A break from the studio for a shoot in Yosemite with some very cool kids.

I've been working as a photographer for many years now. Maybe I’m jaded about some things. There are still a few things about this business which are exciting no matter how long you are at it. Getting your work on the cover of a magazine is really fun. Getting to meet and photograph really interesting people in Yosemite and then getting on the cover of the magazine makes for a pretty un-beatable day at the office. Big thanks to Adina LoBiondo and Judith Lewis at Sierra Magazine and to the kids from Crenshaw and Dorsey highs for being so great.

This was my favorite image from the shoot and I think it also would have been a great choice for the cover. Thanks to the Sierra's designers for giving it a lovely full-page ride on the opening spread.

Shelton Johnson was such a captivating speaker it was hard not to stop photographing him and just listen to his stories. A 22-year veteran of the National Park Service, Johnson has been researching and writing about Buffalo Soldiers who protected the park in its early days. Look for his upcoming book Gloryland, rumors are there will be a movie too.

Selected

I got my work into Viisual.com (the misspelled but highly selective online portfolio site). Take a look at my listing but be sure to brows the MIX to see tons of great photography.

A glimmer of good news about Polaroid in today's (May26, 2009) New York Times. A handful of former Polaroid employees are trying to manufacture film in Holland. Meanwhile Fuji has a line of instant point and shoot cameras called the Instax, the mini 55i being the most interesting. It makes credit card size instant pictures. We saw people using these in China but so far they are not available directly in the USA. Check out Lomography.com for more on the Instax.

Hot Springs Cove, Tofino

If you're ever on Vancouver Island I highly recommend Hot Springs Cove in Tofino.

Okay, its not from the Gowlandflex but the camera is just a tool, its the work that matters.

Goodbye type 55

Polaroid announced today it will close factories and cease production of all instant films. You can see the AP story here: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8209093
I'll try to stockpile some type 55 film, but the stuff doesn't age that well so it will all be gone in a few years. It would be great if Fuji would take over some of this business as they have shown some interest in 4x5 and medium format instant pack films, but it is hard to imagine them expanding those offerings.

The Gowlandflex isn't for everyone

There is no doubt the Gowlandflex is a hard camera to work with. In my mind much easier then any other 4x5 camera but that's not saying much on the easy - hard spectrum.

I hope he doesn't mind but here are some photos of my friend David McLain trying to use my Gowlandflex. David's an amazing photographer but he is used to working fast and light on assignments for National Geographic. Check him out at www.davidmclain.com or www.mergegroup.com. These photos were taken by my buddy Kevin Stokes www.stokes-web.com

George Schultz at Stanford

I photographed George P. Schultz yesterday at Stanford University. The shoot was digital and involved a car full of gear, of course I had to bring the Gowlandflex along for some extra fun. This is a perfect example of the strength of this camera. We were shooting fast (I think we had 20 minutes of Mr. Schultz time) at multiple locations. There was no way I would have introduced a regular 4x5 camera into this shoot. With the Gowlandflex I was able to literally put the Canon DSLR down and pickup the Gowlandflex and make a couple exposures without really changing the pace of the shoot. My only gripe is with the evil Polaroid they really should be ashamed of their quality control. At $90 per pack I find myself throwing away 2-3 sheets of film that self destruct in the film holder.

-Michael