Ray Ruiz Rocks

Raymond Ruiz Gets It

Photo student Raymond Ruiz has the right idea.

He’s out there taking pictures with a Pentax K1000 manual camera, loaded with Tri-X.

That’s all you need, plus some ideas, energy and a love for great photography.

We think this image, “Operator,” at right, is pretty terrific, especially for a student.

We’ll let Mr. Ruiz tell the rest of the story:

The photograph was taken while riding a public transit train in San Francisco.

Camera: Pentax K1000

Film: Tri-X

Developer: Lauder 76 (10 min.)

Fix: Kodak

Paper: Ilford Multigrade IV RC (...I use Fiber paper now)

Raymond Ruiz

Born 1968

Student Photographer

This is my second semester shooting B&W film. I'm enrolled in the Intermediate Black & White Photography class at the Community College of San Francisco (C.C.S.F.). I'm currently enthralled with learning the Zone System, experimenting with warm-tone papers and print toning. I've been hooked on photography since the summer of 2007 when a friend inspired me to start taking pictures with my cellphone while I was rehabilitating from a stay in the emergency room. It got me out, walking around, and seeing everything like I was seeing the world for the first time. I moved on to a point-and-shoot digital, then when my Beginning Photography class insisted I must have aperture and shutter control, I stepped up to B&W film, using a Pentax K1000.

Favorite photographer: Andre Kertész

While not painting with light, I work at an art-house movie theater (with two incredible photographers I must add), and on the weekends

I play bass guitar in Suite Love Express, a wedding band.

I wish I had more time in the darkroom, I could spend days on end if given the chance. I'll be experimenting with Medium Format very soon, and will spend the summer shooting our fog-covered City.

--Raymond Ruiz