Robbie Becklund Photography

North Minneapolis Warehouse, 2004


Mississippi River Island Trees, 2004


Stone Arch Bridge and Downtown Minneapolis, 2004


Greenbelt 4, Austin, Texas, 2002


Greenbelt 3, Austin, Texas, 2002

These are all from recently developed film. I might not have printed the greenbelt photos if I hadn't spent time recently studying Sally Mann's photos and appreciate their beauty. Not sure how well these work.

I feel like I'm hitting my stride with getting a rhythm with my work habits. Using RC paper for contact sheets and test prints really helps since it speeds up the printing and washing process so much. I print at night (darkroom still has daytime light leaks) and put stuff on the blog in the morning. I do film when I have a free hour or so (and when the dishes are washed, since I use the kitchen sink). I'm getting to the point where I'm printing at least every other day. I'd like it to be everyday, even if it's a couple of photos, at least it's progress.

Last night I taught my son how to do photograms. It's really the first time I've shown him how to make a photo. I usually print after he goes to bed. He, of course, was mesmerized by the image appearing in the developer (I still am). I told him about solorizing prints, so that will be next on our photo 101 tour. Needless to say I hope I have corrupted the poor child. He did get fix on his hands so he might be hooked.

Having a son, I think about what Edward Weston did with Brett Weston. When Brett was 14 or so, Edward took him out of school and took him to Mexico to live and photograph and you see what happened, Brett turned out to be one of the greatest photographers. It didn't hurt that he was taught by one of the greatest photographers.