So today Clover my dog and I dropped in for a few minutes to see if we could catch a photo or two of the Obama’s as they toured the races…we were lucky enough to get pretty close to the red carpet as they had a rather young security detail.

My Grandfather Kenny Robbins and his Harley Davidson

While cleaning the studio today I stumbled across a creased and aged envelope….tucked inside and marked in my Grandmother’s steady hand, were B&W 6×9 negatives shot by my Grandfather, Kenneth Robbins. Sadly my Grandfather died long before I was ever born.

He was a major Photography enthusiast and often made movies as well of my family, many date back to the 1920′s. It is quiet a legacy he left us with his imagery. It was through his images that I learned how to observe light and to appreciate Photography as a Fine Art.

So today, while wet mount scanning these delicate old negatives, it struck me how incredible it is that here I sit in the year 2011, scanning and revealing images that my Grandfather shot in 1937. Photos that give me a peek at the early days of my Mother’s life…of my own eyes.

Since it is far too cold here in Germany, yes, even for me and Clover. We spent some time this morning putting together some of our favorite Ambrotypes from this past year into a calendar for 2011. If you are looking for something special for that Photography lover in your life…check this out. Not only do you get a cool new image each month, but when the year is over you have 12 prints ready to frame!
Click here to buy your Ambrotype calendar for 2011
Ambrotype Calendar 2011

Last weekend we had the pleasure of participating in the Accessible Art Fair at the Conrad hotel in Brussels, Belgium. It was a exciting fun filled weekend and we met and spoke with at least 3000 people in those two and a half days.

This year we brought our Wet Plate Ambrotypes and Albumen hand pulled Prints along to showcase. The public were very receptive to this historic techniques and enjoyed very much looking through our 100+ year old Charten Whole Plate camera.

We demonstrated the Collodion Wet Plate process in a dry manner due to the fact we were inside a very swanky hotel, but I believe the concept came across to everyone.

Here are a few images from the event and we hope to return again with something new again in 2011.

Thank you to everyone who came out in support to see us in Brussels!

What’s next you ask for Boston Thek Imagery? Well, on the weekend of 5-7 November 2010 you can out and meet artists and buy some amazing art! If you are in the Brussels area and even if you are not…it is worth the drive. Come by and say hello!

BAAF Laura Boston Thek

I must thank also my friends and neighbors for coming out in support. A big thank you goes to the Rathaus (town hall) of course, Frau Stahl who organized the night and Mayor Ziegler for his many kind words. Obsthof Schuhmann of Ladenburg not only personally marketed my exhibition by handing out posters and postcards but also arrived as a family with a HUGE beautiful basket of their amazing fruit for all visitors on the night to enjoy.

Well, enough of me…here is the exhibition through is eyes.

I had a nice visit with Mannheimer Morgan journalist, Hans-Jürgen Emmerich a few days before our Vernissage (opening) of the Ladenburg exhibition.
Here is a translation from the interview above:

When and how did you get into photography?

In 2003, While working as a museum designer for the US Army in Würzburg, my bosses saw some of my  and they gave me an amazing opportunity.  For 2 weeks I was a reportage
Photographer in France documenting 1st Infantry Division soldiers as they performed Memorial day ceremonies around France.

Since when you live in Europe, since when in Ladenburg?

I have been lucky enough to live in Germany and Belgium on and off since 1991.   I have lived in Ladenburg for the past 4 years.  That is why I decided to give this exhibition now with all the local Military leaving we have no idea if we will be here next year.  I did not want to miss the chance to say Thank you to Ladenburg.

Which camera do you prefere?

I can’t really say I have a favorite camera. Each camera teaches me something new, each camera shows me a different way of seeing.  If I have to pick I would say I love my Rolleiflex 2,8 GX….but I love working with my Ansco Large Format Studio Camera as working with a camera that large, it is like dance.  We must be in harmony to produce a great image.  I guess that is with all cameras.

How often do you use the iPhone to take pictures?

EVERYDAY!! I love my iPhone….it is wonderfully freeing to not have to carry heavy gear.

Which images you selected for your exhibition at Ladenburg?

A German friend of mine used the word AUGENBLICK to describe the images I chose for this exhibition.  Moments  where the light  was magical, a feeling of fantasy or a touch of the fairy tale that is present in the daily life  here in Ladenburg.  At least in my American Perspective.  Presently I have 30 images chosen, that can always change in the next two weeks as I never stop working, 15 of them are hand printed using the historic technique called Albumen printing.  This process was invented in 1850′s, where you coat paper with a mixture of egg whites and salt and then later sensitize the paper with Silver Nitrate.  The prints are then produced using UV light or the sun in a contact print frame.  The result is a rich print with an amazing finish.

Is there a favorite motif in Ladenburg?

There is so much to love about Ladenburg that picking one motif is difficult, but if I must pick, for me it is the Landscape that captivates and inspires me.  The ever changing light and vast sky, each day pulls me out of my studio and into the streets and fields.

The exhibition will hang in the Ladenburg Rathaus from 15 October until 29 November.  The Vernissage or Opening is 15 October at 19:00.  The idea behind this exhibition is to say THANK YOU to all the wonderful people of Ladenburg for making me feel at home these past 4 years.