Take a picture before it is gone. Capture the moment.

Photography has evolved from the early 1800's. I came to photography later than some people, and have seen great changes in the last 25 years, with the pace of the change growing at an exponential rate. Galen Rowell in the 1990's once wrote that he did not see digital imaging replacing film [or chromes] for at least ten years. He was half right: it was less than 5 years from the time he wrote it that digital media and capture replaced film, even for landscape photographers. I thought I would post some random thoughts here, updated from time to time, about what I miss and think about where photography is going [or gone].

I miss GRUMP. I found David Vestal's books in the 1980's, having looked at Ansel Adams' work and struggled through his writings. David was and is straight forward, economical in his words and thoughts, and most of all, he is an expert. He breaks down the process and the craft of photography. His two books, The  Craft of Photography and The Art of Black and White Enlarging are the best. His Pratt Handouts, reproduced in magazine format, continues his writings on the subject. David writes for Photo Techniques, and for years wrote a self published newsletter called Grump. It ended this year with number 100. It had reviews of photography books, shows, writing, grammar, and any topic he liked. It was his, but he shared it with us. It is a void now.

I miss the black and white enlarging papers. Years ago, many department stores, and every photo store, carried black and white papers and chemcials. Each month a company announces it is in bankruptcy or discontinuing its black and white production. Most of these department and photo stores are gone as well. Who could have thought that Kodak would not make black and white papers anymore? Agfa Photo went under. Ilford has had its problems. Hopefully it will continue to support us followers/devotees.  Bergger papers are thick and rich, and the product of the employees being sucessful in keeping a company alive when ownership and management wanted to bail. We may see boutique companies produce limited quanities. The good news is that the quality and the customer service may improve. Check out www.photoformulary.com for wonderful traditional and alternative process chemicals and workshops. It is little wonder that they hosted Al Weber and David Vestal in workshops the past several years.

Anybody try to find a public darkroom, or an adult ed course in traditional black and white darkroom work lately? If it is listed, will it be filled or cancelled? If cancelled, will it even offered again? How many colleges and schools have closed their wet darkrooms?

Will my CD's be able to be read with Photoshop XXX? Will the cost of my digital camera exceed my computer cost, and each require yearly replacement? As my hard drives get bigger, and my back up devices get larger, am I setting myself up for bigger failure?

Why can't more companies be like Nikon, where my chrome barrel lens on my old Nikon F  can fit and work on most newer cameras [even some digital cameras], and vice versa?

I miss being able to use my tripod where I need it, and not being hassled for the same. New York City won't let you use a tripod without a permit, and just try to get a permit. They want to know where you are shooting, when, how, and why and what you intend to use it for. You cannot take a camera out in the subway. I tried to do the right thing and get a permit to shoot in Central Park for the Gates in February. I downloaded the form, requested a permit to shoot in New York, described the project [The Gates in Central Park] and requested to use a tripod. I got two calls asking exactly where I was shooting, and what I was going to do with it. They would not budge unless I told them the exact location and time of my work. The red tape is crazy. I finally gave up and shot it hand held. Just be forewarned if you think it is not a problem. I love bridges. They are art and architecture. The Brooklyn Bridge is spectacular. The Mid Hudson Bridge is one of my favorites. Now, without a permit, you can get arrested for taking a picture of it. We have lost some of our creative freedom. It makes me enjoy the photographs I have of various bridges.

How do we deal with these problems? We work at our craft. We keep using the materials that are in short supply and ask the companies still around to meet our needs. We fight for our rights. We write about the processes, and support people who still try to learn more about alternative processes and techniques. The Web is a wonderful portal and resource to find people, equipment, and information. We can all act as a clearing house for each other's support. I hope that BoglePhoto will be such a resource for those interested in photography.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts at Bill@BoglePhoto.com, or BoglePhoto@hotmail.com. If this is popular, I will make it a blog or a discussion post.

Click on www.BoglePhoto.com. Come back often.  Go out and expose some film today. Make a print. Keep asking the companies to continue to make the products and materials we need.

Bill Bogle, Jr.