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Creation of Plates 34 & 33
Combining front and rear projection
(See Portfolio plates 34 & 33)
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Rear Projection
There are some valuable advantages in having a rear
projection screen especially when owning more than one
projector. The first advantage that comes to mind,
after the obvious one of avoiding distortion, with at
least one of the images, is the opportunity to add a
light coloured background when photographing projected
images on to other objects.
For example when creating a picture such as (plate 11 ), the way of avoiding the
portrait from being seen behind the feather, was by
having a large dark space beyond the feather. Then
only the image focused, on to the feather, could have
been seen the parts that missed the feather were lost
out of focus in the dark area beyond. It would not have
been possible to mask the image to the feather had a
light surface been close behind it. That is why many of
these pictures have very dark backgrounds.
Should a lighter background scene have been favoured, it
was not with the feather picture, but had a background
scene been required, it could have been added by rear
projection. The rear projection screen would have been
placed a distance beyond the feather so that the
portrait image reaching it would have been out of focus
and darker. Some masking would also have been used
to help keep the brightest parts of the portrait off
this screen. Then by rear projection any picture
could have been added to form a background.
Should the rear projection screen simply be used to
provide a background scene, often expected to be in a
softer focus, an expensive screen is then not needed.
Even tracing paper will do. Take a look at plate 33
(above) the slide of the squirrel was projected on
to an old broken piece of wood. Behind this piece of
wood a country scene is projected on to tracing paper,
by rear projection, and then photographed as
seen. Plate 34 (above), was created in the
same way, an old leaf was stuck on to the tracing paper
and a transparency of acorns projected on to it. The sky
scene was then projected on to the tracing paper and
photographed as seen.
Inspired
Accidents
Hoping that readers having
reached this far will agree that the possibilities
described, offer photographers working in colour so much
more than simply recording reality. Trusting readers will
also agree that this form of photography really justifies
recognition in the art world, as it has certain qualities
that are quite unlike those of any other media.
This has been published with the hope that photographers
will not just create strange pictures, or gimmickry, but
produce works of true artistic merit.
The most satisfying time spent is without doubt, in the
creation of the work. Frequently regardless of the medium
used, if an artist is truthful, the end result obtained is
not always exactly as initially conceived.
Often the author has decided on a theme, or it could be
just a thought about a pattern, or composition that exists
in the mind, in an abstract way, as yet unexpressed.
Perhaps the last portrait taken, inspires the desire to do
more with it. Whilst considering and projecting certain
images, to blend with such a portrait, something
unexpected can suddenly be seen, that fires the
imagination.
At other times an idea occurs and a clearly defined image
forms in the mind. However, whilst trying to create
this picture, it is not so unusual that one strays across
a certain amount of accidental inspiration. This can
be the chance blending of two images in a way never
thought of before, that looks just too good to ignore! The
best thing to do then, is to be prepared to change
direction, and pursue the new study, rather than the
original concept. The first attempted creation can
always be tried again later on.
The excitement and pleasure one feels when inspired in
this way is hard to describe. So, even if one starts with
just the vaguest of concepts, it is worth spending some
time experimenting. Think of it as being the stage
where the artist is selecting and mixing the paints on his
palette, still unsure of what he might paint, but just
feeling the need to make a start. Whilst thinking of
the various possibilities, surprising relationships can
develop, that might well become the basis of the final
picture. It is only really by actually making a start,
that you create the opportunity for something exciting to
happen.
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