I haven't posted much and the truth is I haven't shot that much either. The motivation to work hasn't been there. I have people telling me that I'm this great photographer and it's not that i don't appreciate the praise but I guess I'd feel more secure if it came from my peers and not from those with just a passing interest in photography.

I understand the motivation needs to come from within but still, I'd like to know someone looks at my stuff and that it moves them to comment even if it means they don't like it. Part of the reason I began posting here was to hear the views of my peers. I'm attempting to change my direction in photography and any serious critical advice would be helpful.

First I must confess that I'm a bit of a cheap bastard, some say it's in my Scots blood but I tend to think it came from life on a tight budget. but I digress.

The real reason I'm writing this crappy monologue is I need a new tripod for my Graflex Graphic View II 4x5 view camera. The reason for the name drop on the camera is not pride of ownership (although I do like it and the price was right, FREE) or bragging about its quality (there are both newer and far better cameras out there that are WAY easier to use) but because for those of you that may have run across one of these beasts in your life you know that they have a unique tripod mount, the mount is also a complete panhead so mounting it on most tripods gets a little weird because you end up with a panhead on top of whatever head the tripod has on it. Not the most stable or desirable of circumstances. So, I decide maybe it's time for a dedicated stand for my trips into photography history and since I'm dealing with an antique camera maybe a wooden tripod from yesteryear would be a good idea as it damps (absorbs shock and vibration) better than aluminum and cost less than carbon fiber (I've owned cars that cost less. Okay, crappy cars but still).

Ever priced a wood tripod because if you thought a good aluminum one was expensive wood's got that beat. Used on the ole' auction site where the pickings are slim and prices weren't much better wasn't much help but then I remembered I got an A in woodshop in school and could build one myself but I might need help with a design.

Well, the net hasn't been much of a help on the design front and that's where you come in, if anyone has plans, a thought or idea, anything it would be sincerely appreciated. I really want to seriously use the beast again I miss it.

Please help, if your idea works I'll make you one for the cost of material.

Posted for your consideration, images from my Fourth of July trip to wonderful Morro Bay, CA. and a few more from my May trip to Zion National Park in UT and Canyon X in Page AZ. Please feel free to critique or not. More soon I promise.






ABOUT ME
I'm Sean Decker, my company Sean Decker Photographic specializes in public relations outdoor and table top commercial arts photography. I also am working at producing a body of stock and arts images. I'm also working on experimenting with pinhole cameras and non-silver processes as well as more large format work.
While this gallery is intended to attract new clients. I also welcome questions, comments and critiques.
Feel free to contact me here or at swdphoto@verizon.net

Just posted 24 new images, have a look and feel free to comment. The darkroom project is coming along nicely. I've got the big stuff I need but it will the little stuff you always overlook that going to make me crazy. Now I just have to build it.










ABOUT ME
I'm Sean Decker, my company Sean Decker Photographic specializes in public relations outdoor and table top commercial arts photography. I also am working at producing a body of stock and arts images. I'm also working on experimenting with pinhole cameras and non-silver processes as well as more large format work.
While this gallery is intended to attract new clients. I also welcome questions, comments and critiques.
Feel free to contact me here or at swdphoto@verizon.net

Well, I've begun to make good on a threat to build an old fashioned B&W analog darkroom. I've got a couple on enlargers, lenses, trays and other stuff but if anyone out there has any developing stuff they want to part with let me know. It's all the little stuff I'll need that's going to trip me up.

Speaking of a trip, my buddy Steve and I are headed to Canyon X in Arizona to do some shooting early next week. I'm breaking out the 4x5 for this one so I'm shooting film again for the first time in a long while. Gonna go pretend to be Ansel Adams but I'm bringing the 20d too.

Finally I'll have some new work to post...


ABOUT ME
I'm Sean Decker, my company Sean Decker Photographic specializes in public relations outdoor and table top commercial arts photography. I also am working at producing a body of stock and arts images. I'm also working on experimenting with pinhole cameras and non-silver processes as well as more large format work.
While this gallery is intended to attract new clients. I also welcome questions, comments and critiques.
Feel free to contact me here or at swdphoto@verizon.net