‘Twas 4am In The Library…
Image by Elsa Tam
Elsa Tam, a member of f2 (one of Fotofilia’s two photographic clubs) rose to my challenge to attend the “4am Project” shoot at Birmingham Central Library a few weeks ago. Here is a few of her images and her account of the event…
Image by Elsa Tam
“On 24th April, I attended the 4am Project. The Birmingham Central Library was chosen as the venue for the project this time. It was such a great opportunity to have a look around with my camera before it gets knocked down. We got to go into the store rooms which are not normally opened up to general public. Karen Strunks has done such a great job to organise the event and it was definitely worth getting up at silly o’clock for!”
Image by Elsa Tam
http://4amproject.org/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/4amproject
What The Holga Is The Fuss About? (Part 1)
Recommended reading
After listening to several of Christophe Dillinger’s talks about the wonderful world of plastic cameras I eventually decided to invest a few of my birthday vouchers and buy a Chinese-made Holga camera.
It arrived in a nice box, with a very informative, refreshingly warts-and-all instruction book and I eagerly unwrapped it and held this unprepossessing plastic box in my trembling fingers. I already knew, having handled a few of these cameras, not to expect anything especially impressive – and in that sense I wasn’t disappointed – it certainly couldn’t be described as impressive.
The first thing that strikes you is the weight – or lack of it. This is a very light camera. In fact it pretty much doubles in weight when you load a film! But then it would be: the few bits that aren’t made of plastic are made of the flimsiest metal (such as the clips that hold the camera back in place). Build quality isn’t, as enthusiasts and manufacturers alike would acknowledge, exactly first class.
But then these cameras, and other similar plastic-lensed cameras, were first marketed as toys, only being picked up by “serious” photographers on a small scale at first before becoming the cult objects they have latterly become. I suspect though that my Holga would last about two minutes in the hands of most kids.
Mods: The manual that came with the camera, as well as the excellent book I spent the remainder of my Amazon vouchers on – “Plastic Cameras” by Michelle Bates – recommended certain modifications (or “mods” to the initiated) before putting a roll of film (did I mention that as well as having a plastic lens, the Holga shoots film?) through it. This included putting two strips of black electrical tape across the camera’s inner moulding to ease the film’s transport without scratching the film emulsion. I was also advised to put three pieces of gaffer tape on the back of the camera: two to hold the camera’s back on – yes, ON – the flimsy clips have a tendency to slip/spring off thereby revealing your film to the elements (and light) mid-shoot.
The third piece of gaffer tape goes over the small frame counter window, which is notorious for letting in light, so fogging the film. This means that during use, the tape has to be lifted (in subdued light) to check frame numbers or to advance the film to the next frame.
A 120 to 35mm adaptation.
Frame counter taped up
Some users surpass even these measures and insert all manner of sponge, elastic and tape to their Holgas. Many of the mods are to prevent stray light from flooding in to the sieve-like body but its also possible to adapt your 120 camera to shoot 35mm (but why bother? – they make a 35mm version!).
Perhaps the most useful mod of all?...
More in part two…
http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ – retailers of Holgas
http://www.lomographylondon.co.uk/ and http://uk.shop.lomography.com/?gclid=CNT76abLi6kCFUFC4QodxUr3ig
How Low Would You Go For A Picture?
It seems some “gentlemen” of the press know no bounds when it comes to getting their shot. I came across this image of Jessica Elba being pursued by one such fella. What do you think? Is this a step too far even for the paparazzi? Where would you draw the line?
Casting: Grumpy Old Man Wanted
I’ve already posted this casting on facebook, but sadly the most constructive suggestions involved a mirror – “friends” eh?
But I’m serious! I’m looking for a – let’s say – older gent, to play the “grumpy old man” for a couple of pictures for an editorial project. As such I can pay expenses plus images on cd. The applicant will be expected to really “act up” the grumpiness for the shot. Think Victor Meldrew on a very bad day.
I can arrange the shoot around the model but it will ideally be a weekday daytime. Know anyone who’s West Mids-based who fits the bill? Please let me know.
De:fusion at Fotofilia
A new exhibition launches at Fotofilia today (Tuesday 24th May).
De:fusion are a group of 11 students in the final year of an Art & Design Foundation Degree at TCAT, Telford (through The University of Wolverhampton).
The work is understandably diverse, covering as it does, various different media and not just photography, but we feel you will definitely enjoy this exhibition.
Among the exhibitors is Rachel Bailey, who some of you may have met when she worked at Fotofilia as an intern earlier in the year. I’ve been so impressed with her underwater photographs that I’m trying to persuade her to have a solo show at Fotofilia later in the year but in the meantime, come along and see 6 examples of this amazing work plus that of her equally talented fellow TCAT students.
Launch event is Tuesday 24th May 7-9pm. You’re invited!
by Rachel Bailey
by Andrea Brittain
Early Adventures In Plastic
I mentioned a while back that I’d succumbed (with a little nudging and inspiration from fotofilia chum Christophe Dillinger) to the persuasive but not readily identifiable charms of the Holga. In my case it’s a 120 roll film version with a few mods added as per the various books and articles I’ve read. Anyway, I’ll be adding a full review of this plastic fantastic very shortly but in the meantime, here’s a few of my early images…
Katie-May
Kevon - Colour and mono comparison
http://www.lomography.com/ – all you need to know.
You Know You’re An Old Photographer When…
I’m told that I’m rapidly becoming my dad, and do indeed find myself saying some very “grumpy old man” things. Here’s my guide to spotting the warning signs that you might be turning into – gulp – an old photographer.
- You refer to “film speeds” and “ASA” rather than “ISO”.
- You get misty-eyed at the mention of terms like “bakelite”, “ID11” and “twin lens reflex”.
- At exhibitions, you will bore anyone who will listen by extolling the virtues of film grain over digital noise.
- Most of your shots are taken at standing eye-level because you know if you get down on the floor for a better angle, you mightn’t get up again.
- Your shed, loft and/or spare room is full of old photography magazines that you’re hanging onto because you just know that tip on page 19 about buying tripods will be useful one day.
- You talk about how the industry isn’t what it was and how great the wedding market used to be.
- You take more and more equipment to shoots – just in case.
- You buy khaki/camouflage clothing from the back pages of photography magazines which has plenty of pockets for those extra little gizmos.
- You used to be able to hand-hold at 1/30th of a second and now need a tripod for 1/250th.
- You take a chair on location shoots.
- You find you fancy the models’ mums more than the models.
Perhaps you know some other tell-tale signs..?
Shooting On A Shoestring: Top Tips for Photography On A Budget (Part 2)
Here’s a few more of my own personal tips for getting the most out of your photography without having to sell a kidney…
Rediscover Film: There was a time when everyone used film. Yes, I know this is a bit hard for you youngsters to get your head around, but it actually managed to provide the medium for most of the groundbreaking images you’re still reading about. Film cameras are no longer accepted in part exchange at the big camera stores and most don’t even sell the film any more. For some this has been the cue to splash out on a brand new sparkling digital camera. This is great news for the rest of us because it means that its easier and cheaper than ever to pick up film cameras, whether online, in junk shops or at car boot sales. Unlike those new-fangled digital wotsits, film cameras were made of tough stuff and are largely mechanically operated, meaning they need very little operational functionality to continue taking pictures just as they always have. As long as your camera shoots 35mm or 120 roll film, then film stock is still easily available online. The bigger supermarkets will process your 35mm film for a quid or two and then you can scan it (assuming you want to and have the scanner) or make prints in the time-honoured way. Ok, so a 36 exposure roll of film will cost you over £3 whereas a digital memory card will keep on recording for years at no extra cost, but working in film necessitates a different way of working, a different mind-set, even (more of this in a later post).
Old Glass Is Good Glass: On a related topic, when you pick up your free or cheap film SLR, chances are it will come with a lens or two. You might find that this lens fits the manufacturers modern-day equivalent DSLR, albeit with a lack of a few functions. Some photographers are happy to accept the lack of a few automatic functions because they consider the optical quality of some of the older lenses to be superior to their digital equivalent. You’ll need to check out whether your film lens will fit your DSLR but if not, you can always just carry on using it with your film SLR.
Models Without Mayhem: There was a time when unless you had one in the family, you hired models via an agency (expensive) or the local paper (often sight unseen). Thankfully, the internet has changed all that. Websites like Pure Storm and Model Mayhem have created a great way for photographers and models (and Make-Up Artists) to come together without the need for any other agency. These sites are positively brimming with budding models and seasoned professionals, all looking for photographers to work with – and vice versa. So if you’re in need of a model but not able to pay agency rates, these sites have plenty of models listed who might consider TFCD (Time For CD) or TFP (Time For Prints) shoots – on other words, they give their time in exchange for finished images that they can then use for their portfolios. I’ve met some great models this way that I am still working with on a regular basis, but as an unknown, and unproven, photographer, you might find it slightly harder to convince a new model to trust you with their time. Always remember this is a two-way arrangement: you are not getting a model for free, you are getting a model in return for useable images. Fail to provide the images you promise and word travels fast (the sites offer a feedback facility so any lack of professionalism, poor punctuality, and general bad attitude could be on the internet for eternity if you fail to deliver. Improve your chances of finding a model on these sites by setting up a (free) profile that includes some of your best images.
Marque Doesn’t Maketh Man: Your camera manual will tell you to always use accessories by the same manufacturer – lenses, flashes etc. But then they would say that, wouldn’t they? You can get an awful lot more for your pocket money by considering third-party accessories. I’ve previous discussed the fiscal merits of Yong Nuo strobes as compared with the Nikon/Canon etc equivalents, but alternative manufacturers of lenses, filters, remote controls/triggers, batteries, cables etc also represent a real saving but without any loss of quality. Let me give you another example – one of my real pet hates – the Sony hot shoe adaptor. A hot shoe adaptor (for connecting off-camera flash systems to your SLR via the accessory shoe on the top of your camera) will set you back between £15-20 for a Nikon or a Canon and therefore, as these have the same hot-shoe type as Pentax, Olympus etc can be used for these too. Sony, however, have a “unique” hot-shoe design which means these adaptors cannot be used on Sony DSLR’s. Instead, their own Sony adaptor, which functions in exactly the same way, will knock you back well over £100! In fact £140+ last time I checked. Luckily for savvy Sony users, there’s a nice man in Hong Kong who sells an equivalent adaptor via eBay for less than a tenner including delivery. I have one for use when I’m doing studio demos with Sony users and my eBay adaptor works perfectly (or at least as well as the Sony version I should think). In this case, why pay 14 times as much just to have the “authorised” version? Personally I think if they are prepared to rip off their users in this way, they deserve to have everyone using third-party accessories.
Share Alike: Studio hire is fairly cheap nowadays (from only £10 an hour at Fotofilia) but if you’d like to use a studio without paying full price, consider sharing with another photographer or two. This has other benefits apart from the shared hire cost: The more of you there are, the more ideas you will have as a group. Also, when you’re the sole photographer, there are times when you need to change lenses or cards, answer nature’s call, or get a drink, so this is when another photographer could take their turn to shoot. Select your shooting partners carefully however and discuss rough ideas in advance so that no-one feels disappointed or misled.
I’d be interested in hearing about your ideas for saving money on photography too. Please drop me a line or leave a comment.
“Pride of The Black Country” – The Video
You might remember my exhibition – “Pride of The Black Country” – shown at Fotofilia in Jan/Feb 2011. Well, I put together a video shortly after which includes many of the images as stills plus some actual footage by Gareth Jukes of the exhibition launch.
We have a boxing shoot/workshop coming up on Friday 5th May in Dudley where attendees will have the chance to photograph many of these same boxers. There’s still a space of anyone’s interested…?
Anyway, in the meantime, have a look at the video…
Find out more about the extraordinary work done by Paul Gough and his team at Priory Park ABC at http://www.prioryparkabc.co.uk/
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