|
Projection Photography
The first and easiest way to begin is to experiment with the
projected image, try projecting a favourite portrait on to a textured surface, to be used
as a screen. Be sure to have a selection of different white materials to hand
such as; linen, damask, or watermarked fabric, for fine textures. For coarse
texture try loosely woven mohair, or a heavy knitted wool pullover. It will
soon become obvious that the size of the image projected, is another way of making the
texture appear coarse, or fine.
The next stage is to test some films, in order to find one that produces the best results.
Project the portrait on to the selected texture. Then photograph
what can be seen. The room should be fairly dark. Experiment first
with different types of film, to see which results are liked best. There are
advantages in having made a choice to stay with that film, as experience gained under
these rather special light conditions, will save film from being wasted.
Sometimes a film balanced for daylight with a blue filter is much better than a tungsten
film. So much depends on the projector used.
An enormous variety of textures are possible to use, they do not always need to be white,
nor do they always need to be flat. Even a parquet floor could be used, once
one has mastered how to stay on the ceiling with a camera and a projector! Have a look at plate 10
(above).
There is likely to be an element of distortion, as it is not possible to have the camera
lens in exact alignment with the projector, but do not worry about this yet, distortion is
the subject of the next chapter.
Plate 8.
A projected portrait but not on to a screen.
(See Portfolio plate 8.)
Use your browser 'Back' button
to return
The use of a texture in portrait work is particularly attractive some of the beauty and
character found in painted portraits is lacking in photographs. This is due
partly to the interest an artist can arouse in the beholder, by the abstract quality,
created by the choice of paints used and by their application. The palette
knife for coarse, or the brush for fine texture.
The realism of the photograph becomes more abstract, simply by adding a texture, and this
can bring out more expression, or character than was evident before. This does
not mean that one is copying paintings, as totally different images are created from those
ever painted, but that this abstract quality that so enriches portraits, can also now
be applied to photographs.
The accidental projection of a portrait on to
the fabric instead of the screen, that started this whole concept,
resulted in the creation of plate 13 (top picture). The
portrait, plate 8 (above) the author's wife, was projected on to a
blue watermarked silk, the stars were added by a second projector. It was necessary to project a
relatively small image in order to gain the strength of texture
required. Plate 11 (below) is a portrait of the author's
mother that has been projected (at an angle) on to an ostrich feather.
An old piece of canvas, that had been used to clean the brushes of an oil paint artist,
was used to create plate 12 (top picture). This piece of canvas was streaked with
many colours and it was a matter of trial and error, to find an area that worked well with
this image.
Plate 11.
A projected portrait on to a feather
was then photographed as seen.
(See Portfolio plate
11)
Use your
browser 'Back' button to return
#projectionphotography #specialeffects
#Kodachrome #photography #paintingwithlight #film #portraits
#johnnevillecohen #analoguephotography #Conceptual #Surreal #Dramatic
#Fantasy #Expressionist #artisticphotography #lightpainting #visualarts
Return to
top of this page
|
![[Catalog]](../images/b_catl.gif)
