Photography
Tools and Techniques in Photography Exploration
Photogram Process
The photogram is a darkroom technique that doesn’t require a camera. Objects are placed directly on photographic paper and exposed to light, creating silhouettes or abstract compositions. This method is excellent for exploring contrast, texture, and composition in a hands-on, experimental way.
Digital Camera Photography
Using a digital camera, such as the Sony A7 Mark II, allows for greater control and versatility compared to traditional photograms. The Sony A7 Mark II, with its full-frame sensor and excels in capturing sharp, high-resolution images in a wide range of lighting conditions. Unlike photograms, which focus on abstract results, digital cameras enable precise framing, dynamic lighting adjustments, and post-editing flexibility, making them ideal for storytelling and detailed work, but can also be abstract when played around manually with shutter speed, aperture, and iso, which overall gives you a greater control.
Twilight Photography
Using a tripod and long exposure settings captures the magic of twilight. Adjusting ISO and shutter speed helps bring out vibrant colors and crisp details in low-light environments.
Color Adjustment at Sunset
Experimenting with white balance settings enhances warm tones during sunset. Low ISO settings ensure sharp, noise-free images, while manual adjustments refine the atmosphere.
Motion Blur and Light Painting
By using a slow shutter speed, you can create motion blur or "paint" with light. Moving light sources, like flashlights, allow for dynamic and creative imagery.
Night Photography
Artificial light sources add drama to night photography. Manual focus and exposure settings help balance light intensity, while wide apertures create striking depth.
Lighting for Framing
Combining natural and artificial light creates strong contrasts. Positioning the light effectively can frame a subject and emphasize its details.
Water Reflections
Polarizing filters are helpful in minimizing glare and highlighting reflections. Long exposure techniques and tripod stability ensure sharp and vibrant results.
Natural Framing
Using natural elements, like tree branches, creates compelling frames within your composition. Aperture adjustments allow for control over sharpness and blur for depth effects.
Distortion with Water
Exploring angles and perspectives with water surfaces produces unique distortions. High f-stop settings provide greater depth of field for clear results.
Aperture controls the depth of field.
A wide aperture (f/2.8) creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background.
A narrow aperture (f/16) increases depth of field, keeping more in focus.
Use wide apertures for portraits and narrow apertures for landscapes.
Shutter speed determines motion capture.
A fast shutter speed (1/1000s) freezes motion.
A slow shutter speed (1/10s) captures motion blur.
Use a tripod for long exposures to avoid camera shake.
ISO controls sensor sensitivity to light.
Low ISO (100) reduces noise in bright settings.
High ISO (1600+) is useful in low light but increases grain.
Balance ISO with aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.
Supporting Info
Use a camera with manual mode to adjust these settings.
A light meter helps achieve proper exposure.
Experimentation Ideas
Shoot the same subject with varying apertures to study depth of field.
Capture moving objects with different shutter speeds to observe motion effects.
Experiment with ISO in low-light conditions to test noise levels.
Inspiration and Resources
Artists to Explore:
Tokihiro Sato: Renowned for his light drawings and long exposure photography, blending performance art with photography to create ethereal, thought-provoking images.
László Moholy-Nagy: A pioneer of the photogram process, he used innovative techniques to explore light, shadow, and abstraction in photography.
Floris Neusüss: Known for his large-scale photograms, his work often blurs the line between photography and fine art.
Gregory Crewdson: Celebrated for his meticulously staged, cinematic photographs that evoke haunting and surreal narratives.
Books and Tutorials:
The Photographer's Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas by Jason Fulford and Gregory Halpern.
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, an essential guide to mastering camera settings and creative composition.
Personal Reflections
Photography offers a unique perspective on the world by capturing fleeting moments or creating entirely abstract compositions. The flexibility to work with light, motion, and textures allows for endless experimentation. As someone who enjoys blending photography with other artistic mediums, I see it as a tool to push creative boundaries and tell stories in new ways.
Reference
Fulford, Jason, and Gregory Halpern. The Photographer's Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas. Aperture, 2014.
Peterson, Bryan. Understanding Exposure. Amphoto Books, 2016.