#ISO has a near and dear place in my heart

[houseofscribbles]

Some visual notes on the robotics of ISO! Also, an extra mess notes about them under the read more :]

[juliebalfourhnd2cphoto]

Personal Project

The Lewis Dresser (working title)

The purpose of this project is to produce 10, A3 Fine Art images on a common theme, “The Lewis Dresser”. (15 types of photography genres to pursue as a professional photographer, 2020)

Creative idea: last year during my NQ I took images for my painting with light project of an old typewriter and an uncooked Plaice on a platter. The latter turned out fairly well, but more importantly it sparked within me an enthusiasm and desire to progress in this medium.

The platter was part of a collection that we had “rescued” from my late father-in-Law’s Croft on the Isle of Lewis before its sale, they have no real value apart from sentimental.

The croft is located near the cliff edge, overlooking the sea and is a beautiful windswept location just a few minutes’ walk from the lighthouse at the end of the Island.

As I have wanted to develop the idea further (I jot down potential ideas for projects in a wee notebook that I carry around with me) I have been considering ways I could do this.

Using the large collection of crockery we brought from the island I propose a series of still-life using a painting with light technique. I want to give it a flavour of the isles and as Lewis is known predominantly for its, fishing, weaving and crofting (The Isle Of Lewis, 2020).

My Initial thought was of limiting it to seafood which I would source through a  fishmongers who sell seafood caught from the Loch Fyne area , but in the current climate with shops closing every day, I may have to widen my food sources but keep within the theme of ingredients for traditional Scottish fare. (Redirecting..., 2020)

Technique: during this project I want to develop and improve my painting with light   technique.

As I said previously It is a medium that I have been interested in since it was first introduced to me in my NQ class and it has always been my intention to develop it, but the briefs this year have been fast and furious and opportunities to explore our own projects have been few .

I have been looking forward to this brief and the chance it offers to pursue my own interests.

Research: As part of this project I will expand my knowledge of photographers and artist who have inspired and influenced my work. (How to Plan a Photo Project * Anthony Epes, 2020)

Harold Ross

(PhotoBiography: Harold Ross | International Photography Magazine, 2020)

(MacDonald, 2020)

When painting with light my first thought is Harold Ross, I really admire his work. The way he uses light to accentuate the details of his subject creates stunning, surreal photos. Ross uses a variety sizes and softness of light tools to sculpt the images and builds up his photographic images incrementally building layer upon layer in Photoshop. He describes the process as more intuitive than technical and there is a great deal of artistry evident in his work.

This method requires the subject to be shot in a darkened room, the camera should be on timer and tripod mounted (as you are layering the camera needs to remain in a fixed position and at a fixed focal length.) I find it best to focus your subject in auto and once it is fixed, change to manual. If you try to shoot in auto the lens will move in and out of to focus when you paint the light onto your object.

The room needs to be darkened for this to be effective and I intend to shoot in late afternoon or early evening to avoid the “borrowed light” that comes in through the opening near the ceiling of my studio (if I am unable to access my studio I will set aside an area in the flat to work in).

Ross advises that he shoots tethered and this is something I have never done but I would like to add this to my skills set and will research the method further. I have begun accessing online tutorials and been having discussions about this with other Olympus users on the Facebook group I am part of. (Step by Step Tutorial for How to Shoot Tethered, 2020)

Laura Letinsky  

(Laura Letinsky → THE DOG AND THE WOLF, 2020)

Letinsky is another photographer that I have come to admire since I began studying photography, I love the way she uses light, and the narrative quality of her work. Her compositions, which at first glance seem haphazard shots of the remnants of hurried meals, abandoned dishes, vestiges of parties, are in fact very carefully arranged.

She uses light to pick out every crease, crumb and fragment within the frame, telling us not only what we see in front of us, but what happened before and what will come after. My earlier shots were very tightly focussed on the subject but perhaps there is scope to pull back and tell a bigger picture.

Mat Collinshaw

(Last Meals on Death Row, Texas - Photo Essays, 2020)

Collinshaw is categorised along with Letinsky, and many notable others, such as Paulette Tavormina and Margriet Smulders, as a photographer who can be defined, at least in his still life, as “Vanitas”. (Still Life Photographers Who Give a Fresh Meaning to Vanitas, 2020). That is that the work either through lighting, content or context leans towards works of the old masters of the Dutch and Flemish painters of the 17th century. Messages such as the transience of life and the beauty of nature were intrinsic in these paintings and strong symbolism was seen in the inclusion of skulls, dead animals or dramatic chiaroscuro lighting.

These traits can be seen in the contemporary work of both Collinshaw, and Letinsky, she with her depictions of dead creatures and decaying food and flowers, he with his slightly voyeuristic look into the thoughts of the condemned man and his deeply dark lit photographs.  

There is something slightly morbid about working with a dead creature, particularly in the dark, exploring piece by piece, that I find chilling and it is important to ensure that the beauty of the subject exceeds this, a difficult balance I have found in the past.

Alicide d’Orbigny

(Dance of the Aymara People | Old Book Illustrations, 2020)

D’ Orbigny was neither a photographer nor an artist, he was a French Micro Palaeontologist in the early 19th century. (Alcide Dessalines d' Orbigny | French paleontologist, 2020)

His anatomical illustrations, particularly those of sea creatures are stunning. He not only created biologically accurate depictions but used colours which captured the vibrance and other worldliness that many of these creatures possessed and that caused so many myths to grow up around them.

I came upon one of his images as an illustration in a cookbook that I was gifted and was so struck by the beauty of it that I researched him and found a wealth of beautiful illustrations (sadly my knowledge of palaeontology has made no progress). I cite D’Orbigny as an inspiration for this project as I think painting with light reveals much hidden beauty in subjects such as sea-life and yet retains a realism.

My “ambitious outcome” for this project is that I produce something that is well crafted, beautiful and could be considered fine art. I hope that the images will be finely detailed and that the process through which they are shot adds a dimension to them which cannot be captured in a single shot alone. This is hugely ambitious for one photograph but to produce 10 such images seems unimaginable. It is a very time-consuming process and time is limited but it will be a photography adventure and without doubt a learning experience.

Exhibition

The question “how would I like it to be viewed” is a complex one as ,first and foremost ,this is a personal journey and in a way a homage to the father-in-law I never met but have heard so much of, to his homeland and the place that is held dear in the heart of my husband and his family.

It is also a way of placing a new value on these old and fragile objects imbuing them with fresh life; sentimental and personal.

Alongside this is a need to show progression in my photography skills and my creative ability, both to friends and peers, and finally if the work holds any merit as fine art then I would like to organise a small exhibition.

The campus where my studio is based has an exhibition area which would be ideal for this type of informal exhibition preferably in conjunction with some of my fellow classmates. I have contacted the building’s owner* to check on the viability, the space is freely available to tenants for non-commercial ventures and has dates open for this year. At this stage I haven’t spoken to any of my classmates about it, but I am confident that there would be enough interest to set up a class launch.

*see attached email.

I have given some thought on how I think I would display my work; prints sized A3 and mounted will be printed on Hahnemuble German etching, Hahnemuble photo rag ,or Hahnemuble smooth as I want the images to have a fine art textural quality to them and reduce any shine. I like the textures of each of these products but will obviously make a final decision once the images are edited and optimised.

Technically a good knowledge of the camera, use of lens, depth of field and focal point  and lighting techniques is essential, as is an understanding of the aesthetics of the technique, my skills in this area are adequate but I hope by the end of this project they will be considerably improved.

The main pieces of gear I will be using for this will be:

My Olympus EM1X DSLR mirrorless camera

An Olympus micro 4/3 lens 12- 40 mm Lens

A tripod

Light tools modelled on those demonstrated on Harold Ross’ websites

Black card flags

A reflector

A MacBook air with photoshop software.

Approximate settings: (based on previous shoots)

2.0 secs @ F8.00, ISO 100, focal length 18 mm

This type of shoot is really a solitary activity and, because of current restrictions due to the Corona virus precautions, is one of the main reasons I have chosen this rather than my other plan, I will be able to do it without assistance.

Materials needed;

Workroom which can be darkened.

Small backdrop and base

Seafood – I have already purchased and frozen a selection of this which can be thawed as required.

A selection of Lewis crockery

Consumable items as required, see costs:

Costs –

Backdrops/base materials - 4 backdrops from Black velvet - £36.00

Food products - Fish, meats vegetables                    Approx. £30.00

Printing costs - 10 prints @ £8.00                                             £80.00

Travel                N/a working from home

Misc                   Buffer for incidentals                                       £20.00

Total                                                                                           £166.00

1815 Words.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Project: The Lewis Dresser

Location Name: Home address

Tel:XXXXXXXXXXX

Tick any identified hazard.

o Access (blocked or restricted)            o Dangerous surfaces (slippery, wet)

o Vehicle parking at location                  X Trip Hazards Found

o Dangerous Services (elec/y, water).    o Derelict Buildings (unsafe floors)

X Working in confined spaces              oHazardous Substances (chemicals)

o Flammable Materials                            o Water (proximity to water)    

o Rubbish/Vermin                                     o Machinery (working, turning parts)

o Working at Height                                             o Working on/near roads            

o Driving in traffic                                     o Noise (high sound levels)

o Weapons                                                  o Stunts

o Extreme Heat/Cold                                o Physical Exertion            

o Using animals                                          o Hostile Environment (violence)          

o Special Needs (inexperienced, child, elderly)  o Public/ Crowds

o Other Hazards.

   Please specify

HAZARD SEVERITY - H / M / L  Confined space - Low,  Trip hazards - Low

People at Risk - Who photographer, how many? -1

Likelihood. H / M / L

Risk Control Adequate - Yes / No

Are the precautions proportionate to the overall risk?

Please expand this document as required to properly assess your risk

Details of Activity

Photography, low light photography using darkened room, tripod ,handheld lights.

Set up will be confined to blocked of area of 1 room, wire to be secured using heavy duty tracking.

Confined space in darkened room.

Trip Hazards

Ensure floor is clear of obstacles before switching off lights.

Use of headlamp for safe visibility.

Make sure no items are near edges or trailing. Secure cables with heavy duty cable.

Source of safety advice at location

Name : Julie Balfour

Signed:

Julie Balfour

Date:

25.03.2020

College Contact

Name:

Faculty Admin Assistance

Tel:

0141 375 5226

Signed:

(Donna Wilkins)

Date:

Session 2019/ 20

Risk Assessment undertaken by:

This must be signed before the Shoot can go ahead.

I have read the above risk assessment and am satisfied that:

·      Constitutes a proper and adequate risk assessment in respect of the programme activity.

·      The precautions identified above are sufficient to control the risks.

·      Adequate arrangements are in place to communicate risk assessment findings and to co-ordinate the safety arrangements of all those affected.

Plan your first 8steps – whilst this is likely to change, it can provide a loose framework Remember to account for additional opportunities

As I have a small studio space it is my intention to work from there, if however the studio has to close for any reason I will relocate to a space in my flat.

I have ordered some online backdrops which may compliment my compositions

I will be visiting the local fishmongers and buying in the foods I plan to shoot, these can be frozen until needed.

I will set up my backdrops and experiment with lighting etc until I am happy with the set up.

From my research it seems that it would be beneficial if I could shoot tethered so I will be researching how to do this while I await feedback on my proposal.

I have a number of Light tools already but I will research this further and add to these.

I will continue to work on my photoshopping skills so that I can get the best possible results from layered images.

As I want the final images to be in the Fine Art genre I will be printing on a Hahnemuble paper, type to be decided.

References

Anthony Epes. 2020. How To Plan A Photo Project * Anthony Epes. [online] Available at: <https://www.citiesatdawn.com/how-to-plan-a-photo-project/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Digital Photography School. 2020. Step By Step Tutorial For How To Shoot Tethered. [online] Available at: <https://digital-photography-school.com/tutorial-shoot-tethered/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2020. Alcide Dessalines D' Orbigny | French Paleontologist. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alcide-Dessalines-d-Orbigny> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Facebook.com. 2020. Redirecting.... [online] Available at: <https://www.facebook.com/pg/kennycaedonia/about/?ref=page_internal> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Internationalphotomag.com. 2020. Photobiography: Harold Ross | International Photography Magazine. [online] Available at: <http://internationalphotomag.com/harold-ross-photo-biography/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Isleoflewischessset.co.uk. 2020. The Isle Of Lewis. [online] Available at: <https://www.isleoflewischessset.co.uk/isle-lewis.html> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Lauraletinsky.com. 2020. Laura Letinsky → THE DOG AND THE WOLF. [online] Available at: <https://lauraletinsky.com/photographs/the-dog-and-the-wolf/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

MacDonald, F., 2020. Sculpting A Photograph With Light. [online] Lens Blog. Available at: <https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/with-light-sculpting-a-photograph/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Old Book Illustrations. 2020. Dance Of The Aymara People | Old Book Illustrations. [online] Available at: <https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/writers/orbigny-alcide/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Pixpa. 2020. 15 Types Of Photography Genres To Pursue As A Professional Photographer. [online] Available at: <https://www.pixpa.com/blog/types-of-photography> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

TIME.com. 2020. Last Meals On Death Row, Texas - Photo Essays. [online] Available at: <http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2095889_2316169,00.html> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

Widewalls. 2020. Still Life Photographers Who Give A Fresh Meaning To Vanitas. [online] Available at: <https://www.widewalls.ch/still-life-photographers/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].

[travelswithmyart]

“For a very small woman she had a huge impact.”

This was the phrase I heard again and again from friends and family at the funeral of my dear, kind, funny and wonderful mum, Vera.

At the end of October mum was admitted to hospital unexpectedly after suffering a huge heart attack. Unfortunately, we were told she would never recover. She had been ill for a while and was already very weak. I managed to fly back to England to see her while she was still able to communicate. We did get her home to receive end of life care which was her wish. She spent her last few days at home with help from a team of care workers, my sisters, Lynne and Karol, myself and her cats close by.

She finally passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, November 4th. She was 80 years old.

A wintery walk with Vera and Baron in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England.

I shared many of my mum’s passions travel, art, family, culture, gardening, animals, nature, craft and so many more. It was not really surprising that these were my interests too. From a very young age she taught me to draw and paint, how to knit and sew, regularly took me to art exhibitions, let me help out in the kitchen and garden and encouraged me to document my travels and adventures in journals. Without Vera there would definitely be no Travels with my Art.

Still life painting by Vera Davies

Winter landscape watercolour painting by Vera Davies

At four foot ten she certainly was a diminutive woman, whose door was always open to everyone. Mum was always busy, but somehow always had time for everyone and her twinkly bright brown eyes never missed anything.

Images of mum visiting many different places around the world

Some of the many places mum visiting around the world

Images of mum with her family

She loved this poem. When it was read out at her funeral let’s just say that I shed more than just a tear. She was without doubt the kindest, warmest and friendliest person I have ever met. I am so proud to be her daughter. Sleep well Mum.

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

by Henry Scott Holland

Vera taking a quick nap with Baron

  Remembering my dear mum, Vera "For a very small woman she had a huge impact." This was the phrase I heard again and again from friends and family at the funeral of my dear, kind, funny and wonderful mum, Vera.

[toptecharena]

A 23-year-old mother drew both praise and criticism from the Internet last month when she shared an honest Instagram post about her struggles as a young mother. Despite the backlash, the mom of two says she’s glad she spoke out in hopes that women everywhere would be empowered to speak their truths too.

“I really thought, ‘Maybe this will help somebody,’ ” Olivyah Bowens, a Baltimore-born virtual doula who now lives in Puerto Rico, tells PEOPLE of her viral post. “I didn’t know what I was going through back when I had my first child. I didn’t know how to express it. So, I thought maybe there’s another mother who is experiencing this and she doesn’t know what it is.”

On July 29, Bowens shared a photo of herself sporting a tired expression as her daughter, 2-year-old Ozara, is shown crying. She began the lengthy post simply: “No one teaches you how to love a child you didn’t plan to have.” She opened up about her time as a new mom, in which she worried about how she and her husband, 24-year-old Toddrick Bowens, would care for the little girl.

No one teaches you how to love a child you didn’t plan to have. No one shows you how to traverse the emotional complexity of loving a child you weren’t happy about being pregnant with. It’s even more difficult at those times when they’re having tantrums and pushing you to a point of emotional exhaustion. … It’s confusing. When the same people who told you that you pretty much ruined your life are smiling ear to ear at your baby shower a few months later. It’s hard.. Looking at a beautiful baby and being bogged down by the thoughts of how you will take care of them and how much life will change. It’s so easy.. To project the pain of your wounded inner child onto your baby. It is the lethal cycle of undealth with trauma. … This stage of motherhood has forced me to look at my reflection in my daughter’s eyes and realize that no I don’t enjoy being a mother all the time, but this child has been the catalyst for major growth. She is the mirror that allows me to look into my past and see the fears still controlling me now. … When we heal our deepest pains we are speaking to our ancestors across the space time illusion and holding a cross-generational conversation within our dna that heals old wounds and rectifies long lost problems. Motherhood hasn’t just healed me it’s healed the mother’s that came before me. … The reality is I don’t want to be a mother everyday. I don’t want to feel held back from chasing my dreams and goals. I don’t want to be exhausted. But I KNOW this little girl has brought me face to face with things that would have otherwise been ignored in my bubble of childless freedom. … Dear mama, who is going through an unplanned pregnancy, don’t feel guilty, don’t feel afraid, don’t feel ashamed. That baby chose YOU to be it’s mothers at the perfect time. Surrender to the journey of unpredictability and let this new being show you a whole new part of yourself you didn’t know was there. #takebackpostpartum #thefourthtrimester #motherhoodunplugged #birthofamama #blackmomsblog #milenialmom

A post shared by Olivyah (@herholisticpath) on Jul 29, 2018 at 3:51am PDT

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“The first year, it was difficult because I was finishing my degree, which meant I’d stay up and nurse and change diapers. Then I’d spend the day doing homework. There was definitely a layer of difficulty as far as managing my time and my energy,” Bowens tells PEOPLE. “There were points where I felt like I needed space from my baby, because I was with her every single day.

“I wasn’t getting that much of a break. There were definitely times … it was hard to attach because I was frustrated and so tired.”

Bowens encouraged mothers going through unplanned pregnancy to keep their heads high, as she candidly declared, “The reality is I don’t want to be a mother every day. I don’t want to feel held back from chasing my dreams and goals.” As the post made its way around the Internet, many social media users weighed in, with some criticizing Bowens for her words. One Instagram user called Bowens “selfish” and another declared, “Why didn’t you consider adoption? No I don’t agree with nor do I feel empathy for you!”

Bowens became pregnant at 21 years old and, although she and Toddrick (who have been together for 10 years) had always wanted children, the pregnancy came as a surprise.

Bowens says she struggled with feelings of guilt and shame due to becoming pregnant before “the right time.” After Ozara, she and Toddrick welcomed another daughter, 10-month-old Oniyah.

Bowens says it was difficult for her to see people accuse her of not loving her children. But, she says, she knew her words wouldn’t go over too well with some.

“I was not expecting the amount of negative comments … It wasn’t shocking because of what I said. It’s my truth. There were two types of comments that really frustrated me. One was in reference to the idea that I’m a single mother and I’m bitter. That’s just not factual. My partner does so much to support me … I didn’t like him being misrepresented,” she tells PEOPLE.

“The other comment that was hurtful was people saying I’m a bad mother or that I don’t love my child. That was hurtful on one end, but on the other, it was frustrating. I never said I didn’t love my child, I said it was a process to learn to love. I believe love is an action, it’s not just about butterflies in your belly.”

We got married in August but i feel this day holds much more significance. This was the day you made my heart pitter patter in the staircase between the third and fourth floor of BSA. You walked me to algebra class and before I could walk away you said “hold up” you brought me close and asked me to be your girl. It damn near felt like a marriage proposal. Never looked back since. It’s been hard times, miscommunication, pain, heartache, tears but it was that day I knew I’d be stuck with you for a long long forever. The past few months (more like year *cough cough*) I’ve contemplated if I should have walked away that day. If I should have declined your offer but I now know that on that day my feet were cemented into your heart, I couldn’t move if I wanted to. We had each other’s heart on lock, like we knew each other in another life, like we agreed to come here to this place called earth together #iloveyouspaceboy #heybooboo #nextlifetimeletsgotoasia OCTOBER 12Th HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

A post shared by Olivyah (@herholisticpath) on Oct 12, 2017 at 8:21am PDT

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The Instagram post has amassed more than 12,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments. Her story was widely reported, and many gave their input on the mother’s words. Still, Bowens says she doesn’t regret penning the poignant post.

“I’m definitely glad I did it. Because I know for every negative comment there was somebody who got something from it. I’ve had so many people send me messages, like, ‘This is something I’ve always wanted to say but could never say it.’ A couple people said their boyfriend or their husband saw the post and they sent it to their wife or their girlfriends. That made me feel really happy.”

Bowens says she never expected her post to garner so much attention, but she’s learned a major lesson from the ordeal.

“I’m glad I went against my fear and posted it. I’ve learned that a message is gonna reach exactly who it needs to reach. When you’re putting something out on the Internet, everybody may not love it, or understand it. But even if it reaches one or two people, that’s still important. It’s helping those people.”

Go to Source Author: Char Adams Mom Who Shared Controversial Post About ‘How to Love a Child You Didn’t Plan to Have’ Speaks Out A 23-year-old mother drew both praise and criticism from the Internet last month when she shared an honest Instagram post about her struggles as a young mother.