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Some Consistency at Last

by Bill· March 17, 2012· in Uncategorized· 0 comments
I finally got a lot of the small bugs worked out of my workflow today and the results were much better and more consistant. A lot of the mottling problems I was having on my images came from the fat that I was not using Krylon spray, but an off brand found at Home Depot. Lesson #1, Use the stuff that is recommended. Don’t try to cut corners. Upon getting some Krylon today at Dick Blick, my plates got much better. I used my last one today to make the following print. Perhaps my best yet, I was able to print 5 without any great variation Now it is going to be a lot of inking and wiping practice until the new batch of plates comes.
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We Have Lift Off!

by Bill· March 15, 2012· in Uncategorized· 0 comments
After much testing with Clay Harmon’s nifty test pattern, I finally got my exposure dialed-in for my plate/press combination. The final time stands at 10 units of light for the screen and 17 units for the image exposure. This yielded my the best black coupled with he best tonal separation. I also decided to work with someone else’s photograph in order to be completely objective. I found that I was overly critical while printing my own work. Enter another Clay… Lipsky this time. I will be working with Clay on an upcoming book for North Light Press on his recent Cuba project and chose an image from that body of work. Notice the nice blacks coupled with all of the subtle tones in the dashboard and windshield. Al in all a good day of printing. Tomorrow it is back to my own work to see if I can do as well.
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A Better Day

by Bill· March 14, 2012· in Uncategorized· 0 comments
So today’s printing with properly prepared paper has been going much better. The first print didn’t get it, but they got progressively better as I went along. I’m guessing that after a few printings, the plate is more conditioned with ink and therefore yields a better print. Upon suggestion from Clay, I have also removed the fusion blanket from the press to get more pressure. The combination’s results were much better, although far from where I would like them to be. Practice will go along way in this process. Now it is time to make my own plate…
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First Solo Flight (Houston, We have a problem)

by Bill· March 13, 2012· in Uncategorized· 0 comments
So I get the press in fine shape and got it bolted down to the workbench where it will live. Anxious to get going, I break out the ink and commence wiping the plate made under Clay Harmon’s watchful eye. I figure this is the best place to start considering I had several successful prints pulled from that very plate and it would be a good starting point to compare my solo process to that with Clay’s help. The ink is mixed and spread on the plate. The tarletan is then used as I was shown to wipe  the plate and finally using the soft part of the palm of my hand for the finishing touches. With great anticipation I get the plate on the press and cover it with a sheet of Rives BFK paper. The blankets are then layer over and the cranking begins. All has gone as planned and as shown… and I get this: Yuck… As you can see, a mottled and blotchy mess. Proof that even with the best teacher, the first solo flight can easily crash. Back to the drawing board. Possible issues are pressure in the press which was increased to better results, […]
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New (used) Press Day!

by Bill· March 13, 2012· in Uncategorized· 0 comments
That’s right. I’ve taken the plunge. Thanks to Clay Harmon of polymerphotogravure.com, I’ve gone head over heals for the PolymerPhotogravure process. On order is a shiny new Conrad etching press, but in the meantime I’ve bought a Blick 906 on eBay to fill in the gap. I’m awaiting the rumble of the UPS truck as we speak.
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Straits of Mackinac last night. #lightning Straits of Mackinac last night. #lightning
Another I dug up for my talk at Crooked Tree on th Another I dug up for my talk at Crooked Tree on the 18th... 
I've got a history with Patti Smith that started with this show at Masonic Temple Auditorium, Detroit in June of 1978 when I was 18 years old. A huge fan from the start, this was not only my first time seeing her perform, but what also became what I felt were my first good performance photos of an artist. My ticket was in the balcony, but suddenly she announced how she hated empty orchestra pits due to an earlier fall and that anyone who wanted could jump in and fill it up. I think I literally sprinted down and took my spot for an amazing show that I was fortunate enough to have my camera along for the ride. Thirteen years later, Patti would be my first assignment for Rolling Stone Magazine and the story continues. #pattismithgroup #billschwab #pattismith
I've been asked to do a presentation on my music r I've been asked to do a presentation on my music related photographs and experiences on June 18th at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, Michigan and I've been going through boxes of transparencies and negatives from those years. Oh... the memories. Here's a really random one... I thought it would be fun to photograph the Beastie Boys and The Goats having an afternoon tea at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan. This is from 1994. #beastieboys #thegoats
The view from 400 feet directly above the workshop The view from 400 feet directly above the workshop tonight. #michigan #sunset #dronephotography #crossbillage #sturgeonbaymichigan
The Larks House and Lilacs #northernmichigan #cros The Larks House and Lilacs #northernmichigan #crossbillage @northlightworkshops #photostock2022 #photostockfest #photostockfestival #dronephotography #dronage
When in Rome… #yosemite #anseladams #elcapitan When in Rome… #yosemite #anseladams #elcapitan
Halfdome Sunset #yosemite Halfdome Sunset #yosemite
#yosemite #yosemite
Meet Stubbs, my chipmunk friend. This is his secon Meet Stubbs, my chipmunk friend. This is his second year hanging out on my porch. #cuteanimals #chipmunk
Come join us! June 24-26, 2022. link in bio! #phot Come join us! June 24-26, 2022. link in bio! #photostock2022 #photostockfestival
Photostock 2022! June 24 the 26th in Cross Village Photostock 2022! June 24 the 26th in Cross Village Michigan. Be there! www.photostockfest.com #photostockfest #photostock2022 @makestickers #WeStickOut
Ste Claire (Boblo Boat), Detroit 2015 #genesisnft Ste Claire (Boblo Boat), Detroit 2015 #genesisnft #nft #yesididit #whereweusedtolive313 #detroitWWUTLnft #nftuniverse #nft_universe #nft_forever #blooming_nft @nft_getaway #nft_photography
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