Have you guys (and gals) heard of this guy?

[Ultra Magnus]

http://www.animalu.com/pics/photos.htm

I ran across this site looking for different photographers websites. I really like this guys photos and was wondering what you guys thought.

[megan]

His images are gorgeous - he's attracted to texture like I am, except he's *much* more successful at capturing it. I looked at several of his galleries. It's really cool that he posted his process; I found that surprising, actually, but that means he's confident! It's funny, though, I still find a harshness to digital B&W that makes it hard for me to look at. Maybe it's because his images are so high contrast, but other people's affect me the same way. And that's even more interesting because he doesn't shoot in B&W mode, he shoots color then converts it. Go figure. Thanks for sharing!

Megan

[Kokopeli]

I replied to this thread yesterday shortly after it was started, but for some odd reason it didn't show up...

I really like this guy's hight contrast style. He has a great eye. I also think it's pretty cool that most of his photos were shot within 3 hours of my house and that I've been to many of the sites photographed.

Thanks for sharing this guy with us!
~Brian

[Ultra Magnus]

I live in the mojave desert. I think one of his photos were taken in a neighboring city! I found it inpiring to see how dramatic you can make an otherwise plain looking scene appear. I also like the high contrast look of his work.

[Spike]

I found his process page very interesting. Thanks for posting the link to his site.

Spike

http://www.animalu.com/pics/photos.htm

I ran across this site looking for different photographers websites. I really like this guys photos and was wondering what you guys thought.

[walterick]

about most everything you said. Lovely eye for texture and contrast, some very striking images in there. BUT I don't care for the "over-contrasted" look of some of them. I get that look on my pictures by accident when I leave the "contrast" selection tool up too high I also don't care for the look of digital black and white. His landscapes are also much more appealing to me that his street shots.

Rick

[megan]

I tried his process using a photo that I took with the Holga with the color film, but thought I was taking with the Holga with B&W. I did a quick scan from the contact sheet, and did some quick and dirty photoshopping. Desclaimer: this is nowhere near the quality of his work, I'm just playing around in photoshop while it's a little slow at the job. I didn't mask where I should have for dodging and burning - so it's sloppy! But I wanted to try his process. I think it's the process that gives his images the harshness. I wish I could see the actual prints, but alas - not possible to travel to whereever his show is. Without further ado - here are my Holga photos, before and after following his steps. I acheived a similar contrast and harshness, I think!

Megan