2025/06/16 16:29
For all hand made print lovers,
Ten years ago, I studied abroad at a photography school called NewSpace in Portland, Oregon for a short period to learn the next direction and techniques for my own photography. I came to the US from Japan with not only my photography equipment but also my bicycle. "When in Rome, act like a Roman." It is the city of bicycle riders. I had two goals. One was to get far away from my country and explore new photographic trends in a completely different place. The other was to actually experience platinum printing, which I had been researching at the time. I felt that New York and London were too big for me. Portland, with its trees and mild climate, was actually a much nicer city than I had imagined.
Every morning I would leave my AirBnb and cycle the 10 miles to the facility in the SE area. I took courses from many photographers there and learned a lot, but Ms Joni Kabana's class stood out as being the best. I learned mainly about her portraits. I learned how to bring out the individuality of the subjects in a short time. She has taken many wonderful photos in Ethiopia and Madagascar. It is not about superficial communication through words, but about true trust and respect for the other person. This may be exactly what is needed most in today's divided world. I was deeply inspired by her lessons.
"Since you've come all the way from a faraway country, let's give you a lesson in platinum print making right here in my studio!" So I biked 15 miles for two days to Ray Bidegain's studio in St. Johns, NW. Those two days were the most intense, busy, and fun hands-on lessons I've ever had in my life. During my stay, I made appointments to visit various people and took portraits of them. I developed the negatives at NewSpace and then printed them at Ray's studio. I feel that the joy of learning old and new techniques and talking to people I've met for the first time have helped me grow as a person. Furthermore, I received a lot of advice and help from Ray in learning the techniques of photogravure. Without his efforts, my work would not be what it is today.
Ten years ago in America, the flow of time seemed completely different from now. Unfortunately, we are now entering a very difficult time. However, I am grateful to the American culture that raised me and helped me grow. Thank you, Joni and Ray. And I am also truly grateful to my wife, Sakiko, who let me travel alone for three weeks.
Yoshio Press
"Stump Town Printers" 2015
