Sometimes you just have to choose......

When we take digital photographs we always end up with a dilemma, Black and White or Colour?

Is there anything wrong with either? Well no, but sometimes a photograph can 'feel' like a black and white image yet not really make it. 

This is the same image (yes i know the crop is slightly different) with the same RAW processing. Even though it's the same image, do we get a different emotional response from the colour to the black and white? Do they feel exactly the same, but one is aesthetically more pleasing to look at thank the other?

These seem pretty important questions to most photographers. Sometimes the work just doesn't have the 'punch' to go black and white, and as a colour image has a touch of the 'ABD' (Already Been Done). I know I only took this image yesterday, but I have been slowly picking it apart critically  for most of the night and this morning and have come to the same conclusion as I did when I took it which is it's a pretty good image, but lacks punch. Something is missing from this image in both versions, and I can't think what it might be. They are both just kind, well boring to be honest. I love my work most of the time and really enjoy the act of taking photos, but in this case I think the image in my head has missed the image shown in the camera.

Just ever so slightly.

The Puzzle is Now Complete!!

Well It has taken a week or so, but the last piece of the puzzle arrived in the office today, a syringe.

It may seem like a weird little thing to have to wait for, but a 10ml syringe is the only thing that has been holding me back from getting onto developing my black and white film!! I wonder if the chemical companies out there realize how hard it is to measure small weird amounts of chemical easily and without fuss? And some of the companies that make kit to develop your film and images should realize that making the tubes and containers in better graduations would be more helpful as well (yes Patterson I'm talking to you).

But alas I have done what's needed to be done, and obtained the last object to be able to to perform the duties required, and I shall post a few of the results once I get everything scanned (as I still don't have a neg scanner).

Looking forward to this experiment and experience..

Develop your OWN Black and White Film.. PLEASE!!

Yeah I shoot film a lot. I love the grain and detail it gives. I know that you can filter and muck around with digital to give the same feel, but why not go to the real thing straight away. 

The sad thing is that so many people have moved away from film, the art is being lost. for like $20-$50 you can get all the chemical and things you need to be able to develop a roll of black and white film yourself!!

I can guarantee it's tons more fun doing this yourself at home. Not only actually taking the photo, but doing the development yourself!! This is where the "art" of photography has fallen down over the years. Please click this pdf by Ilford Photo and do yourself a favor, learn a new technique and have more photographic fun!! 

Not street, but very sweet....

I do love shooting my kids on occasions. They can be wonderful subjects, or nightmares. 

This is my eldest daughter shot on a Nikon F4S using Ilford FP4 100ISO film. I have to say that I buggered the shot a little as her jacket is in focus, but her face is a bit soft and out of focus. But I still really like it and think it works really well. She is quite shy and this image brings that out with her face very soft.

She will be SHATTERED once she sees this on the net.. Teenagers.......

Film Photography back in Vogue... It NEVER LEFT US!!

ABC Radio National had an interesting little blog/podcast today on Film Photography. 

Film Photography Back In Vogue is an "interesting" look into the world of film photography of today, compared to say 15 years ago. It's all a bit wired coming form the "mouth of babes" as well.

At the grand old age of 41 (yeah I know) I have known film for a long time, and this Digital Thing is still pretty new to me. I still manage a small darkroom in my house developing my own Black and White film and might even hit out a few prints next year if I can get the gear on board.

But to almost claim that film is "New" or in a "Revival" is almost ludicrous.

Kodak started in 1888 (or there about's as that was the first camera from them) and FujiFilm have been on the ground and running for almost 80 years. These are probably two of the most common names in film, and the most recognized. With over 100years of history, why would we think Film to be a new medium?

What we lack now is the Master Printer. The Master Printer would take a negative from you with the changes you wanted made, and print an image that would make you smile. The knowledge and technical skill in printing an image from a negative has been all but lost in most instances. A lot of the chemicals are even quite hard to get and can be quite toxic if used incorrectly. There was talk of photographers and their assistants (in the 60's and 70's) popping amphetamines and drinking some of the chemicals (yes DRINKING). Mind you the prints these men were striking were AMAZING. They could recoil the the White and control the Dark in a wondrous ballet of Alchemy.

In this world of perfection, sanitized images of pure sharpness and clarity can bore us. We need to not go back, but reignite the passion for our "Hands On" technical aspect. We rely to much on Digital Mediums and have lost the tactile aspect that is associated with photography. Yes I agree that there is a resurgence in Film, and younger photographers are finding something more "organic" in the use.

But the reality is that film is soft and lovely. There is a "by gone era" feel the images take on. It takes a little more technical knowledge to shoot, but the image that you see is something to take your breath away. Modern Masters (Joel would giggle at being Modern) of photography like Meyerowitz, Crewdson, and Wall  are all avid film shooters. Regardless of format, people should be looking to shoot and develop there own Black and White film. It's a great feeling to make something, to take the photo and create the negative, then have a way to print the image. This is what art really is.

Yes Digital has its place. I still love my digital camera for a lot of my shooting it works. But there really is something soft and special about film.

I implore you all to go out there and open your minds. Get a film camera and teach yourself to develop the film. It's really satisfying.

More Pictures on flickr...

 

 I have been playing with some more Black and White film as of late and getting some very interesting results.

I have posted up a couple here, but head over to my flickr to keep an eye on what I'm doing.

More over at flickr....

Lots of new Images over at flickr.com

Getting more done...

springvale_rd_fog, a photo by Phynyght Studio on Flickr.

I have been working on a few things as of late.

I have been on the march getting a few shots around not only my local area, but around Melbourne in General. You can see the work on my flickr page, or you can go and Like my Facebook page and see what I'm working on at any time. I have a normal Facebook page for my Photography as well. 

Black and White or Color?

 Well another play with images today..

Again I have the same image here of something very simple. It's just a pair of locks. One is Black and White and the other is Color. They are both very different even though they are both the same.

So which one do you prefer and why?

Why does the choice between Color and Black and White Matter??

Took this shot this morning in my backyard.

Even though they are both EXACTLY the same shot, I'm not sure which way I like them processed. This is where the "Art" in digital photography comes into play.

I processed the RAW image in Lightroom (3.5 because I still haven't upgraded the desktop yet) to get these 2 very distinctly different images. I left most of the base settings the same, but played with the contrast and blacks in the Black and White a touch more.

The color processed has a distinct feel of morning. The dark silhouettes of the trees and buildings blurred into the blue sky with the clouds looking like they are about to burst into fire. The black and white on the other hand, is quite nightmarish with an unusual sensuality. For as dark and sinister as it looks, there is a soft whimsical sensuality. Soft blurry trees against a sky that has soft fairy floss like clouds.

I still don't know which one I like more, but If you have a favorite let me know.

The Art of Processing and Printing..

I have been thinking and thinking of not how to add extra feathers in my cap, but thinking it's really about time that we start going back in time and doing a little more for ourselves.

Digital is a wonderful thing. We have instant success or failure, and can assess and re assess our photographs on the spot. But this has taken us away from the old arts, and they are going away. Lomography has given us the ability, and fascination, to shoot film again. Film will always rule (in my opinion). It has a certain tonal quality you can't get anywhere else. Have a look this video from the guys at prophotolife.com and see just how easy it is..

New Black and Whites

exhibition_chair, a photo by Phynyght Studio on Flickr.

Here is a lovely picture from my Melbourne in 50mm series of photos.

"Parked Car" by abocNathan | RedBubble

"Parked Car" by abocNathan | RedBubble:

This is available for purchase as a Post Card or Gift Card through RedBubble..

melbourne_in_50mm_17

melbourne_in_50mm_17, a photo by Phynyght Studio on Flickr.

A new picture from my Melbourne Series... It also appears over at Fotoblur www.fotoblur.com where I'm trying to have it added to their magazine. Please go like and vote for it there as well PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!

iPhoneography

Edithvale Beach, a photo by Phynyght Studio on Flickr.

Well I have t say that this seems to have taken on a new idea.

iPhoneography has come along in leaps and bounds with so many different apps available to take stunning photos.

I used an app called Camera Bag for this one. It has many different styles and can be edited slightly depending on the look you want. This was done using the "Silver" filter.

Nature Black and White

Nature Black and White, a set on Flickr.

Been working on some new photographs in Black and White.

Animal Series

zoo_0097, a photo by Phynyght Studio on Flickr.

Playing with the animals today.. Hope you enjoy..

More Photos....

Been pretty busy as of late... Had a couple of Family Portraits to shoot and been doing a lot of shooting for myself..

Take a look at my Flickr page to see some of the images I am producing..

Montsalvat

Montsalvat, a set on Flickr.

Some Pictures from the grounds at Monsalvat.

Hope you like them.

Landscapes

Landscapes, a set on Flickr.

A few "Traditional" Landscapes that you might enjoy.