"Dog Portrait"~ 35mm, 3x5 negatives,color print from my days at SJSU for a project I never used.
It's funny, many of you know me as a dollmaker but I actually studied photography at San Jose State University where I graduated back in 2004. I miss being in the darkroom for hours on end and the camaraderie I felt among my fellow students. The students and faculty were among the most supportive people I have ever encountered and I am happy to have had that experience in my life. There's nothing like super creative people and a bit of healthy competition to make one do their best. I learned that I definitely didn't want to do studio or product photography (which is funny since I have to do that with my dolls to some extent).
My studio shot for magazine article assignment on Handwriting Analysis~ 4 x 5 color transparency used as a negative.
I loved experimenting with alternative processes and tried to work them in even during my beginning classes when My instructors probably preferred I learned the basic first. Many of my project were made into books, partially to solve the problem of displaying the works during critiques, but mostly because I loved books and paper, texture, images,fonts, text,etc.
One of my Black and white infrared photos, sepia toned.
Sadly, I wasn't able to get into the one class that I had wanted to for a few years, the Alternative Process class. It was the most popular class in the Photo Department . I tried getting in , even as a Senior but unless you were graduating that semester, you had no chance of getting in (the class was offered once a year and you had to bring in transcripts as proof of your status). The class was also sought after due to the instructor, Brian Taylor, who was one very popular because of his personality, friendliness, talent and enthusiasm. I was fortunate to have taken a lecture class (Photo History) from him but one of my regrets is not having had him as an instructor for other classes.
Anyhow, I came across his website yesterday and was reminded of the wonderful books he has made for his shows and it immediately made me want to delve back into bookmaking and photography ( I just may :) ). Here are some of the pages form his handmade books~ if you're inspired go visit his site.
This Tuesday's shop update has been moved to Thursday! Due to problems with my arm (still) I'm a little behind on my work. Plus it's suppose to be in the seventies here this weekend, so I may be busy with other things as well..I deserve a little break I think :)
Current dolls..I'm working on their arms and mine!!
Enjoy your weekend!