R.J. Phil, photographer

Carbon Transfer Workshop

2011-04-19T11:30:00.000-04:00

The New England Large Format Photography Collective recently sponsored a Carbon Transfer Workshop led by Sandy King, one of the finest carbon printers working today (and a really nice guy). We spent a day making digitally enlarged negatives, then a day coating tissue and making the carbon prints from our negatives. It's a very old process, but gives beautiful results with a visible edge relief effect. (If I only had a UV exposure unit...)

Buy Local

2011-01-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

I was driving by Tiffany Farms in Lyme, CT and the girls were out by the road, just watching the cars go by or whatever it is that they do. What do they think of us? Are we their servants (certainly not their masters). The American family farm is fast becoming an endangered species, with high costs and corporate intervention driving farmers away from what for some has been a family endeavor for hundreds of years. Whenever you can, buy from the local farmer’s markets in your area, the money goes directly to the farmer, not two or three or however many middlemen who each take their piece, leaving the ones who actually grow the food with barely enough to survive on.

NELFPC Exhibition

2011-01-28T10:44:00.000-05:00

The New England Large Format Photography Collective is hold an Exhibition at the Gallery at PhotoSynthesis, Manchester , CT from February 12 through March 13. The Artist Reception will be held on Saturday, February 12th from 1 to 4pm. Works from approximately 20 photographers will be shown. For more information, please go here and follow the NELFPC link at the top right of the page.

The sign says it all

2011-01-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

Third Annual "Raid Our Gallery" Benefit - Thursday, April 8, 2010

2010-03-08T10:19:00.003-05:00

On Thursday evening, April 8, the New England Large Format Photography Collective will hold its 3rd "Raid Our Gallery" event, supporting the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, Middletown, CT.
This event raises monies for ongoing support programs for cancer patients and their familes; all monies raised go to this cause. I am pleased to be a part of this event for the third year. 50 photographers from throughout the US, Canada and beyond have each donated 3 fine art prints which will be displayed for viewing at the event. Patrons may purchase $25.00 tickets to attend, or $150.00 tickets to receive a numbered ticket which, when called, enables them to choose a print from those displayed and leave that evening with a wonderful piece of fine photographic art.
These images may be seen at www.nelfpc.com after March 15th. More information is also available there.

The Last Bell Factory

2009-12-08T10:45:00.013-05:00

INK Magazine, a Connecticut arts/lifestyle publication, has included 5 of my large format images in an article about Bevin Bros., an East Hampton bell factory that has been in the same family since 1832. The images are all 4x5 Tri-X 320, processed in PMK Pyro developer. They are from my ongoing series "The Last Bell Factory in America". There may be other companies making bells as part of a product line, but Bevin Bros. is the only company manufacturing high quality bells as their only product.

2009-11-09T09:55:00.000-05:00

Along the Airline Trail, East Hampton, CT.

2009-05-22T09:31:00.005-04:00

Bands will play, flags will fly and hot dogs will pop on the grill, but take a moment or two today to remember the women and men who didn't come home from fighting in far-off lands, as well as those who came back to their loved ones having served a grateful nation.

2009-02-11T16:07:00.001-05:00

My image "Bell Factory #3, was accepted into the 28th Annual Connecticut Photography Show at the Shoreline Alliance for the Arts, Guilford, CT. It is from a series on the last bell factory in America, still in business after 177 years.

2009-01-16T13:13:00.003-05:00

January 16, 2009
Andrew Wyeth has passed away at the age of 91.
Read the story here

2008-12-05T10:08:00.002-05:00

Well, it's not quite like this yet, but it will be soon. The squirrels are hoarding food, mice are building nests (but why in my air cleaner?), and the Christmas decorations are going up. BUT - the first of the seed catalogs are arriving, so Spring can't be too far away.

2008-08-13T10:42:00.006-04:00

Northwest Connecticut, August -
How many people realize that EVERY THIRD bite of food you eat has been affected in some way by a bee? Our bees are dying and while there are several theories as to why, there is no clear answer. Many varieties of plants depend on the pollination the bees provide, and without the bees, there would be no apples, avocados, peaches, pears, etc. Think very carefully about the sprays used in your gardens, on your lawns, on your flowers. Use natural alternatives whenever possible, or use nothing. Is a perfect lawn or planting border worth the loss of these hard working girls? (The guys stay home and keep house-hive).
Burts Bees and Haagen-Dazs are both very involved in funding research into colony collapse disorder, the most current threat to our bees. Support them, buy their products, have an apple, make some guacamole and - thank a bee.

Requiem

2008-07-10T09:14:00.002-04:00

July 9, 2008 - The Gong Bell Water Tower has been taken down. I wonder how many people will even notice that it is gone? When you see something every day, it becomes a part of the landscape of the town; a symbol of the manufacturing history that once was. Hopefully the town will do something appropriate with the property after it has been cleaned up - a small park perhaps?

2008-06-03T15:00:00.004-04:00

At 1:30 today they held a "ribbon-cutting" to begin the demolition of the Gong Bell water tower. The Gong Bell Co. made toys with bells in them during the early and middle part of the 20th century, many of which are very collectible now. East Hampton was (and is) known as "Belltown, USA", due to the number of companies producing bells here beginning in the mid-1800's. The Bevin Bros. Mfg. Co. is the only one left in East Hampton (and the the US) now, still producing fine bells after over 150 years.
I know that the tower is old and unsafe, I understand the liabilities involved - BUT - I would like to think that the ceremony is a send-off for the landmark, rather than a "good riddance" to something that once stood as a monument to manufacturing in East Hampton, and the US in general. Having grown up here and seeing the tower every day, I will miss it, for it is one more thing from East Hampton's past that has gone the way of the bulldozer. The tower has looked over our town for almost 80 years and has seen a great deal of history come and go - the last train through in 1964, the fire in 1973 that burned down the Gong Bell factory and the commercial expansion and residential development that changes forever the small towns these sentinels protected. Rest in peace.

Just Around the Corner ...

2008-01-31T13:36:00.001-05:00

Can't you just smell the hot grease - disks of dough dusted with sugar - I can feel my cholesterol climbing right now.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire in the off season.

Greetings of the Solstice to All !!

2007-12-24T12:10:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and joyful Solstice !
May the New Year bring fresh beginnings and great Peace to the land.

On Armistice Day, the Philharmonic will play...

2007-11-11T17:12:00.002-05:00

Take a moment this Veteran's Day to remember the vets who fought for our freedom, and the soldiers who now serve. The troops need to know that we are 100% behind them, and hope for their safe and speedy return to their families.

New England Large Format Collective

2007-10-10T09:19:00.002-04:00

November 5, 2007 - Middletown, CT
The Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center will hold a benefit event in conjunction with the New England Large Format Photography Collective. Approximately 150 large format photographs from 50+ photographers will be displayed. Numbered tickets for the event will be sold and a drawing will be held throughout the evening. When a number is drawn, the ticket holder may take their selection off the rack and bring home a fine piece of photographic artistry.
I am proud to be a member of the Collective, and to participate in this event. The images shown above are the three prints I have donated to the cause. For more information and to view the prints available, go to http://www.nelfpc.com. For more information on the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, go to http://www.midhosp.org/go/midCancerCenter.

Now I Understand ...

2007-09-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Why obesity and diabetes are rampant in our society.

Food for Thought

2007-09-27T11:29:00.002-04:00

So here we are, rolling into Autumn, the leaves are turning, I'm sifting through a lifetime of images for my galleries and I'm trying to allocate time to get out and make some new photographs. How much time do we spend thinking about these things, vs. actually getting out and doing them? Get off the couch, away from the one-eyed monster (whether it's the TV or the computer) and take in a little fresh air. Go for a walk, meet some friends for coffee; the news won't have changed when you return.