Technical Process

Overview of the process I've gone through the last two quarters:

I started out with an idea in my head about shooting the everyday details of life. I decided to shoot with the Mamiya C220 because it produces beautiful descriptions of just about whatever it shoots. It is also very good with capturing detail and has a variety of depth of field options. I chose to use Kodak Tmax ISO 400 because I am most comfortable and familiar with using this type of film. I wanted to use black and white film because it eliminates the distraction of colors, and allows the viewer to focus on the object or scene in the photograph. I hand develope each one of my rolls because I love the satisfaction of making photos from scratch and knowing you made every step happen yourself. I started out shooting things that were around me in my everyday life, details of my home and my surroundings. That idea only lasted for about one roll and I realized it just wasn't quite what I wanted. So I started looking for things in the world that were everyday, but were considered ugly or things that nobody ever takes a second glance at. When I looked at the world around me in this way, I realized that we take it for granted and that each and everything around us is beautiful in its own way. I started spending time looking at cracks in rocks and the ground and finding patterns in dirt. This led me to photographing a lot of areas that were forgotten or abandoned. I had an idea that I wanted to bring out the beauty in these places and things that nobody cared about anymore. After a while, I started to notice that I was drawn more to organic forms and nature, or man made things that have been affected by the elements. This has led me to my current state, where most of my favorite images have a very organic feel. As I have been test printing images as I take them over the last two quarters, I have learned a lot about what makes an image worth while. With the help of my professor and classmates, Ive learned what images work and how each final image needs a luminosity about it to be interesting. I have experimented with fiber and RC paper and have decided on using Ilford RC Glossy paper for my final prints. I really enjoy the high sheen of that type of paper. I have experimented with scanning in my negatives, digitally printing, borders, paper type, and presentation method. I have tried a few different types of frames and am currently in search of the perfect set of frames for my project. In the end, I hope to make a set of prints in the darkroom which are interesting to look at and convey my concept to the viewer. I want my viewer to learn to appreciate the mundane and forgotten which we encounter daily.