Friday, August 15, 2008

Timothy Whelan - Books & Prints

Clyde and Tim in his book store
The book store, Timothy Whelan - fine photographs, books & prints, is paradise for any photographer, but for a bookaholic like me, I was in seventh heaven!

George DeWolfe suggested we stop at Timothy's store and check it out. The book store only has photographic books, with most of them being used and rare books. If you are looking for a book, I'm pretty sure Timothy either has it, or can find it for you. Clyde and I had a hard time leaving the store. We were there for three hours! Between getting to know Timothy and going through the books...we walked out with half the store! Well, it felt $ like we did anyway! Ahhh...but they are such wonderful books. We justified it by telling ourselves that it might be another several years before we make it back to Maine and get this opportunity again. We also bought a black and white print...

If you'd love to have a great experience in a photographic book store, this is the place. He is located in Rockport Maine. Phone: (207) 236-4795

Timothy and Clyde with the pile of books we bought from his store

George DeWolfe

Clyde with George DeWolfe

One of the highlights of our trip to Maine was the visit with George DeWolfe and Lydia Goetz. George is one of those great photographers that has been around as long as Clyde. Photography possesses him in the same way that it does Clyde. When they finally got to meet it was non-stop photo-talk! It is such a thrill to be with another person who loves photography as much as Clyde and I do.

George was a dedicated "traditional" black and white photographer. He believed that the wet darkroom was the only way to achieve the best photograph...until he saw a very good black and white digital print. He was converted to the wonders of the digital age. He now teaches and writes articles on photography. He has published several books that you might enjoy reading:
Digital Photography - Fine Print Workshop
Adobe Master Class - The Digital Fine Art Printing Workshop
Optipox 3: Image Enhancement Tools for Digital Photographers

George is now in the process of publishing another book that should be out sometime next year. If you'd like to see his work or hear about his new book here is his website: www.georgedewolfe.com

And, on a personal note, his girlfriend, Lydia, is also a photographer! Women who love photography are few and far between, so when I discover one I am amazed. When I talk with another female photographer there is a connection that gives me a deeper feeling than talking to a man about photography. I can't exactly explain it, but it always feels good to be around women photographers. If you'd like to see her work her website is: www.lydiagoetze@roadrunner.com

It was a great afternoon and was wonderful to spend some time with fellow travelers on the path of photography.

The History of Photography by Beaumont Newhall

It has been quite a while since I posted anything about Beaumont Newhall's book, The History of Photography. I was interrupted by life and wasn't able to finish it until just recently.

I am of the opinion that the last half of the book isn't history...although I've had discussions with people who disagree and claim it is history.

The last half of the book is about photographers that were alive during Beaumonts life and although they had tremendous influence on the photography of today, I think for Beaumont to call it history is wrong. It is impossible to write history when you are living it. Much of what he wrote about Stigletz, Brassi, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorthea Lange, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston...et al was his opinion...not history. Well...that is my opinion anyway.

Beaumont's opinion on those people that we, today, consider historic figures in photography, is worth reading. However, many new issues have been unearthed on the lives of these people since Beaumont passed on. History has refined their tremendous influence, or lack of influence, on the lives of photographers today. I just wish someone with the skill of Beaumont Newhall would write a new history book starting where Newhall left off.

And so...it is up to you to read the last half of the book and let me know if you think it's history or the current opinion of Beaumont Newhall on the photographers of his era.

Exhibit - Bar Harbor Maine

The Friends of Acadia invited Clyde to exhibit his work at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor on Desert Island, Maine, the home of Acadia National Park. The Friends of Acadia have joined together with Clyde to create a small traveling exhibit of National Parks that is available to any Friends groups who would like to exhibit the beauty of our National Parks. If you are interested here is the phone number and website: (207) 288-3340 www.friendsofacadia.org

It is always a joy to be surrounded by people who care about their environment. The Friends of Acadia do such a wonderful job of taking care of the Park. The community is very fortunate to have them in their midst.

The opening took place at the Blum Gallery on the college campus. We had a wonderful turn-out and met so many great people.


We spent several days in Acadia, however I didn't take many pictures because I was still on a time-lag from Europe. (I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a month in Europe with my daughter, Jackie, and granddaughter and her history class. Had a great time!)

While we were in Acadia National Park we stopped to visit Monty. It is always so good to visit with him! Monty Trainer is on the board of the Coconut Grove Art Festival in Florida and has been involved in the festival for a VERY long time. It is such a great art festival and one of the best in the United States. It's always such a pleasure to see so much great art in the wonderful atmosphere of Coconut Grove. The festival has a special place in our heart.


Anyway, Monty is a fun person and we're always amazed at the interesting people who gather around him. We ALWAYS meet fascinating people when we visit. During the summer Monty travels north to Otter Creek where he owns the Otter Creek Inn and Otter Creek Market. The Otter Creek Inn is centrally located inside Acadia National Park and has all the modern conveniences you could want. It's a great place to stay...and in case you should decide to visit just tell Monty we sent you! Phone: 800-845-5852 or www.ottercreekme.com

Clyde and Monty

Monty's Chuck Wagon

Otter Creek Market always has freshly prepared Lobster. When we stopped by to say howdy to Monty, he offered to feed us...who could resist!?

Tim Colbertson tying a bib on Clyde in preparation for the messy/delicious Lobster meal

Two very satisfied customers! Yummmmm....that Lobster was great!

Books & Books

Rick, Sophia and Clyde

Having been raised in the shadow of Stanford University, books have always been a part of my life...as have wonderful book stores. I LOVE the smell of books! When we first moved to Florida I searched in vain for the kind of books store I had back home. It wasn't until I walked into Books & Books in Coral Gables and the smell of the printed page wafted through the air that I knew I had found HOME!

Since that day, Books & Books has been a special place to me. It is also a special place to the community of Coral Gables and Miami. It is what a book store is suppose to be...involved with the community. A great place!

They invited Clyde and Rick Cruz to give a talk. I was so excited...well, not about the talk so much, as I was at being able to spend time meandering through rows and rows of books!

BUT...the talk went well and we had a great time. At the end of the talk Sophia, a cute shy little girl from a local school, honored Clyde & Rick with a special thank-you for coming.

Best of the Road - Rand McNally


When we opened the mail we were surprised and amazed that Big Cypress Gallery was chosen as a "Best of the Road" destination from Rand McNally. They even gave us a free "PR" page in their guide book! WOW! Thanks Rand McNally!