Sorry, Gary, I was wondering whether we should have a poll of our own, but I suspect our membership is too small to give any insights.
For me, my only formal training was when I worked for a large multi-national. There I was taught the basics of photomicrography and technical imaging and then left to my own devices more or less (I could always get help when needed). And I created many thousands of micrographs (on film) using a range of microscopes (mostly using a Reichert Biovert though) over several years and developed the films and printed them for inclusion in technical reports, etc. When I transferred to another division most of the imaging was then either true-scale images of test specimens or macro-images, plus some micrography. When I started my own company in ’96 I set up in a similar way and included a darkroom and later a more specialised imaging suite.
Prompted in part by Rob's post on medium format backs, and because I said elsewhere I post an image or two of the new suite once it was complete I thought these might be interesting. The image below shows the various set-ups we use for imaging materials etc. On the main copy stand (
http://www.realphotographersforum.c...aging-macro-photography-using-copy-stand.html) is a mains powered Hasselblad ELM fitted with a 135mm Zeiss Makro-Planar mounted on a bellows unit (the only way to focus it) and a PhaseOne H20 back. Lighting is via...
My personal photography really stared at about the time I learned the technical stuff. Although I took the odd picture on holidays I only got properly interested when I could print my own images and had bought a ‘proper’ camera to take on a trip to Kenya. I don’t do much imaging for work any more due to shift in what we test these days although I have trained some members of the company on basic micrography and technical recording, but using digital systems.
I’m still interested in technical imaging and still have the equipment (and more!). I have a studio and darkroom here in Potsdam and the imaging suite and darkroom is still in the labs in the UK, although the darkroom will be decommissioned soon I think and the imaging suite will be converted to dual-function. I will move some of the equipment, including my large copy stand and the Biovert and Tessovar. to my home in England. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the Sinar LF stuff yet though. Even though no-one else uses it the big stand is there and I’m reluctant to give it up yet.
So, in terms of survey responses:
For technical imaging - taught in work (and at least to the equivalent of university course).
Personal imaging - mainly self-taught, but with the help of books, etc.
