Auburn University - Glomerata Yearbook (Auburn, AL)

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Greg Tankersley Photography: Tom Palmer mm, A ,B r 1 . 2 I , f f . f A Z Q5 , r I r 7 3 5 ,AW A . , I r , r A 'F A , 'gg 1 f 4 ,rzr mi' ,T in 1,6 2 we . i ' . in ,V in ' r 5 J' QS in 1 rrrr if ffl, 2 Lffiw' 1 ' M 5 .,'. ,f Qigei- 7 - ffik, 4 W, ,. YW' T Z 3 mr r i s W - I . rf I

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Tom Palmer Photography: Jennifer Johns Plato and the Zone System if ' .'4v' 5 N . ' ig' i, 'e ug--N-Tw--mmlw K5 - 'f fs . .iajigwfif ,ffgkui W, gl A 'A 'K ' 1 f :Fm K X .,,, ii I ' I 4 , P I V may ' Z-ff' Lifkd -, . . X .aw J if I Z5'?ZGiG?f fZ,.-'.' I 34 if ,rr ig'g.,f'fQ'.f?l: T, .' f ' is f f 1-4 'Y .155 5 .-.. .124 4 ff-we I ' if- 2 ,31 - +'-ZH ' .aff ' ' f - if ff 5 .. rf, , M ' A 2 F',' . , :?'. .,gv. 3 ,,,.. M swf f 5.35, L -Beau -V ,. ,V ' haake..-.ff' 1,,' V V..,,..,.,.- M Jlifflf. ' f ,fr sf--Ewa Y .-.....e-- a...,-....,..,........f.a. . iZ.L4..,.. .,..,.,,-... ...M . W T fe? -'..'.I V' ' -111-3 .1. i .....,. - k' Piggy: Laila Q ...V ' TOM PALMER is a perfectionist. And since he is a photographer, that makes him a pain in the butt in the darkroom, he said. Palmer was a relative novice when he came to Auburn. He began shooting pictures for The Auburn Plainsman, and his work began to improve. I began getting better when I tried new materials, he said. I believe the highest quality is found in hard-to-find materials. He also began reading books about photography in Ralph Draughon library. Palmer gained some confidence in his work when Alabama Lt. Gov. George McMillan called him to congratulate him for a photo which ran in the Pluinsman. He called me a talented photographer, Palmer remembers. However, he soon fell into a slump. People began questioning my methods. I wasn't using Eastman Kodak materials. I wondered if people could see the time I was putting into each photo. Then I decided to enter a photography contest. I felt that if I didn't place in it, I would totally junk photography, he said. So I made my best prints and entered them. Out l4 'Z3d!l'3'9' W rw 'F of more than 300 prints entered, I was awarded the best-overall award. In the black and white category, I placed first, second and third. Since they had well-qualified judges, I knew then that I could stand on my own two feet, he says, smiling. So I,bought a view camera, which is an instrument used by quality photographers. Last summer, I did some photography for 'Southern Living' magazine. I think photography is very hard, it demands a lot of yourself. I feel that a personal style should be developed, he says. The mark of a good photographer is the consistency of his work. It doesn't matter what equipment you're using, what matters is the final print, he said. Palmer says that he's not afraid to make one more print, to keep at it until you've got what you want. Plato has influenced my work. His theories about forms, especially. When I look at a situation, in my mind I see a balance of light. When I look at an object, I'm able to see it perfect, then use techniques until I achieve that goal. Using the zone system, which he is just getting comfortable with, Palmer hopes to continue to improve. - Buddy R. Davis