Last year, as those of you who have been paying attention will know, I went to Seattle and Portland for Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (WPPD). There were many people there, all of whom were good eggs.
Given that the WPPD GitTogether is becoming an annual event, it only seems right that I post more images of the lovely people who gathered this year. This time we were in Barcelona, and (as you can see) we were lucky with the weather and the light (particularly at sunrise on WPPD).
The image that pulled you into this post is of Markus Kaesler, one of the most talented pinhole photographers I know. This man has a method and a creative mind. He can also be dumbstruck by a large print by Hiroshi Sugimoto...although he is not alone in that (he's a photographer's photographer after all).
Jana enjoying the sunrise in Barcelona, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
Jana is my compadre...as many know she drove me round the Pacific Northwest in 2015 and this year we hung out, trekked, drunk and bickered. I love her to bits even if she doesn't like having her picture taken.
Jesus also enjoying the sunrise, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
Jesus was one of the chief conspirators for our GitTogether for WPPD in 2016. He is also a wonderful, kind and generous man and was a perfect host (along with Xavi Bassols). Jesus took us to the beach for sunrise and it really was beautiful.
Souhade in Cafe Zurich, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
Souhade is one who travelled to the Pacific Northwest, and this time she dragged her son along to meet everyone for WPPD. I never seem to spend as much time with Souhade as I would like but she's really wonderful, as well as having a brilliant Mexican made camera. Next time I go to the GitTogether I need to spend more time getting to know her better.
Brendan with beer and ears, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
Brendan...what is there to say about Brendan. Well firstly, I'd have to say he's not quite as intense as this image seems to suggest. In fact, he is, again, one of the kindest sweetest guys I know. Always there with a joke and a smile, chatting to all and coercing people to having their portrait made. Brendan came to the first GitTogether in 2014 in Amsterdam and this was the first time we met since then. It really was great to see him, and just a shame his wife couldn't make it.
Jeff...a new convert to raw denim, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
Like me, Jeff is a veteran of all three GitTogethers. He seems to enjoy his time so much that this year he also brought his family all the way from the US to Europe. It was great that this extra dimension was added to the WPPD atmosphere. I greatly enjoyed meeting them all and remain amazed at Mika's ability to sleep anywhere.
Tono chilling in Cafe Zurich, image made with a Sigma DP3 Merrill
We'll finish with Tono...who came to join us for the first time from Madrid. Tono is the owner and designer of Nopo cameras, a great new brand of pinhole cameras that are all handmade by him. Nopo cameras are beautifully constructed and have some really clever features (I particularly love the shutter mechanism on the medium format cameras). I have a Nopo 24 and will write about that over on Pinholista when I have some good shots to share.
I'm going to finish this post by, again, stating my amazement at what has become an incredible annual event. Without social media I don't think this could ever have happened. From a chance conversation on Twitter to a yearly gathering of like minds from all over the world, this really has been an incredible and humbling experience. I cannot speak highly enough of all who attended, you've made me feel very happy and privileged to know you all. I should also thank Jesus and Xavi for being such brilliant host.
Next year is, I suspect, going to be in San Francisco. I won't be able to attend but if you have half an interest in pinhole photography then let me know and I can hook you up with the folks who will be going.