Posted on November 28th, 2009 in Education, Europe, Family, Summer Performs | Leave A Comment
When I Was A Kid…
I remember when I was in middle school hearing my English teacher talk about this quote, “Time waits for no man.” Over thirty years later, I still think about what that means.
The older I get, the more often that quote comes to my mind.
It’s never been more true in my life than now. I can’t believe that our daughter, Summer, will be going off to college in nine months! Where did the time go? I want to say, “Wait, wait, slow down! Let me enjoy this time and be present to everything that it has to offer!” But that quote creeps back in and reminds me that once it’s gone, it’s gone.
We are very proud of Summer. She’s been the most wonderful child and will be an asset to world as an adult. She’s smart, beautiful and extremely talented. As parents, Jean and I couldn’t be more happy. We’ve been blessed!
What School?
She’s chosen to attend my alma mater, Weber State University. I say that she’s “chosen” this university loosely. It’s the one we’ve been paying taxes to for years - so we get a break financially for tuition. However, Summer scored high enough on her tests that it looks like she’s got a full ride - tuition, books, dorm, etc. for the entire four years! How wonderful is that? So the college fund we’ve set aside, and continue to contribute to, will now be hers to live on for the four years, allowing her to focus completely on her studies - no part time or full time job to distract her! Exactly what we wanted for her. On top of all of that, she has family there - that’s very important to us, too.
What is she going to study?
Right now, she’s planning on doing a bachelor of integrated studies degree (B.I.S.). This allows her to pick three majors to study - she’s selected: English (Writing), Photography, and Psychology. I think these are excellent choices. She’s a wonderful writer, a creative photographer and has infinite curiosity about human behavior and the twisted human mind. She’ll do well in all of these areas.
These nine months will go by fast. I’ll do my best to remember to enjoy every moment - remember, time waits for no man!
We love you Summer!!! Also, when we “Tweet” you, remember to reply as quickly as possible, we worry!
Posted on November 15th, 2009 in Art & Theory, Collodion Images, Education, Quinn Jacobson, Wet Plate Collodion Instructional Videos | Leave A Comment
Last Friday, I received a package from The Getty Institute. It contained information about my photographs I submitted for their analysis and collection for the project, “Preserving the Chemical Photography Era“.
It’s packed with information about the Wet Plate Collodion images I submitted. There’s a lot of “geeky” scientific stuff (Get Your Geek On!). I’m going to make some more images for them - they’ve asked for some specific things to help them with their research and moreover, for future generations. I believe that there will be a time, in the not-to-distance future, when “photo students” won’t know what film is, let alone a process like Wet Plate Collodion. It makes me feel honored to be a part of this project!
Posted on November 13th, 2009 in Family, Quinn Jacobson | Leave A Comment
While researching how my name is written in Hebrew, I was emailed this site, (The Hebrew Name) by my friend Zoltan (thank you!) in Budapest. Zoltan and his wife, Sherri, recommended that I find a Scribe, or sofer stam, and have my name written the right way! I couldn’t agree more, great advice!
Rabbi Dov pulled a piece of parchment and did what he does best, wrote my name in Hebrew. A name is a powerful thing. And when it’s a Hebrew name, even more so (IMO). I think it’s beautiful. Thank you, Rabbi.
Rabbi Dov and I had a conversation about my name, the Hebrew letters/script and briefly discussed some personal stories. Our communication will continue, he seems like a very gracious man. He is going to send me the parchment he wrote my name on, too. Update: I have the parchment framed with his letter hanging on my wall – very cool!
Rabbi Dov’s Parchment - “Yacobson” – Jacob was named by his father, Isaac and then G-d named him Israel.
Digital Conversion - “Yacobson”
Posted on November 9th, 2009 in Europe | Leave A Comment
I just finished a three-day marathon of making Collodion Negatives, Albumen, and Albumen paper. It was a lot of fun!
People underestimate what it takes to make (Collodion) negatives. It’s not so much the actual making of the negative, it’s all the stuff that has to happen after the negative is made; (possible) intensification, making albumen, and albumen paper, sensitizing the paper, printing the image out, toning the image, fixing the image, washing the image, etc. etc. It’s a lot of work!
We had several discussions over the last few days about why so few people make negatives/Albumen prints. My theory is that we live in a place and time where commitment to this kind of process isn’t valued, or rewarded (so much). Especially, when you can make gorgeous Collodion positive images (Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Alumitypes, etc.) in just few minutes that require a fraction of the work, equipment, supplies, and moreover commitment and patience. When you put those things together, you have very few people left that are willing to commit to the Collodion Negative and Albumen printing process.
Even the (unmatched) beauty of the Albumen print; with all of its tonal range and detail, can’t compel or persuade the masses like the positive process has. I predict that you will never see more than a few people working (not tinkering, but making serious work) in the Collodion Negative/Albumen Printing process. It’s too consuming and too difficult for all but a handful of people. And let me emphasize: Collodion Negatives and Albumen Prints – not Salt, not Centennial POP, not Collodion POP, Negatives and Albumen!
To all of those that participated in this workshop; thank you! To the Atelieretaguardia Studio; thank you! I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon – maybe in Paris???
Image: 8×10 Collodion Negative – 15 secs – Intensified with Copper and printed on Albumen/toned – Quinn Jacobson, Barcelona Spain November 7, 2009
The older I get, the more often that quote comes to my mind.
What is she going to study?
