Rebecca Sexton Larson / Florida Museum of Women Artists

Rebecca Sexton Larson in her Studio
(c) Matt Larson, 2011

Just made a video short of Rebecca giving a brief talk on her salt print in an exhibition at the Florida Museum of Women Artists. Check it out. CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

Make sure you "subscribe" to our YouTube channel for there are more videos in the works!

Return to the Darkroom

Environment Portrait
Lana Aquarelle, 140 lb.
Salt Print, 2010

After many months of avoiding the darkroom, I've found a process that has me all fired up again--making salt prints. Thanks to F295 Studio! Lots of testing to make a digital negative dense enough for the process, but I think I'm getting closer. This one, the exposure got a away from me but in good light, it shows really well. I normally wouldn't print that dark but I'm liking it a lot the more I look at it. This is from my favorite spot to shoot on Gandy Blvd. on the St. Pete side ... a place we used to call "The Rocks." More testing, more to come ... soon, very soon.

Calotype Workshop at F295 in Pittsburgh

Becky and I had a wonderful long weekend in Pittsburgh this past weekend! We both took a Calotype Workshop with Dan Estabrook. Check out the link.

What a blast. as the link mentions, it's a difficult process and the one that Talbot used and perfected more than 100 years ago--the beginning of photography folks ... that's pretty cool.

Tom Persinger who runs F295 Studio puts on some incredible workshops--be sure to check out the site and become a fan.

Below is a setup I did of three leaves on fishing line in a doorway. It was hailing in Pittsburgh last Saturday and it was cold--so my shot involved shooting from the inside to the outside. I was thinking of "falling leaves" and the woods in the distance ... thought it would make a good setup.

My still life setup of "Falling Leaves"
4x5 camera is inside, leaves in doorway suspended on fishing line

Calotype Paper Negative, 2010

Calotype Paper Positive
"Falling Leaves", 2010

Salt Print from Calotype Paper Negative
"Falling Leaves", 2010

In the weeks to come, we plan to make more Calotypes and Salt prints ... the ideas are coming too fast for both Becky and me. We're letting it all soak in ...