Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Shutters/Dead ends/Lens/Pens
New additions to the collaborative project with David Press is available at our Tumblr blog, Shutters/Dead ends/Lens/Pens. Check it out and insightful comments are always appreciated.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Film, why have I ignored you so long?
It has been about six weeks since I immersed myself completely in shooting film again with my fine art and commission work after over a decade hiatus shooting only digital. I have spent most of my professional life shooting with film but when digital took over, the economics and convenience of it was to much to ignore. Dedicating myself to strictly digital since 2001 has now brought me back full circle. Film; Why have I ignored you so long?
What has the return to film photography meant to me personally and professionally? Film has enlivened a child like enthusiasm to what and how I see again. I am paying closer attention to the details, knowing that I need to get this right, here at the capture stage, because there isn't any fancy post production work that will fix it if I don't.
I have begun capturing my images with a variety of 2 1/4 as well as sheet film camera's. I think I am most enjoying the process of shooting again with a view camera. Dark cloth over the head, loupe on the ground glass, meticulously analyzing all four corners and everything in-between. I have once again fallen in love with the process of photographing people with this large cumbersome piece of equipment. Part of your attention is definitely on the equipment itself because there is so much you need to do prior to capture. I have found though, that this slow methodical process has also created a real openness and clarity when a person is in front of the lens.
It is because of the slowness of set-up and capture that you need to maintain a genuine and honest dialog with the sitter. A dialog that goes beyond the instruction of pose and one more personal and real. You do shoot less, the client doesn't get 50+ images to choose from but you create a real live experience that is wonderful, challenging and rewarding.
What has the return to film photography meant to me personally and professionally? Film has enlivened a child like enthusiasm to what and how I see again. I am paying closer attention to the details, knowing that I need to get this right, here at the capture stage, because there isn't any fancy post production work that will fix it if I don't.
I have begun capturing my images with a variety of 2 1/4 as well as sheet film camera's. I think I am most enjoying the process of shooting again with a view camera. Dark cloth over the head, loupe on the ground glass, meticulously analyzing all four corners and everything in-between. I have once again fallen in love with the process of photographing people with this large cumbersome piece of equipment. Part of your attention is definitely on the equipment itself because there is so much you need to do prior to capture. I have found though, that this slow methodical process has also created a real openness and clarity when a person is in front of the lens.
It is because of the slowness of set-up and capture that you need to maintain a genuine and honest dialog with the sitter. A dialog that goes beyond the instruction of pose and one more personal and real. You do shoot less, the client doesn't get 50+ images to choose from but you create a real live experience that is wonderful, challenging and rewarding.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Color Rush: 75 Years of Color Photography in America
I saw the Color Rush exhibit today at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Since my initial interest in photography was in/as a commercial-advertising photographer I really appreciated seeing all of those early ad and magazine references. Other than the beautiful more traditional portraits by both Stieglitz and Steichen, these images are my favorite from the exhibition.
Harlem Number, Anton Bruehl, 1943 carbo print
Roddy McDowall as Ariel, Eliot Elisofon, 1957 dye transfer
Summer Sleep, Irving Penn, 1949
I was also interested in researching Bruce Nauman's series, "Eleven Color Photographs" that depict visuals of common phrases. I wish that the show would have shown a few more of Cindy Sherman's color work but it is a very nice exhibit.
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