July 28, 2010

The new Studio


Thus far the studio in its empty uninhabited state has no name... that shall change in time.

For now though let me show you my new lair.

Upon walking in you are greeted by... nothing.  However I should mention a board used for cutting was left behind on the desk... which should come in handy.  The big white squares attached to the walls are also great for putting up push pin idea boards!
To the right of the door we have the living area... or so it was.  I'm told that many grad students spend so much time in their studios many of them have mini fridges, kitchenette like setups and something to sleep on!  Who needs to pay rent right?

I have my own private little dark room with some shelving spaces.  Now I just need my own enlarger or light box (i'd prefer a light box).  This little dark room has been made light tight by previous tenants and there are also some safety lights ect left behind!

Speaking of goodies left behind...
I was left a huge old TV which I conveniently lugged out to the hall for someone else to pick up!  Also some screens for the windows I'm guessing, a box with wires and some chemicals for processing that might be too old to use... I'm not sure they are safe!

However the best left behind gift is the fruit loops box...
Priceless
Oh and I have a pretty good view which is a nice change from the basements they usually lock us photo kids up into!


On the downside being a grad student/TA gives me the responsibility of carrying 8 more keys for all the different labs ect.  So far they have given me six of them.  I may need to start carrying two different key chains because this isn't working so well.

I'm not a janitor and who else honestly carries 14 keys?


July 17, 2010

A+ for the F+


As I promised here is a post about my latest work I just submitted to a contest.

These are all done with my wonderful Toy Diana F+ with the Instant back!

Before we get to the goodies though I want to show of the tools!

The wonderful film that has exploded on the american market finally!
Look it even has instructions on it!!!
This is the lovely that spits out jems!
The little round bubble on the right that has yellow in it means the film is loaded... make sure the switch is clicked over to on or it wont work.  The little blue bubble on the left lit up shows it is on and how many shots you've taken.  By the way the blue rimmed button on the left is what you press after taking the shot inorder to process the film and have it come out on the side.
The film processes out like this.  The first one is blank like this as a protection slide.  The rest come out white at first as the image slowly appears.
Just a side shot showing the instant back attachment and a front beauty shot.












I like to lay everything out first when going through my images.  I knew many of these would get cut quickly but I think comparison is key when having to choose the top five images!
Nathan helped me out choosing images which is always a help because as the photographer I find myself biased!







So here are my beauties... out of 40 slides these are my top 5 that I am seriously proud of.
Please tell me what you think!


Permit

Slide Along

Storage Shed

The Back Acre

The Gully


Now the shame in this is that I submitted a great artist statement and didn't save it.  Currently I am not happy with how I have tried to recreate it so I bid you adue for now.  I will let you know when I have refinished the statement for now I will leave you with this.  When we return to the places we hold so dearly in our hearts we often find the harsh realization that we have grown out of this place.  We cannot relive the precious memories for we no longer physically, mentally or emotionally fit them.  Memories are best left in the past.

July 10, 2010

Alternative Contests

So I've never really been one to enter photo contests even though I promote them!  Honestly it's just because I didn't think my work would stand a chance.  Much of my work is very abstract and when looking through past winners I see work that is more photojournalistic.  So I've avoided entering contests thus far.  However two major contests have caught my eye

Photography Book Now
Since I created my photobooks through blurb it is really easy for me to enter and one of my old teachers actually suggested I enter it with my "Things I forgot to show you" series.





and
The Center for Fine Art Photography's Low Tech contest

Specimen 5 © Galina Kurlat, Print from Ambrotype

I just started taking images with my Diana that I actually REALLY LIKE!  I'll post them once I scan them in which will hopefully be monday.  I might actually enter this contest twice with the images I worked on in my Alternative Processing class (I will also post these after scanning them in!).


Anyways check these contest out I highly recommend them!

*In other news my posting is limited since I just moved and don't officially get the internet till the 19th :)