......... All the work in the Art Portfolios Coast and Desert 1- 4, Assignments 1 & 2, and what is clearly labeled 'Darkroom' was done in a *very* simple, traditional darkroom - One enlarger, four trays, and a collection of hand tools made from things you can buy at any art supply, or hardware store. Though I work digitally in a variety of ways, nothing in these sections has been made by a computer, except the scan itself, of course... I print 2-4 'original' copies of an image, in black and white/ silver gelatin prints. Art portfolio prints are made from 4x5 copy negatives of the 'master/originals'. I've been doing this work since the early '80's, and I've tried to write quite a few artists' statements about the art portfolio work, that say anything more than what I wrote a long time ago. The more time goes by, the less aedequate words seem to be, and the less interested I am in trying to talk about the pictures at all. .....And I certainly don't have a better statement than I wrote years ago......... I think it was Robert Rauschenberg (correct me, someone/anyone, if my attribution is wrong) who said it best - " It starts by YOU telling the picture what it will be -- in the end, THE PICTURE tells you what IT will be...". I feel like I take that approach..... Not through any 'great design', or dogmatic adherence, ... it's just the way that comes 'naturally'.... and that is all I am interested in. I collect negatives by taking myself, and simple camera, to places I love - the California coast, and desert - and start walking.....and .. "things happen" .... I spend a lot of time with my proof sheets, and in a small room, under a dim red bulb. I'm obviously interested in things metaphysical - beyond that, it's up to the viewer to decide what's going on. ( If I haven't figured them out yet, (and I haven't, not *really*), why should I presume to explain them to anyone else?) Many of the pictures just seem to 'happen', because the individual negatives are 'looking' for each other. I'm just a chaperone, and a really loose one at that...... ((...But those were always the best kind of parties, right? )) Bob Bennett A Longer Statement/& Techniques page Resume .... Email BB ... Home Page. . Print prices & Info .......