Free Demo by VAS BCS member Joel Kitchen, “Old School Rules! The Magic of Silver Gelatin Prints”

Old School Rules! The Magic of Silver Gelatin Prints

If asked to name some famous artists who used photography as their medium, what names come to mind? Ansel Adams? Edward Weston? Henri Cartier Bresson? Imogene Cunningham? Dorothea Lange? Margaret Bourke-White? These are all giants in the field who have their photographs in major art museums and private collections. All of them captured “decisive moments” and masterful images using technology and equipment that by today’s standards seems archaic, or even primitive. Or is it? For many commercial photographers, advanced digital cameras and powerful image-editing software are “must-haves,” but many artistic photographers are still using film cameras to capture their images, and even still printing in traditional “wet” darkrooms! Why? Come hear one photographer describe this mysterious and arcane process from start to finish; and discuss some of the advantages and trade-offs for doing things “the old-fashioned way.”

About the Presenter, Joel Kitchens (in this own words):

Although I was born in Birmingham, and grew up in small towns around northern Alabama, I have lived in Texas since 1997, and was on the faculty of Texas A&M University for nearly 25 years before retiring.

As a photographer, I am largely self-taught. I did take an art photography class in college that taught the basics of black and white film photography (no digital in those days!). Today, my photographic process remains traditional and purposely retro; from capturing images on black and white films in sizes from 35mm and 2 ¼ x 2 ¼, to 4×5 inches (my favorite!), developing the film in a wet darkroom, to printing the images on silver gelatin papers from the enlarged negatives. Each print is hand processed according to the Ilford archival sequence, toned in selenium, and mounted using acid-free materials for longevity.

My photography reflects a wide range of interests, including historic sacred architecture, landscapes and nature, abstracts, and still life. With my photographs, I try to attract viewers’ interest by revealing the “spirit of place,” as well as the interplay of light and shadow. I also try to show through my images that beauty, serenity, and tranquility are to be found all around us. In doing so, my purpose is to highlight overlooked details, pique viewers’ curiosity, and encourage them to see and experience familiar places anew.

Visit Our Artists Webpage to see more of his work!  Note: All VAS members can get their own page – just fill out the FORM!

Doors open at DEGALLERY at 5:30pm for our first meeting of the fall.  There will be light refreshments.  Come by, chat and catch up!