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The author
created his pictures on Kodachrome transparency film,
but many of these described images can also be taken
with digital cameras.
Projection Photography
The discovery of the basic
technique was, as is often the case, the result of an
accident. It was the chance projection of a slide,
without having the screen in place,
that resulted in a portrait appearing partly on some
fabric and partly on the wallpaper. The curved fabric
distorted the image and when the picture was clearly
focussed the weave and texture of the materials forming a
type of screen became part of the portrait. This result
was sufficiently intriguing to leave the projection as it
was, and to study the
possibilities of this occurrence.
Was it conceivable that a new photograph could be taken of
the remarkable effect that could now be
seen? Why not? If this effect could
be photographed then one can photograph projected images
on other textures, or even on
other objects. This odd happening has proved to be the
basic approach to gain full control of all images.
Providing a completely new way of superimposing,
and controlling every aspect of the picture. Obviously, it is practical to rephotograph a
projected image, no matter what
it is projected on to, if one can see it, one can
photograph it!
The projector however offers so many more possibilities
than the darkroom enlarger to create pictures. Take any
image on any film, it is just as easy to project negatives, or transparencies in colour,
or black and white, on to
whatever is desired.
Consider the potential when projecting an image on to;
fabrics (not always flat), textures, or even on to
other objects, then try bouncing the projected photograph
off a reflective surface, and
focus it on to a screen, or have a look at what happens if
a crystal is placed near to the projector lens
(behind the lens as well as in front). Colour
filters can be used, or parts of the image can be masked
(again compare the results obtained in front, as against
behind, the projector lens).
With more than one projector it is possible to combine, and superimpose with perfect
control, more than one image. By
projecting these images, one on top of the other, and then
masking away the overlapping parts of each image, that are
no longer required, a totally new picture can be formed.
These are the basic principles, which with infinite
variety are used to create, form and relate at will, all
that has ever been photographed. It is in fact the
projector that provides all the magic, such is the
diversity that can be achieved with it. The older type of
projectors are often of more use,
than the modern automatic types, as it is then likely to
be easier to gain access to the space behind the lens.
That facility is of great advantage with these techniques
- so look out for cheap second hand ones!
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