Pathmakers - Acadia Youth Conservation Corps

 

Acadia YCC members

 

Over the much of 2016 I’d like to share with you a series of environmental portraits from my recent art residency with the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park.   This amazing experience provided me the opportunity to spend time and make photograph with an exceptional group – the park trails crew.  My intent is to document these individuals, their dedication to their work, and their connection to the natural surroundings of the park.  I also (fingers crossed) hope my photography celebrates these behind the scenes people, while highlighting the importance of stewardship and land management in ensuring the long term integrity of our shared natural heritage, and its role in connecting people to nature. 

This first photograph is of members of the Acadia Youth Conservation Corps, which is made up of high school students that work as part of the trails crew under park staff supervision.  A wonderful example of partnership, the non-profit group, Friends of Acadia, provides salaries and equipment supporting the Corps, while the National Park provides leadership and training.  Corps members are folded into the Acadia Trails Crew, making true improvements to Acadia’s trails, reconstructing stone drainages and retaining walls, clearing vistas, cutting wood at campgrounds, and assisting wherever else needed.  My impression is that the Youth Conservation Corps is life changing for many participants, giving the chance to better understand personal depths and to be part of a work team focused on a greater good.  These kids proved to be exceptional without question, and I am fortunate to have had a bit of their attention to put face to their efforts.  Some of the power of the program is seen by a number of park staff having been funneled back.  Pretty cool.  Thank you AYCC for all that you do!

Lastly, I want to remind you that 2016 is the centennial of the United States National Park Service.  Get out to visit your favorite park and appreciate!

Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film

Honesty through perspective

Jordan Pond
Acadia National Park

Hasselblad 500C + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens
Ilford PanF+ 50 black and white film

My project associated with my residency at Acadia National Park has nothing to do with landscape photography, but it would be impossible to spend time there without making a few.  Jordan Pond has to be one of the most visited “undeveloped” ponds in Maine- probably in the United States.  It’s super easy to get to; consequently, it’s been photographed from every angle using all of today's popular techniques you see online.  Still, after taking time looking at these other images made at the pond, I decided that I might be able to provide my own viewpoint.  My attempt here is to bring honesty through normal perspective, black and white film, and my all mechanical camera from 1970.   I didn’t want to idealize the waterbody, but instead share what it truly feels like on that shoreline.  Anyway, this is how I see it, and I don’t think I’m too far off.  Welcome to Maine and Acadia National Park!

 

Schoodic Point and me...

© 2015 Kyle Pinjuv

A quick note to say hello and to share a bit of news…  I’ve been selected this year as artist in residence at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park.  I’ll share more specifics on my project upcoming, but briefly, I’m attempting to create a portfolio of portraits of those associated with the park, staff and volunteers, who help make it all happen – protect the natural resources associated  for the long-term, while simultaneously connecting visitors to nature and the outdoors.  As you might guess, it’s a film based project using mostly antique large format gear, but some medium and micro (i.e., 35mm) format too.   I want it to be a “Maine” story.  And you know, my greatest hope, as such, is for my photographic process to equate to an expression and communication of my own personal experience; a means to further hone my own way of seeing and describing the world around me.  …but I guess this is something we are all striving for with our photography, huh?  Anyway, I really wanted you all to know about what I’m up to, and again, will have lots more to share with you sometime soon.   Thanks for all the well wishes!

Yours in silver gelatin,

Dan

More of Kyle Pinjuv's fantastic photography:  https://kylepinjuv.smugmug.com/

 

Conservation Rockstars

 
 

I thought I’d share a photograph of this summer’s trail crew.  Once more we’ve been working on the Fire Warden’s Trail leading to the summit of No. 5 Mountain located in Township 5 Range 7, Maine.  It’s been a three year trail improvement project that’s proved to be a huge success thanks to the smarts, sweat, and non-stop energy these conservation rockstars have given.  My role, in reality, has been incredibly limited, but it’s clear that this was a good thing.  All the micro-scale, on-the-ground decisions were made by these guys – problem solving on the spot to best ensure protection of the resource while providing the visitor enhanced connection to the outdoors.  And in a fashion that has proved seamless and mostly unnoticeable.  This to my mind stands testament to the skill and brilliance these young best of the best brought to Maine.  As I look at this photo and think about this final year of trail work, I’m reminded of how lucky I’ve been to play my minor role as cheerleader, and I’m inspired by the wonderful act(s) of service I’ve witnessed on behalf of our shared natural heritage.   …my deepest gratitude to the Student Conservation Association, and most importantly, all most directly involved on site (you know who you are.).  You’ve left a huge, long lasting impression from many perspectives, and again, thank you.  ~Dan G. 
 

Andrew

 
 

I manage conservation lands in Maine, and each year I bring on seasonal staff to assist me with my ground work.  I’ve always been fortunate, pulling in smart and dedicated people, but every once in a while, someone exceptional comes in like Andrew.  He’s been helping out for the past six months, and above all, I greatly admire his calm and thoughtful demeanor, particularly when working with and around others.  He just makes people feel good.   Andrew has also exhibited a true ease and comfort in the woods, something that most don’t start out with.  He’s keen and thoughtful and has proactively identified problems and ensured things have remained in hand.  And boy, has he completed a lot of work.  One of my biggest challenges during his stay has been trying to stay a few steps ahead of him!  I should also mention that he’s a Vermont native, so beyond land conservation, he’s interested in farming practices, is a “die hard” snowboarder, and isn’t too sure about Maine’s mid-coast flatness.  That said I’m certain that over the summer he’s developed a love for the Downeast bold coastline.   What’s not to like, huh?  Anyway, thanks, Andrew, for everything, and good luck with those next steps.

Hugging trees in the Debsconeags

You know, I nearly held back from sharing this because there is so much wrong in my photography. Wishing for thoughtful composition, elimination of hot spots, a considered foreground, no branches in faces, a normal perspective, and of course, film…  That said, the smiles and overarching sentiment makes it for me in spite of the flaws. 

I spent this past week in the Debsconeags Lakes Wilderness Area measuring forest conditions (similar to USFS FIA work for those interested) with a super enthusiastic field crew.  As you can see here, they all drank the conservation Kool-Aid.  Regardless of incessant biting insects, wet feet and clothes from rain, smashed shins as a result of my crazy map and compass navigation through the woods, general heat and humidity, and no running water or electricity, Nancy, Marissa, Mariana, Hillary, and Andrew reveled with our plant monitoring tasks and the beauty found at our forest plots.  Not one complaint beyond my own grumblings and bellyaching…  Nothing but smiles and laughs all around…  What a fantastic bunch!  

Learn more about the Debsconeags Lakes Wilderness Area...

 

Portland Framed

For those curious, here is some information outlining a project I’m involved in as part of Portland Creative and the First Friday Art Walk.  Many of you have seen my pear photographs already – nothing new.  I am, however, honored to be included and shown with the other artists associated with the event.  Anyway, thought you might like a peek…

 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiveWorkPortland

 

Jellyfishphoto - Emulsion lifts from digital files

 

A while back, while exploring the world of Polaroid on the internet, I ran into a printing company website called Jellyfishphoto.  Jellyfishphoto uniquely markets to photographers a new way to lift photo emulsions onto alternative medium reminiscent of the Polaroid emulsion lift process using inkjet water slide transparencies.  As you might imagine, I thought the idea was interesting and decided to try it out.  The purpose of this post is to share my results and some information if you’d like to experiment too. 

There are, to my mind, some benefits to this inkjet process, most notably 1) the ability to create a larger transfer since one is not limited to the size of the Polaroid, and 2) the overarching image appearance and output can be finely controlled via Photoshop prior to emulsion printing. Polaroid and film photography diehards may take exception, but it's clear to me that this mixed digital/analog workflow has significant creative potential here.

The process of creating the emulsion transfer is quite similar to that of a Polaroid – you soak the printed transparency in a tray of water for several minutes to soften the adhesive holding the emulsion to transparent base.  The emulsion is then pushed away from the plastic base and floated onto paper or some other receiving medium.  Note that the free floating emulsion looks like a jellyfish!  It’s pretty simple; however, detailed video instructions are found on the Jellyfishphoto website.  

My results:

 

Larch  ~d.j. grenier

 

Here’s my first inkjet emulsion lift.  I decided to try the process out on three separate photographs.  Jellyfishphoto also gave me an off-color extra to practice with.  Pedro, at Jellyfishphoto, suggested that I start with this color photograph first and then go to my black and white images since black and white inkjet lifts have shown to be more difficult.  

 

Pears  ~d.j. grenier

 

My second lift was less successful.  It’s a high contrast black and white image that required a lot of pigment when printing the black edges.  As I handled and pushed around the emulsion during the lifting process, ink actually came off, sadly creating negative fingerprint smudges on the black edges of the photo and positive smudges onto the paper.

Note the finger print marks on the corner of the photo and on the paper...

Significant loss of pigment is observed on the bottom edge of the image, which occurred during the "lifting" process.

After revisiting the instructions and product review Pedro shared, it seems that dense ink areas can be problematic, particularly with black and white photos. Resolution thus far is to try to reduce emulsion handling by slowing down and allowing the emulsion to soak longer prior to removing it from its plastic base. 

 

Sample in a jar  ~d.j. grenier

 

I really like this image and how the final print came out.  Yes, some loss of pigment can be detected in the lower edges of the photograph; however, this does not prove too distracting to my eye in this instance.  What fun!  

Watercolor paper...

Paper texture detail...

I chose to mount my inkjet emulsion transfers "classically" onto watercolor paper; i.e., in the vein of the Polaroid examples one mostly encounters.  That said, part of the brilliance of using inkjet emulsion is that creativity is limited only by imagination.  True Polaroid examples can be found online showing photo emulsion adhered to glass, cups, plates, beer cans, and other vessels, wall paper, scrapbook paper, rocks, and tree leaves.    

Google search results for "Polaroid emulsion transfers"

For those interested, below are my medium format negative scans used to make these transfers for comparison.

Some final thoughts:  These inkjet emulsion transfers were enjoyable to create. The hands-on process feels good, and two of my three final prints look pretty good. Careful handling is required due to potential ink loss and bleed from the emulsion, something that would not occur with Polaroid or Impossible film.  I should also point out that the central idea is to manipulate the emulsion to meet artistic vision, thus the inkjet process currently does have limitations as a result of its delicate nature. That said, I believe that there is great creative potential with this process given the right project and the proper images.  I look forward to exploring more.  If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

 

I am not affiliated with Jellyfishphoto in anyway.  These views are my own.

 

New55 Film

The folks at New55 have started a Kickstarter project to support production of their 4x5 instant film.  Like the classic Polaroid Type 55 film, this New55 will create a superb negative, and a positive print too.  I'm psyched!  Fingers crossed for success of this Kickstarter.  It's great to think about a  new 4x5 film option.