Workshop

Film Noir Workshop

Workshop

During this Workshop I lerant a brand new way of taking photographs. Using the film noir style we placed a model at a white wall, inserted massive wooden blind and then took a profile photo. Our model had to wear a suit and tie to fit in the style of old film. We also created fog using the fog machine and planted three continous lights in a triangle shape. Using scrims the lighting was not too bright but dimmed perfectly to fit the scene. The fog created an ancient, tradional mafia and crime themed shots which came out really interesting.

Model Styling Workshop

Styling Identity, Workshop

Here I present some of my few shot I took in the model styling workshop. This workshop was taught by a professional Fashion Photographer “Katja Mejer”. This workshop made me understand simple tricks to achieve high quality photographs in a studio. Firstly we got introduced to two students that agreed to model for us. One scene was with colour gels and the other was used with continous lighting, more of a natural scene contrasting more of a contemporary theme.

The colour gel shots was really fascinating and extremely useful for future photoshoots. I learnt that the cameras settings have to be set manually to meet the expectations of the lighting in the studio. For instance sometimes the colours could be not as vibrant, the subject could not be in focus because of the bad lighting and lastly I learnt to keep an eye on shadows especially using colour gels because they could get in the way of the shot.

The continous lights theme photoshoot went really well. We had two lights set up, one in front and one behind for backlit exposure. we used polyboards to reflect the lighting onto the subject so that the lighting wont be as harsh as it could of been. We practiced different postures with the models to gain experience while doing our actual photoshoot.

Overall because of this workshop I decided to use continous lighting in my actual photoshoot and use the blue colour gel too to connect with my project’s theme.

Medium and Large format Workshop

Environment, Test Shoots, Workshop

Camera work

Using the 6×6 medium format camera and using the Large format camera for the first time was really challenging but on the other hand so interesting as I was performing one of the oldest way of capturing a photograph. The first photograph was taken in a Skate park by Campus, beautiful weather, urban backdrop, one model, black and white and medium format camera – nothing could have went wrong here! This was an environmental portrait as we have a little scenery in the background of a skatepark, this represents the youth, freedom and art because of the graffiti. When using the camera it was difficult for me to remember all the steps you have to do before taking a shot like metering the light with a light metre, taking out the dark slide focusing the lens and finally SNAP.

The second photograph illustrates a shot from the Large format camera. the process of taking a photograph was almost the same as the medium format however there was a little more instructions such as using a zoom in loop to measure the focus, closing the shutter each shop, remembering to take out the film carefully and changing it each time there was a photo taken and pressing a wired button which tells the camera to take a snap.

Darkroom

Using the darkroom was such an outstanding experience however working in complete darkness was really difficult as it was my first time. Printing the photographs was a really relaxing and took a long period of time because of all the steps you have to do. I had to gather my film in negatives carriers to keep them dust free and fingerprint free. Then using inserts you select which negative you want to print, each insert is used for different formats and sizes like for instance a 6×6 Square. you gather yourself a measuring board which later the photo will be projected on, get a focus lens, quality paper and cardboard for exposure.

When entering the darkroom you have to choose whether you’re using the black and white or the colour room as the black and white involves working with a dark red light and the colour room is pitch black. When you loaded the insert in the exposure machine you are good to start. First you have to focus the photo so that it prints out in great quality.  Secondly by having a mod device by your side you can control the grading and exposure lengths which make the actual machine expose light onto the paper. When that is done you can transfer the image onto the developing tray with special chemicals. For a minute and a half the photo is soaking in the tray which seconds later you can see the photograph exposing on the paper. Then for thirty seconds you end the developing in a second tray which involves a different chemical. Thirdly you take it out and put it in the last tray which processes the photograph so that there is final details exposed and the contrast settles in slowly. The last steps are the quickest, you soak the print in water for about 10 minutes and dry it in a machine so there are no watermarks. You finish off with scanning the print onto a computer to further develop with editing softwares.

Fayekaty