Spanish women dressed in La Mantilla for Semana Santa. Photograph by Peter Turnley.
Turnley in Spain: It's exciting when we get to see a new photo essay by TOP's unofficial Foreign Correspondent, Peter Turnley. Peter's been in Seville teaching a workshop, and he's taken the opportunity to do a new essay. He created a new portfolio of work during Easter week at the ancient and fabled Semana Santa, one of the oldest and holiest public ceremonies in Christian Europe.
By concentrating more than usual on faces in the crowd, Peter has created a visual essay with a different feel than his reports from Haiti and the Brazilian Carnaval previously published here. He says, "Mankind, world-wide, is united by a series of life institutions that, in spite of difference of religion, geographical and ethnic origin, and age, connect people to Universal rituals and life pursuits. Photographers have long pursued an exploration of religious rites and events that connect people to various forms of spirituality." The intent, serious faces of the participants and spectators underscore the religious gravity of the traditional processions.
As part of the ongoing cooperation between Peter and TOP to explore new means of presenting extended photojournalism on the web, we will publish this beautiful new work in three parts next Monday morning, April 19th. Our goal is to present stories in greater depth, giving more authorial control to the photographer, than you would see in almost any printed magazine. As with Peter's other extended essays, a definite "do not miss."
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Carl coats a sheet of rag paper with platinum/palladium solution.
Weese at Work: I'm pleased to announce that our next print sale will start at noon on Sunday, April 25th. The centerpiece of the offer will consist of 8x10-inch platinum/palladium contact prints by Carl Weese. There will be three choices—one from the "Drive-In Theaters" project featured recently in the New York Times' "Lens" blog, one a "rural ruin" Americana shot representative of much of Carl's large-format shooting, and one a pure nature shot.
And there's a further twist. Each picture will be offered in two versions: The platinum contact print, and the same negative scanned and printed digitally on Carl's new HP Z3200 printer. The purpose here is twofold: first, for educational interest, it will allow you to compare and contrast with your own eyes the aesthetic qualities of one of the oldest and noblest traditional B&W printing methods to that of a state-of-the-art inkjet print. And, as a bonus, it allows you to choose the same picture at two very different price points.
If you're not familiar with TOP print offers, what we do is collect the orders in advance during a short window (this sale will be open for five days), which allows the photographer to plan the printing in volume knowing the sales have already been made. That allows us to provide fine prints of the highest quality for far less than normal gallery prices. One thing I can virtually guarantee: you will not soon have the opportunity to acquire a handmade platinum print for less money.
Check back at noon on Sunday, April 25th, to see the pictures and find out all the details.
Mike
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Original contents copyright 2010 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
ARGH!!!!!! You are going to make us wait another 11 days?!?!??
Signed,
Impatient and cranky 3-year old
Posted by: amcananey | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 11:52 AM
Ahh. Cars and lenses were OK but it's good to be back to photos.
Posted by: Gavin McLelland | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 11:54 AM
Great, I already have two palladium prints from Carl Weese. I believe those were Ziatypes, the process conceived by Bostick & Sullivan. I think you Mike also have those prints too. I remember you mentioned that in some of your articles for Camera and Darkroom magazine, maybe. This will be platinum/palladium or the same Ziatype, or is the same? Thanks very much for convincing Carl for this project.
Regards.
By the way, Ctein dye transfers are fantastic.
Posted by: Marcelo Guarini | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 12:18 PM
I was in Seville at the same time. I decided to try making a video using my Canon 5D MKII and a monopod. You can see a short 4 minute video (in 720HD) at http://www.youtube.com/user/bigtraveller
Its not professional by any stretch.I shot about 40 minutes in total.
Most of the night scenes are at 1600ASA.Some were 2-3am or just before dawn (the processions stretch throughout the night).
Its the first time I've spent 4 days with a camera and not shot stills.
Posted by: Louis McCullagh | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 12:48 PM
Brassai did an interesting photo essay in Seville in the 50's.
Judging by the sample/preview image here it looks as though Mr. Turnley's photos from this trip may be a bit easier on the eye than the Brazilian ones!
Posted by: Robin P | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 04:43 PM
Marcelo, Ziatype is simply one of several methods for producing a palladium or platinum/palladium print, so yes, the end result is the same medium, but has different tonal and color properties. The prints this time will be done with the more traditional develop-out method. More details will be revealed later--once the sale is underway, I will do a couple posts detailing the exact materials and procedures used to make the pictures and the prints.
Posted by: Carl Weese | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 05:25 PM
12 years ago it was a silver print. It's interesting: I'll have three variations of Carl's work.
Helcio
Bauru-Br
Posted by: Helcio J. Tagliolatto | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 08:53 PM
This isn't a photography post, but sometimes inaccuracies really bother me. The three women in the first photograph are described as "dressed in La Mantilla (the mantle)". A mantilla isn't a mantle -- it's a mantilla -- the same word is used in English and in Spanish. A mantilla is a piece of lace which is worn over a woman's head, very often draped over the large combs that these women have in their hair.
Had to get that off my chest.
Posted by: Kerstin Nelson | Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 10:38 PM
Thanks Kerstin. Fixed now.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 15 April 2010 at 12:54 AM
More from Peter Turnley?
Oh, drooley.
Posted by: Roger Bradbury | Thursday, 15 April 2010 at 03:14 AM
Thanks very much Carl.
Regards,
Marcelo
Posted by: Marcelo Guarini | Thursday, 15 April 2010 at 09:53 AM
I vote for the picture from Council Bluffs.
Posted by: Mike Plews | Thursday, 15 April 2010 at 12:55 PM