...BWGirl suggested I introduce myself here. I have had a lifelong affliction with photography, but only in the last 3 or 4 years have I had both the time, money, and freedom in life to pursue it seriously. I am presently working my way through a Community College photography program, which fortunately for me is headed by a former student of Ansel Adams. So traditional photography (read black and white film, wet printing on FB paper), and the Zone System are stressed. It is pretty cool to hear the instructor say "Ansel said (fill in the blanks)" and realize that the instructor actually heard Ansel say it with his own ears.

Although I sometimes shoot color in digital, manipulate in Photoshop, and make inkjet prints, and enjoy shooting a wide variety of subjects, true pleasure for me is derived from finding a landscape or other natural image and exposing it onto black and white film through my old Hasselblad 500CM using the Zone System, developing the film, then striving to make a fine art print in my home darkroom.

My job is with a fire department, hence my username. I've done it for most of my adult life, and frankly am burned out (pun intended) and ready to do something else for a living, hopefully including photography. Haven't quite figured out the economics of this plan yet, but I'll keep working on it. Anyway, this looks like a place full of kindred spirits and I'm hoping to get to know many of you here.


It is never too late to be what you might have been. - George Eliot

I have had a lifelong affliction with photography
Ah, an inevitably fatal disease.
But hopefully after many, many, many long, happy and fulfilling years,

Hello and welcome FirePhoto. I'm sure you'll like it here.

Welcome,
You will like it here

welcome from ferndale (frendale being from the not so lovely part of) mi.

Welcome, you're sure to enjoy it here!


Andy.

You will realise soon that photography will lead you quicker into trouble than any fire alarm. As a fireman you put out fires, but as a photographer you will light them!

Welcome aboard.

Welcome to one of the best on-going conversations I have ever found. This site can drive you sane. ...and keep that dream alive of moving to make art and a living at the same time. Take pictures! Somebody will want to see them.

Whitey

Welcome Dan!
That was easy, now, wasn't it! ;)

See... now you didn't tell me you were a fellow Hassy shooter! :) There are a few of us here. Hope to get a look at a few of your waterfall shots!

Hi Dan! Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Welcome, I just had the chance to do some shooting from out local FDs 100' ladder truck. While you've got the contacts and access make sure you do some local documentary stuff up there :)

-Brad

Welcome Dan!
That was easy, now, wasn't it! ;)

See... now you didn't tell me you were a fellow Hassy shooter! :) There are a few of us here. Hope to get a look at a few of your waterfall shots!

yes, quite easy all in all. And I'm surprised at how many people responded. It's scary to think someone's actually reading my words...

Anyway, I think I'll have a half dozen or so shots from my waterfall trip that I'll be willing to show people, so I'll probably post them up here.

Welcome, I just had the chance to do some shooting from out local FDs 100' ladder truck. While you've got the contacts and access make sure you do some local documentary stuff up there :)

-Brad

call me weird, but I try very hard to separate my job from my art. As you can imagine, I know when neighboring departments to mine are out on a fire and could easily get access to shoot them, but I'm not really interested in that. Although I have considered doing a project of shooting fire scenes after the fire is out to show the damage and loss of possessions. I would not want people to think I was taking advantage of others' misery though.

Welcome, Dan, from steamy MN. Luke

Welcome. Hope you enjoy the forum.

Welcome Dan! Now don't be a stranger and keep visiting the chatroom. :D

gene