Something drew me into taking pictures early in my high school career. My newly found hobby took over my first love, baseball. Learning how to shoot was garnered from many hours of looking at landscape magazines and books. I took photography my senior year in high school and one semester in college. However, my formal education was in theatre, where I graduated from Northern Arizona University. I found that formal schooling in photography bored me, so I took to the ‘hands on' approach, learning photography myself.

My primary equipment is an old Speed Graphic with a Fujinon 90mm lens. I also use a Schneider 180, 210 and periodically a Kodak Ektar 135. I meter using a Minolta Flashmeter IV and a Sekonic spot meter. I use the Minolta in the studio for copy work, hence the ‘flash' part. The Minolta is used for the bulk of my work, for an incident meter is easier to work with than a spot meter. But occasionally, the spot meter will get me out of sticky situations.

Film is always something that changes. One month, I might like the contrasty look of Fuji Velvia, and other times I prefer the more realistic look of Fuji Sensia. Kodak T-Max 100 is my primary choice for B&W, and I am becoming very fond of Kodak Tech-Pan. I have tried different processing approaches to B&W but I still fall back on T-Max RS developer for the T-Max films and Pota developer for Tech-Pan. All my work is processed in Jobo rotory tube processors.

My work is scanned on a Fuji Lanovia C550. It is an unbelievable scanner, with the ability to grab detail from the shadows while keeping the highlight detail. I try to use the zone system for metering as much as I can with my B&W. But sometimes I find myself so excited to be staring at a scene and having the light change so rapidly, that I do the best I can . My B&W work is produced on a Roland FJ-52 with Piezography Neutral K6 pigmented inks for completely neutral blacks and grays. My color work is printed on a LightJet by Mighty Imaging. I do all my own processing, scanning, printing (except the LightJet) and Photoshop work. I've found, after spending over 20 years in the darkroom, I prefer the computer to the enlarger. Control of dodges and burns is unparalleled. I shoot film… BECAUSE

I'll try not to mince words to describe my work. I just set out on an adventure and try to capture what God allows all of us to see. If it looks good, I photograph it. That is not to say everything I shoot is good. There have been many occasions when I've processed the film and said to myself, “What were you thinking”? I never bracket, if I miss it, there will be another time. I truly feel that if a picture moves me, there is a good chance it will move others.

I am motivated by the love of my wonderful wife Kathy, my two children, Joel and Molly, my step children Jonathan and Christoper and my parents and family.

~Michael

© 2005 Michael Balzano. All rights reserved.
All images are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission.