David Ondrik Photography (blog)

Two weekends ago, or so, I was invited to go out on the Rio Grande with a Hydrologist to learn about and photograph some of the river restoration and wildlife habitat creation that is going on. I also got to ride a bayou-boat, the kind with the giant fan and a flat bottom, up and down the river. It was super awesome. I shot 6 rolls of film, 5 of which are developed. I’m slowing scanning images that look promising to see if I should print them in the darkroom. Generally the answer is YES.

So look for some new work soon!

The 2nd issue of Flash Flood is up. You can see photographs by Sheilah Aanchen Wilson, Jason Fulford, Holly Roberts, and an interview I did with David Bram.

Check it out.

Today I got a crash course in Palladium printing thanks to Kevin Sullivan of Bostick & Sullivan. 4 of my students made great prints from their 4×5 negatives, and I made a sucky print from a sucky digital negative.

Over the summer, I was in Seattle and saw the Photographic Center Northwest’s Thesis Exhibition. Daniel Gregory was showing a suite of 8″x10″ platinum/palladium prints of, well if not the sea at least water. Here’s one from the show, and check out his web site for more.

Tranquility

Photography’s purpose in New Mexico has historically been about the documentation of place prompted by the demand for tourist photographs of the exotic landscape, architecture and native population. This aesthetic is perpetuated by numerous photographers still working today. The members of Flash Flood, as evident in our mission, would like to present that the contemporary working photographers featured here are moving this legacy in a different direction. Flash Flood will discover and feature photographers from many backgrounds who are generating a new and varying approach to New Mexico photography. We will also showcase previous generations of artists and place much of the historical work in its rightful place of reverence.

Flash Flood will also examine the wealth of artistic and photographic institutions in our state. We will explore the relationship between photography and the state of New Mexico, directly and indirectly, and its influence on interdisciplinary fields of study including anthropology, history and economics. Welcome to Flash Flood.

Arroyo Secco Fire

I’ve been a fan of Michael P. Berman’s work since seeing a show in Silver City a few years ago. He’s having a show at 516 Arts this month, and the opening reception is Saturday, October 3rd from 6-8pm. There’s also a panel discussion with Berman, Erika Blumenfeld, David Taylor (all three are Guggenheim Fellows) which will be moderated by Mary Anne Redding.

Berman came to my advanced photography class and gave a great presentation to the kids. It was fascinating to hear about the deeper conceptual motivation behind his images. I think that you can see it when you look at them. Although they are all masterfully crafted black & white prints, they aren’t laboring under the shadow of Ansel Adams as so much large format black & white photography does.

It’s all first rate work. Check out the web site. Check out the show. Attend the panel discussion. You know you want to.

Oh, and thanks to Kelli Garner for making the first non-spam comment to my blog. You rock!