- Do you do your own darkroom work?
Yes, since 1948 I have always done all of my darkroom work.
- What type of cameras do you use? And what lenses do you use?
Today I use Hasselblad camera exclusively with 50, 60, 80, 100, 150 and 250 mm lenses. I use the 50mm for nearly 75% of my work, excluding portraiture.
- What type of film do you prefer?
I used to prefer the slowest speed film possible. For years I used Kodak Panatomic X until it was discontinued in 1989. I used Kodak TXP for interior work and portraits until it was reformulated. I am currently using Ilford HP 5, which I consider the best all round film. I find there is no reliable fine grain film on the market today.
I develop all my film in Kodak D76 – ratio 1:1. I use the Zone System to make all my exposures.
- Do you work in color?
I have not worked in color since I came to the Institute of Design in 1978 when I learned from my students and fellow faculty members that I understood nothing about the architecture and language of color. Several of my early books and many magazine articles did contain color photographs.
- What type of photographic paper do you prefer?
I use Oriental Seagull Grade 3 for 99% of my work. Unfortunately in my opinion the quality of this is paper has deteriorated so badly in recent years that I have relied on my cache of thousands of sheets of frozen paper when I print.
- How many books have you had published?
I have illustrated and written the text for 20 books and I have illustrated 13 others.
- Where can I get a David Plowden original print?
I have many prints available at two galleries. View gallery list
You may also see my pictures in various collections. View collections list
- How can I find your books?
They are available for sale online at www.amazon.com, Barnes &Noble.com or at most book stores. They can also be found in numerous libraries throughout the country.
- How can I get a copy of your video entitled: David Plowden: Light, Shadow, and Form?
This film, which appeared on public television nationwide, won an Emmy Award and was narrated by Bill Curtis.
To purchase a copy go to: https://secure.gvsu.edu/wgvustore/
- Do you attend and/or participate in workshops?
Yes, but only through galleries, schools, libraries and other institutions.
Please look at upcoming activities in the Events Section.
- Why don’t you take more pictures of people?
I do. I have many portraits to view in the Portrait Section.
- Do you teach?
I retired from the faculty of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. in August 2007 after teaching for 29 years. Further details can be found in my Biography Section.
- Do you make digital images?
Yes. I have recently been working extensively with Photoshop, scanning my prints with an Epson flatbed scanner and printing them with an Epson R2400 printer.
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