Photodynamism Shoot and Editing

Today at 4pm I went to the college's studio to set up a photoshoot that would give me similar results to Bragaglia's futuristic photodynamism images. I had two film lights set up, along with a black background. I requested fluid, somewhat abstract, movement from the models, as if they were moving throughout a large crowd. I used my E0S Canon SLR.

Here are a few of my favourite shots. 

The photographs weren't as perfect as I would have liked them to be so in Adobe Photoshop I increased the contrast and lowered the brightness. 

From this point I need to work out how to edit the carpet without destroying the figures.

Digital Editing

After college I scanned in the piece my classmates voted for and tested out some basic adjustments and filters on it.

Inverted

Gaussian Blur

Glamour Glow

I also edited the photographs with the hand print and with people walking.

Negatives and Photograms II

Hand print during Developing stage

This photogram created by exposing two different positive prints on acetate on top of one another, using a level 3 filter. I created 5 version of this photogram: no filter, 3, 31/2, 4, 4 1/2. This one was voted as the best piece by my classmates. I intend to take it forward for manipulation with other materials to use as one of my finals.

Futurist Photodynamism and Chronophotography

Today my tutor (Chico) and I discussed Anton Giulio Bragaglia and his Futuristic Dynamism photography techniques. Chico suggested this to me because of the photography work with slow shutter speeds I have been doing so far. Photodynamism is focused on capturing energy and movement. This style was established in the early 20th century.


Anton Giulio Bragaglia, “Ritratto fotodinamico di una donna”, 1924

We also went over Chronophotography and I was told to look into Etienne-Jules Marey's work. This style goes back earlier than Photodynamism, originally being used in 1860s. This style was made possible by using shutter speeds of 1000 per second and capturing multiple exposures of up to 12 frames per second.

Etienne-Jules Marey, "Flight of the pelican", 1883

Other relevant pieces were:

Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2"

Eadweard Muybridge's "Dancing (Fancy) (Movements Female)"

Balla's "Speed of a Motorcyle"

I have booked the studio in the media department for next Monday at 4pm. During my use of the studio I will use my Canon E0S to create photos that will reflect Photodynamism and Chronophotography.



Note for self on these techniques from learnmyshot.com

Lighting and Camera Settings:
Tradition Photodymamist Technique:
Traditionally long exposure was used. Typically Exposures as long as thirty seconds. To avoid complete blur the subject would pause for a few seconds on different planes of the image to outline details and continue the movement and stop again until desired movement has been completed. 

Contemporary Shutter Drag Approach:
Multiple light source exposure.To achieve desired results flash (pop up flash on camera) and continuous tungsten light ere utilized. You can substitute pop up flash with more sophisticated lighting just make sure the light will not spill on black background. While flash was used to freeze a part of motion, continuous light (clamp lamp) was used to allow slow shutter speed to capture the entire movement.

Please note that Robert in the video above used a Front Curtain Sink flash setting. You may also want to try using Rear Curtain Sink. (refer to your camera manual how to change it)  Rear Curtain Sink produces different effect as it captures the movement prior to freezing the motion.

Light Black Out. Black background was used to contrast light skin tones. Black wardrobe was used effectively to create the negative space for more surreal effect.

Tip: Use velvet like textured black fabric to maximize absorbency of light.

08/04/2013 - Week One

This post was transferred from my original blog as I have decided to use blogspot instead. I feel using this website will give my project a better chance at having a wider audience. 

This week I have begun both artist and contextual research in my sketchbooks. I have focused on different disciplines in detail to begin to decide which I favour.

I have created my first concept board based on artists I find particularly interesting and inspiring.

I am waiting on the delivery of the book ‘Fight Club’ and am in the process of taking the other books out from local libraries.

I watched the movie ‘Fight Club’ for a visual take on transference of identity and the complications of it.

I have visited the Ben Uri Collection to see the ’10 Days’ exhibition on low-tech photography on the theme of identity..

My initial ideas are beginning to take form, mainly in performance and photography.

I have begun to look into stories of victims of identity theft. I still need to look into group sessions for those victims, and see if I would be able to attend them.