Taylor’s (Michael Burk) Version | Stoke-Ness
This month
I’ve tapped my friend Taylor Burk to share some film-ish images, his “who to follow” recco and I have a recommendation that no one needs, especially me (it’s a motorcycle).
My calendar is filling up with mentorships in creative freelancing. I have tried to make the mentorships as valuable as possible for the best possible rate. They are cheaper than a class at your community college, so I think they are a bang for your buck. If you want to grow as an artist and get more work as a professional creative, shoot me an email at isaac@isaacjohnston.co
Be stoked,
Isaac
New Photo Set
Photographer Taylor Burk Cyanotype set.
A couple of weeks back I saw my friend Taylor Burk share some stories where he was making prints on the beach, using cyanotype paper. I never heard anything about it, but the blue and white contrasting prints he made using nothing but the sun and things found on the beach were magnetic. I thought they'd be a perfect set to share with you all. Read below, where I go into the techniques he shared with me on how to make them.
Gear and Tools
Sherco 300SE
If you've been watching my stories, you know that I have decided to register for my first Hard Enduro motorcycle race. I've been wanting to try forever, and now I'm finally getting around to it.
Of course, if I'm going to race a Hard Enduro race, I should probably have the right bike.
Sherco makes some of the best bikes around and I bought a 300 SE two-stroke. It rides so much lighter than all of my other dirt bikes, has power for days (actually too much power for me), and makes riding the technical stuff so much easier. The look, of course, is not my style, but the new 2024 gray plastics are less Power Rangers than most new bikes. I’ll be picking up a new set and having some custom graphics made to make the bike look more visually tame.
I recently completed a 1.5-hour endurance race on the Sherco. I have never had so much fun on a dirtbike and I've had a fair share of it in the past. It amazes me how much better new technology makes motorcycles ride.
If you're seriously considering getting into trail riding or Hard Enduro you can't go wrong with a Sherco 300 SE.
Photo/Video Technique
Cyanotype beach prints
After being mesmerized by the photos I shared above, I set up a time to talk to Taylor Burk and learn all about his process of creating prints using nothing but the sun.
“I was wandering through a hobby shop and saw this cyanotype paper,” Taylor said. “I'd heard about it before and seen some prints from a friend of mine and decided to give it a try. That was about a year ago and a couple of weeks back I finally got the chance to use it.”
Here's the process.
Buy Cyanotype paper.
You can make this if you are inclined, Taylor bought a 10-pack of premade paper/cloth sheets.
Mock up your design before you expose your paper.
“I have been documenting the herring spawn and used some dead herring and other things found on the beach to create a composition I liked. Keep in mind what you place on the paper will create a shadow, and the shadow will turn out white while the rest of the print exposed to the sun will turn out blue.”
Place your paper in the sun and quickly add the designs to the paper (Taylor added Herring here).
Wait 10 minutes or so for the sun to expose the paper and chemicals.
Keep in mind that the sun will move during that time creating softer edges to the shadows. If you want sharp edges to your shadows, use an indoor light source that does not move.
Douse the print in water to stop the development.
After about ten minutes it is time to stop the exposure. Now your print is permanently locked in.
Thanks for sharing Taylor! I'm going to give this a try. Give Taylor a follow @taylormichaelburk
Who I am Following
Jeremy Koreski
Keeping this a (mostly) Taylor Burke issue this month, I’ll let him share who he thinks you should follow.
“Since moving to British Columbia in 2016 I’ve been super inspired by Jeremy Koreski’s work and how he captures the West Coast. It seems so effortless.”
I agree and have followed Jeremy myself for years.
Listen
Nightshade (Hushed) by Andrew Belle
If you have heard of Andrew Belle then you might have heard how he re-records his albums Hushed. It’s a lot like an acoustic version but so much better.
His latest hushed album is Nightshade (Hushed) and is an album worth listening to end to end.
Videos, Movies, and TV
Doctor Who, the Matt Smith series
About 10 to 15 years ago I watched Doctor Who after hearing a coworker talk about it all the time. Back then it didn't exist on streaming services, streaming services didn't exist. I had to borrow DVDs from my work friend. I started with the Matt Smith series and still think it is the best version of the show. It's a goosebumps mixed with Star Wars mixed with eclectic British drama. Perfect for watching with my kids or when I want something less serious but still catchy. Be warned it is an acquired taste.
You can watch it on Max.
Reads
The North American Indian. the Complete Portfolios by Edward S. Curtis
A couple of months ago I wrote about Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher, the story of legendary early 1900’s photographer, Edward S. Curtis, and his 30-year mission to preserve the history of North American Indian tribes.
This is the book of the images he captured and they are hauntingly beautiful. The way he shaped light for his portraits is something I plan to emulate and the context of his work makes the images captivating. This is a must-read if you are into photography or American history. My only regret is that I can’t afford the wildly expensive full-size book, but at $20 this smaller version is attainable.
Parting Thought:
I heard that grief is our brain rewriting what we had planned for our future after we learn it won’t be what we expected. The last 4 years have changed a lot of people’s dreams for the future, financially and emotionally. It will take time to rewrite your expectations, but just like grief from loss, if you are gentle with yourself you will come through it.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography, and my videos are all free but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy my all new Pitch Deck Kit HERE or buy me a virtual coffee.
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