A Different Way To Photograph

June 3rd, 2011

When Brooke was here visiting I drove her up to Cleveland so she could work with a friend of mine, Herb Ascherman.  Herb is a fine photographer with quite an international reputation.  And he works in the classic manner, using black and white film in an 8×10 view camera and making his prints using the platinum/palladium process.  I can tell you first hand that those platinum prints are wonderfully beautiful objects…a real joy to see.

Now, I’ve worked with an 8×10 view camera.  But when I did it I had to use many more four-letter words…in fact, I don’t think I heard Herb curse or snarl at the camera even once.  He worked the ground glass, shutter and those giant 8×10 film holders like it was second nature for him…which of course, it is, since he does this all the time.  He did take many fewer photos than I usually do on a shoot…but then again those sheets of 8×10 film are a lot more expensive than the electrons I use to record photos.

The sky was overcast on the day we were in Cleveland, and Herb prefers to work with natural window light.  But there wasn’t a lot of that light, so the exposures ended up being four seconds long.  That’s a really long time if you are trying to hold completely still.  But Brooke is an amazing model and did a great job.

Below you can get an idea of what things looked like from where Herb was standing.  I took all these photos with my little Canon S90.  Herb has shared his photos with me and I’ll share a few of them with you in my next post.  Stand by for beauty…and maybe a little bit of beast.

available light, Brooke Lynne, Canon S90, nude | Comments | Trackback

2 Responses to “A Different Way To Photograph”

  1. 1Lin
    June 4th, 2011 @ 1:39 am

    I’m currently reading a history of the Magnum photographers which includes a great deal about working with the 8×10, so your post is fascinating. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing Herb’s photography.

  2. 2Erin O'Brien
    June 4th, 2011 @ 7:46 am

    I adore Herb. I’ve seen him at work and you’re right, he’s as at home with the 8 X 10 as he is with all those beautiful nude women.

    Thanks for a fun post. Can’t wait to peruse your blog.

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About this Blog

Photos and comments by Dave Levingston. This is the place to see my most recent work which may include nudes, dance, landscape, nature and whatever other kinds of photos I feel like taking.

Since it does contain nude photos, this blog is not intended for viewing by anyone under the age of 18.

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