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Since 1991 – Bob has been processing and printing for the photographer who prefers, appreciates and collects silver gelatin prints.
Over this 25 year span there has been a digital revolution that has completely changed the way we make images. Film, and consequently silver paper, has taken a back seat to its cousin’s, digital capture and inkjet prints. Bob has stubbornly kept a very active darkroom going during this whole period. It seemed that all competition either embraced digital and threw out their enlargers, or were too old to continue. Bob uses two 4x5 enlargers for the bulk of his work, and thanks to a previous employer he has at his disposal a 11" x 14" Devere enlarger that is a beautiful example of last century’s mechanical design and usage. Today, collectors still demand and cherish silver prints and with luck some young photographers and printers with access to darkrooms will learn how to make silver prints. Silver gelatin prints for the last 60 years were the go-to product for all photographers and gallery’s world-wide. The advent of inkjet has diminished its presence, but not its collectability. A silver gelatin print exhibits a full range of tones from the deepest black to the brightest of whites, or it can be manipulated to just offer a small range of tones. With toning, different colours can be introduced and in some cases, greater archival stability. To date Bob has placed silver prints in private and public collections, museums and gallery’s world-wide. Most recently Bob was commissioned by Stephen Bulger Gallery to produce a series of silver prints of Vivian Maier’s work. This was a very important milestone for Bob on a personal level as this type of photo documentary work that includes portraits is close to his heart. |
Nigel Dickson
Bob signing the Vivian Maier prints
Pricing
Due to the high cost of materials and chemistry’s Bob no longer does single image printing . Instead day rate and ½ day rates are normal. Therefore one must have more than one negative ready to print. Rates are $450 per half day plus all materials including chemistry costs. By looking at the work Bob can give an estimate of approximately how many prints can be done in 4 hour period of time. Full Days are $1000 per day plus all materials including chemistry . Same estimation applies. |