Category: Analog Film

Textures

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Typically, photographs that are noted for texture tend to be sharp, with a lot of detail. The image in this post is from my brass lens portrait series: the combination of the old lens, long (4-5 second!) exposure ensure that these images will not be sharp. Also, the photo paper that I use for the negatives in this process tends to emphasize skin blemishes, so in post I need to further smooth things out a bit, further reducing detail.

However, I still like the texture in this image, particularly in the hair, and the way the light plays on it.

Bonnie 4x5

The Eyes Have It

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In a perverse sense, it is refreshing to get a sense of adventure with this film project, not being sure if images will even turn out. Such a change from the bland perfection of digital. Another session where I got one barely usable image, requiring a lot of work in post. Still very happy with the image; amazing eyes!

Bridget-Marie

Eight Exposures

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Another image from my Vintage lens portrait series, of model Memento Mori, shot on a 4×5 paper negative, an exposure of about 4 seconds or so. I only have 4 film holders for my 4×5 view camera; with each holder two taking sheets, that gives me 8 shots before reloading (in the darkroom!). I’m happy that with eight images, I got three, perhaps four keepers. I never get that ratio with digital.

Portrait 2

Fix It In Post

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I tweeted yesterday that large format photography is like playing the French horn or the oboe: both these instruments can produce beautiful music, but are absolutely unforgiving if you make a mistake. One difference in photography though is the tools available to rescue a photograph, and the image in this post is an example of what can be done to “fix it in post.” The original image (taken yesterday morning using by 4×5 view camera, antique brass lens and paper negative) was severely underexposed, and was not flattering in terms of skin texture, but through the use of scanning and image manipulation tools I was able to bring enough of the image back to create a portrait I quite like.

Maya 4x5 portrait

My Kind of Store…

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When I was in Ottawa for PAB2011 in June one evening I walked by a store called The Camera Trading Company one evening, after closing time. The store looked fascinating, and I resolved to visit the next morning. What a store! Focussing on film/vintage photography gear, it is the kind of place I could spend many hours (and many $$$). Today’s image is of the proprietor, in front of a wall of classic cameras.

What I found encouraging was that the store was busy when I went in, and while I was there a women in her late teens/early 20’s came in and bought a film camera. It’s great to see the next generation picking up film 🙂

Camera Dealer

A Happy Accident

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This picture is the second in my antique brass lens portrait series. The subjects are model Amy (who I’ve photographed before) and her boyfriend Jerrod. The exposure was about 5 seconds, so there is a bit of movement, which I like, especially in Amy’s eyes. The good news ends there though; I had issues with light leaks (probably my homemade lens board holding the old lens) and some chemical contamination on the paper negative. Even after a fair amount of Photoshopping out the damage, it’s still pretty rough. In this case though, I think it adds to the image. I certainly can’t rely on being lucky every time though!

Amy and Jerrod

Artist As Model as Artist

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Today another image in my Women and Cameras series. This is a Van Dyke Brown print of model Angel Noel, holding a 1950’s vintage Exakta 35mm single lens reflex (with waist level, not eye-level finder). It was amazing shooting with Angela; she is a artist herself: as a painter she had great instincts for poses and other creative ideas. All in all, a great collaboration!

Van Dyke Browne Print of Angela and Exakta

A Different Path

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Last Friday, I took part in the PAB 2011 Content Walk. The idea was to walk around central Ottawa with cameras, audio recorders etc. to create content and tell stories. The weather rapidly became the story, changing seemingly every ten minutes, but mainly rainy. We spent some time outside, and I got some pictures taken around the canal locks, but soon we had to retreat to the safety of a pub. The weather got steadily worse, but in the basement of the pub we were having a great time. We got some great light and my favourite is the image below. I had to push the film to E.I. 1600 but in this context I don’t mind the grain.

june2011Ottawa018

More of the Best of Both Worlds

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Today another image from my photo session with Mysty. Again, I used the hybrid approach of shooting on film, and then using digital post processing; this is really becoming my favourite workflow, as I take advantage of the best of both the film and digital worlds. What a great time to be a photographer!

Along the Wall

Industrial Strength

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Another image in the Women and Cameras series, featuring an Exakta SLR. The Exakta brand has a long and proud history, and can claim the first 35mm Single Lens Reflex (the Kine Exakta of the mid 1930’s). The camera model pictured is from the late 1950’s/early 1960’s; at this point Exakta was a Communist East Germany operation, and I think this camera fits the era: a sturdy, tractor-like camera that belongs in a factory. Certainly the model was surprised at how heavy it was.

misty013