin paper by Digital Silver Imaging. These represent my first foray into the world of infrared photography.

Ron Rosenstock June 2009

For a PDF press release, please click here

DSI's Griffin Museum Gallery article in Belmont Citizen-Herald

2009-06-10T13:02:00.004-04:00

Link to the article in Wicked Local, by Cassie Norton
Belmont, Mass. - In the midst of the digital age, photography is changing. More people have access to cameras and the means to take thousands of photographs at one time. Stored on computers, those photos can be shared online with family and friends around the world.

But there are still artists who use film, and those who choose to display their artwork the old-fashioned way. Into that breech steps the Griffin Museum with a collaborative approach to sharing art with the public.

Based in Winchester, the museum was founded in 1992 to provide a forum for the exhibition of both historic and contemporary photography. Director Paula Tognarelli recently announced the creation of a satellite gallery in Belmont, at Digital Silver Imaging.

Dubbed “the Griffin Museum at Digital Silver Imaging,” the gallery is a collaboration that “helps make all the parties involved stronger,” Tognarelli said.

“We are the only lab in New England that is doing true black-and-white printing from digital files,” owner Eric Luden said.

Science of Exposure - Adv. Studio Lighting - Classical Posing Bride & Groom

2009-06-10T12:42:00.012-04:00

Click Here for Seminar Info

Join us with artleather on Monday June 29 at the Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick for a full day seminar with Frank Dispensa, PPA Certified, M.Photog.Cr., API, APM.

Enter one 16x20 mounted print. Frank will critique each print and award the
"The artleather Commitment to Excellence Award" for Best in Show.

We are offering each attendee a $39 credit on a $100+ order. artleather is offering a $39 credit on a $200+ order.

Meg & Meredith hanging the 1st show at the Griffin Museum @ DSI Gallery

2009-05-13T15:34:00.009-04:00

The premier opening exhibit of The Griffin Museum at Digital Silver Imaging! Behind the scenes as the photographs are being put on the wall.

Eric Luden, owner of DSI & Meg Birnbaum, artist.

Meredith Mulcahy, Associate Director of Griffin Museum, hard at work.

Meg hard at work.

Beautifully framed photographs, ready to hang.

Meg, Eric & Meredith, hard at work?

Griffin Museum Focus Awards

2009-05-08T18:23:00.011-04:00

Digital Silver Imaging was one of the sponsors at the 4th annual Griffin Focus Awards in Winchester, MA. The Focus awards honor those individuals who have been instrumental in increasing the awareness of the photographic arts among the general public.

Lifetime Achievement Award - Eliane Laffont, exec editor Hachette Filipacchi
Scribe Award - Russell Hart, Executive editor of American Photo
New England Beacon - Rosalind Smith, freelance photographic writer
Rising Star Award - Bob Haggart, founder of APhotoEditor.com
Spotlight Award - Steve Hoffman & Jim Toya-Brown of Modern Postcard

Paula Tognarelli, the executive direct at the Griffin, introduced Lou Jones as the MC for the evening. The event was well attended and people were commenting on the vibrancy and support within our photographic community. I look forward to working closely with the Griffin on the coming months as we open our Griffin satellite location at DSI.

Meg Birnbaum "Corn Dogs and Blue Ribbons" at Griffin Museum at Digital Silver Imaging

2009-05-06T10:03:00.009-04:00

We are please to invite everyone to the opening of Meg Birnbaum's exhibit at our gallery on Friday, May 22, 6 - 8 PM. The Griffin Museum @ Digital Silver Imaging Gallery is located at 11 Brighton St in Belmont, MA.

DSI, in conjunction with the Griffin Museum, opens its new gallery space with Meg's work from 14 regional fairs in New England, ranging from small 4H events to huge expositions.

Photographing the fairs using basic, plastic cameras and black and white film Meg says "I purposely wanted to lose sharp detail and instead capture a fleeting moment, a broad stroke, the distillation of the experience in the hope of capturing iconic imagery."

Many of the fairs visited were more than 100 years old, yet she began to wonder about the future of farm animals and farm life. "The future of these summer fairs may rely on a shift away from agriculture to entertainment…mostly food, specifically fried food," she says. "Fried Oreos, fried cheesecake. `We’ll fry anything’ one sign read.’’

PRC portfolio review - May 8 & 9

2009-05-06T09:55:00.003-04:00

For the second year DSI & Ava Art are proud to sponsor the Boston Photographic Resource Center's annual portfolio review. We will be exhibiting work and have information about our silver gelatin prints. Visit us before or after your review!

Larry Fink speaks out in Natick

2009-04-08T13:16:00.020-04:00

Digital Silver Imaging sponsored Larry Fink at the CIPNE conference in Natick, MA on Sunday 4/5/09. Larry shared some of his older work from his book, Social Graces and Boxing, along with other great images from his career. He has a wry sense of humor and welcoming irreverence for what one would expect when photography the Clintons or high fashion. His square images, (all shot with real film!) allow us to see these events from new angles and perspectives. The backs of womans' legs, trays of glasses, and Obama descending the jetway with a jet engine in the foreground give us a view into Larry's way of seeing the world. "I really like circles" he said at one point and I found myself looking at each image and searching for all those circles, like Hirshfeld and Nina. I appreciated his sense of humor and the stories he shared with us, like being thrown back 10 feet by the secret service while trying to get a shot of Obama.

He was available after the talk and signed copies of his books and spoke with us more about life on his farm in PA.

Randy Goodman speaks at Griffin Museum April 19 3 pm

2009-04-02T14:54:00.005-04:00

Sunday, April 19, 2009, 3 PM Senior Sunday - Randy Hope Goodman: From Beneath a Chador: A Photojournalist Covers Iran's Islamic Revolution A talk and exhibition

Randy Hope Goodman began her photojournalism career in Iran (1980), during the months following the US Embassy takeover and the holding of fifty American hostages. Covering a grassroots delegation of Americans invited to meet with the Iranian students holding the US hostages, she photographed the delegates' interviews with top ranking political and religious, their conversations with the students inside the US Embassy, their attendance at the Friday Prayer service held at the University of Tehran, and their visit to Evin Prison for interviews with former members of the Shah's secret police, amongst others.

Randy Hope Goodman discusses her photographs taken in the early years of the Islamic Revolution (1980 - 1983), during the hostage taking and the Iran-Iraq war. Digital Silver Imaging worked with Randy to scan and print the images that will be on display.

RSVP by April. 12th to the Griffin Museum. RSVP by April 10.

For all Senior Sundays admission is FREE for seniors and their friends.

Sponsored by Salter Healthcare, New Horizons and a grant from the Winchester Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Eric speaks at Boston Photography Center April 8 at NESOP

2009-04-02T14:36:00.005-04:00

From Boston Photography Center website -

With over 25 years Eric Luden, founder and owner of Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, MA will present their true B&W printing solution. Eric has been in the New England photographic community for 25 plus years and has worked as a fine art photographer and printer, ran a commercial studio, and went on to work for Kodak, Ilford and HARMAN technology. Digital Silver Imaging provides archival gelatin silver prints from digital files.

Eric will provide a brief overview of the digital printing world and the various technologies that have existed. He will primarily focus on the b&w solutions for photographers. This will include the work he has done with Ilford and the development of various ink technologies and most recently, the b&w digital papers that Ilford recently developed. He will have some information on archival properties and comparison samples of B&W, Color and Inkjet.

Red Sox Opening Day 1947! Ted Williams!

2009-04-02T14:27:00.003-04:00

As the official B&W printer for the Boston Globe image archive we want
to let you know about photos from the 1947 opening day! Ted Williams!

DSI sponsers Larry Fink at CIPNE April 4 2009 9 am

2009-04-02T14:22:00.005-04:00

Digital Silver Imaging is pleased to be sponsoring editorial photographer Larry Fink this Sunday, April 5 2009, in Natick, MA. Mr. Fink is part of the Commercial Industrial Photographers of New England (CIPNE) annual conference. Please see the link above for all the details and we hope you can attend.

Lisa Garner Gallery at New England School of Photography

2009-04-02T14:10:00.008-04:00

Tonight at 7 pm the New England School of Photography rededicates its gallery space to our dear friend Lisa Garner. Her husband Ron Cowie says this about Lisa and the exhibit -

The images collected focus on her connection to friends and family. This is not a comprehensive show by any means. The volume of her images is overwhelming. Editing was difficult in order to stay within budget. Lisa never liked too much to be spent on her. The beauty of her images almost defeat the sting of her passing. Thank you all for the love, support and, interest this year. I am humbled and grateful.
Love survives. Ron

Eric and I knew Lisa as a student at NESOP, a customer at Campus Camera & Electronics, and as a friend & fellow photographer. She will always be missed.

-- Jay Gaffney, NESOP Class of 1985

It is my personal honor to present none other than the locally renown, hands-on Digital Guru, teacher, print master, author and friend...Ted Dillard

2009-04-02T13:48:00.018-04:00

...says George and Gail Lucozzi of ASA Photographics and DSI agrees Ted is a talented guy, knows his stuff and then some. ASA offers a class with Ted on Sunday May 17 2009 from 9 am to 1 pm. Take the class. Contact us to purchase Teds books.

New Kids on the Block

2009-03-31T23:11:00.012-04:00

From the steady stream of interested shooters, educators and industry media professionals you would not know it was our first time exhibiting at Photoshop World. DSI had five representatives working at once. Our strong visual impact brought hundreds of curious attendees into our compact booth. Our stunning gallery of images brought people in and they stayed to learn about our unique technology and the longevity, neutral tones, and absence of color shift our images deliver. Our successful show promotion offer was a hot item - it remains available on our website through April 15th.

Our collaboration with The Griffin Museum was spotlighted by stunning archival images of Ted Williams,
shot by Arthur Griffin, which we sold in small format. Kathy Skarvan from Ava Art designed framing for two handsome prints displayed at our entrance. Precision Camera has chosen DSI as their preferred lab partner and we put out information on their new Digital IR camera conversions. We were impressed by the strong show of support shared by both professional and amateur photographers. As the only New England lab to meld digital advantages with the beauty and quality of true silver gelatin prints we won't be the new kids for long.

Infrared conversions

2009-03-18T12:13:00.012-04:00

Our good friends at Precision Camera are excited to offer Infrared Conversions on most digital camera models!

Precision Camera is the World’s Largest Camera Repair Facility. They are in a unique position to offer quality infrared conversions at an affordable price.

Infrared Conversion Costs:
Point & Shoot Camera - $129+S&H
DSLR - $249+S&H
Full Frame DSLR - $299+S&H

I have seen and printed files from a Nikon D700 conversion and I was very impressed.

Image by Walter Van Dusen, Nikon D700 converted to infrared by Precision Camera.

PSW - free pass for Thursday or Friday

2009-03-18T11:00:00.006-04:00

We have a limited number of free passes available for PSW. The pass covers Thursday & Friday and gets you into the expo for free. Drop me a message through the Digital Silver Imaging contact page and I'll get a pass to you via email. Please include your email and add "PSW Pass" to the comments box.

- Jay