Definition of a Shantytown

           So many of you probably are wondering, well maybe some of you aren't, why I named this blog Sam's Shantytown. Well the photo below give you a clear indication of why it has been crowned a Shanty.

The Backyard Shanty

           As you can see there is not one, but two BBQ's, and not a single matching chair in sight for our "matching" patio set. Miscellaneous parts for a motorbike with tons of construction wood and salvaged wood just to give it a little bit of extra flare. Our neighbors are thoroughly impressed with how much junk we can accumulate, luckily they are young and a eye sore is not something they fuss about. This photo was taken a few weeks ago since then we picked up the backyard to make it a little bit more livable. This backyard just like life is a ongoing project. Oh and for all of you that don't think that this is that messy over the summer we converted a non - working pickup into this.......

Click to Enlarge!

Brett's New Dungeon

As the days roll on the work continues at Sam's humble abode. Upon moving into this house my roommate Brett wanted a bigger room but was stuck with the smallest one in the house. So we came to the conclusion who needs a wall closing you off from the pitch of the roof. Before I knew it the wall was down and the construction began. From framing to drywall to mud to flooring it has all been constructed by Brett or Sam. So here are a few photographs you can see it moving right along into a larger more creative space to accommodate the arrival of Brett Allen and his world of painting and drawing.

Early Stages

Late Stages

Early Stages

Late Stages

Building the Darkest of Rooms (Pt. 1)

          After moving in one of the first things that is a must have is a Darkroom. This is obviously not something everyone will use but I personally love printing and being able to do it just down the stairs is much more appealing than going to the U or going to an art center and paying to use their Darkroom. So we plotted out a space downstairs that will be perfect for a darkroom, easy to wall off to make it dark and ideally easy to make a built in integrated countertop with shelving. Now all of this is all fine when we put it on pen and paper but actually making something happen is another story entirely.

Empty Room for the Start

        The first step was getting a working enlarger, check, found one on KSL in great shape with two lenses, extra bulbs, trays, enlarger (color and black and white), timer, and all the film carriers from medium format to 35mm. SCORE! For now this is what the set up looks like but soon enough a great darkroom fully integrated into the house with a light table and sink!

Temporary Setup

Introduction to "The Family"

            My great friend Sam recently purchased a house while the market prices were rock bottom. He found a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom fixer upper in between downtown and sugarhouse, the house was in rough shape to say the least. Immediately after the sale was complete he began painting, sanding, and completely renovating his new home. After a few weeks the house was ready to live in, roommates have come and gone now I find myself along with four of my best friends all living in this very same house! Although it has undergone drastic changes the five of us still find things to paint fix or build to make the house better than ever. The house consists of a painter (Brett), a photographer (Myself), a carpenter (Sam), a soon to be meteorologist (Alex), and soon to be lawyer (Joey).

Sam and Graham @ the Infamous House