thompsonkirk Posted June 18, 2010 Share #1 Posted June 18, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) On a recent trip to Alcatraz Island – the retired federal penitentiary – two of my photo friends & I had the pleasure of meeting John Ellis, regularly a librarian/archivist at the site but on that day a volunteer guide. He let us into the former prison hospital, Which is not normally open to the public. Here is a photograph of John & 2 of the rooms he showed us: the former operating room, and a patients' ward. I'v posted both BW & color. That's so you can enjoy the tones of peeling Hospital Green, which looks like a disease in its own right. Kirk M9 35 1.2 Nokton Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 18, 2010 Posted June 18, 2010 Hi thompsonkirk, Take a look here John Ellis, Alcatraz Penitentiary Hospital. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stuny Posted June 18, 2010 Share #2 Posted June 18, 2010 Kirk - You're so good with color that I'm surprised I prefer the B&W. All images are excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted June 18, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted June 18, 2010 I have to admit, Stuart, that the BW look better to me too; I may print this whole series as BW. Will post some more Alcatraz shots later. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allamande Posted June 18, 2010 Share #4 Posted June 18, 2010 Kirk, This is bone-chilling good. And, definitely BW. Look forward to seeing more from this series. Ece Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted June 18, 2010 Share #5 Posted June 18, 2010 Kirk, I'm partial to the color. The closer to misery & pan of the whole exercise, the better. I was last there in 1977 and have never forgotten the nightmares this place generated in my sleep. Very well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsawin Posted June 18, 2010 Share #6 Posted June 18, 2010 Kirk, Excellent series. I enjoyed the color but the b&w really did it for me. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted June 18, 2010 Share #7 Posted June 18, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Great job. B&W hands down for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted June 19, 2010 Share #8 Posted June 19, 2010 A very nice series. But I always have problems to keep my focus when I see color and BW versions of the same shot! They give different feelings and I feel confused! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted June 19, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted June 19, 2010 That's OK, Louis – & it would help me to hear what the different feelings are! Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmldds Posted June 19, 2010 Share #10 Posted June 19, 2010 Kirk, they are all excellent. Somehow, I like the colored shots better. Tri:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted June 19, 2010 Share #11 Posted June 19, 2010 Gotta go with the colours. They are subtle but necessary to the story Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted June 19, 2010 Share #12 Posted June 19, 2010 Gotta go with the colours. They are subtle but necessary to the story So am I. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobkatz Posted June 19, 2010 Share #13 Posted June 19, 2010 Kirk: Color works for me...Great !!!! Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted June 19, 2010 Share #14 Posted June 19, 2010 Ben used the word "nightmare" and these images convey a nightmarish feeling, especially the second shot in color for me. They really give me the creeps except for the portrait shot with the wonderful light coming through the window. That light is soothing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabatoutahell Posted June 19, 2010 Share #15 Posted June 19, 2010 Just creepy! Great shots! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun Posted June 19, 2010 Share #16 Posted June 19, 2010 The colour version of the op room is terrific -- I like the colour version of that one especially because of the tension between the lovely light and muted colours and the abject misery of the place.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wieni Posted June 19, 2010 Share #17 Posted June 19, 2010 Excellent Series! I preferre color, fits more to the place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplomley Posted June 19, 2010 Share #18 Posted June 19, 2010 B&W film would have been the better media for this image IMHO. Something with a bit of grit, like Neopan 1600. I believe this would have added another layer of tension. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted June 20, 2010 Author Share #19 Posted June 20, 2010 Hi Jeff, That's an important suggestion & I'm of 2 minds about it. On the one hand: I recently got out my M4 & had the thought that 'I should put some BW film in this.' It feels so nice to hold. I'd got used to M8/9 bulk but really prefer the M4's size & balance. And it was loyal to me for so long that I don't want it to think I've forgotten it. It eats Tri-X & drinks Rodinal, which produces sufficient grit. On the other hand: I'm convinced that now with new Canon iPF inks & Harman FBAl Warmtone paper I can print M9 BW just as well as in the darkroom. This holds for both tonal range & density of blacks. And longevity also has caught up with gelatin-silver. BUT what I'm especially liking about M9 BW is its complete lack of grit. The prints are as sharp & their tones as subtle as in my Rolleiflex / Zone System days. (Can't claim quite yet that M9 BW has caught up with tonality of 4x5!) So, putting your advice & mine together, I think I'll play with both. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauledell Posted June 20, 2010 Share #20 Posted June 20, 2010 Kirk, B&W is right for this series IMHO. It adds to the drearyness of the location. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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