I’ve written extensively on this web site about the qualities of Diafine Developer and different Black and White films for the purposes of scanning. Here is an example of Fuji Acros 100 (EI 160, 120MM) shot with my Hexomniscope Pinhole Camera by Abelson Scope Works and processed in Diafine Developer….did I mention that the exposure was F205 at 37 Minutes?! The final print size is 28″ x 90″ and is printing as I type!
Viva la Revolution
Listen to this exciting interview with Matt Abelson of Abelson Scope Works as he talks about his Pinhole Camera Systems(Hexomniscope, Omniscope and Pinhole Turret). Interview by Stephen Schaub.
Viva la Revolution!!
Exciting news! I have just begun a new project called Vanishing Vermont which, when completed in a year or so, will be a show and book (co-authored with Eve Ogden Schaub) more information as the project develops…
Meanwhile, 
I have spent the last few months testing different pinhole and zone plate camera systems and have settled on the Hexomniscope by Ableson Scope Works for these new artworks. I’m still in the early stages of working with this new system but the flexibility is amazing (as are the huge 6×17+ cm negatives!) Images are printed on Japanese Kinwashi as a d’Vinci Noir (image size: 28″ x 90″.) The camera is really quite small and weighs in at around 3lb.
I am off to California tomorrow for a bit of shooting (Yes with this camera) so stay tuned for a full report when I return.
In case you are wondering….Film: Fuji Acros processed in Diafine (of course), 360 degree image (6 images), 8 minutes at f/180.
Viva la Revolution!
As promised here is the next installment in the ongoing exploration of Diafine Developer and TX. In these videos hybrid artist and master printer Stephen Schaub (The Leader) discusses scanning techniques, color management considerations and Photoshop techniques to maximize your Diafine processed TX negatives!! (Please note that due to a time limitation on Youtube the video has been broken into two parts so be sure to watch BOTH videos!!)
Video ONE
Video TWO
Stay tuned for part 3 of the Diafine and TX saga early next week on the Figital Revolution!
Resource Links
Pixel Genius (Photo Kit Sharpening Software)
Ergosoft High Fidelity Inkjet RIP Software
Eizo Monitors
Viva la Revolution!!
If you spend as much time as I do on the web (drinking espresso) you come across some pretty interesting assertions by photographers from all walks of life. I have posted this audioblog in an effort to ameliorate and perhaps provide a bit of “middle ground” for a conversation between the Luminous Landscape and Ken Rockwell. (To read each original article just click on the links below:)
Luminous Landscape Article – Your Camera Does Matter
Ken Rockwell Article – Your Camera Doesn’t Matter
Ok, now that you’ve been outraged by the silly, over-the-top claims on all sides, and are searching for some clarity in your photographic life give this audioblog a listen….it’s therapy time. In the end we can and should all get along!
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln
This is a key underlying concept of the Figital Revolution…if we as photogrpahers band together and speak out about what we want in our industry, the industry will be compelled to listen! So over the next few months I will be conducting brief surveys (3 yes or no questions each) on what the photographic community really wants. So click on the survey link and and make your voice heard! I will post the results on The Figital Revolution and also use this information in meetings with industry (aka The Photo Industrial Complex) to illustrate what Real Photographers- that’s you- want! Please note you must enter your email address at the end of the survey to keep voting honest… please only VOTE once… it’s how Lincoln would have wanted it.
Via La Revolution – Stephen Schaub
Please note that by completing this survey your email address will NOT be shared and you will NOT be added to any email mailing list. If you would to receive our online newsletter just click here to subscribe as it is FREE!
Kodak IMHO hit a home run with the new TMAX 400. I’ve been testing the 35mm version- (the box says world’s sharpest 400… and it is!) and having now shot around 30 rolls of this film in Puerto Rico and tested a few more here in Vermont here are some initial thoughts (note- please be sure to click on the images to get a larger view):
1. I tried 3 different developers (D-76, XTOL and PMK… XTOL Straight wins hands down.)
3. Extremely fine grain with a very, very nice tonality…MY NEW FAVORITE FILM!!!
4. I feel that the times posted by Kodak for this new film are pretty darn good- at least the Xtol processing time/ temp produces negs that scan perfectly.
I have posted an example snapshot I took of my wife Eve Ogden Schaub of LIFE=ART while at lunch in Puerto Rico (my Pina Colada is just out of the frame). The image was shot on a Leica M7 with a Summilux 50mm F1.4 at F/2.8 (060 filter on lens). Be sure to check out the detail images as well as they really illustrate why I feel this film is a real winner (remember…this is 35mm 400 speed film!)
The scan was done on our Imacon at 6300dpi, 16 Bit, Wet Mount. Printed at 16″ x 24″ on our d’Vinci Fine Art Printer it blows me away that this is 35mm. Go get this film NOW! This is a film we as photographers should support as it is fantastic (and how often can you say that these days?)
Please note that there is quite a bit of old stock TMAX 400 out there (I don’t like the old film at all)…the new version has only been out since Oct/ Nov 2007 and can be a bit hard to find. The box should have a red rectangle that says “World’s Sharpest !” The Catalog Number is: 894 7947…I purchased mine from a Calumet Store.
Here is a sample preview of my new artworks from Puerto Rico (These are from my Fragment Series). The image is 36″ x36″!
Viva La Revolution!!
Please note all images Copyright Stephen M. Schaub 2008
1. Think that Canvas is not photographic?
2. Have the IQ of an ant?
3. Don’t understand what “photographic” means and thus have the IQ of an ant?
Give a listen to this audioblog by hybrid artist Stephen M. Schaub and release yourself from the tyrannical limits of your output media…
I’ve mentioned here and also in the Figital Revolution Manifesto (book) about the evils of re-branded photographic supplies (film/ paper/ etc…) but maybe things are about to change… and change can be good! Crane Museo Paper (Max and Portfolio Rag) have been acquired by Intelicoat (who by the way did the coating on these papers anyways) so what does this mean? First these great papers will still be made (and yes I did say great) and sold but now under Intelicoat (Crane will still supply the base paper of course). IMHO our industry needs more of this transparency as to who really makes or at least who is involved in the production of the products we all use. I would be very upset (pissed) to find out that several papers I just bought were all the same paper just with different names…this is not as far fetched as it seems. For now I will just be happy that one of my favorite papers will continue to be made…now if I could just figure out how to make some of my favorite films survive the coming decades that would be truly amazing. For more information on this Intelicoat deal click on the link:
Figital Revolution 
