Susan in Studio downtown Olympia, 1984 by Carl Cook
Within this website you will find - GALLERIES OF PHOTOS and History; ABOUT THE SPC what I'm doing and why, some of MY COMMISSIONS, LICENSING AND PHOTO-HISTORY PROJECTS and CURRENT CLIENT Web Galleries. For about 50 years I've been working in all aspects of Photography and I'd like to share the journey of this Shadow Catcher with you...
~ ECOMMERCE SALES ~
SHADOW CATCHERS ~ IS ON FINE ART AMERICA AND SHOPIFY
OR, CONTACT ME DIRECTLY. LICENSING PAGE IS HERE
NAVIGATE ON LEFT or use the 3 LINES TOP RIGHT, SCROLL AROUND. OR, EMAIL DIRECTLY
~ Todays thoughts on Photography ~
Photographs capture meaning beyond written commentary and serve as vital primary historical resources.
Photographs can only be 'trusted as captured reality' pre- 21st Century on the original substrate. The years of purity of the substrate the image is on ended in 2000. Images captured using digital technology maturing at the turning of the 21st Century and not having an original negative or positive to refer to - can't be trusted as Reality.
Scroll Down and Follow as I Weave us through Photos and History. Projects & Publications
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THOUGHTS ON PHOTOGRAPHY'S IMPORTANCE
The earliest photographers—whether portrait artists, studio masters, street photographers, or field documentarians—captured meaning beyond their immediate subjects, creating a rich visual language that operates outside any written commentary. Which is always subjective. Every Picture Tells a Story - on its Own and Visual Language & Historical Memory are Vitally important for any person, community and necessary for a society.
As we expand our knowledge - the errors and omissions of our (primarily) written history - come to light. And, these Primary Resources are vitally important reference material. As we have found out - far too much and far too many were left out of the written history and need to be Included.
We need history to know Who we Are and Where we Are. I hope my life's work assists.
Olympia Fire Dept. by Jeffers' Studio
In this exciting age - we can discover and recover historical photos, and documents and buildings underground and yes, we have been led astray by these historical narratives written and recorded as fact.. in our past. But what digital has done for my particular work load and and actual work flow is hugely important and in this case - the means justify the end. But, from 2000 ..
BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF - NOT WHAT THEY TELL YOU HAPPENED
So much history and so many people were left completely out of the true Story of United States History. (BTW Canada has done this so much earlier than the US and so much better.) Which is why preserving, sequencing, and presenting historical visual language allows future generations to understand the past beyond what words recorded then - or who recorded it using their subjective opinions - or even know - how can we be so bold as to truly convey all that we can see now i the photos. I have ALWAYS believed in the telepathy of visual language as a sensitive. With the advent of broadcast visuals (TV) to the masses to photography and visual communications now being the PRIMARY WAY we communicate with each other and now the millions of visuals we see in a flash each day... we have evolved in our visual acuity. *lots of cool studies on these concepts I've bored people with for years - if you search
photo ID:
PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIUMS
GLASS PLATES ARE THE MOST STABLE IN MY EXPERIENCE
What the future holds in visual archives is exciting as far as how easily we can share the past and get to the truth of it ~ but going forward is anybody's guess ~ as far as what we can trust in photographs... not so with original negatives of the past so they become even more important to preserve. What I do know is we are losing history - and millions of family histories going forward with making digital camera phone pictures that never get printed. Think about it.
MY COMMERCIAL INTERIORS ~ VISUAL HISTORY AS WALL DECOR
Drawing on an educational and professional background in visual communications specializing in photography after I started 'protecting by collecting' historical photographs ~ added Humanities, Pacific Northwest history, and the Healing Arts, and ~ I started creating Visual Stories via Photo-History Displays in Temporary and Permanent Exhibits at the Capitol and in public spaces - 45 years ago. Many of my installations are in places open to the public. (See my Commissions List)
I work with my clients to discover a theme, history and style appropriate to location and situation. Beautiful to look, educating and entertaining are my created one-of-kind photographic displays tell compelling stories that reflect your location, history and /or industry. From newspaper layouts to slide-tape shows to traveling historical installations for the State of Washington I branched out to create Photo History Art Collections and then , in league with Keg Restaurants and Tony Roma's and then into dentist and doctor's offices, lobbies and hotel rooms! Now the digital revolution makes for even more ways to create and craft timeless Collections that capture the genuine people, places, and events behind our beautiful and forever interesting past. Your staff, visitors and clients with enjoy these for many years to come and have something to talk about while they are in the waiting room.
My eCommerce sites to purchase prints, framed art, art on metal on wood and much more are developing at:
http://www.shadow-catchers.pixels.com . Soon will be available on Shopify
Wholesale Art Available ~ Email Me
Shadow Catchers est. 1989, is the business name I choose while making Visual Exhibits during Washington's Centennial year to both honor Washington's Most Famous Photographer and my personal hero ~ Edward S. Curtis. Once a popular studio and Gallery downtown Olympia is now only online and offers art I create and photos from my collection.
Shadow Catchers was the name early Native Americans referred to Curtis – believing the large black box camera could capture spirits. I agree. Afterall, as long as the photo exists doesn't that captured moment exist ~ if only in our Memory or in our Imaginations?
A Little Background...
I have been making photographs since I was a child in the 1950's here in the Southern Puget Sound. I learned from my father as photography both still and movies were just a couple of his hobbies. I was only casually interested until the first famous person I photographed ~ Janis Joplin in Seattle, 1967. A camera gave this shortie from the country - Access. I became a professional in the mid-1970's and in the early 1980's started collecting photography in earnest when I realized how many photographic archives had been already lost to time, neglect and ignorance. Blending skills and always continuing my education I created a unique career in 'Right Livelihood' and one I have been passionate about. Working with photo history is endlessly interesting - as the stories behind the lens are glimpses into our community and tells us who and where we are. But, I've written articles over the past years some are here. beauty vitally important. Gathering, protecting and sharing my home region's visual history became so very important to me as I was witnessing with my own eyes - how this outback of western America in the Salish Sea Region was changing incredibly fast. Ways of life for generations - suddenly were no longer. Born and raised in this wet, mysterious gorgeous place of primal forests, snow capped mountains and water everywhere in the great Salish Sea is what I cherish ~ and these are the visuals and stories that I share.
Washington's Legislative Building photo under Construction gracing this wall is from a Series of Architectural Photographs of Washington's Capitol Group from its conception (by Wilder & White, young unknown architects from New York) through Landscaping (by the famous Olmstead Bros.) are cherished and widely collected. Viewing the details of scaffolding and cranes make for education and conversation. It is just one of the many photos in the Series of Construction of the Capitol Campus taken beginning in 1912 - 1924 by Olympia photographer Joe Jeffers. When he died photographing Mt. Olympus that contract went to fellow Olympian, Joe McKnight finishing with the Topping Off ceremony in 1928. These are some of the rarest and most professional architectural photographs of the era and of the most iconic and beautifully designed buildings in Washington State. A must see while visiting the Puget Sound. Photo ID-25-1023 ****
The image is available in many formats on a number of substrates.
This is one of my Favorite Photographs and looks perfect on any wall. Taken around the turn of the 20th Century ~ 2 Dandies wait for the passenger steamer at the Northern Pacific wharf along Commencement Bay
WAITING FOR THE STEAMER ~ ID: DG-019
~ FAQ's ABOUT ONLINE GALLERIES ~
(1) Yes, there are different Versions of the original photograph available of some. This is because - I was a purest at first and I always made the full version of the photographers negative working in the darkroom - honestly that was the easiest also. But over the years as I transitioned to digital restoration and printing - decided that if those photographers would have had these current tools - they would have used them also. So make sure to USE the photo's ID# when Ordering!
(2) Yes, Logos across photos are annoying but sadly I have to protect my hard work, huge financial investments and private assets from the those who care not for that nor who the photographer was, and in my opinion - who are too lazy or cheap to pay a small stipend as use fee or find and protect the millions of other photographs out there for getting their name on work others have done.
(3) The print or licensed image you receive from me - I have made myself from original negatives or prints. Even though I edit and some extensively - it may have old-age flaws. I do the best I can and with the new digital ai tools - they are so much better. However, I can't go back and restore them all. But I guarantee to be the best I can output. If you hesitate...or if you don't know my work ~ Check out Commissions for Places you can see some firsthand.
(4) Finally - New photos added regularly as I update from my older websites and, as always
(5) Contact me with Questions
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