Weeman76's photostream  

I am a 30 something male with a wife and two young daughters, living In Gloucester, England UK. I am a geologist, or to be technically correct, a Geotechnical Engineer by profession working for an engineering consultancy in Bristol, UK. I have always had an interest in geology and in truth I am not sure whether my interest in photography got me interested in geology or my interest in geology got me in to photography!!! Although it was once stated to me that 'Landscape photography is pornography for geologists'........ ;-)

My first interest in photography started as a young child as both my father and my grandfather were keen photographers. I often wanted to 'play' with their cameras as a child, but it was only as a teenager that I really got chance to discover the darkroom. My grandfather had his own darkroom equipment and one October weekend he introduced me to the film processing and printing elements of photography. He introduced me to the Darkroom. I will never forget watching my first image appear in a dish of fluid under a dim red light. The sense of anticipation and excitement; that sense of magic and alchemy was captivating - and to be honest it was a feeling that never faded even after the hundreds of hours spent in the darkroom.

The darkroom became a place where I could shut reality and the day-to-day challenges of life out and concentrate on making images. It became a psychological and emotional workout, where I would often emerge after 12 straight hours to be physically and spiritually exhausted. Friends often used to gauge what kind of mood I was in by my printing style. Light and airy images and I was happy.......... Dark, low-key landscapes and I was to be avoided at all costs apparently!!!

After a break from photography to explore other interests for a few years, I returned to photography and converted to Digital in 2005. The break was good for me because I felt my images had became stale; and my style was too 'samey'. On converting to digital I was able to explore new facets of the image making process, becoming rejuvenated in interest and excited about image making again.

Sadly I lost my darkroom; it was converted to a nursery under strict instructions from 'She who must be obeyed'!!! :-) One day, when the children have grown up a little, or I move to a bigger home, I plan to restore the darkroom and re-discover that special place once again.

I would not say digital is better or worse than wet printing/image making. I do not particularly enjoy one over the other, although I do not miss loading endless rolls of 120 roll film onto spools in total darkness in order to dev them!!! What I have discovered with digital is a level of control that I could not have with 'wet' prints. However, a lot of the techniques I use in Photoshop, are similar to the those of the dark room and shooting on film.

I 'expose right' to ensure maximum tonal recording and reduce noise in the shadow detail - similar to over-exposing and under developing on film.

I create layers for different brightness and contrast settings locally on an image - similar to split grade printing in the dark room.

I even locally dodge and burn - again similar to the darkroom. I guess it is my 'old school' training engrained within me. It is what I know, but that doesn't stop me exploring new ideas and concepts.

Anyway, enough of my waffling, if you are still reading, thank you. Please explore my photostream and feel free to comment on any images. If you should have any queries about any of the images - technical, aesthetic or about location, please feel free to contact me. I have no secrets....... Well not photographic ones anyway :-)

Thank you for viewing and enjoy.

Kindest regards

Weeman 76 - Paul Wheeler
August 2010