More pictures from the past. The color photo of Phil
was taken at a picnic somewhere in a small park in Mill Valley circa
mid seventies. Last I heard he was teaching Television
Journalism, which is OK, I guess, but we all started in print.
I hope, at least, he stresses Edward R. Murrow news reality in
what has become a song and dance world.
The Sole Proprietor just didn't have enough money to shoot enough
pictures during this period. No complaints, he wouldn't trade it for the world, but
look at the lighting of Phil's face. Too much contrast. Get his back to
the sun and try a little fill flash. Of course, the camera was bought
from a professional photographer friend for $90 (with the admonition that
it was probably hot) and he didn't own a fill flash
(the camera was, in turn, fittingly stolen from him, following its own
peculiar world line), but all this back lit stuff with horrible contrast
could have been averted with a little study and practice.
The blond lady is Susan, taken by the Sole Proprietor (who had it pretty
bad for the blond lady at the time). Ah yes, well Susan....
The Sole Proprietor's performance during this period was uneven with a
great deal too much gravitas, but he learned lots about himself
in retrospect. And, to a large degree, has Susan to thank
for it. Thank you, Susan. Al mentioned he'd talked with you in the early 1980's, you
were working on an oil rig somewhere off the coast of Alaska. "Up" in the
oil rig. Which made sense, somehow.
I wasn't developing my own black and white negatives back then (these
are all Tri-X 135-36) basically using custom shops and have kept them
pretty much safe in sleeves. Wonder where all the scratches and crud
have come from. Maybe I'll rewash them and introduce them to Photoshop.
