Nathan Jones' Gallery 1.17.06

[Nathan Jones]

These images are derived from digital files from negative scans for generating digital negatives (Lambda?) for contact printing on silver chloride paper (Azo?/M.S.'s Amidol)

Technical Info:

Sheared Supai II:
Linhof Technika, 135mm Schneider Xenotar, 4X5 TXP/HC110 D:N, F32, 1/2 Sec.

La Concepcion:
Linhof Technika, 135mm Schneider Xenotar, Red 25A filter, 4X5 MacoIR/Xtol1:1, D:N, F32.

Quicksilver Mile:
Linhof Technika, 65mm Schneider Angulon, 6X9 Tech Pan/Technidol D:N-1, F22.

Elves' Chasm:
Linhof Technika, 105mm Zeiss Tessar, 6X9 Ilford PanF/D-76 D:N-1, F22.

I am looking for comments/criticism regarding tonal range, contrast, handling of highlights/shadows, burning and dodging, cropping, etc.

Thanks,

Nathan

[David A. Goldfarb]

When I saw the "Elves' Chasm" image in the gallery, my thought was that it needed more luminosity--a really high value somewhere. If I were printing it, I'd probably bring up the white in the waterfall a bit, but that may not be your taste.

[Nathan Jones]

Thanks David. I tend to agree. But that is all there is in the negative as far as the waterfall goes. I tried to accentuate the wet highlights on the wedged boulders in pursuit of a high key reference.

[roteague]

All great images Nathan. I'm curious, have you tried to make traditional enlargements on any of these? Unfortunately, I've never seen an Azo print, so I can't comment about your plans. I find your "Elves' Chasm" to be an outstanding image. I'm also really fond of your "a Concepcion" image - just something about the tones on the tree (reminds me of some of the images in Ansel Adam's book "Trees").

[Nathan Jones]

Yes, Robert. I have printed the "Elves' Chasm" image as an analogue enlargement. It looks very similar to this. But I cannot take the negative to the same scale in a print from an enlarger without it falling apart. The larger print size really benefits this image. The subject photographed is big. That's easily 15 meters of elevation within the frame.

The quality you speak of in "La Concepcion" is due to the subtle infrared factor.

Thanks for your comments.

[Nathan Jones]

Also, I have printed "Quicksilver Mile" with an optical enlarger. The challenge here is to match the tactile quality of that print. This image does not translate into pixels well ---this little jpeg. Again, it is a big subject. But this image exists like this in a purely analogue form. ---As does "La Concepcion."

[MenacingTourist]

I'm in love with Quicksilver Mile. The atmosphere remindes me of the John Wesley Powell expidition. It's a very romantic image for me. The Powell group was more documentary (http://www.nps.gov/grca/photos/powell/pages/17253.htm).

Also, it's great to see another Utah member. The rest of us are threatening to have a get together sometime. Keep your eyes peeled.

Alan (in Springville).

[MenacingTourist]

I think this is the same bit of canyon: http://www.nps.gov/grca/photos/powell/pages/14642b.htm

[Nathan Jones]

Good eye, and good memory, Alan! My image was made downriver, same side, all but 60 yards away, just beyond the next headwall. (That beautiful beach where The Major camped is long gone.)

Keep me posted of local activities, and I'll do the same. I was really sorry I missed the rendevous for the Salgado show. I can go days or weeks without logging on to APUG. Others here have my numbers and email.

Thanks for the compliment.

[User Removed]

You really need to do something with the last image of the canyon. There seems to be a glowing halos coming off the rock walls and it does not look good with the tone of the sky. This could be fixed easy with a slight burning of those areas to even out the tone in the sky.

All together, very fine images my friend!

Ryan McIntosh