An Unusual Sort of Fan...
Analog and Digital Photography. Several anamorphic prints are available at: Chicago Art Source. Ask for the prints by Mark Messerly. Electronic projects: Anachronous Technology
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Surrealism and the Fan
This animation is from four images of an antique fan. For each image, the fan was unrolled with the Omniscope camera. They are not computerized effects. For each exposure, I rotated the blades a little. After each image was scanned, a little GIF animator was used to create the motion.
In Rural Iowa...
Traveling through rural Iowa, I made a brief detour into the center of a little town. I was intrigued by these little painted faces, below the window of a storefront. In collage form, the band...
The Band
Click for larger view
Friday, July 5, 2013
Magic From a Simple Camera
The simplest cameras that I have made are composed of just a few parts. A tiny box with a lid, such as an Altoids tin, the pinhole, and a shutter. For this image, I used a precision-drilled pinhole, available from Pinhole Resource, in an Altoids tin. Optimal sharpness of an image requires a specific pinhole size relative to the distance to the film, paper, or digital sensor. I've used these in cameras that range in size from a 35mm film canister, to a steel shoe-box sized camera that used 5 by 7 inch photographic paper. The pinhole set is available here: Pinhole Sets, Zone Plates, and Turrets.
I used a hole-punch tool to make a 1/4 inch diameter hole in the lid of the tin. I then used fine sandpaper inside the box, so that flat-black spray paint would adhere to the surfaces. This reduces unwanted reflections. The pinhole was then centered in the 1/4 inch hole, and secured with tape.
The light through a pinhole will create a cone of approximately 120ยบ. For the Altoids tin, this results in an image circle that is similar to an old silver dollar. Upon exposure, the image will have a spectacular vignette. This is exactly the way the image appears on the photographic paper, in negative. For a shutter, I used a flat magnetic business card.
One challenge with homemade cameras is the lack of a viewfinder. A little imagination, and the ability to visually ray-trace the desired scene will get you close to the desired composition. And a little luck... You will also have to guess exposures. There are many calculators available on the web. From the Ilford photo site, check out this exposure calculator. This exceptional site, by David Balihar, has excellent information about pinhole camera photography.
With my tiny camera loaded with Ilford photographic paper, I set off to work. For about a decade, I walked from Union Station to various workplaces along Michigan Avenue. Since I use pinhole cameras frequently, I am usually able to guess exposures. The actual exposure times are not extremely critical, as film and paper usually have sufficient exposure latitude for small, or even moderate errors. Poor results can often be salvaged with the excellent scanners and software available.
This is the Merchandise Mart. I set the little Altoids camera on the wall along Wacker Drive, and simply lined up the face of the box with the building. I guessed an exposure of five seconds. Once I got home, I processed the little paper negative.
I used a hole-punch tool to make a 1/4 inch diameter hole in the lid of the tin. I then used fine sandpaper inside the box, so that flat-black spray paint would adhere to the surfaces. This reduces unwanted reflections. The pinhole was then centered in the 1/4 inch hole, and secured with tape.
The light through a pinhole will create a cone of approximately 120ยบ. For the Altoids tin, this results in an image circle that is similar to an old silver dollar. Upon exposure, the image will have a spectacular vignette. This is exactly the way the image appears on the photographic paper, in negative. For a shutter, I used a flat magnetic business card.
One challenge with homemade cameras is the lack of a viewfinder. A little imagination, and the ability to visually ray-trace the desired scene will get you close to the desired composition. And a little luck... You will also have to guess exposures. There are many calculators available on the web. From the Ilford photo site, check out this exposure calculator. This exceptional site, by David Balihar, has excellent information about pinhole camera photography.
Pintoid Camera
With my tiny camera loaded with Ilford photographic paper, I set off to work. For about a decade, I walked from Union Station to various workplaces along Michigan Avenue. Since I use pinhole cameras frequently, I am usually able to guess exposures. The actual exposure times are not extremely critical, as film and paper usually have sufficient exposure latitude for small, or even moderate errors. Poor results can often be salvaged with the excellent scanners and software available.
This is the Merchandise Mart. I set the little Altoids camera on the wall along Wacker Drive, and simply lined up the face of the box with the building. I guessed an exposure of five seconds. Once I got home, I processed the little paper negative.
Merchandise Mart
Click for larger view
This has long been a favorite image.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Spelling Bee
I was walking toward the Graue Mill to explore the nearby trails. Along the way, I noticed this intriguing sign.
Scientists Discover Previously Unknown Month
Click for larger view
The spelling was correct on the other side.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Hasselblad press release - V-system done...
I have two V System cameras - a 501CM and a 500ELM. This spectacular camera is officially done.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Pullman Exploration
I've been rescanning a few images from a trip to the Pullman factory site - this is a mix of imagery from a large format camera, and a Leica IIIf. This opportunity was part of an excursion with members of the Midwest Large Format Asylum - http://www.midwestlargeformat.com
Get To The Point
Leica IIIf, 50mm Summarit
Some Round, Some Square
Leica IIIf, 50mm Summarit
Inside, Outside
Horseman 45HD, Schneider Super-Symmar XL-105
Misplaced
Horseman 45HD,Schneider Super-Symmar XL-105
Further information about this historic neighborhood can be found here - http://www.pullmanil.org
I hope to add an image of the Hotel Florence soon.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Composition, and cold weather
Several years ago I was intrigued by the long winter shadows at the historic Graue Mill, in Oak Brook Illinois. http://www.grauemill.org
I put a wide angle lens on a Hasselblad - the old 40mm C Distagon. A dark orange filter was placed up front, to enhance contrast. There was some Ilford HP5 film rolling around in my collection, so I loaded it up and drove to the mill.
It was brutally cold. After each exposure, the lens would stop down, but did not return to its wide open f4 aperture. I had to manually open it up in order to compose the rest of the images.
The equivalent view of this lens in 35mm terms, is in the range of 25mm. With a very few steps, the image composition changed radically.
I put a wide angle lens on a Hasselblad - the old 40mm C Distagon. A dark orange filter was placed up front, to enhance contrast. There was some Ilford HP5 film rolling around in my collection, so I loaded it up and drove to the mill.
Hasselblad 40 C Distagon
Click for larger view
It was brutally cold. After each exposure, the lens would stop down, but did not return to its wide open f4 aperture. I had to manually open it up in order to compose the rest of the images.
The equivalent view of this lens in 35mm terms, is in the range of 25mm. With a very few steps, the image composition changed radically.
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Batteries can also be problematic in cold weather. I've used a motorized Hasselblad a few times, and the internal battery failed quickly when used during a 15 degree day. I rigged up a small 6 volt lead-acid battery, kept it in a pocket inside my coat, and ran a wire to the camera. This worked well. Always carry extra batteries.
The Graue Mill is a favorite location of mine for photography. There are scenic trails through the adjoining natural area, and numerous events are held throughout the year.
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