Many thanks to my pal, Murray, for pointing me toward APUG, and hello from Northwestern British Columbia. This looks like an interesting community. I've been "doing" photography for the past 35 years, never commercially (although I did teach Graphic Communications for some years and sold fine art prints for a time). These days I prefer to give the prints away ... it seems to be more fun. Although I have a Pentax 35mm hanging around, my true love is large format. I started with a Graflex Speed Graphic, but have used a Horseman monorail for the past 25 years - packed that thing all over the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Last year my wife (a most wonderful woman) bought me an Ebony SV45U2 for my birthday, Christmas, and probably next birthday, and since then my Horseman has felt a bit lonely. I've a nice black and white darkroom with both a Beseler 4X5 enlarger and a Durst Laborator 138s 5X7 enlarger. All in all life is good.

All in all life is good.

Welcome Doug!

Sounds like you've found the right place!

Nice to have you aboard...

Frank W.

Nice to have you here! Possibly participate in the postcard exchange, i just printed my 50

Hey - there you are! Welcome aboard APUG Doug :)

Murray

P.S. ( Murray thinks to himself in his best Pirate voice )

Ha Haa Haaarrr!!!

At last revenge be mine upon that scurvy dog, Doug, for his showing me that treasure of a print nigh 15 years past. It made me heave in the scuppers with the staggers and jags, as I came to see his prints bettered mine as he'd past his tests in the System of Zones, and had sailed his way through the thick fogs that be found there. Many years I lost to those mystical mists before I too found my way through.

Arrrrr!!! But revenge be better than the grandest of treasure or the most heinous grog...for this week past I gave him my Masking book by Captain Lynn Radeka!!!!

Beware Doug, for not only Ye be now hampered by thicker fogs, but thar be temptresses most vile, jagged shoal infested waters, and blind passages unending. The curse of Sisyphus now be upon Ye!!!!!!!

Ha Haa Haar!!!

Now, Murray, restrain youself ... didn't notice that patch over your eye last week ... but 'tis true, there is a bit of the brigand in y'r heart, m'boy. Haven't made any masks since the graphic arts days, but have the pin register set up in the Durst, ordered some Duratrans from "Captain" Redeka, hauled out Langford and a couple of old press guides to remind myself about the theory behind masks, found a couple of old step negatives, ditto a couple of registration pins and a huge box of 16-1/2 x 22 Fujilith. So, while I'm ready to go, I think you might be right, this might be quite like Sisyphus' task ... endless masks and an aesthetic mountain we never quite crest.

Cheers

Doug

Well...any friend of Murray's must have either a great sense of humor or infinite patience...or both...

Just kidding Murray! Welcome to our little slice of insanity, Doug!

Welcome, Doug. You'll find this site to be an enjoyable and useful place to hang out. Just don't let Murray urge you to rack up a thousand posts quickly. NOT a good thing!!