The Printed Picture
Museum of Modern Art – October 17, 2008–June 1, 2009

[photopress:dotscreen_moma.jpg,full,centered]

Taking you from the very beginnings of the printed image, not necessarily photographs, you are presented with images and their magnified details to truly see what makes up that printed page. Whether it’s 0’s and 1’s, or squares, or a dot screen used to translate a photograph to paper media.

You know, it’s not just as simple as “is a Silver Halide Print better or worse than an inkjet print ?” Far from easy to answer, the history of printing is presented in a most palatable, yet scholarly exhibit we have ever experienced.
It’s thick and rich, and the 90 minutes we spent there only touched on the main points. Hope we have time to return while in NYC or a return trip.

One of the more stunning examples is a photograph by Nicholas Nixon of his wife and 3 sisters, whom he’s photographed for the past 30 years.
In one grouping, you see the original image, contact printed from the 8×10 negative onto silver halide paper. Then an enlargement for the same neg, finishing of the comparison with an inkjet print from the scanned neg.

You’ll see a difference, but the exhibit never judges. The validity of all of the images throughout remains intact.

Although when they show a page from Robert Frank’s “The Americans” in it’s original roto printing from the late 50’s, next to the same image from a subsequent reprint in the 60’s, the mass print technology for book images was sorely lacking at that time, and the subtleties of the image are blocked up and lost in the the heavy handed inking. Rest assured the new printing of that book by Steidl has restored the nuances.

[photopress:l_721.jpg,full,centered]

Luckily, there is a companion book, The Printed Picture. And this one, brings you all of the information from the exhibit, with incredibly excellent print quality on the images. With the written descriptions, explanations, and history, you should pick up this book, so you can understand the legacy of what we deal with everyday in the comfort of your home.

Produced as almost a tribute to the late John Szarkowski, former director of the MOMA photography dept., you should see it in person if you can. But this book just found a place on our bookshelf. It’s going on the holiday list, for sure.

It’s done. For another year.
The 25th Anniversary PDN/PhotoPlus Expo ended on Saturday, with a lot of dealers selling out of product. Seems that even with the economic conditions, a new piece of gear seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
And quite honestly, the dealers and manufacturers were giving some pretty good show specials.

Overall, we saw less of the independent manufacturers, the folks with some wilder ideas. I think that is where the economy has hit this industry. Those who have a strong idea, may not have the dough now to develop it.
Some of the best of the indies were there however, and their goods were moving. Just Rite Brackets were doing amazing business, since they were also selling their product at the booth.

The training seminar attendance was down, which is a shame because learning the best ways to use the gear you own, or are considering, is worth the price of admission 10 times over.
The old ” give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime” applies here.
By the way, Bobbi Lane delivered and excellent seminar on creative lighting. Nothing like hearing from a true pro. And she gave props to one of my lighting heros – George Hurrell.

OK, here we go with some snaps from the day:

[photopress:TST_0115.jpg,full,centered]

LitePanels LED lights, the best made in our opinion, gave a nice break to the crowd.

[photopress:TST_0118.jpg,full,centered]

Even Aperture was doling out a 50% savings on ALL books at the show. If they were shipping, I would’ve become so broke. But you did have to carry them home.

[photopress:TST_0113.jpg,full,centered]

California SunBounce was giving product away daily.

[photopress:TST_0028.jpg,full,centered]

Vincent Versace preps for his Nikon presentation.

[photopress:TST_0125.jpg,full,centered]

Canon Sales Rep Amy Kawadler was a’meeting and greeting all the photogs.

[photopress:TST_0105.jpg,full,centered]

Melissa Gaul, technical evangalist from Adobe, was hanging at the booth. OK working HARD at the booth. Next time you open Lightroom, watch for her name in the credits. #3 we think. Have to give kudos to her.

[photopress:TST_0109.jpg,full,centered]

Leaping Lizards! Microsoft drew a puzzled crowd with the performance. But thanks to the Nikon D700, we caught them mid-leap.

[photopress:TST_0049.jpg,full,centered]

Canon and Nikon brought out the big guns and let everyone try them on for size. Almost felt like a rifle range.

[photopress:TST_0029.jpg,full,centered]

[photopress:TST_0044.jpg,full,centered]

Drobo was on hand with he new version of their storage solution, now with Firewire 800

[photopress:TST_0051.jpg,full,centered]

And the book folks were there. Blurb, Asuka, White House, Graphis, and more. Wait to you hear what we’re going to with them all.

[photopress:TST_0040.jpg,full,centered]

Can you figure this one out? Well a video is coming, and you will totally dig this item once you see the demo.

All photos © Damon Webster. but you knew that.

Finally Available!
This excellent program was first broadcast on PBS as a companion video to Annie Leibowitz’s recent major traveling exhibition. You will be able to track with this master photographer as she shoots, edits her book, and lives her life. The personal aspects of this program are a rare look inside this powerful, cultural influencer.
[photopress:51yETWNUJRL._SS500_.jpg,full,centered]

And we’ll be giving away 2 of these DVD’s this week!
Just make sure you are signed up for the weekly NEWSLETTER, and all of the details will be emailed to you.
This is how it works: the NEWSLETTER comes into your inbox at 9:00AM PST Weds.mornings. Then, follow the easy directions included in the emails.
No box tops to send in, no coupons, no riddles to solve.
We make it easy because we just want to know you like. And then give it to you.
Crazy? Not really. The more we know, the better content we can bring you.

OK, time to suit up for another day on the floor.

Another day on the floor, in the meetings rooms, and food courts of the Javits Center in NYC.
The PDN/PhotoPlus Expo roared ahead today with what I’ll now call a manageable show.
[photopress:TST_0075.jpg,full,centered]
Sure, the economic conditions are on everyone’s minds, but there are some tools out there that could make your photographic life better.

If you’re a pro you’ll not only get you hands on the hardware, but get some solid marketing tools.
[photopress:TST_0067.jpg,full,centered]Livebooks was on hand to show you how they can set up your website and kickstart your business.

And no matter what your skill level, you’ll dig on all of the pros coming out to shoot, lecture, and tip their secrets to make the stuff you already own, a bit more enjoyable.

[photopress:TST_0096.jpg,full,centered] Elliot Erwit and Alec Soth spoke to a capacity crowd about their work.

[photopress:TST_0079.jpg,full,centered]
Rick Sammon taught, courtesy of Lexar on light and exposure.

Heck, we’re learning tips about gear we use al the time. It’s kinda like the easter eggs in DVD’s. Hidden gems.
So if you’re in NYC, one more day to partake.
[photopress:TST_0066.jpg,full,centered] Boda Bags finds the sweet spot.

And even though B&H, have left the building, you’ll still find retailers and manufacturers offering show specials, so you can save on the gear you’ve been looking at for awhile.

The video camera has been working overtime and we’ll be posting some awesome product demos for you. And a brilliant fine artist, spoke with us, courtesy of HP, so that’ll post soon too.

Here are some more photos from today:

[photopress:TST_0060.jpg,full,centered]
Douglas Kirkland worked a live shoot at the Canon booth.

[photopress:TST_0064.jpg,full,centered]
Epson displayed some of the fine printing from their pros.

[photopress:TST_0071.jpg,full,centered]
Asuka Books staged their own wedding shoot to teacha few tips on one of the most recession proof businesses in photography.

One more day. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday. And actually put the gear in your hands before you make a buy.
As or me, my dogs are barking, it’s time to set a spell, and review the small mountain of materials collected today.
Don’t worry, it’ll all get recycled.

Well after Day 1 at PDN/Photoplus, we do have some info.
A. Much more manageable, but that also means alot of folks didn’t get booths.
B. Perhaps Saturday will bring the crowds. It should.
C. Manufacturers are trying to help shooters out and are offering some pretty good deals, so worth your time if you are in NYC.

And we’re shooting some cool video for you, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime:

[photopress:TST_0007.jpg,full,centered]
[photopress:TST_0005.jpg,full,centered]
Camera Armor has joined forces with Lowepro and have introduced a new waterproof camera bag for the lovers of the brine.

[photopress:TST_0033.jpg,full,centered]
Kicking it old school.

[photopress:TST_0025.jpg,full,centered]
Lots of teaching going on.

[photopress:TST_0031.jpg,full,centered]
Plus the opportunity to shoot some random models.

[photopress:TST_0048.jpg,full,centered]
The inventor of LensBabies gives a sweet demo.

[photopress:TST_0016.jpg,full,centered]
We actually put our hands on the new 37 megapixel Leica (heavy but well-balanced- like an old Pentax 6×7.

Oh, but there’s more. So much more.
However it’s late and tomorrow will come pretty darn fast.

til then.