On this night 127 years ago, 14 tons of fireworks, more than 10 thousand pieces, were set off from the Brooklyn Bridge in an outstanding display of pyrotechnics that lasted an hour.  Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered along the shores of Manhattan and Brooklyn to witness the biggest celebration the cities had ever experienced.

It was the first bridge to cross the strong and swift East River.  And for a time it was known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World” as it towered far above any other building in New York.  It cost just one cent to walk along the Great Bridge’s Promenade and later that year had two streetcars that would carry almost 10 million people across in their first year of service.

The Brooklyn Bridge was officially opened on May 24th 1883.  It was deemed an official holiday known as “The People’s Day” and the president of the United States,  Chester A. Arthur, was one of the first to walk across with the Governor of NY and soon to be next president, Grover Cleveland.
They walked over on, still to this day, the only elevated promenade on a bridge.
150,300 people crossed that first day the New York Brooklyn Bridge was open to the public.

If you have never walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, you are missing one of the most amazing views and feelings a human can have.  I am lucky to bike over this Great Bridge on a weekly basis.  It is like being on the top of the world.  You can see the Statue of Liberty to the left and the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges to your right.  The cityscapes surround you and the cars whiz by without notice below.  You have an unobstructed view of the world, except for the cables which safely envelope you as well as hold the 6,620 tons of weight that is suspended over the East River.

Below is a direct quote by David McCullough, who wrote The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge, from Ken Burns America Collection – Brooklyn Bridge:

I feel that the bridge makes one feel better about being alive.
I think it makes you glad that you are part of the human community.
That you are part of a species that could create such a structure.

We are builders and we when see something that we built well, our hats are off!
We stand there and say, “Isn’t it marvelous?”
But isn’t it marvelous that it was built by people, people like you and I.
People like we would like to be, at least.
And brave, courage, the tenacity of those people, the confidence.

All of those are… they sound like platitudes
But they are truths, they are simple truths.
But some truths need repeating generation after generation after generation.
And the Brooklyn Bridge continues to repeat truths that we need to remember.

I highly recommend taking a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge sometime soon…

Well I hope you polished off your pinholes and had some fun this weekend!  The last Sunday of every April marks World Wide Pinhole Day.  People from all over the world take a step back and use a handmade pinhole camera or converted digital camera to create amazing images.
This year’s online gallery is already starting to populate so check out it out!
My film shots are still waiting to be dropped off at the lab tomorrow, but I did take my Lensbaby ZonePlate/Pinhole lens for a walk with my D700 camera.  In the two shots of the daffodils I wanted to show the difference between the soft focus glow of the zone plate and the soft sharpness of the pinhole.  The beauty of the Lensbaby dual optic is the ease that you can switch between Zone and Pinhole mode.  This $35 optic will definitely make you see in a new way with your Lensbaby.  The Zone Plate is a permanent f/19 and the Pinhole is f/177, both settings make it dim to look through the viewfinder of your SLR camera.  I find it easier to compose by putting my camera in Live View mode, which shows the “live” image on the back of the screen.  In a sunny environment the Zone Plate is easy to compose this way. Take a test shot, if  you like it ~ why not shoot it again with the pinhole setting?  I advise using a tripod if possible.  The Zone Plate is easy to use handheld on a sunny day but the pinhole will have 2-10 second exposures on a bright day.  Remember the Pinhole setting needs about 5 more stops of light to get the equivalent exposure.
Don’t feel like counting the math of 5 stops?  Here is a little reciprocity math trick:
I call it the Six Stop Rule:
If your Zone Plate Exposure equals 1/10 of a second exposure
Change your Pinhole to a 10 second exposure, which would be 6 stops difference, then half that number (subtract a stop) which would be 5 seconds and the equivalent of 5 stops.

Let’s try it again:
Zoneplate Exposure equals 10 seconds.  To add each stop of light you need to multiply by 2.
20 seconds = 1 stop
40 seconds = 2 stops
80 seconds = 3 stops
160 seconds = 4 stops
320 seconds = 5 stops
320 seconds = 5 1/2 minutes.  The difference between 5 and 5.5 minutes at such a long exposure is negligible.

You can use the “Six Stop Rule” easily to compute the switch from zone plate to pinhole with the Lensbaby optic.
Tens of seconds = Seconds (minus a stop) – 1/8 second = 4 seconds
Seconds = Minutes (minus a stop) – 15 seconds = 7.5 minutes
Minutes = Hours (minus a stop) – 2 minutes = 1 hour

I’ll be teaching more about the Fine Art of the Long Exposure at a FREE seminar at B&H Photo on May 27th from 11am-1pm.  Feel free to bring by any pinhole or night images for feedback, and if you shot any pinhole on World Wide Pinhole Day, upload them to their site!

Hope to see you there.

The whole experience focused my body of work even more, I hope to have a portfolio section updated on my website with a selection of the work that was featured as well as a book in the near future.

For those of you who were not able to attend last month’s opening we did set up a time lapse capture of the space.  I put it together as a movie that shows the comings and goings of all the people with a little surprise at the end!
(it’s high def, so you might want to let it preload before playing)

Enjoy!

Due to the blizzard-like conditions we are experiencing in NYC we are postponing the opening of my solo show at John Allan’s. The new date will be in two weeks, February 24th, so mark your calendars!
In the meantime, go out and take some pictures or play in the snow!

Last night I was amazed as I printed out last week’s Photo of the Week and the image quality was so much better than what I saw on the screen. It’s great that we can share images and ideas via blogs, FB, Flickr, etc but to me, nothing beats the image on the wall.
So in this every changing digital world, don’t forget to print. Make a permanent piece of your history to pass along.

Looking for more inspiration and access to one of the coolest locations to capture images of Lost Americana?
Joe and Troy have a few spots open to their Pearsonville Junkyard Workshops in March and April. I took this workshop last year and had an amazing time, plus I significantly built up my night photography portfolio. You have 3 full moon nights of access to amazing old cars from the 1930′s-70′s, within the backdrop of the Mojave Desert mountains. My light painting techniques became much more refined as Joe and Troy shared their knowledge and took a lot of the guesswork out of using flashes and flashlights in night photography. Check out my previous blog and images from last year.
For more information and to see Troy and Joe’s amazing images check out the Pearsonville Junkyard Night Photography/Light Painting Workshops.

I’ll be celebrating in New Orleans, where the above image was taken on a recent trip.

Looking back on 2009, I realized it was a very prolific year for me. My Fine Art of the Long Exposure lecture became a staple presentation at the B&H Event Space. 60+ people would attend these bimonthly talks on how to create long exposures during the day and night.
I’ll actually be kicking off 2010 with this program at the Brooklyn Camera Club on January 8th and the B&H Event Space on the 12th.

I was also very proud to have my first NYC solo show, Time Exposed, tour John Allan’s Tribeca and Saks’ clubs. I just updated and added 10 more images to the show and moved it to their flagship club in Midtown Manhattan. I’m working on the details of an opening in February so stay tuned!

There are a few spots left for my Night Photography Workshop in Pittsburgh on January 30th-31st. I’m excited to explore the Three River Bridges and North Park area with the students. We’ll look at how to overcome the challenges of night cityscapes, shooting in contrasty scenarios and mixed lighting situations. The second night will be an exploration in longer exposures and star trails as we shoot in Pittsburgh old North Park which combines some great architectural park buildings with the diversity of the park itself.

Finally this was the year Gabriel turned digital. I thought I was going to be the last one standing, but I purchased the Nikon d700 back in July and haven’t shot a roll of film since. Not to say I won’t, I just wanted to fully immerse myself in the digital capture world. I don’t want to turn this into a film vs digital debate, it should always be about the image. I still see the use of Medium and Large Format film cameras to create images unique images. The slowing down and not seeing instant results can be a liberating experience instead of the rapid capture of digital.

So tonight, have fun cavorting under the blue moon, and I wish you a very successful and creative 2010!

photo by gabriel biderman

photo by andré costantini

photo by andré costantini

photo by andré costantini

Full Moon in the Catskills
Night Photography Workshop

Limited Availability! Contact me to sign up!

Date: Saturday October 31st
Instructor: Gabriel Biderman
Where: The Barn, Woodbourne, NY

Come to the Catskills to learn Night Photography from Gabriel Biderman. This one night workshop will be based at The Barn in Woodbourne, NY just 2 hours north of NYC. Yes, far away from all the city lights and with a full moon lighting our night you’ll learn how to capture star trails and spectacular nightscape images.

The workshop is Saturday October 31st from 2pm-2am:

• 2pm- 4pm – Lecture on the history of nocturnal imagery as well as review the various techniques best used to get the most out of long exposures at night.
• 4pm-5pm – Complimentary Dinner
• 5pm-7pm – Learn how to create ghost images during the twilight shoot.
• 7pm- 2am – Explore the 15+ acres of The Barn while capturing star trails, mixed lighting exposures, light painting and other night scenarios.

Sunday from 10am -12pm I will be available for critique and feedback. Complementary Breakfasts will also be served.

Tuition: includes room & board at The Barn:
$300.00 via Check/Money Order
$315.00 via PayPal/Credit Card (we do accept regular credit card payments thru PayPal, you do not need to have a PayPal account)
(please contact me for payment instructions)

Limited Availability! Contact me to sign up!

Technical Requirements:
Film and/or Digital SLR Camera, Tripod & Cable Release. You must be familiar with your camera, especially in Manual Mode. A full list of suggested gear will be sent to you upon payment.

The Barn:
This workshop will be hosted by my dear friends Andre and Michelle. Five double occupancy rooms are located onsite and dinner and breakfast will be provided. If you have special dietary needs please let us know ahead of time.

Directions:
Car or Bus directions will be sent upon payment and acceptance into the workshop. Woodbourne is approximately 2 hours north of NYC.

Cancellation Policy:
Tuition is Non-Refundable!
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons. No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the workshop begins.

Limited Availability! Contact me to sign up!

Pardon the lack of updates lately, strange things happen to me and computers it seems during the summer…

Anyway, there are some spectacular Photo Events coming up in my two favorite cities in the States, San Francisco and New York, that I wanted to promote.

This Saturday August 29th, the alternative visions of f295, make their first symposium stop on the West Coast! I’ve been attending these events for the last 3 years in Pittsburgh and Tom Persinger brings together an amazing collection of “21st Century Photographers” to discuss their unique visions that incorporate the old and new technologies available to photographers. What’s great about this one day event at San Francisco State, is that it is free! It’s a full day of knowledge with featured speakers: Jo Babcock, Martha Casanave, Susannah Hays, Kerik Kouklis, Chris McCaw, Brian Taylor, Claudia Wornum, and of course Tom Persinger.
The above pinhole pictures were taken at this year’s f295 Photowalk in Pittsburgh.
For more info and to register for this FREE EVENT click here

D65′s Workflow not Workslow 4-day Lightroom seminar is also coming to San Francisco. I feel Seth and Jamie, of d65, give the best workshop on Lightroom that I have ever attended. You eat, drink, and breathe photography and a little wine for 4 intense days. Every person I’ve talked to that has taken this class has optimized their Photo organizing skills as well as gained a better understanding of the photo industry. The dates are September 11th-14th and for the SF workshop they are offering a special deal:

Buy one get one at 1/2 off  - you can bring a friend for half price

The total for two people would be $1648.00 (no other discounts can be applied)
Discount code is: SFSPECIAL
All the information on the workshop is at:  http://www.d-65.com/workshops.html

Now to New York…20+ of my images are hanging at the John Allan’s Club that is located on the 7th floor of Saks 5th Avenue! They’ll be up for another month or two before their next stop…but if he happen to be shopping on 5th Avenue, go check out my work!

I just got word that “Lost American” and Night Light Painter Supreme, Troy Paiva will be in a group show in New York that opens on September 9th. I don’t know where yet, this is really hot off the press, but I hope to see you there!

Heading back to SF, another Night Photography exhibit that features Troy, Joe Reifer, and Mike Hows opens on Friday September 4th at the Lucky JuJu Gallery. More details can be found here.

And finally…Are you afraid of the dark?
Well, this Halloween I will be teaching a Full Moon Night Photography Workshop in the Catskills of New York. The class will be from 2pm-2am on Saturday October 31st and will cost $300 including room and board! I’m limiting this workshop to 10-12 people so that you can get the most hands on experience. If you are interested in attending, email me ASAP at gabe@ruinism.com
I already have 7 people on the waiting list and it will be on first come first serve basis.
More details to follow…