Spread the Word

Last Tuesday when I phoned in an order to B&H, I was surprised to get hold of a rather chatty sales rep.

When I added the usual sis rolls of Kodak BW400CN to my order he launched into a passionate plea for help in getting the word out that film is alive and well and for sale at B&H.

He said I couldn't imagine how many calls he's received from people all over the country who have been told by the people in their local camera shops that no one is manufacturing film any more. He said it's ridiculous, but it's happening: there are a lot of people who are being told and believe that Kodak and Fuji are no longer manufacturing film.

The sales rep implored me to spread the word, and insisted that a "grass-roots" movement is needed to counter this misinformation. He said half of every dollar Kodak makes is from the sale of film and that people need to know that.

I'm not certain of the actual figures, considering the diversity of Kodak's business, but I do know that film is still a profitable item for Kodak. Here's a quote from an e-mail I received from Kodak's PR department last February:

' A January 31, 2007 Kodak press release noted, "Film and Photofinishing Group earnings from operations were $77 million, compared with $51 million a year ago..." '

Another thing to consider is that both Kodak and Fuji recognize China and India as being two of the biggest markets for film products. There is still a considerable demand for film around the world. We sometimes lose sight of that here in the US.

I told the B&H guy I'd do my best to spread the word. Of course, when it comes to film, I tend to do just that every chance I get.

By the way, if you have never heard of Freestyle Photographic Supplies in Hollywood, CA. check them out www.freestylephoto.biz . They're really committed to silver.

The Bang Bang Club

The Bang Bang Club: Snapshots From a Hidden War
by Greg Marinovich & Joao Silva
2000, Basic Books


The Bang Bang Club is more than a book about photographers addicted to the rush of covering conflict. It's a revealing account of the social and political turmoil of South Africa in the early 1990's.

Greg Marinovich, Joao Silva, Ken Oosterbroek, Kevin Carter and Gary Bernard were five photographers, five friends covering the final years of South Africa's bloody struggle to establish democracy and majority rule. They formed the core of a group of photojournalists that became known as "The Bang Bang Club."

Authors Marinovich and Silva, give us an up-close look at what it takes to be an effective photojournalist in the midst of the grossest brutality of which humankind is capable. They dispel the myth of objective journalism and testify to the reality that no one survives war and conflict unaffected: not combatant, civilian, journalist or photographer. To a large degree the book is about, "paying the price."

Although this group of photographers may be little known in the U.S., they are are held in the highest esteem in the international community of photojournalists. You may not recognize their names, but you know their Pulitzer Prize and Ilford Award winning images.

I would certainly recommend reading The Bang Bang Club. It is at times a bit self indulgent and the book's photo reproductions are disappointing. However it provides a unique perspective on a most troubled period of our most recent past,s and it really is an eyes-wide-opened look at an often too glamorized profession.

It's Been Busy

It's been a rather hectic few weeks.

Work at the Performing Arts Library has been in high gear in preparation for the new exhibition on the history of the hungry i nightclub, and the Arts Medallion award presentation coming up on April 19th.

Anna's solo show "Red Sparrow" at Newmark Gallery opened March 1st and has been great success. You can check out pics from the opening here.

I've also managed to do some shooting on the weekends and I've opened a Flickr account so I can do quick posts of a few images I'd like to share. Check it out and post some comments.

I'm planning to post some book reviews soon. For the past year I've been reading almost nothing but books on photography and I want to start working over some of the thoughts I've had about what I've read and I'd be interested to hear your comments. So stay tuned.

For now here are a few images from recent outings:


Aquatic Park


Golden Gate Park


Pam & Anna at Fort Point

Recent Work

This month I spent some more time working with the Leica M4-2 on loan from Bob Hsiang. There are times when it's the perfect tool for the job. I have found that going out the door with only the Leica puts me in a completely different frame of mind. I'm not hunting images, I'm letting the images come to me.


The ubiquitous white plastic chair. ©2007 David W. Sumner


The Promenade along the Great Highway. ©2007 David W. Sumner


Promenade, Ocean Beach. ©2007 David W. Sumner


Golden Gate Park. ©2007 David W. Sumner

If You’re A Camera Bag Nut Like Me...

I heard a photographer interviewed the other day and he admitted to owning at least 30 camera bags. I thought I was bad! Anna rolls her eyes every time I start looking at another camera bag or talking about some cool features on a new model. There should be a twelve step program for camera bag freaks like me. One of the guys who works at the lab I use calls himself a “bag slut.” The trunk of his car is full of them.

Well, I recently found the best website on the Internet devoted to camera bags, CamBags.com. You’ll find there the most informative and practical reviews of a tremendous variety of bags, from the classics to the most recent designs for digital outfits. The best thing about the reviews is that they are written by actual owners and users of the bags.

Anyone can submit a review. (The image above is from my review of the Domke F6 bag which I submitted last week.)

If you’re searching for the perfect camera bag or just the right bag for that up-coming trip overseas or that trek over the Sierras, I’d recommend taking a look at CamBags.com before ordering. It’s a fun site to peruse and even has some forums where you can hang out with other bag nuts.