The embargo on image publication has now passed from the article I shot for AAA Living last summer; so, I wanted you to be able to view the portfolio that resulted from my photojournalistic expose of German Country southeast of Bismarck.
The amazing architecture inherent in the design of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Strasburg, near the boyhood home of Lawrence Welk.
What a thoroughly-enjoyable commission.
We shot these lovely photos with dear new-found friends before the blogging started happening full speed last season...so I wanted you to see them now and allow this portfolio to be a visual incarnation of the possibility and potential that is dawning upon us for another portrait season...rain, or no rain.
Hang on tight. The 100 Days of Summer at Ron Rouse Photography is about to begin.
R
P.S. for PHOTO BUFFS: Extra special family session as this is a film session! Kodak NC-400 and 800 on cases like this. We did some DURST scans for some extra snap and luminosity in the images. Shot with the Mamiya RZ and the 140 lens of course...nothing else will do!
Even though it's virtually impossible to top the sheer visual impact of yesterday's black and white portfolio featuring Gretchen, I also wanted to show you the early work in color...especially since color work, particularly color negative, was becoming all the rage for commercial photographers in the mid to late nineties. So, feast your eyes, photography fans. Oh, and film fanatics, don't forget to see the P.S.!
R
Film buffs/fanatics: As is the case with most of the great photographs in history...one camera, one lens. The Mamiya RZ and the 140 Macro. During these sessions, I shot some Kodak PMZ (1000 speed on 120 size!) but you won't see it here...a short-lived and kind of wacky film. These images were recorded on my favorite film of the era: Kodak PMC 400...the predecessor to NC 400 and the first great 400 speed color film that Kodak developed for professional, medium format use.
On the blog recently , I introduced you to Gretchen, my photographic muse from ten years ago (see the post from February 16 or the MODEL archives)...when I was fresh out of the photography institute and ready to dive headfirst into the art and take on the world. Working with her enabled me to grow my art and shape my artistic vision (and since her and I are back in touch now, maybe we'll have some new Gretchen portraits to show you someday!). Through my recent scanning of those classic images, I can share with you a portfolio that I will always view as containing some of my best work.
So, let me take you back to the summer of 1997. The radio is playing Savage Garden, Oasis and The Spice Girls . Kate Moss is staring at us from the cover of every fashion magazine. And somewhere in the heartland, at a deserted theater still ringing with echoes of long-since faded applause, the artistry is coming to life...
R
SHUTTERBUG MUSINGS: All of us film purists are in absolute heaven now. TMAX 400 black and white film, shot on the 6x7 Mamiya and processed in TMAX developer 75 degrees for the time duration recommended by the Kodak data guide for that speed. Printing was on kodak paper as I recall, even though I have preferred Ilford through the years, and that is noteworthy considering these are not negative but PRINT scans from 8X10 optical prints. I know; I couldn't believe my eyes either.
I take great pride in posting these images as you will not see this kind of incredible richness and the stunning depth of the black and white tones in a computer conversion from a digital SLR, as much as I love my new Nikons. Only optical prints or quality scans from film will render drama and beauty like this.
...more from the ballet!
It wasn't my purposeful intention to create this image as a "homage to Degas"...but I'm very flattered by all the comparisons, nonetheless. This just sort of happened! A wonderful moment captured for all time, regardless...
Now, we share with you what all the buzz is about:
R
P.S. What a delightful way to start the blog's second year.
Can you believe it...the blog is one year old today!!!
I remember sitting at the computer for a day and a half straight while spring thunderstorms raged outside (boy...could we use that about right now {for those of you out-of-staters reading this, it's like, major drought here}) doing nothing but designing and posting and learning the software to launch what we now know as the rousegallery blog. Doesn't seem like a year...
Ummm...this should be a good excuse to indulge in a birthday cake!!
Our first image on the blog featured Nancy so we're bringing her back in honor of the anniversary. Enjoy.
R
Some fire in the sky at sunset, some action on the trampoline, a sequence of smiles carried on the warm wind. The juxtaposition of expression and mood and a sense of place.
This is what it takes to make the magic happen. And it's embodied in every glimpse from Timothy's portfolio.
What a perfect way to close out the limited edition seniors shoots for the class of 2008.
R
