Though I don't get the same satisfaction of seeing my images as a print, they still are impressive. I had to print up a few this weekend. 2) 11x13.75 and 2) 4x5. They are gonna look amazing framed and matted.
March 31, 2013
March 26, 2013
Anatomy of a Shoot... w/ Irish Heather Collins
Music | Breathe by The Cinematic Orchestra
There are people in the world that you just know you can collaborate with. I knew this the first time I worked with Irish a few months ago. After that session, I came up with an idea of doing a shoot with her in silence. We wouldn't use words to communicate with, just maybe grunts and hand gestures. I think I have way more confidence in her than she does in me, but I still think we would make some amazing images.
Our last 2 sessions, quite similar to each other kind of went like...
I pick her up from her studio in the industrial part of town. She comes out with a huge blue rubbermaid box filled with stuff. She is also dressed in part of her first outfit for the first session. Most of her make up is all ready on as well... You can imagine it is quite a sight to see! On the way to the studio, we talk generally about the shoot, not too much as I think we both understand the process... Surprise is a good thing as well as happy accidents.
In the studio she greets the 2 cats and by this time, they are amazingly in love with her. About 10 miinutes from walking in the door, she is ready for the first plate... With not a lot of words, we go thru a progression of themes, poses... Usually, when I have trouble coming up with a decent looking image, I pull out the digital camera and quickly go thru a mini shoot, that may last 2 minutes at most. We get in a flurry of ideas, poses and go thru what we like. It is a great way of coming up with a starting point. However, with Irish, I shoot digital to have more images to work on later...
It is funny how when we nail our first image we are both pleased with, which so far happened to be the first plate, we go on cruise control. It seems to give both of us freedom to just go with the flow and make more amazing images. It was quite difficult to go thru my progression of which plate I loved most, but for this shoot with Irish, it ended up being the last. I realized we would be there for way too many more hours to be able to surpass what we got...
Irish Heather Collins
There are people in the world that you just know you can collaborate with. I knew this the first time I worked with Irish a few months ago. After that session, I came up with an idea of doing a shoot with her in silence. We wouldn't use words to communicate with, just maybe grunts and hand gestures. I think I have way more confidence in her than she does in me, but I still think we would make some amazing images.
Our last 2 sessions, quite similar to each other kind of went like...
I pick her up from her studio in the industrial part of town. She comes out with a huge blue rubbermaid box filled with stuff. She is also dressed in part of her first outfit for the first session. Most of her make up is all ready on as well... You can imagine it is quite a sight to see! On the way to the studio, we talk generally about the shoot, not too much as I think we both understand the process... Surprise is a good thing as well as happy accidents.
In the studio she greets the 2 cats and by this time, they are amazingly in love with her. About 10 miinutes from walking in the door, she is ready for the first plate... With not a lot of words, we go thru a progression of themes, poses... Usually, when I have trouble coming up with a decent looking image, I pull out the digital camera and quickly go thru a mini shoot, that may last 2 minutes at most. We get in a flurry of ideas, poses and go thru what we like. It is a great way of coming up with a starting point. However, with Irish, I shoot digital to have more images to work on later...
It is funny how when we nail our first image we are both pleased with, which so far happened to be the first plate, we go on cruise control. It seems to give both of us freedom to just go with the flow and make more amazing images. It was quite difficult to go thru my progression of which plate I loved most, but for this shoot with Irish, it ended up being the last. I realized we would be there for way too many more hours to be able to surpass what we got...
Irish Heather Collins
Me
Music | Juliet by DJ Cam
Me by Noel
I got the opportunity to teach a student how to do a wet plate, today. She was quite enthusiastic and a quick learner. I got a nice portrait out of it!
Me by Noel
I got the opportunity to teach a student how to do a wet plate, today. She was quite enthusiastic and a quick learner. I got a nice portrait out of it!
March 21, 2013
Noel
Music | I'm Only Happy When it Rains by Garbage
For my personal work, I often photograph people I know, friends of friends and on occasion, strangers I get to know well enough to ask them to sit for me, without that uncomfortable creepy factor. I would hate to be that guy... "scuse me but I think you are very preetty, can I take yer peekture?"
Noel
I met Noel at a function where I had an acquaintance to one of her friends. Quite charming, we talked of photography. I showed her some of my work and like with many people who see my wet plate images, she was drawn to have one done of her.
This one was done a week after we initially met. I don't give explicit directions as to how to dress or even how to be in front of the camera. Admittedly, she was a bit nervous just standing there, but with just the most minute direction, we came upon this image. We shot 4 plates and they were all interesting. The collaborative efforts make the image all the more rewarding...
For my personal work, I often photograph people I know, friends of friends and on occasion, strangers I get to know well enough to ask them to sit for me, without that uncomfortable creepy factor. I would hate to be that guy... "scuse me but I think you are very preetty, can I take yer peekture?"
Noel
I met Noel at a function where I had an acquaintance to one of her friends. Quite charming, we talked of photography. I showed her some of my work and like with many people who see my wet plate images, she was drawn to have one done of her.
This one was done a week after we initially met. I don't give explicit directions as to how to dress or even how to be in front of the camera. Admittedly, she was a bit nervous just standing there, but with just the most minute direction, we came upon this image. We shot 4 plates and they were all interesting. The collaborative efforts make the image all the more rewarding...
March 18, 2013
Yuta Kato
Music | Transfatty Acid by Lamb
My afternoon session had to cancel, so I had time to scan the earlier session. I met Yuta Kato at a photo shoot a few months ago for Portland Taiko for a poster they were working on. It is great to see a fantastic face and be able to ask for a sitting. It has been a few months as the man is constantly in motion, traveling around the world, so it seems. Fortunately, our schedules worked out and he became my first sitting for the latest shoot fest I am having for myself for the next week.
I love this image as it is so timeless. We talked about the plates and how they aren't so obvious as to when they were taken. Could be mid 1850's or today. Of course one of the dead give aways are the ear rings. But I thought what would someone think 100 years from now. Where would they assume this photo was taken.
Yuta Kato
My afternoon session had to cancel, so I had time to scan the earlier session. I met Yuta Kato at a photo shoot a few months ago for Portland Taiko for a poster they were working on. It is great to see a fantastic face and be able to ask for a sitting. It has been a few months as the man is constantly in motion, traveling around the world, so it seems. Fortunately, our schedules worked out and he became my first sitting for the latest shoot fest I am having for myself for the next week.
I love this image as it is so timeless. We talked about the plates and how they aren't so obvious as to when they were taken. Could be mid 1850's or today. Of course one of the dead give aways are the ear rings. But I thought what would someone think 100 years from now. Where would they assume this photo was taken.
Yuta Kato
Back in the Saddle...
Music | Moon by Little People
If feels so great to be shooting again. First portrait with newly made collodion, first exposure was perfect. I only shot 4 plates because they were all fantastic. Honestly...
Yuta Kato
...this is where I belong.
If feels so great to be shooting again. First portrait with newly made collodion, first exposure was perfect. I only shot 4 plates because they were all fantastic. Honestly...
Yuta Kato
...this is where I belong.
March 11, 2013
Patience
Music | Waking Dream by Natalie Walker
It has been a slow burn this last month. I haven't shot a plate since the 6th of February and I'm really ready to get going. I'm planning on shooting as much as I can the week of the 18th. I've got 4 people lined up and hopefully I'll have more. I also hope to shoot some still life as well. I just hope I have enough to make a new batch of collodion. What I have on hand, I don't want to even try as it is more than 50 days old.
All the projects I started are all coming to an end. I only have to sand and paint the dark box for the 8x10 silver tank. The tank had one small leak, but that has been taken care of. I'll be making another plate holder as I now have all the materials to start and finish it. I also plan to make a wash/transport tank for my 4x5 plates. I have the feeling that will be a trying project, but I also have all the materials for that as well.
Though slow going, it has been steady. I'm getting the necessary things done. I'm hoping for a very active and meaningful summer!
It has been a slow burn this last month. I haven't shot a plate since the 6th of February and I'm really ready to get going. I'm planning on shooting as much as I can the week of the 18th. I've got 4 people lined up and hopefully I'll have more. I also hope to shoot some still life as well. I just hope I have enough to make a new batch of collodion. What I have on hand, I don't want to even try as it is more than 50 days old.
All the projects I started are all coming to an end. I only have to sand and paint the dark box for the 8x10 silver tank. The tank had one small leak, but that has been taken care of. I'll be making another plate holder as I now have all the materials to start and finish it. I also plan to make a wash/transport tank for my 4x5 plates. I have the feeling that will be a trying project, but I also have all the materials for that as well.
Though slow going, it has been steady. I'm getting the necessary things done. I'm hoping for a very active and meaningful summer!
March 02, 2013
Progress ...
Music | Hear Me Out by Frou Frou
These last 3 weeks have been about projects. I decided to take a break from shooting, I took a break from facebook, and I managed to get involved in some projects that I've been wanting to get done, some for years, some quite a few months. Money has been tight, but I managed to find some great materials really cheap.
Here is one that was quite simple, but for whatever reason, has taken me a while to accomplish. I know I've been wanting to do some photos with my 8x10 camera, but I've never had a stand to put the camera on. I was pretty sure that this beast of a camera would need a stand, or a specially built tripod. After talking to Jody Ake, one of Portland's own Wet Plate specialists and seeing that he just made a platform for his tripod, I knew I could do something similar. I ended up getting a nice piece of wood, found a great trim piece for reuse, screws and some wood stain...
I'm particularly fond of this leaf trim I found...
These last 3 weeks have been about projects. I decided to take a break from shooting, I took a break from facebook, and I managed to get involved in some projects that I've been wanting to get done, some for years, some quite a few months. Money has been tight, but I managed to find some great materials really cheap.
Here is one that was quite simple, but for whatever reason, has taken me a while to accomplish. I know I've been wanting to do some photos with my 8x10 camera, but I've never had a stand to put the camera on. I was pretty sure that this beast of a camera would need a stand, or a specially built tripod. After talking to Jody Ake, one of Portland's own Wet Plate specialists and seeing that he just made a platform for his tripod, I knew I could do something similar. I ended up getting a nice piece of wood, found a great trim piece for reuse, screws and some wood stain...
I'm particularly fond of this leaf trim I found...
February 26, 2013
Rolling
Music | Birdland by Patti Smith
Since my last hiatus from Facebook, I have been very productive on the backend. Latest project to start and end is the silver tank that can hold 8x10 inch plates. I just finished cementing the pieces together, creating a very nice looking clear tank. I am also going to be working on a 16 inch long tank to store, wash and transport 4x5 inch plates. That one is going to take a lot of time, but I'm happy to have all the parts.
Earlier, I got a nice piece of wood to make a platform to put on the tripod so I can mount the 8x10 inch camera on it. Hence the tank... Hopefully I will be shooting some larger plates by the end of March
Pieces for the 8x10 silver nitrate tank
I'm hoping later this week to cut some wood pieces for the external box for the 8x10 tank.
Since my last hiatus from Facebook, I have been very productive on the backend. Latest project to start and end is the silver tank that can hold 8x10 inch plates. I just finished cementing the pieces together, creating a very nice looking clear tank. I am also going to be working on a 16 inch long tank to store, wash and transport 4x5 inch plates. That one is going to take a lot of time, but I'm happy to have all the parts.
Earlier, I got a nice piece of wood to make a platform to put on the tripod so I can mount the 8x10 inch camera on it. Hence the tank... Hopefully I will be shooting some larger plates by the end of March
Pieces for the 8x10 silver nitrate tank
I'm hoping later this week to cut some wood pieces for the external box for the 8x10 tank.
February 20, 2013
February 19, 2013
On Being Current...
Music | The Wall by Pink Floyd
It has been an excellent end of last week, beginning of this week run of getting things done. The big push is regarding a major revision of the website. I've still some small tweaks to take care of, but the galleries are up. This is a long time coming as the last time the site has been updated was over 7 years.
I'm so happy to finally have Wet Plate Collodion being represented of me on my own site.
Mishima Photography
It has been an excellent end of last week, beginning of this week run of getting things done. The big push is regarding a major revision of the website. I've still some small tweaks to take care of, but the galleries are up. This is a long time coming as the last time the site has been updated was over 7 years.
I'm so happy to finally have Wet Plate Collodion being represented of me on my own site.
Mishima Photography
February 17, 2013
Photo Excursion
Music | On the Radio by Regina Spektor
I remember back in college, I took my first photography course. We would receive our weekly assignments and often, our subjects would be out and about on walks, rides on the subway, anywhere. It was great, those times where like real photographers, we would always have our cameras with us, just in case the shot presented itself.
I got up late this morning, but saw the beginnings of a great day. I decided to get out on my bike with the intention of stopping where ever I decided I wanted to shoot. The ride was only 6 miles long, but I wes gone for almost 2 hours. My destination was just on the other side of the St. Johns Bridge where my daughter and I noticed a path with stairs leading up to adventure. We never journeyed up it because we'd always be in the car, passing it by. With no parking nearby, we never got our chance to see what was up there...
Today I rode there, on the way graabbing shots of this and that. Challenges always bring out good things, no matter if you achieve them or not, so long as you did you best to accomplish them. Out of shape, the climb over the bridge was going to get me, but I made it. Going beyond and reaching the stairs, I was really wiped out, but had to carry the bike up. I was presented with a unique view of the bridge, that I happily took after I recovered from achy knees, short of breath...
View of the St. Johns Bridge from a place few people get to see
Magenta
From atop of the St. Johns Bridge
Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 5.1, a view on the way home...
I remember back in college, I took my first photography course. We would receive our weekly assignments and often, our subjects would be out and about on walks, rides on the subway, anywhere. It was great, those times where like real photographers, we would always have our cameras with us, just in case the shot presented itself.
I got up late this morning, but saw the beginnings of a great day. I decided to get out on my bike with the intention of stopping where ever I decided I wanted to shoot. The ride was only 6 miles long, but I wes gone for almost 2 hours. My destination was just on the other side of the St. Johns Bridge where my daughter and I noticed a path with stairs leading up to adventure. We never journeyed up it because we'd always be in the car, passing it by. With no parking nearby, we never got our chance to see what was up there...
Today I rode there, on the way graabbing shots of this and that. Challenges always bring out good things, no matter if you achieve them or not, so long as you did you best to accomplish them. Out of shape, the climb over the bridge was going to get me, but I made it. Going beyond and reaching the stairs, I was really wiped out, but had to carry the bike up. I was presented with a unique view of the bridge, that I happily took after I recovered from achy knees, short of breath...
View of the St. Johns Bridge from a place few people get to see
Magenta
From atop of the St. Johns Bridge
Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 5.1, a view on the way home...
February 16, 2013
Hiatus
Music | Gold by Lamb
I guess it is time to take a hiatus from Facebook again. I did it for the month of November last year and in just 2.5 months, I'm ready to do it again. Besides the time suck it is, communication between people is set up where there is too much vagueness that leaves way too much room to let the imagination go. This just happened to me this evening and I'm starting to think the worse about the situation.
I wonder how it became that so many people get sucked into devices and become a part of our every day lives. Social media as it is can be a great tool, but then something happens and it sort of takes over. Then since so many people are involved, close friends, acquaintances, colleagues, down to the person on the other side of the world who we know nothing of, but has some interesting things to say that we listen too, drama just waits in the corner coming out every once and awhile to stir havoc.
Not sure how long this one will last, but yeah... It is time again.
I guess it is time to take a hiatus from Facebook again. I did it for the month of November last year and in just 2.5 months, I'm ready to do it again. Besides the time suck it is, communication between people is set up where there is too much vagueness that leaves way too much room to let the imagination go. This just happened to me this evening and I'm starting to think the worse about the situation.
I wonder how it became that so many people get sucked into devices and become a part of our every day lives. Social media as it is can be a great tool, but then something happens and it sort of takes over. Then since so many people are involved, close friends, acquaintances, colleagues, down to the person on the other side of the world who we know nothing of, but has some interesting things to say that we listen too, drama just waits in the corner coming out every once and awhile to stir havoc.
Not sure how long this one will last, but yeah... It is time again.
February 15, 2013
SEAF
Music | Sugar Cane by Missy Higgans
I've been meaning to submit some of my work to the Seattle Erotic Art Festival for years. Finally, this is the year. Just paid the submission fee and now I have to pick up to 5 images. Very excited!
I've been meaning to submit some of my work to the Seattle Erotic Art Festival for years. Finally, this is the year. Just paid the submission fee and now I have to pick up to 5 images. Very excited!
February 09, 2013
2013 Portland Freedom Fighters
Music | When Doves Cry by Prince
15 portraits shot over a period of 2 days for the Portland Freedom Fighters exhibition which opens next week. I printed the photos today, matting and framing takes place tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of this project because it existence was born out of a conversation over the phone with the project coordinator. Initially, she wanted me to photograph the Freedom Fighters during an event where they would be interviewed by various students. I knew there were other photographers were going to be there to cover that angle, so I suggested doing the formal portraits instead.
Because this entire project is based off a more grass roots level, funding was going to be an issue. In order for these photographs to be shown, I really wanted professional prints made and that they would be matted and framed. Epson managed to come thru and donated all the paper and ink in order for me to be able to print the images myself. Roosevelt High School, where the students attend came thru for the frames and mats.
15 portraits shot over a period of 2 days for the Portland Freedom Fighters exhibition which opens next week. I printed the photos today, matting and framing takes place tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of this project because it existence was born out of a conversation over the phone with the project coordinator. Initially, she wanted me to photograph the Freedom Fighters during an event where they would be interviewed by various students. I knew there were other photographers were going to be there to cover that angle, so I suggested doing the formal portraits instead.
Because this entire project is based off a more grass roots level, funding was going to be an issue. In order for these photographs to be shown, I really wanted professional prints made and that they would be matted and framed. Epson managed to come thru and donated all the paper and ink in order for me to be able to print the images myself. Roosevelt High School, where the students attend came thru for the frames and mats.
February 06, 2013
Visions of Olivia...
Music | Lets Stay Together by Al Green
Spent the late morning, early afternoon with Olivia.
Spent the late morning, early afternoon with Olivia.
February 01, 2013
Au Revoir, Mon Amour
Music |
I should never say never, but it appears I have shot my last sheet of Polaroid Type 55 the other day. My good friend Tom Moratto recently found a partial box of the gold. He sold his 4x5 gear years ago, so offered me what he had left. Polaroid Type 55 was a very interesting film in that with one exposure, it gave both a positive print and a negative film at the same time. For optimum results, you usually had to expose for one or the other, but still, a fabulous combo within a product. I really believe it is one of the reasons I love Wet Plates so much. The immediacy, the imperfections and especially the borders, which I always left on for my prints.
There really is no reason not to shoot it as over time, it will go bad. My first few images I shot months ago were interesting, but for whatever reason, I only shot one or 2 exposures per sitting. The other day, I pulled out type 55 out of the drawer to shoot Aimée. It is harder this time to stop shooting, especially when the first exposure is nailed and you know it 30 seconds later. One after the other, seeing the print moments later fed us with excitement and 6 sheets later, it was gone...
I should never say never, but it appears I have shot my last sheet of Polaroid Type 55 the other day. My good friend Tom Moratto recently found a partial box of the gold. He sold his 4x5 gear years ago, so offered me what he had left. Polaroid Type 55 was a very interesting film in that with one exposure, it gave both a positive print and a negative film at the same time. For optimum results, you usually had to expose for one or the other, but still, a fabulous combo within a product. I really believe it is one of the reasons I love Wet Plates so much. The immediacy, the imperfections and especially the borders, which I always left on for my prints.
There really is no reason not to shoot it as over time, it will go bad. My first few images I shot months ago were interesting, but for whatever reason, I only shot one or 2 exposures per sitting. The other day, I pulled out type 55 out of the drawer to shoot Aimée. It is harder this time to stop shooting, especially when the first exposure is nailed and you know it 30 seconds later. One after the other, seeing the print moments later fed us with excitement and 6 sheets later, it was gone...
January 31, 2013
Flesh for Eve
Music | Flesh for Eve by Jun Miyake
On the edge of consciousness, I felt layers coming over me, completing me. Like a translucent sweater floating upon me, I gathered substance. That voice put me in a trance of some sort, the harp adding more to my existence. I'm traveling thru... over land and sea, thru time... I'm moving to a new or just another dimension...
I haven't had much rest today. I had an early start and maybe 3 hours to rest in the afternoon before I had to work again. On my feet today more than in a long time. Because of sleep apnea, I'm not resting well anyway. I go thru often what I call being on the edge of consciousness, or maybe the other side of consciousness where I am free. It is where brilliant ideas come from, I know it. But when I start to return, my state of mind turns from ethereal to reality, blocking away like bricks those floaty things just on the other side of my conscious mind. I need feathers, not bricks...
On the edge of consciousness, I felt layers coming over me, completing me. Like a translucent sweater floating upon me, I gathered substance. That voice put me in a trance of some sort, the harp adding more to my existence. I'm traveling thru... over land and sea, thru time... I'm moving to a new or just another dimension...
I haven't had much rest today. I had an early start and maybe 3 hours to rest in the afternoon before I had to work again. On my feet today more than in a long time. Because of sleep apnea, I'm not resting well anyway. I go thru often what I call being on the edge of consciousness, or maybe the other side of consciousness where I am free. It is where brilliant ideas come from, I know it. But when I start to return, my state of mind turns from ethereal to reality, blocking away like bricks those floaty things just on the other side of my conscious mind. I need feathers, not bricks...
January 30, 2013
Negative - Positive
Music | Some Chords by Deadmau5
Traversing back in time, today I shot a few sheets of paper negatives on both the Rolleiflex and the Chamonix. Turns out the smaller 2.5 square neg came out better than the 4x5. I scanned the neg, opened the file in Photoshop and just inverted the image. No adjustment.
I'm really surprised at how much the shadows held details. Though this is a digital conversion to positive, I'm really looking forward to making a contact print. Though small, I think it will be interesting to see an all analogue processed print.
Paper neg from a Rolleiflex. 2.5 in sq.
Paper positive from a Rolleiflex. 2.5 in sq.
The ultimate finish with the paper negative is to make contact prints on real silver based paper. I'm hoping to be able to finish thie process in its entirety, soon...
Traversing back in time, today I shot a few sheets of paper negatives on both the Rolleiflex and the Chamonix. Turns out the smaller 2.5 square neg came out better than the 4x5. I scanned the neg, opened the file in Photoshop and just inverted the image. No adjustment.
I'm really surprised at how much the shadows held details. Though this is a digital conversion to positive, I'm really looking forward to making a contact print. Though small, I think it will be interesting to see an all analogue processed print.
Paper neg from a Rolleiflex. 2.5 in sq.
Paper positive from a Rolleiflex. 2.5 in sq.
The ultimate finish with the paper negative is to make contact prints on real silver based paper. I'm hoping to be able to finish thie process in its entirety, soon...
January 29, 2013
Silver Base
Music | Everlasting by Rufus and Chaka Khan
Along with shooting a smaller format with the Rolleiflex, the idea of shooting with my 8x10 Century in Wet Plates, I've decided to try one more interest to add to my plate. The transition to shooting paper negatives isn't too far off from my wet plates. I'll start off using the 4x5 with regular film holders to hold the paper negs. Since I will be making either contact prints or scanning and making digital prints, I won't need a full fledged darkroom. In fact, the only thing I needed to go this route is to buy paper and developer!
I'm hoping to get some testing in tomorrow!
It has been so long that I worked with Dektol and Ilford. The aroma alone will send me back in time, when I had a darkroom, printing til 4 or 5 in the morning... It is interesting making a circle of sorts in my photographic career. Nice to know, I've traveled a long way!
Along with shooting a smaller format with the Rolleiflex, the idea of shooting with my 8x10 Century in Wet Plates, I've decided to try one more interest to add to my plate. The transition to shooting paper negatives isn't too far off from my wet plates. I'll start off using the 4x5 with regular film holders to hold the paper negs. Since I will be making either contact prints or scanning and making digital prints, I won't need a full fledged darkroom. In fact, the only thing I needed to go this route is to buy paper and developer!
I'm hoping to get some testing in tomorrow!
It has been so long that I worked with Dektol and Ilford. The aroma alone will send me back in time, when I had a darkroom, printing til 4 or 5 in the morning... It is interesting making a circle of sorts in my photographic career. Nice to know, I've traveled a long way!
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