tinkering with LIGHT

ADAM BOND aka Po$$um showed me these inspiring photographs he shot where he was playing around with the available light. We were chatting about how the visible light effects seemed to become the ear to how the music could sound as they conveyed movement, rhythm and shapes that imitated sound-waves. 

Adam had this to say: "A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to photograph the band Car Boot Vendors live @ GMT. I've always wanted to try band photography and this was the perfect opportunity. Most of my images were shot on a long exposure of about 1.5 seconds. I really enjoyed photographing this band because they were full of energy, and considering this was my 1st attempt at band photography, I think that it went very well."

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scary or funny?

Photo Booth  
madness

Every year the First year students get a chance to see themselves in a different light_ distorted, twisted, pinched, artistically rendered, Andy Warhol style and others, by using the iSight camera in Macs run by Photo Booth software.

The Digi room is always filled with screams, laughter and nervous giggles. 

You'll see why...

PG18

look below---> 

I felt obliged to put an age restriction/parental guidance advised (for Horror).
Especially the videos!

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the relevant finger

collaborate

make the index finger known

Tyla-Skye & Josh Africa

I was joking to the first years in class today on how we would have to get our right hand index finger strong for clicking on all the hyperlinks whilst we search and browse the wonderful world of cyberspace. This photograph sent by Tyla-Skye from her Blackberry has also inspired my thinking on the relevance of the index finger, the finger that clicks on a mouse and scrolls on a touch pad . 

 Also inspired by these: buka lapha 1

So...

I am inviting you to collaborate on a project called:  
The Relevant Finger 

(click on this hyperlink to take you to the web album) 

I have opened a Picasa Web album where we can create a gallery of index fingers. I encourage you to take photographs of yours/others INDEX finger post them on the web album. Use any digital device to capture the 'character' of the index finger.

Does anybody use any other finger for clicking or is anybody left handed?

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tips from Tamlyn 2/3

Here are some more tips from Tamlyn's list on how to plan a shoot_ remember it is posted in 3 parts:

buka lapha 1/3

buka lapha 3/3(still to be done)

Jacki & Tamlyn photo taken by Natasha

The image above is a screenshot from photographer Jacki Bruniquel's blog [scroll down to see my blog list gadjet on the right]. Tamlyn was the stylist, Jacki was the photographer and they were assisted by Natasha Schoeman. Please read about the shoot on Jacki's blog. 

 

buka lapha

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part 2: PLANNING

Week 1 --->

• let them know how many pics you want to get and structure the time loosely so they know what to expect and plan for. 

• think carefully about realistic time structure_ for instance if hair and makeup is being changed allow for at least 45mins a  shot... you may also need to take breaks and discuss the shots. 

• Talk about a "what to do"_ plan for the unexpected_ what if it rains, what if you are sick or any other unforeseen events happen. 

• get a quote in writing_ signed by all necessary people involved_ verbal agreements don't have any validation.

• choose and book a hair stylist and make up artist and have a meeting about your ideas

• let them know how many pics you want to get and structure the time loosely so they know what to expect and plan for

• plan a rehearsal with all involved when you have all the garments  ready... this will allow you to fine tune the looks, get a sense of how much time the changes will take and give you clarity and confidence on the day of the shoot. 

•  get a WRITTEN and SIGNED quote

• choose and visit the location with the photographer at the right  time of day 

• book the location and make all appropriate arrangement

• decide if you may need extra helpers, refreshments, changing space, space to sit and take a break, park cars, toilets etc_ 

• make a list and make these arrangements_ get a written and signed quotes

• if you going to be using a designer, collaborate and agree on the time line, look, feel and art direction of the shoot. 

Week 2 --->

• Look at your budget and calculate what the shoot will cost

• confirm bookings if quotes fit the budget.

• allow for unforeseen costs... buying cool-drinks, paying for  parking and silly bits and bobs

• look at what you can spend on the clothes, talk to shops, loan, return what you don't use 

• group outfits, accessorize_  hang them where you can see them 

• put them in order of liking

• keep going back to the book for inspiration.

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click here for part 3

[still to be constructed]

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osmosisPROJECTS: meet NZ

osmosisPROJECTS: meet... Noxolo (Chillies) Zwane

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tips from Tamlyn 1/3

Tamlyn Martin is an artist, mother, stylist, curator, lecturer and a fabulous cook. TM was kind enough to share her tips on getting prepared for a shoot. 
click on the hyperlinks to see other blog entries on TM

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© Jacki Bruniquel

The image above is a screenshot from photographer Jacki Bruniquel's blog [scroll down to see my blog list gadjet on the right]. Tamlyn was the stylist, Jacki was the photographer and they were assisted by Natasha Schoeman. Please read about the shoot on Jacki's blog. 

buka lapha

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Below is Tamlyn's list on how to plan a shoot_ it will be posted in 3 parts. 

part 1: PREPARATION

• buy or make a book that has blank pages_ create a Reflective Journal [RJ]

• collect inspirational images remember to look for design styles, fashion trends, poses,colors, statements, types of locations.... paste them into a book write what you really love about them.

• collect garments and props that reflect the images in the book take things on apro and try them on at home with pieces you have in  your cupboard  

• experiment with make up and hair...TAKE PICS.. paste into your  book... use for blog entries _ask friends to comment on what they think is cool

• you could even take the snap shots and inspiration images and paste them onto canvases... write onto them make the process exciting and hang the artworks up.

• hunt down cool locations, take pics, find the contacts of the  people in charge, paste into your book.

• start looking for themes that tie into your songs... words from lyrics... do research on artists/ photographers/ writers/ designers working with these themes... what visual elements do you share... print this  out and paste it into your book, post them on your blog.. write about  them

• visualize the coming together of all you inspiration

• practice getting into the mood... rehearse actually doing it as you would for a performance.

• Remember that this book, your RJ, can be used for years to come to explain ideas, remind you  of all-sorts of inspiration and to give you a personal point of  reference, at a given time and place.

• after shoots always add the final images as this will reinforce the powerful materialization of the ideas... and help to build your own look.

When you are ready to do the shoot, give yourself at least 1 month to plan and prepare... 

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click here for part 2 

[still to be constructed]

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Ted.com_ Thomas Thwaites

watch the video

How to build a toaster from scratch

...another tinkerer

from TED talks: www.ted.com

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Paul the Tinkerer

Rainbow light made from torch and cd

It's marvelous marvelous!

Nothing will ever be as much fun.

I am going to photograph everything everything! 

 www.photoquotes.com

Painter/photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue  

---> If you click on his name you will view JHL's photographs via Google images.

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 When Paul Reichle made his presentation to the 2nd & 3rd years he brought along a little yellow box. Printed on this box, in large text were the words "SURVIVAL KIT". I find this alluring and charming as I feel, that PR by nature is a tinkerer and an inventor, and I got the impression that this yellow box is equally as important to him as his camera, as he loves to experiment with light.

Google defines a tinkerer as a person, traditionally a Gypsy,  who enjoys doing random, unplanned work or activities, and enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts.  A Gypsy defined by Google is a person who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living.

Paul pulled out of his 'little yellow box' some found objects: a cd, a red shiny mobile, a small mirror and a torch. He continued to demonstrate, by taking photographs of the class, how these everyday 'reflective' objects could be used to create interesting, playful lighting effects and illusions without the help of Photoshop.

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PR emailed me some of the images he took that day during his presentation. 

Werner MIRRORED onto Thandeka

Lighting with mobile and cd

Corridor lit with mobile

Gareth MIRRORED onto Lungi

Mbuyi MIRRORED onto Nda

  ☕

Gareth packing: off to Rwanda

a chat

buka lapha 1

buka lapha 2