Portrait
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Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
Here are a few images I made on Fuji instant peel apart film (aka Fujiroids). The material is very similar to Polaroids and is a lot of fun to use. The top image is of Richard, a tailor who works in a shop on Little Clarendon Street. If there was ever someone who is always sharply dressed then this is that guy. I made this image with my Graflex Super D camera a few days after it had arrived so I was keen to see what it was capable of. Previously I had always used the front of the shop to do test shots but I like how the lights in the background have turned out here.
The other images are of a friend and work colleague of mine who was visiting from New York. These were made with my Mamiya RB67 and custom made sliding Polaroid back. This time I used some expired (2004) Polaroid in my studio where I was experimenting with direct hard light from a tungsten light.
Richard the tailor, Little Clarendon Street.
Michael diptych 1
Michael diptych 2
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait | No Responses »
Wednesday, August 1st, 2012
This is a short post of some frames from a a lunch hour session a few weeks ago. I’ve already posted the other frames from this roll but I forgot to post these.
[Tech info:] Rolleiflex SL66, 80mm Zeiss lens, with Fuji Acros 100 film processed in Kodak HC110 (dilution b).
Top: David working on his bike, middle: builders working on the Walton street site, bottom: waiting for the bus, Magdalen Street.
Top: Martin, middle and bottom: Korky Paul and Valerie Thomas book signing. They're the duo behind the Winnie the Witch series of books.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait, Street portraits | No Responses »
Tags: 6x6, black&white, film, hc110, people, SL66, summer
Sunday, July 29th, 2012
The long awaited summer weather has finally arrived here in Oxford and after months of rain we’ve been enjoying scorching hot sun. When the sun comes out people are generally in a good mood and that makes for better conditions to make street portraits. I’ve got quite a backlog of films to process and scan but I’m working through them slowly. Here are some images made on a brand of colour film that I haven’t tried before but I keep hearing and seeing great things about it so I decided to give it a go. So far I love the results. These images are all consecutive frames on the same roll of film. I like how they’re sequenced. As you can see the tv show Lewis is currently being filmed in Oxford and Kevin Whately was nice enough to stop for a quick street portrait in Turl Street.
[Tech info:] Rolleiflex SL66, 80/f2.8 lens, loaded with Fuji Pro 400H film, processed and scanned by me.
Top frame: focus puller with the Lewis crew
Top frame: Party shop in Market Street, middle: Kevin Whately, bottom: sound crew working on Lewis.
Top: Michael, middle: Jamie, bottom: conservators working on restoring St Mary's Church.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait, Street portraits | 1 Response »
Tags: 400H, 6x6, film, fuji, oxford, people, portraits, SL66, summer
Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Some more images from my series documenting a local BMX ramp and the people that use it. The first images were made in the morning of my first visit there (Saturday), these were made in the afternoon and the following morning (Sunday). I found that once the sun had moved around in the afternoon the light was a lot less contrasty and perfect for the group shot of the BMX riders. The group shot was not pre-arranged, the riders had arrived while I was setting up for the shot of the two people sitting on the middle of the ramp. I think they were intrigued by the old skool camera I was using but they were naturally cautious when I asked if I could make a group shot of them. I knew the shot would be worthwhile and once I focused the image on the ground glass screen I was sure it would be. Fortunately I had a sheet of Fuji Veliva Transparency film with me so I was able to make a colour image as well but I’ll try to process that later in the summer. The film is quite expired so there’s no knowing how it will turn out.
The shot of the two BMX riders almost didn’t happen. The rider on the right is Pipe Williams, I photographed him on Polaroid earlier in the summer during Eights Week and we’d loosely arranged to meet up at the ramp during the morning. Just when I thought he wasn’t going to show I started to pack my camera away and it was then that he arrived with another rider. I like how this shot has turned out and the sun went behind a cloud just at the right time to reduce the contrast. They’re both sponsored by Stolen BMX, a bike company.
[Tech info:] Wista 10×8 with Sinaron 300mm lens on green sensitive x-ray film, processed in Rodinal 1:50 for 6 mins.
BMX riders.
Pipe Williams (right) with friend.
I forgot to ask these two guys whether they're skateboarders or BMX riders.
This ramp is due to be torn down at the end of the summer and a new one built.
Middle of the ramp.
A behind the scenes shot of the camera I used.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait | 3 Responses »
Tags: 10x8, black&white, film, oxford, people, portraits, rodinal, wista, x-ray film
Sunday, July 22nd, 2012
There is a ramp near my house that is used by skateboarders and BMX riders. It’s been there a very long time. Originally there were two but the higher one slowly rotted away so it was torn down. This weekend I decided to make some portraits there of whoever I came across as a way of documenting the ramp and the people that use it. On my way over there I found out that the ramp is due to be demolished and a new one is going to be built in its place. I’m glad I found this out now rather than when it was too late. My old middle school is next door to where this ramp is so I can remember the time before the ramp was there. I can also remember a time before BMX was popular in the UK. It all started with the movie E.T.
[Tech info:] Wista 10×8 camera with Sinaron 300mm lens on green sensitive x-ray film (ISO 50), processed in Rodinal 1:50 for 6 mins.
Skateboarders. These guys were leaving just as I arrived. Thanks for stopping.
A photographic first? BMX action shot on 10x8.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait | 1 Response »
Tags: 10x8, black&white, film, oxford, people, portraits, rodinal, wista, x-ray film
Saturday, July 7th, 2012
During my second test shoot with Helen I was able to test out a number of different rolls of film. The shots below are all from the same roll (with this particular camera I only get 10 shots on a roll). This was towards the end of the shoot and we decided to change things up a bit by making use of a nearby tree. Helen showed her excellent climbing skills, barefoot! It was tricky to find a comfortable spot in such a cramped space but I think Helen did a great job. The film I used here is Kodak BW CN which is sadly no longer made. I bought some expired rolls from a photographer who was having a clear out. The advantage was that you could have the film processed at any regular photo lab because it requires colour film chemistry even though it’s a black & white film. This is only the second roll I’ve used of my batch and I really like it so far.
[Tech info:] Pentax 6×7, Kodak BW CN (expired 2009). Processed and scanned by me.
Branching out.
Backlit.
Lean back.
Perched on the edge.
Eye contact.
Looking at the horizon.
Last frame.
Posted in film, Oxford, Photo shoot, Portrait, students | No Responses »
Tags: 6x7, black&white, film, helen, oxford, pentax, people, portraits, students, summer
Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
Here are some more images from the Pandora’s box themed shoot I did a couple of weeks ago. I had previously photographed a few of these students at the Keble college 2012 summer ball, they liked my shots from there so I was asked if I wanted to make some shots of them all dressed up before their party. This was a really fun shoot with a bunch of very creative people. Those wings were made by Josh from scratch and it was quite a sight to see him walking down the road with them strapped on his back. The location we chose to shoot at was a local lake which had the most beautiful summer evening light but unfortunately we didn’t have very long for photography before they all had to leave for their party. Some Polaroids I made during this shoot can be seen here.
I hope to do more photo shoots like this so please get in touch if you’ve got anything interesting planned.
[Tech info:] Mamiya RB67, 90mm lens, loaded with Fuji NPH400 film. Home processed and scanned by me.
Group shot.
At the water's edge.
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Pandora's Box group shot (I'm the one without a cool outfit).
Posted in film, Oxford, Portrait, students | 1 Response »
Tags: film, people, portraits, rb67, students, summer
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012
A couple more portrait tests with large format 10×8 inch x-ray film. So far I’m very pleased with the results. I want to do some more portraits with this film so please get in touch if you’d like to be photographed.
[Tech info:] Toyo 810G, Nikon 300mm lens @ f11, green sensitive x-ray film rated at ISO 50, processed in Rodinal 1:50 for 6 mins.
- Andy in my studio.
Andy, one light studio test.
Posted in Equipment, film, Portrait | 1 Response »
Tags: 10x8, black&white, film, rodinal, x-ray film
Sunday, June 24th, 2012
Some images from a test shoot I did with Helen in a local park recently. It was a nice change compared to photographing on the street with architectural backgrounds. Usually I tend to arrange my test shoots during my lunch break but this one I did after work and immediately I noticed a difference in the colour and quality of the light. To say the conditions were perfect would be an understatement. Helen is one of the easiest people I have ever photographed and seemed completely at ease in front of the camera. As a photographer you can’t ask for any more than that. Often when I’m photographing people they’re waiting for me to tell them what to do but with this shoot it was more of a collaboration which is something I prefer. I hope we get to collaborate on more shoots in the future. I tested a number of different types of film on this shoot so more images will follow once I find time to process and scan them.
[Tech info:] Pentax 67 loaded with Kodak Tri-X 400, processed through Kodak HC110 (dilution b).
At the edge of the tree line.
X
Dappled light.
In the shade.
In the open.
Posted in film, Portrait, students | 1 Response »
Tags: black&white, film, hc110, oxford, people, portraits, students, summer, Tri-X
Monday, May 28th, 2012
Here’s every single frame from a roll of film I shot at the Keble College summer ball 2012. I only get 12 shots on a roll This is dedicated to everyone that has ever told me that you only get a few good shots on a roll of film and that digital is so much better 🙂
[Tech info:] Mamiya C330 and 80mm/2.8 lens loaded with Kodak Tri-X film, processed in Kodak HC110 dilution b (1:31).
Frame 1: The drummer.
Frame 2: The trumpeter
Frame 3: Cool glasses.
Frame 4: Roses.
Frame 5: Candles.
Frame 6.
Frame 7: I photographed this guy at the Balliol ball.
Frame 8: The trumpeter.
Frame 9: The band.
Frame 10: President of the ball committee (second from left) with friends.
Frame 11: Group shot.
Frame 12: Here come the girls.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait, students | No Responses »
Tags: 6x6, ball, black&white, film, hc110, keble college, people, portraits, students, Tri-X
Sunday, May 27th, 2012
While cycling home from my dress rehearsal shoot at Lady Margaret Hall (see previous post) I passed this nice looking motorbike (MZ Trophy) as it was waiting in the line of traffic at the South Parks Road traffic lights. I asked the rider (Simon) if I could do some quick photography of him on his motorbike with the cool film camera I had in my bag and he agreed so we carried on down to the Bridge of Sighs next to Hertford College. The motorbike is from 1971 so it’s a similar age to the camera I used. The camera I had with me was a Rolleiflex SL66 that had arrived in the morning so these are some of the first shots through it. Naturally I was a little nervous about whether or not they would come out because with old cameras you just never know. Fortunately they turned out great and I had both colour and black & white film backs loaded with me so I was able to do a bit of both. On the b&w roll I had a few blank frames at the start of the roll and I’m missing a few shots from the end so I’ll have to look at why that happened, possibly user error. Thank you Simon for stopping and for being so patient while I juggled with the film backs.
[Tech info:] Rolleiflex SL66 and 80mm/2.8 Zeiss lens, loaded with Kodak 160NC (rated at ISO100) and Fuji Acros 100. Processed with a Rollei digibase C41 kit and Kodak HC110 dilution H (8.5 mins).
In front of the Bridge of Sighs.
I'm not sure where the light leak came from but I quite like it.
On the corner. (Movie trivia: the building in the background was used as the front of The Eagle pub in X-Men First Class).
Cool goggles (I'm in there).
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Portrait | No Responses »
Tags: 6x6, acros, black&white, film, oxford, people, portraits, SL66
Saturday, May 26th, 2012
There’s a Shakespeare festival here in Oxford at the moment and a few weeks ago I was contacted by the director of a one-off performance to see if I’d like to do some photography at one of their dress rehearsals. The actual performance is on 29th May 2012 at Blackwells Bookshop on Broad Street but these images were made at Lady Margaret Hall a few days ago. Only one of the cast is in elizabethan costume and I felt she’d make for better images than the others. For the colour shots I was experimenting with some film that expired in 2005 and I quite like the results. The black & white shots were made with fresh stock. If you do go and see it please leave a comment.
[Tech info:] Rolleiflex SL66 and 80mm/2.8 Zeiss lens, loaded with Kodak 160NC (rated at ISO100) and Fuji Acros 100. Processed with a Rollei digibase C41 kit and Kodak HC110 dilution H (8.5 mins).
LMH has nice gardens.
Window light.
Bounced light from the floor.
Dramatic.
LMH gardens.
Cast group shot.
Posted in film, Oxford, People, Photo shoot, Portrait, students | No Responses »
Tags: 6x6, backstage, black&white, film, hc110, oxford, people, portraits, students
