Aug. 08, 2024

August already and at the beginning of the peak Hurricane season. We almost had the first one this year down here in Miami, but fortunately we only got some of the outer banks of Tropical Storm Debby. Nevertheless, it was pretty hairy from time to time. The lake behind my house was about a foot low, but thanks to Debby it’s back to a normal level. Before you ask, no, we did not get a foot of water in two days. Our lake is about 50 feet deep in the center and directly connected to the Florida Aquifer, so the water level of the lake goes up and down with the water level of the aquifer. Debbie was more like slow poke Annie and moved very slowly, and slow moving storms usually produce a lot of rain. Anyway, the warm waters of the Gulf worked like steroids for Debby and by the time it hit land again in Northern Florida it was a Cat 1 hurricane.
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Talking about dramatic weather, I love to go out and shoot when the weather is bad. Down here in South Florida we don’t have a whole lot of drama in the landscapes themselves. We don’t have majestic mountain tops with lakes and an abundance of colorful wildflowers for instance. In fact, The Everglades National Park is the only National Park that became a National Park because of its diversity in ecosystems and not because of the dramatic scenery like in most (all?) other parks. If I want drama in my pictures, I will have to find drama some other way. My black and white landscapes are already “moody” a lot and bad weather only adds to the drama and moodiness of my landscapes. In real life, I really don’t like drama a whole lot frankly. Who needs drama? But there are two things where drama has added value, a soap opera and my moody pictures.

The above shoot is a good example of the drama I am looking for. It was raining a little. Shot this with my new 8 x 10” pinhole camera I told you about in my previous newsletter.

This shot and a few others will only be available as Limited Edition prints. The prints are limited to 50 each. All numbered and signed. They are printed on high quality archival paper with archival pigment ink and mounted and matted on, you guessed it, archival mat board.  A Certificate of Authenticity will also be provided. If you are looking for something that can stay in the family, these limited prints might be something for you. The prints should outlast your great great grandchildren.

This takes me to the big news of this newsletter. After a number of years trying, I am finally accepted by the, in the industry well known, high end on-line art gallery Singulart. I am very happy with that. Big step forward and, if not anything else, very motivational.

Singulart is where I sell my limited Editions for now. Currently, I have only 10 pieces there, but it will be more in the future. Please note that the posted prices include predetermined shipping costs (They did that. not my choice) and these shipping cost are 10 times higher than they should be. I need to have a little word with them about that. So, don’t pay too much attention to the published prices. They are much higher than I intended and they should be.  Check it out, follow me there, and click on that little heart in the upper right corner if you would be so inclined. (it’s fee lol) https://www.singulart.com/en/artist/rudy-umans-60626

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On a more personal note, getting older is nice and dandy and all that, but it is also time consuming. Bunch of doctor appointments coming up within the next few weeks. Nothing new and exciting though. All follow ups and “let’s check this” and “let’s check that”. Not too wild about it and don’t really want to do any of that, but there is no escape!!

Talking about soap operas. I have a confession to make. I have been following “General Hospital” lately and I found out that I actually like it. I watch it now almost every day if I can. Is that weird? Most movies and TV series are pretty predictable to me. I usually know what is going to happen somehow and that takes the fun out of a lot of those shows and maybe that’s why I don’t care for watching most of them. I can usually take them or leave them. However, soap operas are different, they are very unpredictable (except for who is going to sleep with who lol). People disappear at a moment’s notice or people rise back from the dead when you the least expect it. You never really know what is going to happen next in those soaps.

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Maybe the uncertainty factor is why I like General Hospital and maybe the uncertainty factor is also why I like bad weather, and maybe that’s why I like film photography, which always has a level of uncertainty!

So, what else is new? I know I talked about it a few times now, but I actually started to write a new blog post for my website. This one I call “Cooking a landscape Photograph” (it might change). It is about the whole process from getting the itchies to the finished product. Should be interesting. Obviously, I will keep you posted.

Btw, that whole process of creating an image has a lot of uncertainties too! Who knew that the weather, soap operas, and creating a photo have things in common. I guess it only proves that everything, I mean everything, is connected one way or the other.

Last, but not least, as usual, I have a limited time promotion on Fine Art America / Pixels. 15% discount on everything in my portfolio until October 31, 2024 Just follow the link and use code HZURBU at the check-out! https://rudy-umans.pixels.com/

This promotion is for subscribers only!

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Can you spot Big Bird?
Of course, you also just contact me directly if you are interested in one of my images. I am basically a one man show, so I will work with you!
So that was it for this newsletter. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anybody you feel might be interested.
Hope you liked the images in this newsletter. Here is some more Info on the pictures and where to obtain them

 1               8 x 10” Pinhole camera. Everglades National Park https://www.singulart.com/en/artworks/rudy-umans-everglades-long-pine-key-island-2074231

 2               4 x 5” Pinhole camera. Pine lakes, Everglades National Park https://www.singulart.com/en/artworks/rudy-umans-pine-tree-in-the-everglades-2088581

 3               4 x 5” Graflex Crown Graphic Press Camera. Flamingo Point, Everglades National Park. Hand held. https://rudy-umans.pixels.com/featured/everglades-florida-bay-mangroves-rudy-umans.html
 4               4 x 5” Graflex Crown Graphic Press Camera. Flamingo Point Visitor’s Center, Everglades National Park. Hand held. https://rudy-umans.pixels.com/featured/everglades-mission-66-rudy-umans.html
Have fun and until next time. Don’t hesitate to contact me any time if you have questions, problems, or just feel like bugging me!  (Love to hear from you and you never just bug me)

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