My work travels (the real, paying job) took me to the desert and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I wasn't very happy with my shots at first, but I've warmed to some of them after adding a little Lightroom Magic.
I was caught in a rainstorm while I was there~ all 5 drops. Met two people from WV. One is a photographer who's family was from WV and another in a photo store, Butch and Bill (I kept thinking Bob when talking to Bill, so now I'm not sure). Both very nice people. Butch Phillips is a photog who shoots in B&W and develops his own stuff. He is especially tuned into the depth and quality of his negatives and their product. I could tell the biggest difference in the slow water shots he had taken. All of his B&W's had a greater range and depth of variation. Butch did admit that the digitals are getting better as the printers get more sophisticated. Here's a link to some of his work: http://www.stonefieldsheep.com/Butch%20Gallery/index.html
I was caught in a rainstorm while I was there~ all 5 drops. Met two people from WV. One is a photographer who's family was from WV and another in a photo store, Butch and Bill (I kept thinking Bob when talking to Bill, so now I'm not sure). Both very nice people. Butch Phillips is a photog who shoots in B&W and develops his own stuff. He is especially tuned into the depth and quality of his negatives and their product. I could tell the biggest difference in the slow water shots he had taken. All of his B&W's had a greater range and depth of variation. Butch did admit that the digitals are getting better as the printers get more sophisticated. Here's a link to some of his work: http://www.stonefieldsheep.com/Butch%20Gallery/index.html
When I look at the spectrum in Lightroom, I always have to turn down the Blacks for the printers, so I understand what Butch is saying. Beyond his affinity for the Dark Room, he has a terrific eye. Great framing, particularly when you consider the lack of redoos the digital world gives us today. If you want to visit his gallery, Butch is in Old Town, in one of the inner courtyards. I believe his gallery is also his home. If you want to visit Bill, he is in a photo shop in Knob Hill, along Central or whatever the main drag is called that far away from the central city. He's near the frisbee...
So one of the more interesting "learns" of the trip was about "Dry Heat". What that really meant was that when it was 90 in the sun, it was 90 in the sun, but about 75 in the shade. The difference between direct sun and not was dramatic. Downtown has a great water feature that runs during the day. It has shade trees and adds humidity that makes 90 feel like 75, despite the sun. Its pretty, too.
I was bashful as usual, particularly when walking around Knob Hill. There was some kind of Film Fest going on (suppose I should have looked it up). I walked in to an oddly marked and apparently vacant building that had been freshly painted and smelled of wet drywall mud. I was greeted at the door and asked for my pass. I suspect if I had been 90 minutes later, my camera sling bag would have served as admission. Liquor was flowing and the party was starting. Alas, an hour early and a credential short!
There were other buildings being worked for the event and I might have slipped a shot or two...
There were other buildings being worked for the event and I might have slipped a shot or two...
So, on my bashful "walkabout", I took some shots of the residential area of Knob Hill. There are some beautiful home there. I especially liked the light in this one:
This house was for sale and had I been moving to the area, I'd be a buyer.
Overall, a great trip I recommend trying. I'd suggest 4-5 days, not 4-5 hours of constructed free time.
More pics here: http://www.smokenphoto.com/Street-Scenes/ABQ13/29922768_4Fpj5B