Atelier
Cascabel Press
Hand pulled photogravure prints / Workshops for photographers
Live with art
Hand pulled photogravure prints
I believe in art
I believe in the soothing nature of beautiful things
I like making things with my hands and the inherent beauty of hand-pulled photogravure prints
I am a purist
I believe that artists have an important role in society
For me, the act of photographing and the process of making prints is a deliberate, contemplative experience
The process is as much a part of the resulting image as the subject itself
Want to learn to make handmade prints
Study Alt. process photography with Ray Bidegain
Workshops and mentoring are a passion of mine, my focus is on your success
Hand Made Objects by Ray Bidegain
- The Weekly Edition gravures
- Wet Plate Collodion
- Platinum prints
- Mentoring by Ray Bidegain
“Working with Ray has been a significant moment of change for me. He helped me see a better way for my work be accomplished. Among so many things I learned from him, it was a single observation of his that broke down all the other barriers to my progress. In that way, studying with Ray was a very efficient process as well as a rewarding one. However, Ray’s analysis and teaching went much further. So often, we’re told to “make work about things that have meaning to you”; but realizing this goal can be very difficult. Ray led me to realize and communicate what I cared about in a way that others could better understand. One additional result was that my work improved from a technical perspective, as Ray constructively critiqued my work and opened my eyes to possibilities. Ray took the time I needed, diagnosed my abilities as a photographer, and from there built a process for me to work on. He is an exceptional teacher—of which, a key component is being an exceptional listener—and a master of the art of photography. I will continue to work with Ray and strongly recommend his mentoring and workshops to anyone.
Collect art
Fill your life with handmade art
Who is
The Lyceum Portland
Please join me as I host print sharing events and artists interviews at The Lyceum Portland, All sessions are free and open to the public. Come spend some time with a community of thoughtful artists. show work or simply take part in the conversation.
Let customers speak for us
This picture is timeless... it takes me to another era, as though I woke up and walked into medieval times. The soft tones, the pastoral setting, and the perspective from above, combine to make me feel as though I'm on a hill, viewing the French landscape. I am there. A beautiful work of art!
Love the image and the process...
Ray, miss the Sunday ZOOMS you did!!!!
Thanks again,
Tom Smith
[****]
I really like and appreciate Ray’s approach to private training because of how he is able to assess the beginning level of understanding and skills of the topic - photograveure for this session.
He tailored and adjusted the training to appropriately challenge me to learn and go beyond what I though might have been my limits. It is like being thown into the "deep end to sink or swim” but he offers support when asked or he sees that I might be struggling and need help.
His and my goals were very much aligned: to be able to produce a photogravure print on my own by the end of the session!
Another lovely view. A quiet look with a new feeling of an ancient structure.It proofs that there is always a new way to look.The sign of a good photographer
Matting is exceptional. Image is timeless. Beautiful atmosphere and composition.
At the Rodeo is the kind of picture that you must look at not once, but many times. It compels your attention and asks you questions about what is going on in the scene. Every time I look at it, my mind goes to the beauty of the horses, the riders, and the setting. It's not nostalgia, for me that is; it's the questions of what's happened, what is happening, and what's about to happen.
From an aesthetic point of view, the muted shadows, the sharp foreground, and the background beyond, are a masterful use of tones. No one would expect less.
This picture has assumed a place of distinction in my personal gallery. It is full of life, wonderful, and beautiful.
An absolutely beautiful print, which arrived quickly and safely packaged to the UK.
The matting was fine but in the future I would ask for 16X20 matting in order to more easily find a stock frame.
The Toto film holders are just what I needed and are in great shape. I am always confident that I will get good quality equipment when I buy from Ray Bidegain at Cascabel Press.
I regularly look over your work. So many compelling images I usually find myself unable to make a decision about purchasing. Over time the image of Clifford solidified as a choice. The simplicity, with the closed eyes conveying a feeling of serenity and calm. Having it framed as I write. Thank you.
The more of Ray’s photogravures that I add to my collection, the less I miss his Platinum prints (which I love); as always, exquisite workmanship!
I really appreciate the option of having Ray's prints custom matted. Receiving a matted print really enhances the appearance--prints are meant to be displayed, after all, not stored away in a box. A matted print is one step closer to a framed print to be shared with others. That's, after all, what art is all about.
The soft, warm tones... the light through the window... the moment captured...
The beautiful print, "Portrait of Catriona" reflects another era, another feeling, an ethereal moment of perfection. The fine gravure print is remarkable, and lovely! It will join several other of Ray's prints in my gallery. I highly recommend engaging yourself with Ray's work.
As a fellow gravure-maker I can tell you that it's extremely difficult to capture the full tonal range of a continuous tone image with this technique. Ray does it consistently. My usual genre for my own work is the nude. But I'm also attracted to abstract work and "Five" has this Zen quality to it that appeals to me greatly. There is a peacefulness about it. The color of the ink Ray mixed is exquisite and isn't fully captured by the image on his web site. This image has really inspired me to look further into the realm of making abstract gravures.
Ray Bidegain's photogravure print titled, "Breath" is one of my favorites of the many of his photos that I've purchased from him over the years. In fact, I might buy another for a gift...it's a classic!! Russ