Film Photography & Darkroom Art by Robert Oliver

27/03/2020

I went through all the trouble to set up this “no budget” lighting seminar for my students in my digital media classes, may as well at least take a REAL photograph! Haha

25/03/2020

Occam’s Razor in darkroom printing?

This print is a good reminder that more complex isn’t always the better way to print. I’ve been struggling to get this print right in the darkroom using the split grade method. It’s been a popular print for me (meaning I sold more than 1)

I was just never truly happy with this one.

When setting up this 20x24 print on multi grade fiber based paper the other night, I decided to just try it with a #2 multigrade filter (basically no filter at all) instead of printing it split grade. Once I saw my first print come up In the developer I kind of knew that I was onto something. It still requires a choreographed set of burn and dodges, but overall I am so much happier with this print than past versions.

And this print session was the first time I felt comfortable printing 20z24. I’m not sure if this applies to everyone, but I find printing 20x24 exponentially more difficult than 16x20. Especially in my long, narrow work space.

22/03/2020

Decided to take a break from trying to figure out how to suddenly bring my hands-on digital media class into an online learning environment to make some 20x24 prints in the darkroom last night. One of these prints is super late being made and delivered to a customer. It felt good to clear my head and make some art during this craziness.

05/03/2020

Late for Supper - Bodie State Historic Park

Image captured on 2x5 inch film using a 4x5 Camera. This image is available on gelatin silver fiber based paper in sizes from 4x10 to 9.5x24.

04/03/2020

Day dreaming about this past summer’s adventures in Peru with .i!

Kalei and I were wandering around Cusco, Peru when we spotted this interesting study in shadows, shapes and textures. I set up my tripod on the narrow cobblestone street and captured this image on my 4x5 camera. This print is available in archival fiber based gelatin silver in sizes from 8x10 to 20x24.

I can’t wait to plan my next adventure with Kalei!

@ Cusco, Peru

03/03/2020

Near the end of my recent summer trip to Peru with Kalei Oliver I saw this composition out of the window of our room in the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru. I was able to stick my 4x5 camera out of the open window by leaning my tripod against the wall.

I spent more than an hour waiting for the right moment to push the cable release to capture this image of commuters heading off to work in the busy city. This photo is not my normal style as I rarely include people in my large format photos, but it just felt right.

This image is available in sizes up to 20x24 on gelatin silver fiber based paper as a handcrafted darkroom print made with time tester archival methods.

@ Miraflores, Lima

22/02/2020

The negative for this image stayed in its latent state since November when I captured it in the Maze District in Canyonlands National Park. When I finally got around to processing it on Monday I was so happy when it emerged from the wash. I struggled at this location. I spent quite a while wandering around the frozen pot holes looking for detail shots of the ice. When I looked up from my search it was hard to miss this magnificent scene of Ekker Butte and the pot holes leading up to it.

I can’t wait to go back and spend more time exploring The Maze!

@ Canyonlands National Park

21/02/2020

On Monday I went to Mission La Purisima with my long time mentor and friend Joseph Dickerson. We spent a couple of hours photographing at the mission, even though I never made it out of the Sacristy room. I captured a number of images, but for some reason this photograph says something to me. Perhaps it is the tones, or maybe because this image makes me imagine life in a simpler time. Photograph captured on a 4x5 using B&W film. I can’t wait to get this negative into my enlarger. #805 @ La Purisima Mission State Historic Park

21/02/2020

Check out some of my newest photography captured on good ol' film! La Purisima - Robert Oliver

My most recent photographs, captured on film, from my travels. 

21/02/2020

Check out some of my newest photography captured on good ol' film! "THEY FELL TOGETHER" - Robert Oliver

Captured on good ol' fashioned film from streets wherever I happen to be in the world. 

09/02/2020

Brought out the 8x10 studio camera to start a documentary photography project about small retail shop business owners. Started with the super cool in Pismo Beach. #805 @ Esteem Surf Co

02/02/2020

Be careful out there this Super Bowl Sunday. After celebrating all day, countless drivers around the country will get into cars after drinking too much. Three years ago after drinking all day, my son was the driver in a crash that killed two moms. - their children’s, family and friend’s lives forever changed.

Save lives. Don’t drink and drive. Use a ride share app. Or better yet stay off the roads. Stay home. It’s not just you that you have to worry about. It’s a dangerous day out there! Be safe. Make you plans before you start drinking.