FAQ

Just as the goal of the musician is to play flawlessly on stage in front of an audience, the ultimate goal of any scene I photograph is that it will look beautiful displayed on a wall seen by many. Even though the on-line digital photographs are beautiful in their back-lit display, there is no comparison to a framed and matted photograph hanging on the wall. To that end, I print my own photographs in my studio using Canson archival paper and archival pigment inks so I can control quality in terms of color and dynamic range of the photograph exactly the way I envisioned it when I photographed the scene. Photographs prepared this way will last 100 years or more. I don’t use third party printing companies to handle my printing and quality control. I perform all of the printing, mounting and framing myself so I can control the quality every step of the way. After all, I am putting my name on these photographs, and I won’t sign anything unless it’s perfect. Each fine art photograph is offered in editions of 100 in all editions and sizes and come with a certificate of authenticity. See details in the Shop for sizes, pricing, mounting and framing options. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

The digital age is firmly upon us, where, more often than not, very large prints up to 40” x 60” are the norm. I feel that a smaller size photograph invites one to walk up and take a closer look and perhaps gain a similar feeling and emotion as I did when the subject first caught my eye. I believe when my photographs are printed very large, they lose the subtle mood, tonal characteristics and details that I strive to express in my images. Besides, instead of buying one large photograph, you can buy several of my photographs for the same price.

While I do offer unmounted prints for sale, I strongly recommend matting and framing to preserve the quality and condition of your photograph while also enhancing the appearance.

  • Photographs are mounted on museum grade Bainbridge Alpharag 4 ply mat board in “pure white” for archival permanence
  • UV-filtering, shatter-proof acrylic is used to protect the image from harmful UV rays which can cause fading or yellowing over time.
  • Mounted photographs are framed using a special frame space utilized between the frame and acrylic instead of an over mat to provide depth, give a neater look and ensure an adequate air space around the photograph (see Product Information for more details)
  • I use museum quality wood frames in your choice of White, Black and Clear Maple

See Shop for printing, mounting and framing options.

I use readily available film emulsions, mainly Kodak TMAX 100, Ilford Delta 100 and Ilford XP2 Super. Occasionally, I use Ilford FP4+ and Ilford PanF+. The developers I use most often are Kodak HC-110, Photographer’s Formulary TFX-2 and Pyrocat HD & MC and I use Kodak Xtol and Ilford DD-X on a limited basis.

I use Bronica GS-1 and Fuji GX680III medium format film cameras both with lenses of various focal length for my black and white work. My digital cameras of choice over the years have been Nikon D750, D810 and D850 with a variety of Nikon lenses.

Although my cameras are essential to producing successful fine art photographs, my most important piece of equipment is my trash can which helps refine me as a photographer by accepting my many failed attempts.

Do you print your own photographs?

Just as the goal of the musician is to play flawlessly on stage in front of an audience, the ultimate goal of any scene I photograph is that it will look beautiful displayed on a wall seen by many. Even though the on-line digital photographs are beautiful in their back-lit display, there is no comparison to a framed and matted photograph hanging on the wall. To that end, I print my own photographs in my studio using Canson archival paper and archival pigment inks so I can control quality in terms of color and dynamic range of the photograph exactly the way I envisioned it when I photographed the scene. Photographs prepared this way will last 100 years or more. I don’t use third party printing companies to handle my printing and quality control. I perform all of the printing, mounting and framing myself so I can control the quality every step of the way. After all, I am putting my name on these photographs, and I won’t sign anything unless it’s perfect. Each fine art photograph is offered in editions of 100 in all sizes and come with a certificate of authenticity. See details in the Shop for sizes, pricing, mounting and framing options. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Why are your photographs offered in relatively small sizes (8x10, 11x14, 16x20)?

The digital age is firmly upon us, where, more often than not, very large prints up to 40” x 60” are the norm. I feel that a smaller size photograph invites one to walk up and take a closer look and perhaps gain a similar feeling and emotion as I did when the subject first caught my eye. I believe when my photographs are printed very large, they lose the subtle mood, tonal characteristics and details that I strive to express in my images. Besides, instead of buying one large photograph, you can buy several of my photographs for the same price.

Should you mat and frame your photograph?

While I do offer unmounted prints for sale, I strongly recommend matting and framing to preserve the quality and condition of your photograph while also enhancing the appearance.

  • Photographs are mounted on museum grade Bainbridge Alpharag 4 ply mat board in “pure white” for archival permanence
  • UV-filtering, shatter proof acrylic is used to protect the image from harmful UV rays which can cause fading or yellowing over time.
  • Mounted photographs are framed using a special frame space utilized between the frame and acrylic instead of an over mat to provide depth, give a neater look and ensure an adequate air space around the photograph (see Product Information for more details)
  • I use museum quality wood frames in your choice of White, Black and Clear Maple

See Shop for printing, mounting and framing options.

What films and developers do you use for your black and white photographs?

I use readily available film emulsions, mainly Kodak TMAX 100, Ilford Delta 100 and Ilford XP2 Super. Occasionally, I use Ilford FP4+ and Ilford PanF+. The developers I use most often are Kodak HC-110, Photographer’s Formulary TFX-2 and Pyrocat HD & MC and I use Kodak Xtol and Ilford DD-X on a limited basis.

What equipment do you use for your photographs?

I use Bronica GS-1 and Fuji GX680III medium format film cameras both with lenses of various focal length for my black and white work. My digital cameras of choice over the years have been Nikon D750, D810 and D850 with a variety of Nikon lenses.

Although my cameras are essential to producing successful fine art photographs, my most important piece of equipment is my trash can which helps refine me as a photographer by accepting my many failed attempts.