The Online Photographer reports that photographer Charles Cramer has redesigned his website. According to Mike Johnson of TOP the new site includes more beautiful and breathtaking landscape images. (Reports seen at Imaging Insider.)
I just spent some time visiting Charlie’s new site. It’s appearance is consistent with what I recall seeing previously, but look a bit deeper. Navigation of his beautiful and compelling photographic work seems much more logical now, and there are several substantial text pages well worth reading. I enjoy his “Fine Tuning in Photoshop” text on the printmaking page, where he succinctly cuts to the heart of the film versus digital printmaking arguments:
“Photoshop has a steep and frustrating learning curve, but it allows much more fine control over an image than was possible in the darkroom… This is very similar to the dodging and burning I used to do in the darkroom. Let’s say I wanted to darken the edges of an image, a very common adjustment. In the darkroom, it could take up to half a day to reprocess the print to see the change. With Photoshop, the results can be seen on the monitor—in real time! This allows for a great increase in the fineness and sensitivity of the adjustments.”
And when Charlie reports that, “I’m convinced Ansel would be pleased!”, you know that the statement carries some real weight.
But the real significance of Charlie’s work is not the use of this or that technique or technology – it is in the beautiful photographic art he creates. While the ultimate experience comes from viewing his prints, you can begin get a sense of what he does by visiting his online gallery.
I’m always surprised that more people aren’t aware of Charlie’s photography. (Though some pretty important folks are – take a look at his list of patrons at his site.) I know him a bit – he was a friend of my wife’s family from way back – and it may be his personality, which seems humble and unassuming. Besides being a really fine photographer, he’s really just a very nice guy. I’ve never taken one of his workshops – though I did sit with him in his studio for a few hours earlier this year and soak up a lot of wonderful bits and pieces – but I imagine that it must be wonderful to work with him.
Your point about supporting another is an interesting one. I can think of a few things that seem natural to do. First and foremost, say good things about photographers we like – acknowledge what we like about their work and their personas. Regard them as colleagues rather than competitors. (This doesn’t mean we can’t disagree, but it does mean that we maintain respect.) Swapping photographs with one another could be fun, too. Of course, I’d have to offer Charlie a 20 x 30 of mine in exchange for a 4 x 5 of his in order for the trade to be fair. :-)
Thanks for the link. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t seen much of his work. Amazing and inspirational. I am sure I will visit many times, and I need to buy a print for sure. Gorgeous. I’ll buy one from you too Dan – but I’m try to decide which one ;-) I decided to redecorate my office with photographs from other photographers who inspire me – and not just my own stuff.
It makes me wonder…how much do we support each other? Do photographers buy the works of other photographers? Do we value it like we want other to, or do we think we can do it ourselves and not purchase from each other? Just a thought I had a few months back and decided to act upon.