Hand Coloring Photographs

When selecting a photograph you are going to hand color, make sure it is printed a bit lighter than normal. Using RC paper, spray with McDonald's Retouch spray, and choose a hand coloring medium of your choice. Marshall oil is the most traditional of mediums, but students have gotten excellent results with Higgins inks and Prismacolor pencils as well. These are some examples from the last year or so.....

To dodge or to burn, that is the question....

So you are trying to figure out how to get the best print---- you have found you need filtration, but what else do you need?  Most of the time you will need to add exposure somewhere in your print.  Use test strips to find the perfect exposure time for each area of the print.  Make a "map" of these exposures on your "working print" and print your final.

Printing for the Subject

As you begin to print, ask yourself this question, "What type of mood is portrayed by my subject/content?" How you choose to print your photograph should take this into consideration. High drama? What about using a 4 or 5 filter to really boost the contrast. Soft and quiet? Play down the contrast and really pay attention to the middle and lighter values. Yes, every photographer should be able to print a good photograph with a full tonal range of values from white to black, but do not forget to print for mood as well.

Infrared Photography

Most of you know that last weekend I spent some time at the Turtle Island Preserve in NC with Eustace Conway. Conway has lived out in the woods, and off the land, for 20+ years. His vision of sustainability and independence is awe inspiring. The subsequent photos of the trip were created with Kodak 35mm Infrared film, a #25 red filter, and over-processing in the developer. Notice the grain and the inverted values--both characteristic of this film. See me if you would like to buy some of this film and try your hand at Infrared!

Night Sky

As we are wrapping up pinhole photography, it is time to begin thinking about images that can be created with film. Images that may require, like pinhole, long exposures but with very different results. Did you see the full moon this week? Ever thought of trying to capture it in a photograph? Remember to use something as a "frame" in the photograph to give a sense of place. Go, see, do, and record this weekend.

ART: 21 Art in the 21st Century

The Fine Arts Center will host a preview showing of the new PBS series, "Art: 21" on October 4th in the recital hall at 6:00 P.M. The episdoe that will be featured, "protest", features the work of two contemporary photographers and two other artists working with political and social concerns. Mark your calendars now!

Answer the Question

So....we have studied a bit of the history of photography and you guys know about the Farm Security Administration--who was the head of it---what period of time it was organized---etc. But can you discover the name of the photographer who created this image? I'll give you a hint: he worked for the FSA and this image was created in the Midwest. Now go to the link on this blog for the Library of Congress, email me the name of the photographer and get EXTRA CREDIT!

Guest Artist: Susan Harbage Page

These works were created with Polaroid medium format film during a week-long workshop with photographer, Susan Harbage Page in May 2007. Page asked each student to create a portrait of themselves with an object they selected to represent "self." Images were scanned in Photoshopand printed out on 17" x 22" Photos Lustre paper on an Epson 3800 Printer.
Page teaches photography at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill

Recovering

Since recovering, I have not had an opportunity to post to the blog. With a walkable cast, I will be back in the swing of things. By now you should be discovering the joys of filtration and spot toning. More later.

Welcome to Pinhole!

Welcome to photography and the magic of pinhole! Check out Margo Sackin's pinhole image featured here. Remember---you and that piece of cardboard (known as your "camera") are partners...."If it doesn't work, you don't work..." Get out there and make some images!