The Less Seen Side of Mahopac

Holga Project

The Holga is a cheap, plastic camera that is produced in China.  It is the stepsister of the Diana Camera which was used extensively by photographers in the 1970’s . Poor quality control, a plastic lens and light leaks are the hallmarks of these cameras.

After the Crash, Manny Boccini 

Given their shortcomings, “toy cameras” can take some evocative imagery. The image is usually sharper in the center and quickly goes out of focus in the corners of the square image. Sometimes the corners are darker as well, creating a vignette effect. 

Saugerties Lighthouse

The gritty, semi-focused look is perfect for our next assignment, The "Less Seen" side of Mahopac. Look for the junk, old cars, run-down buildings etc. This isn't about the lake front homes and tidy shops, it's about the dark underbelly of Mahopac. Look for dumpsters, old pallets, loading docks. There is alot out there if you start to look!

Process:

Shooting a Holga is extremely easy, but you must follow these basic steps. I'll load it and tape it for light leaks. You will take 3 exposures and pass the camera on to the next person in your group. (4 people)

1.  Try to shoot in Bright Sunshine or Cloudy Bright situations.
2. Guess the focus distance and turn the focus ring to the appropriate icon.
3. 3. Set the aperture to the Sun (F11) or Partial Sun(F8) setting.
4.  Frame your image.
5. Hold the camera steady and press the shutter release. Do not shake, the shutter speed is only 1/60 of a second.
6. Your group will develop it's film. (I’ll load the 120mm film for you.)
7. Make an 8x8" enlargement. 
8. Dry mount your image.

Focus Ring estimated distances.

• Head and Shoulders: about 4-5 feet.
• 3 People holding hands: about 9 feet.
• 7 People: about 18 feet.
• Mountain: 30 feet to infinity.

3D Photography

Most of us have had the opportunity to watch a movie in 3D. Perhaps you had the opportunity to take a 3D thrill ride at Bush Gardens. Some people play 3D video games. Long before 3D movies, photographers made stereo pairs with special cameras with two lens. These "pairs" were viewed with a special Stereoscope. 

We will be making basic 3D images called "Anaglyphs". 

In order to view our images we must make 3D glasses. Here is an unusual example:

Mr. Boccini 3D Glasses.

Assignment


Using "chip board" and acrylic paint make a "custom" pair of Stereo Glasses.

• Be creative, anything from super hero's to cartoon characters make good glasses.
• Make sure to use the template so the spacing between the eyes is correct.
• Think about adding three dimensional elements. (ie. hair made of yarn)
• If you need something special, ask! You never know what kind of junk I have collected.
• The glasses may be attached to a dowel or be worn in the traditional manner. (stems over the ears)
• Consider working with other people to create a theme. (ie the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.
• Blog a picture of you wearing your glasses.
• Blog your Anaglyph.

The Letter Project.

This is an observation project. We "Look" at the world around us but don't often "See" the interesting detail. This assignment will force you to see the everyday and mundane in a different light.

1. You may choose a word that represents a strong emotion like "love". You may use your own name, but the letters should be representative of who you are.
2. It is possible to construct letters out of objects if you desire. (Notice that the letters in the word create are made up of art materials). 
3. Using a digital camera, take photographs of the "letters" that make up your word. Each photo should be recognizable as a particular letter.
4. A cell phone camera is satisfactory if the resolution is high enough.
5. The images will need to be scaled in Photoshop. Determine size based on the number of letters in the word. (3x3 inches is typical) Make sure the "constrain proportion" button is selected when scaling.
6. Dry mount the letters on matte board. Place in the press for 20 seconds. (Longer will melt the image)

Line and Reflection

Line in Photography

Line is the most basic element of design. It is present in every work of art. You assignment is to create images that isolate that particular element. This requires you to look closely at the world around you. Don't limit yourself to typical lines. Consider:

• Kids on  a lunch line
• A picket line
• A Finish Line
• The Horizon Line
• Fence Lines

Think about how different lines create different feelings in the viewer.

Horizontal Lines - Restful

Vertical Lines - Give feelings of stability. (Columns on a bank facade.)

Diaagonal Line - Create visual energy and movement.

Implied Lines - Lines created where two shapes meet.

The possibilities are endless. Shoot half a roll of black and White film devoted to line.  

Make one 5x7 enlargement and dry mount it on matte board.

Below are some examples of my line photographs.

Alco Locomotive, North Creek, NY

Mast of the Sloop Clearwater, Hudson River

Dodge Grill, North Creek, New York

Bike Rack, Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY

Reflections

Before starting this assignment, take a look on the world wide web for examples of photographs using reflections. This should jumpstart your imagination and give you inspiration for your own images.

Consider the many reflective surfaces availible to you:

• Store windows
• Sunglasses
• Lakes, ponds and even puddles.
• Mirrors

Don't limit yourself. Remenber reflection is something that we all do. How can you photograph someone being "reflective".

Make one 5x7 enlargement and dry mount it on matte board.

Paramount Theater, Peekskill, NY

World of Wings, Teaneck, NJ

Snow and Ice

Sprout Creek, Lagrangeville

If you haven't noticed, it's cold outside! Snow, ice and cold are the subject of our next digital assignment. Here are a couple of tips for taking snow photos. Take lots of images and post your most interesting "five" to your blog.

1. Control Exposure - Even though smartphone cameras take great photos, it is wise to consider controlling your exposure manually. Light meters in cameras try to expose the large snow areas as 18 percent gray, leaving you with a dark image. With film, photographers will often "overexpose" 2 stops to make the snow appear white. The latest Iphone operating system allows for some control of exposure. If the snow in your digital images appears to dark, you can adjust it in Photoshop using the Brightness/Contrast controls. 
2. Make Sure you have a Subject - What exactly are you photographing? Name it in your mind. Remember the subject is the first thing the human eye will see when looking at your image.
3. Create Depth - Large areas of white can create a flat and lifeless image. Is there a distinct foreground, midground and background in your image?
4. Keep the Sun behind your back. (Bud don't get your shadow in the image.)
5. Best to shoot after a new fallen snow...nice and clean!
6. Branches heavily laden with snow make interesting images. (Contrast with dark pine trees works well too.)
7. Watch where your footprints are, they can ruin a great shot.
8. Capture action shots. (Kids playing, sledding, snowball fights)
9. Try getting a portrait. (See After the Crash below.)
10. Consider using black and white, it will bring out the starkness of a winter scene. 
11. If you use color, add contrast to make the color "pop". Red works really well in snow scenes.
12. Add people to your scene for reference. (In a landscape)
13. Stay warm! Dress appropriately for the conditions.
14. Keep your camera cold, if you keep it warm it will fog your lens!

After the Crash, Holga Photograph

St. Francis Statue

Never Dies

Photoshop Filter Project

Assignment - We will go over this project next week in the computer lab. You must colorize your pinhole image before starting.

1. Duplicate your colorized pinhole image 25-30 times on a 8.5x11" Photoshop document.
2. Manipulate each small image with a different "Filter" effect. 
3. Center on the page.
4. Save as a jpeg file and post to your blog.
5. Add the caption: Photoshop Filter Project.

Photoshop Filter Project

Colorize Your Pinhole Photo

Assignment

Take your Pinhole Self Portrait or Pinhole Close-up and duplicate it. Using the same technique we used on our digital restoration, add color to your image. Post it to your blog. 

You will need this image for the next project! Post it on your blog.

Here is one of my pinhole images. Another art teacher had a bag of old toy baby parts which I used as my subject. Creepy!

Colorized Pinhole Photo