DARKROOM PROJECT

This week I experimented with the differences between Resin Coated, and Fiber Paper.  I used different exposure times under the enlarger, but used the same piece of film and level of contrast for both.  I tend to prefer Resin Coated paper just because I feel like you come out with a cleaner more athletic final piece, and I also like the crumpled leaf effect after development

DARKROOM PROJECT

The rest of my images are coming but this is the only one I have so far.

EXAMPLE: Contact Sheet Photo Art

A carefully planned grid of photos on a contact sheet can be made into an amazing image. It can be done with film or digital photos, though digital is a little more forgiving. Here are some examples.

• Strange Contact Sheet Self Portraits - Karl Baden
• Contact Sheet Word Art - Martin Wilson

DARKROOM PROJECT

Here are some photograms I did with Kevin Ji and Laura Alvarez. This first week back in the darkroom, we worked on making large photograms, printing with both RC and fiber paper, as well as printing large prints. 

First off, I really enjoyed making large photograms this week. It was sort of interesting trying to figure out how to actually process them, especially the one with Laura because it wouldn't fit into the trays. I feel like with larger prints it's harder to control every detail of the development process, unlike with smaller prints that you can easily move around. Because of this I noticed a lot of "man handling" marks on the paper. :D Overall though, I really enjoyed making photograms. 

Along with photograms, I also worked on printing super large prints with Kevin Laura. It was easier to burn and dodge the image because it was larger, and there was also a lot more detail in the image compared to smaller 8x10 prints. 

Lastly, I tried out the fiber paper instead of the RC paper. I feel like the fiber paper is a lot warmer in tone compared to the RC paper, however it does take longer to develop. And also instead of drying flat like the RC paper, the fiber paper curls up like a wet piece of paper when the whole development process is done. In my opinion it gives the paper a more "vintage" look. :) 

DARKROOM PROJECT

Last week, we worked on a couple of different projects.  I found myself playing around with making photograms out of my profile.  I started very basic and simple, just making pictures my profile and straight on, and then eventually began to use different light sources such as flashlights, and ended with throwing some fixer on the canvas before I took the picture.

READING: Framing the American Landscape by Car

The New Yorker magazine and the New York Times recently published reviews of the Lee Friendlander's "America By Car" exhibit at the Whitney Museum. How do the reviews compare? Is using the car window a gimmick? Do you like the images?

 

How does Friedlander's work compare to Oscar Fernando Gomez (a younger Mexican photographer)?

 

INFO: Pier 24 Gallery

Pier 24 is another photography gallery to visit in San Francisco. This one is by appointment only, but it looks like a terrific place to check out in the future.

READING: Dali Atomicus - Story Behind the Photo

Interesting story about a famous photograph and its maker.

DARKROOM PROJECT

Students are getting reacquainted with the darkroom by:

• Using the big enlargers to make large prints
• Comparing fiber and RC photo papers
• Experimenting with head, upper torso, and full body photograms

Please post 2-3 sample images of your work and briefly describe what you did.

Starting the 2010-11 class year

Our Advanced Photo Class is just getting started. I've asked each student to post something to this blog to make sure their account is working. So let's see if everyone can just say hello here in response to my post. Thanks!