The colab this week turned out to be a bit of a disaster, I left it too late in coming back from the F2F in Falmouth and by the time I tried to start one or get involved, most of the teams had been established.
The F2F was a tremendous experience, got to meet the professors in person, did a few workshops and had a few drinks and eats with fellow cohorts. Also managed to squeeze in a few portfolio reviews. Did not actually plan any portfolio reviews, I thought this was only for advanced students (BIG MISTAKE) but later discovered that one can show any works and discuss present and future practice. I powered out a portfolio, managed to get to see five of the tutors, if I had known I could have got to see a few more, so it was the school of Hard Knocks
This really helped me understand my direction much better. I would advise any new students: ATTEND the F2F. Get a portfolio review, have something ready to show and get to see as many tutors as you can. Ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know, this is what this time is for, to screw up, experiment, try out, find your way around in the dark, because believe me you will have to do this, everyone is in such a frenzy, but if I look back, I would have so many unanswered questions.
Technological advances have always been a challenge, whether buggy to car, coal stove to electric, or silent film to talkies, the list goes on. All along the way there are individuals who are set in there ways and don’t change with the times (Amish, no electric,cars,tv) some who change with the times, and then of course there are the younger generation who know no other way, and in so pave the way for the future.
My grandmother went through a lot of change; from primus to microwave, from oil lamps to lightbulbs. The progression is the same in photography from Bitman of Judea to CMOS enabling us to record,entertain,sell,convince and persuade through imaging.
I think we live in the most marvellous times EVER! Even a poor person of today has more than a king had a mere century and a half ago. We can throw pictures and voices through the air, turn night into day with the flick of a switch, walk to the kitchen open a box and there is a selection of foods from all over the country, just waiting to be consumed and enjoyed when ever wanted. Not even having to go out to hunt and gather. If this is not magic, I don’t know what is?
Gone are the days where knowledge and equipment is in the hands of the few, it is finally available to everyone. When I started as a film maker, I had to rent a 35mm camera and lenses, these cost upwards of a $150,000.00 for a “PRO” camera setup. This is till true today, a basic set of Leica Cinema Lenses https://leicastoremiami.com/collections/leica-cine-lenses can cost over $250,000.00 for a set.
Leica Summilux 16mm T1.4 +/- $40,000.00
(today I have a choice, back then I did not) Film was expensive, in the hands of three companies; Kodak, Fuji and Agfa. Today I can buy DILM (my name for digital film/CF cards) anywhere, even at 7-11convience store So was post production, costing $400 an hour thirty years ago. All this stuff was in the hands of the FEW.
The iPhone and Canon5D (among the many brands) changed all that, by allowing everyone to photograph and make a movie. This is what scares the old “Pros” here is that word again. No longer does anyone have to be a scientist+engineer+professor+ wealthy to make a film, any Joe or Joe-ess on the street can do it with just a few hundred dollars, a few friends and a digital camera and software. Just like the daguerreotype, one no longer needed to be a Queen or a King to have their likeness made. Hurrah for technology. The old must make way for the new.
This is about a piece of work, other than work done by a photographer that relates to my practice as a photographer. I chose the cut-outs and painting of Henri Matisse.
I work both in film and photography, and have felt that neither discipline has been satisfying for me in it’s own right and could not seem to get to the core of the problem. Now that I am reading and reserching the material, and doing course tasks, it is becoming clear what the problem is, and what I have been encountering, I’ve understood it conceptually, but not practically.
Answer: I felt every minute of my first week challenging. Trying to figure it all out, like starting a blog, I have never done one before, so that is quite the challenge. However, I feel I finally have a fairly good understanding of it now (referring to form only) Content and structure is a whole other matter! Continue reading WEEK 1: Reflections (Coursework)
The webinar was fun, good getting to meet fellow students online, and put a face and voice to the name. Discussing images with Gary and fellow artists on the webinar was amazing, always nice to have the opportunity to see and hear how others think and work.
Well it’s time to stock up on film and chemicals. I use Ilford HP5, a black and white negative, rated at 400 ASA/ISO. Running low, I ordered a 100ft from B&H Photo in New York City. (they charge no tax if you live out of NY state and the shipping is free for orders over $49, expedited anywhere in the US) their prices
