Rangefinder Magazine
September 2001/Departments

Problems and Solutions by Bill Hurter

Please accompany your questions with a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish an immediate reply. Alternatively, you can e-mail me at: bhurter@rfpublishing.com.

From: John Pender
jpender@carboloy.com
I just read Monte Zucker’s “High-Key Portraits by Daylight” in the March, 2001 issue. I enjoyed the article very much. I have two questions: 1) what is a Westcott Translucent Panel, and 2) where can I purchase it?

I’m pretty sure Monte is talking about the Westcott Illuminator, which can be either a diffuser (light passes through it onto the subject, creating a softer light) or a reflector (used to bounce light into a subject). You should visit Westcott’s web site to see the range of their products: www.fjwestcott.com. You can also locate a dealer near you by going to the “Dealers” page of the Westcott site.

From: Gary Boorom
phbygb@brevard.net
I am in search of a source for 645 format slide/transparency mounts. Can you help locate a source? My next question is, would you and can you recommend several reputable stock photo agencies or agents. I recently returned from a 28-day tour of Europe and have a considerable amount of images I would consider saleable. Thank you for any help or advice you can give. I’m a big fan of your column and your magazine.

Thanks for the kind words about the magazine. Regarding your question about stock photo agencies, Peter Skinner, Communications director for the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), recently told me about Creative Eye, a photographers’ and illustrators’ cooperative. It’s new (started in July) but has the best interests of photographers and illustrators squarely in focus. The philosophy behind Creative Eye is that photographers and illustrators are currently operating in a highly competitive marketplace, which is experiencing significant market pressure and consolidation of market opportunities. Creative Eye is a cooperative owned and controlled by its membership—photographers and illustrators. The goal of the cooperative is to focus on creating a collective market force, so that the photographers and illustrators stand together to compete in the market and regain control over the sale and distribution of their images. ASMP was the catalyst in getting Creative Eye started, but it’s operated by its own board and staff. Information: Creative Eye, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923; (800) 940-6027, fax: (978) 739-9025. For membership inquiries, call (800) 940-6027, fax (480) 820-5329 or visit the web site:
http://creativeeyecoop.com.

Regarding your question about 645 slide mounts, contact Wess Plastics, 70 Commerce Dr., Hauppauge, NY 11788-36; (631) 231-6300. They make a full line of medium format mounts, including 645 slide mounts.

From: Lynn Jones
lynn@austin.cc.tx.us
While I haven’t been a regular contributor to either Rangefinder books for several years, I still feel like a “plank owner.” I wrote regularly from ‘69 through the mid ‘90s until I got so busy at Austin Community College that I didn’t have time. Our “Shop Talk” online was one of the most active of all the professional photographers’ information exchanges to which I contributed several times weekly. When the site was being re-vamped and was gone for a long time everybody disappeared. I felt that “Shop Talk” was an excellent promotional vehicle for RF Publishing but now nobody ever gets on it. Don’t you think that something should be done to promote this and hopefully to win back some of our former questioners and contributors?

Funny you should mention “Shop Talk,” since it is now fully operational with more topics and useful features. Our new webmaster, Robert Garcia, has redesigned “Shop Talk” to make it a fully functional information exchange. I would encourage all online readers to dive in. Thanks Lynn.

From: Stewart Lee
slee@dpw.lacity.org
I wonder if you know where I can get stereo slide mounts? I tried Light Impressions (they do not have them) and Wess Plastic—I could not get through to them with the number given in Rangefinder.

The number for Wess Plastics has changed (see above question), but I’m not sure they’d have them. Instead, try contacting Sunset Color Lab, P.O. Box 46145, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (mail-order only). Unfortunately, I don’t have a phone number for them so you might try contacting them by letter. They offer an inexpensive source for processing and mounting stereo slides. You might also contact VRex, Inc., 8 Skyline Dr., Hawthorne, NY 10532; (914) 345-8877. This company is a supplier of 3D and stereo supplies and equipment. One final source is Radex Stereo, 13228 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena, CA 90249; (310) 516-9015. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of stereo photography and carry a wide assortment of products and accessories.

From: Bob Davis
Tableau’ Vivant
2415 E. 12th
The Dalles, Oregon 97058
artistry@saw.net
Having read your famous book, Techniques of Portrait photography, and being an avid reader of your column “Problems & Solutions,” I appreciate your vast knowledge in the field of photography.

I have a problem that I’m hoping you can help me with. I am looking for a machine for stamping/embossing the face of my prints prior to their leaving my studio. The copyright issue is of great concern to me as clients are copying my work. I currently have an older machine that takes a circular die, but cannot find a manufacturers name on it. The die seems to have vanished into pre-cyber space. I have tried the Veach Company but to no avail. I also looked at their current machines and have found them to be incredibly expensive. Is there another company, or companies, that manufacture what I’m looking for? Can you help me?

I have two such companies in my files under “gold-stamping machines” for custom engraving of wedding albums, prints or other materials. These machines imprint in gold leaf, and emboss vinyl, leather or plastic with deep-etched lettering. For more information, contact either:
• Goldsmith, Inc., 19 Coplien Rd., Monroe, WI 53566; (608) 325-3200.
• Wyman Engraving, a division of Tech-Etch, Inc., 146 N. River Road, Auburn, ME 04210; (617) 492-6555.

Note: I tried contacting Wyman and got no answer so that number may not be good anymore. Good luck!