stephen schaub

The New Kodak TMAX 400 Film – GET EXCITED KODAK IS BACK!!

by EveNSteve

New Tmax 400 Box

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.)

2. True 400 speed in XTOL.

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.

Eve Full Frame

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!)

Eve EyesEve Right Eye Close UpOOF

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.

SanJuanCopyrightStephenMSchaub2008Here 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

Confession of a Bagaholic

by EveNSteve

AudioBlog LogoOk, I admit it…I’m a bag (camera bag) aholic. Are you?This audioblog seeks to give an answer to this “condition” that plagues photographers everywhere. How should you carry your gear? Why do camera bags suck? What is the best way to carry your gear for travel photography?  All of these and more are considered and answered in this therapeutic audioblog. The images below are referenced in this audioblog so give a listen and let the healing begin. To order the bag seen below (does not include insert) call: Iomar Perez in Puerto Rico at 787.612.6862.

To order a Y Strap just click on the link.

picture-002.jpgpicture-003.jpgpicture-001.jpgme.jpg

Next On The Revolution!

by EveNSteve

During the next two weeks I will be photographing in the rainforest of Puerto Rico and surrounding areas. During this time I will be testing the new Kodak TMAX 400 (35mm) film and plan on a full report upon my return. Initial testing done by me at Indian Hill Imageworks indicates that this may be my new favorite film (best 400 speed I’ve ever seen)…amazing grain (almost as good as most 100 speed films) with a huge tonal range. Stay tuned!

 Viva La Revolution!!

The Real Story On Digital Permanence

by EveNSteve
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A wakeup call for photographers, paper manufacturers and ink makers on the enigma of proper digital print presentation, finishing and long term storage. Do you think traditional darkroom prints and digital prints (say inkjet) can be finished using the exact same technique and materials (like most galleries and frame shops?) …WRONG! Give a listen and lets make this important discussion happen now before digital printing is forever labeled as less archival, less permanent- LESS in general than traditional darkroom prints….it just ain’t so.

A Digital Point And Shoot Camera for Photographers?

by EveNSteve

sigma dp1 image

Rarely do I get excited about new cameras (let alone another digital point and shoot camera) introduced to our already-flooded medium, but a new offering by Sigma (DP1) needs to highlighted. I have been watching the development of this camera for over a year now and it seems that Sigma will now have it (DP1) out by Spring 2008…early Xmas anyone? For more information click here.

Meter Matters – Building a Knowledge Base for Proper Exposure.

by EveNSteve
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Do you trust your in-camera meter? I hope not! This audioblog focuses on the idea of building a knowledge base for a better understanding of light, material limitations and proper exposure. By hybrid artist Stephen M. Schaub. MeterMatter

The Stupid Things Photographers Say: Part Two- I Will Never Print On Canvas

by EveNSteve
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Real “men” print on canvas. (Disclaimer: men is used here to refer to photographers in general and in no way am I suggesting that women can not be real, or photographers, or both.) That’s right… Canvas. Oh- so you don’t print on canvas because you:

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…

Sometimes Change is Good!

by EveNSteve

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:

Intelicoat Logo

Seek A Second Opinion

by EveNSteve
AudioBlog Logo
Getting a second opinion (and perhaps a third or fourth) about your work is an incredible learning tool and a resource most artists have available to them- but seldom use. In this audio blog I make the case for forming a critique group among your immediate art friends for the purposes of advancing your work (and yes, their work too) through honest dialogue. By Hybrid Artist Stephen M. Schaub (The Leader).