Unconventional Photography Workshop
Unconventional Photography
Ever wanted to break the rules and explore the borders between processes? If so, this exciting two-day workshop offers the opportunity to explore a variety of unconventional photographic processes using both digital and darkroom techniques. Participants will begin by learning a pigment print transfer process called the acrylic lift, which is an elegant way for artists to showcase their photography on a variety of substrates including wood, metal, glass, etc. Moving forward, darkroom lovers will explore abrasion bleaching, toning, and other manipulations for silver gelatin prints. To round out the experience, we’ll introduce a variety of other unique processes through lectures, slideshows and print samples. Prerequisite: None
REGISTER HERE: https://cms.ocac.edu/node/
Photographer to Discuss Unconventionally Produced Exhibit
Blue Mitchell, an independent publisher, curator, and photographer, will discuss the photographic imagery he creates through unconventional means during a public appearance at Amarillo College.
Mitchell, who incorporates inkjet transfers and burned negatives into the photographic process, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19 in the Oak Room of the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus.
His appearance is free and open to the public.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s work will be on display at AC from April 9 to May 5 in the Southern Light Gallery on the first floor of Lynn Library, directly south of the College Union Building. He has dubbed his exhibit “Evanescent Energy.”
Mitchell is a graduate of Oregon College of Art and Craft and has curated and juried several photography exhibitions, created an online photography gallery (platestopixels.com), and launched a fine art photography annual called “Diffusion: Unconventional Photography.”
About his latest exhibition, “Evanescent Energy,” Mitchell says: “The energy that emanates from our natural surroundings pierces through my exterior senses and into my core being. This intense fervor cannot be cast on film alone, but with the use of fire I’ve found a way to recreate the almost metaphysical underpinning of nature, myself and the invisible effervescence around us.”
For more information about Mitchell’s exhibition or appearance at AC, contact Rene West, AC instructor of photography, at 806-345-5654.
a new version of me
a new version of me, originally uploaded by Blue Mitchell.
Via Flickr:
variable edition c-prints coming soon
8″x32″ originals
Newspace Jan. 2010 – Installation/Opening
Photos by 112
Introducing Diffusion Magazine – Unconventional Photography
Diffusion focuses on unconventional photographic processes and photo related artwork. We showcase artists working in alternative processes, experimental darkroom derived work, analog/low-fidelity, mixed-media photography, as well as unique digital processes. We believe the print market is saturated with traditional photography and conventional digital photographic practices, therefore Diffusion showcase’s artists working with unusual photographic methods.
FEATURES
Articles: Zeb Andrews & Dr. Mike Ware
Interviews and Portfolios: Jeffrey Baker, Tina Maas, Pamela Petro, & Sika Stanton
Group Showcase: Formerly and Hereafter, 2nd Annual Juried Exhibit, Plates to Pixels Gallery with juror Christina Z. Anderson
From Blue Mitchell, the editor of Diffusion magazine
It seems every week I learn of a newspaper or magazine that is going under, most likely due to increased reliance on the internet, coupled with current economic problems. Unfortunately, I am probably part of the problem. Outside of public radio in the morning, I turn to the internet for my daily news. The internet also hosts a plethora of art related resources, making art appreciation more accessible. I do however find myself annoyed with the limitations of this online art world. To me photography is visceral. It can not be bound by a monitor and mouse clicks – it is best showcased in a tangible form. Don’t get me wrong, I have immensely enjoyed curating for the virtual gallery platestopixels.com. This magazine would probably not be possible without my experiences and the outstanding response to the Plates to Pixels gallery. The main problem I have come across in the online world of art is that would like to have hard-copies of magazines, books and images that I can grasp with my fingers.
Diffusion is born out of a longing to create something palpable as well as enticing, educational, and hopefully entertaining. I have a keen interest as an artist – and art consumer – in photographers that push the boundaries and limitations of traditional photographic processes. Although I surround myself with artwork from photographers that push these boundaries, I have discovered, outside of physical exhibitions and online, that this type of photographic work is underrepresented in the modern photography magazine.
Diffusion is a compilation of articles, interviews, and images from artists and image-makers that coincide with this purpose. The magazine will be published annually, however, we will be producing special editions periodically that will focus more on specific themes and will not be limited to the photographic arts.
Thanks for reading and viewing, plus a big thank you to all the Diffusion contributors, this could not have happened without all your patience, incredible image-making, and exceptional writing abilities.
Visit diffusionmag.com for a preview and purchasing information
“Marguarite, State One” Liquid Light on stone by Pamela Petro
Photographic Possibilities
Blue Mitchell‘s “Acrylic Lift on Birch” transfer process, with step by step instructions, has been published in the book “Photographic Possibilities, Third Edition: The Expressive Use of Equipment, Ideas, Materials, and Processes” by Robert Hirsch. Blue’s tintype “The Calling” and acrylic lift photograph “The Journey Begins” have also been published in the book. Both images are from Blue’s Mythos Series.
Book Description: Photographic Possibilities, Third Edition is a marvelously updated resource of innovative and traditional photographic processes that imagemakers have come to trust and depend on to enhance their technical knowledge, create astonishing pictures, and raise their visual consciousness.
This concise and reliable handbook provides professional and advanced photography students with practical pathways of utilizing diverse photographic methods to produce engaging, expressive pictures from an informed aesthetic and conceptual position.
This update, in full color for this first time, offers new links between analog and digital photography by featuring clear, up-to-date, step-by-step instructions on topics ranging from making ambrotypes and digital negatives to pre-picturemaking activities that utilize a thinking system to visually realize what is in your mind’s eye in an effective and safe manner.
This edition vividly showcases the thought-provoking work of over 150 international artists including Peter Beard, Dan Burkholder, Carl Chiarenza, Michael Kenna, Dinh Q. Lê, Andrea Modica, Bea Nettles, France Scully and Mark Osterman, Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison, Holly Roberts, Martha Rosler, Mike and Doug Starn, John Sexton, Brian Taylor, Jerry Uelsmann, and Joel Peter Witkin as well as other major and emerging talents. Image captions explain how each artist technically realized their vision and concept.
All technical information and resources have been refreshed to provide the latest data for acquiring the products needed for these processes. Above all, this comprehensive reference provides field-proven know-how, encouragement, inspiration, and a profuse compendium of promising photo-based explorations one can discover and pursue.
Check it out on amazon.com or focal press.
Acrylic Lifts @ J-Cafe
So, the time has come to put some artwork up at my favorite little coffee shop close to work! Of course there’ll be artwork to look at – all new work never exhibited before. How’s that for a hook with a big juicy worm on it.
Cheers ~Blue & Jcafe
tel: 503.230.9599
hours: mon-fri, 7am to 6pm
533 ne holladay, ste. #101
portland, or 97232
www.jcafeportland.com