Thomas On Rails: Category Photography

End of the semester

Codejoy — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:19:00 -0500

I learned a lot in the photography class I took this semester. Primarily how to make a good print on both Resin Coated (RC) paper and Fiber Base paper (FB). To me there is something very special about making a picture by hand from start to finish. From the moment you click the shutter, to developing the negative to the enlarging process to even pressing and mounting the final print. Here is my final project, as to which the teacher said it was one of the best final projects he has seen in a photo I class. Mission accomplished. I am now actively working on my next goal.

For your viewing pleasure (you photogs)

Codejoy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:51:00 -0500

It's photography, it's new york city, it's from a cool guy whom I had the pleasure of meeting...and the little video has a cool soundtrack. Have fun: NYC Street Studio Video

Light and Form

Codejoy — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:55:00 -0600

No this isn't an example of it, but that is my new assignment. Also we learned how to make our first print. It is quite a process consisting of making test prints, using filters, and printing again. I look forward to it though. I am at this new part of my life where hopefully I can really jump into this stuff fully and churn out some real art. I always felt my stuff is more or less just "there", not quite commercial enough for commercial, and not artzy enough for art. I aim to change that. That being said I am also in an interesting point in life, a point I should of been at for sometime so that being said I might "emote" some on this blog, and if so I do apologize. Oh and this picture was not for the class or the first project at all, just figured i'd post something new....

Class three, the developing.

Codejoy — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:30:00 -0600

30 seconds and you begin to see the print...I am hooked. This new photoclass is pretty cool. This last class (class number 3), we developed our own film and saw how to make our contact print. It is a funny thing, I am not only into this subject matter but I am actually asking questions. I feel on some level a lot of my college time was wasted cause I only asked questions when I absolutely had to...and usually then in private (anxiety is a horrible thing). I don't know if it is now age, experience or passion but I am now commenting and asking more than I have ever before in class. I like this new me as a student. I was never a kiss-ass in class but seeing as how I went in today on a Sunday for extra time to do contact sheets I feel a bit of a over achiever. The sheets were one for my last assignment, what this image is from and one sheet from a roll of 35mm I shot and developed from my Holga. Needless to say, the Holga negatives were grossly over exposed (f13 at 1/125seconds iso 400 will do that in the bright of day), but I even learned how to adjust the enlarger to fix some of those issues. The number one thing I am learning from this is just how much work my scanner software does for me. Wow. Next class we learn how to make a print... this is an incredibly exciting opportunity as I NEVER (or at least very rarely) make any prints of the stuff I shoot.

Lego is 50! And my second class...

Codejoy — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:56:00 -0600

And I know this thanks in part to google! I had my second class for photography I this weekend. In 4 short hours we talked about photos we each picked that evoked emotion, we learned what a gray card is and what it does and how to use one, and then we learned how to develop a roll of film. I have yet to buy my gray card so I couldn't start this weeks assignment which is bracketing exposures using a gray card. So far so good...

First day of class

Codejoy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:46:00 -0600

So my first photography class did not go the full length it was supposed to (12pm-6pm). We got out early and it was a nice introduction to the dark room, what the class is about the inner workings of the camera etc. I even learned something, what a range-finder camera is specifically. It was a good class and our first assignment was "Found Photo". That is we are supposed to bring in a photo that evokes emotion for us and talk about it. The photo I am kicking around is this one. I am not a fan of Annie just cause shes on top, but she is good. This photo is awesome and it made me realize that vanity fairs covers are always top notch. What I like about this photo is the fact that you have two cold hearted criminals on the cover with this beautiful woman as a stark contrast to them. The kicker to me is the fact that the lighting is rather warm (Without being overly warm) one would expect it to be a colder color cast, so I wonder what she is saying about these cold gangsters, is it that they are really not as bad as they seem? We all did see the last episode though right? EDIT: I had misread the assignment to be a photo we liked technically, and then I wrote here how it was to be evoke a feeling. Then I realized that the assignment really did state to show something that evokes emotion. So this image doesn't make sense for the real assignment. Will be posted the new image I choose soon...

Back to school

Codejoy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0600

I got into the photography class I wanted to this semester. It is a photography I class, aka photography 270. Its every Saturday for like 6 hours, makes for a long Saturday but I am very excited to be taking the class. The first assignment is to bring in a photo that makes us think, or evokes some sort of emotion and then talk about it. I think I have that covered, though I can tell the class is going to be VERY time consuming and that worries me since its been a long while since I've had to worry about such time constraints. More later... oh and hi (ya been a while since I blogged)!

The Shot! Episode 2

Codejoy — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:04:00 -0600

So I have to say, this show has its ups and downs. I do wonder as to the prowess of all the photographers. They get worked up over a shot and cannot go with the flow so it seems, plus it seems the lighting has been setup for them in most of challenges. They have light set up, light meters at the ready and high quality equipment? Where is the challenge? Their imagination? Sure but um, that should be there already. I dunno, I haven't seen anything yet that I didn't have an idea for. It is sort of funny, they are supposed to be working twards becoming fashion photographers but one couldn't guess this the way they go about the shoot. Interesting.

The shot!

Codejoy — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:15:00 -0600

Damn I hate it when reality tv grabs me, its like the creators of VH1's "The Shot" really were talking to just me. The premise as far as I can tell is that there is a group of photographers that are vying for a chance to get a spread in magazines and a $100k grant. Wow. So far, their first challenge was to tell a story with the theme passion. They had two nude models and quickly had to shoot to tell a story of passion, something that was not pornographic and palatable for commercial use. I am curious what anyone with even the remotest of photographic eyes would of done? I instantly had a shot idea in mind...If I hear some ideas in comments ill post my setup for the shot. So far I am really digging the show.

The experiment results

Codejoy — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:45:00 -0500

At first it started off horribly, I was shy to ask people as I was handing out candy and when I did a lot of the parents gave me this strange look. I did get two parents that said yes right away, one semi reluctantly. I can understand why for the most part. I shot their pictures and they came out okay. Then something strange happened, out of no where, I had people starting to inquire "How much are pictures?" It was nice to see their face light up when I said: "Free 4x6, just takes a minute to print". So before I knew it I had a line. Things were going semi smoothly, though one family wanted EVERYONE in the shot, the background (and my one light) was more geared twards 1, 2 or maybe 3 at the max, not 5! In the end though, I got some great shots, and saw the smiles on peoples faces both while being photographed and while getting their print. One girl even took the print looked at it and giggled and gave a thanks. Really made me feel good, like I was doing some sort of good. I also had two inquires for shooting christmas pictures, family portraits and met a couple that was into video editing and web design. All in all, though no orders yet, I would consider it at least a marketing success.