Debbie Cooke * FAC Photo

Hand Coloring Photographs

2009-11-09T13:48:00.007-05:00

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....

2008-11-05T15:08:00.007-05:00

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

2007-10-26T16:33:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-28T13:51:00.001-04:00

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

2007-09-14T16:17:00.001-04:00

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

2007-09-11T19:16:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-07T14:46:00.000-04:00

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

2006-11-20T10:33:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-09-14T14:49:00.000-04:00

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!

Have a Great Summer!

2006-05-31T11:35:00.000-04:00

Your file drawers are emptied, the drying racks are cleared, and it is time to enjoy your summer. Don't forget all that you have learned in photography. Get your camera out, think, compose and photograph. Search the second-hand stores for old Polaroid and 35mm cameras and---- play. Speaking of playing, I am featuring one of Maggie Allen's Polaroid's she created the last week of class. Take care and come back to see me.

Yes, It's a Photo!

2006-04-21T14:12:00.000-04:00

These images by Selina Westerwelle and Renee Widener, hot off the press, are products of our three days of experimenting with inks, oils and pencils. How are your works coming along?

Hand Coloring Techniques

2006-04-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

The following photos by John Allen, Brittany Jenkins and Elizabeth McWilliam showcase a variety of successful approaches to hand coloring.

hand coloring

2006-04-19T18:59:00.000-04:00

If you are using Marshall oils or inks or colored pencils, the thing to remember is that COLOR should enhance your photographic work. I will be posting images that have been hand colored with great success.

Words of Wisdom

2006-03-02T15:54:00.000-05:00

Dodging and Burning

2006-03-02T13:31:00.000-05:00

As we finish our unit on pinhole, remember that you can add or subtract exposure within a certain area of a print to get better results. The image posted here is one created by Calley Dunn. Calley dodged the outside area of her print to hide some of the imperfections of her negative. The resulting vignette adds to the overall mood of the image. What could dodging and burning do for your print?

Lewis W. Hine

2006-02-16T10:16:00.000-05:00

Remember us talking about the history of photography and the artists who prompted change through their work? Take a look at this image downloaded from the Library of Congress that was created by Lewis Hine in one of the Spartanburg mills. We talked about his images being responsible for the Child Labor Law. Remember? So what is it you would like your images to do?

Pinhole Photography by Former Students

2006-01-30T14:08:00.000-05:00

As we begin our pinhole photography unit, remember to check out websites that could give you ideas for your images. Google the subject "pinhole" and you will get a list of sites from around the world!

Night shoot

2006-01-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

One of the last things we will do for this semester is to create Polaroid emulsion lifts from your images from the night shoot. Do not forget to bring slides to class on Monday! Check in cameras and textbooks Monday or Tuesday.

Happy New Year

2006-01-10T02:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome back! Hope all of you had a good holiday and are ready for the rest of the semester. We will be photographing theatre students today. Remember to make them comfortable. The more at ease they feel, the better the photographs will be. The most important thing to think about is what the light is doing to the subject (even in my photo of this gingerbread house).

Values in Black & White photography

2005-11-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

Ever look at the fall colors or a colorful sunset and think, "I really want to create a beautiful image of that..." You can--just NOT with black and white film! When you are photographing in black and white, THINK contrast. To create an image with full values you must THINK in black and white. Start to translate color to black & white and your photos will greatly improve!

Becoming a Photographer

2005-11-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

As we venture in to 35mm photography I would like for you to begin to look at the work of 35mm photographers from around the world. One place to begin is to go to www.icp.org --this is the site for the International Center of Photography. Featured this month is the work of photographer Andre Kertesz. Kertesz created images of ordinary life using a camera much like your 35mm. In the 1950's and 1960' his photographs were published in Look, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Town and Country. Check out his images!

"Cloud Gate" by Anish Kapoor

2005-10-12T09:46:00.000-04:00

This Chicago "photo op" is part of the Millennium Park Project. Planned in 1997, it features an outdoor pavillion designed by architect Frank Gehry and several sculptures. This sculpture by the British artist, Kapoor, is 66 feet long and 33 feet high. The inspiration for the sculpture was liquid silver and the skyline of the city. Cool, very cool.

2005-09-22T15:18:00.000-04:00

"Marjorie in the Garden"

Platinum Print

2005-09-22T15:08:00.000-04:00

This is the photographic process used in this 1903 photograph by John Bullock (and also what you should write on the test for the extra credit!)

Get prints of famous photos for little $

2005-09-15T19:17:00.000-04:00

Ever wanted to own an Ansel Adams photograph? (o.k. some of you new students are asking...who the heck is that?) Or see a photograph of Greenville,SC almost a hundred years ago? How about a photo of Abraham Lincoln by Matthew Brady created during the Civil War? Have you ever seen photos of the effects of the Depression on the South and its people? These images, and thousands more, can be found at YOUR national library in Washington, DC. For more info---- see the link to that site. Happy viewing!

Through the Pinhole Lens

2005-09-13T17:33:00.000-04:00

A view from the inside of the camera obscura to the outside world.

PINHOLE CAMERAS

2005-09-09T21:57:00.000-04:00

So...You think you have created a light-proof canister? Good for you! This weekend take some time to examine your "camera" and make sure it is truly light tight. Design an outside that reflects who you are. You and this cardboard device are going to be "up close and personal" for the next few weeks. Remember---if it doesn't work, you don't work....See you Monday where we bond talking about Dektol, acetic acid and more fun stuff!

Dr. Roy's Welcome

2005-08-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

True Words.....

2005-08-22T15:51:00.000-04:00

Mystery Question!

2005-08-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

Locate the city in which this photo was created for a free roll of film!

Fine Arts Center Photography - Debbie R. Cooke, Instructor

2005-08-20T12:24:00.000-04:00

First semester photography students at the Fine Arts Center, who would like to capture Ms. Cooke's heart AND create an advanced pinhole camera, need to be on the lookout for large ice cream canisters. Do you know the ones I mean? They are large cardboard cylinders with metal rims. Small ice cream shops have them, but you have to be quick because the usually throw them out as soon as they are empty. I promise you that they are not as easy to find! If you are lucky enough to bag one, wash and dry them as soon as you get it. If they are too soggy don't try to use them. Good luck hunting!