custom black & white printing
events, portraits, public relations
Martin Custom Lab & Stewart Martin Photography
Providence, Rhode Island
Stewart. Who else in Rhode Island does what he does? (To be honest, not many left Anywhere in this era of ours.) The way some people read girlie mags, that's how I think of his darkroom; I drool over his immaculate, state-of-the-art workspace. His printing is unparalleled, same goes for his spotting. For my last two shows, he crafted nearly forty 20x24 B&W prints, each an exact replica of the proof print I gave him. Stewart has taught me much about photography, from what brush to use when spotting (sable) to when to take a break in the darkroom. I am grateful to him for his work and would recommend him to anyone who wanted Only The Best.
Newsflash 2008: There are not many left... few exceptional photographers today who are also master print-makers in the darkroom!
Stewart Martin Photographer knows a fine silver print when he sees one. His light-filled darkroom is a sacred place equipped with sharp lenses, precise timers and archival washers. The tools he employs are essential to his work, but they do not make the print. What makes Stewart Martin a great printer is what makes him a great photographer– his discerning eye and capacity to feel.
Philip Adam, Photographer
I recommend a few sites for analog photographers that in my opinion are very valuable to know about:
www.digitaltruth.com The 'Massive Development Chart' alone is worth it's weight in gold.
www.photoformulary.com The best selection of photographic chemistry anywhere.
www.alistairinglis.com He makes the best archival print and film washers I have ever used.
www.apug.org The ‘Analog Photographer’s Users Group
www.photolinks.com A very good all around resource
Have you ever done something for a long time that you thought you were pretty good at and then you meet someone who you realize can still teach you lots and lots? Stewart Martin has been that guy for me. Stewart is like a great chef who uses a few simple ingredients but who's recipe comes out tasting better than you thought it could. I feel lucky that he teaches at the AS220 Community Darkroom.
Scott Lapham / AS220 Darkroom Manager