Wex Monday: Week 16

© Katherine Broadbent 

 

I was really blown away by the light at Holkham this week so my entry had t be from this set.

 

 

Winner this week are over on the Wex Blog. Third place was a dreamy still life by Matthew Laviers, the pastel tones in this image really caught my eye.

Friday Adventures: 17th April 2015 Holkham Beach

Sorry I have been quiet of late.

 

I've been unwell which has resulted in me having the odd day off work and having every of my normal days off not taking photographs.

 

Despite still suffering vertigo I decided to go out anyway. Or else I would have contracted a secondary infection of Cabin Fever.

 

I parked up at Holkham along Lady Ann's Drive and after purchasing a cheeky ice cream started off along the Costal Path. The path snakes through fields and trees eventually, after nigh on 2 miles, end up at the beach area bordering between Wells and Holkham.

 

To get to the beach there is a staircase up the embankment.

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

And then the view from the top blew me away.

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

The way the light chased across the sand had me awestruck for a length of time I could no longer comprehend.

 

Holkham for me is heaven on earth. I'd be hard pressed to choose between Holkham and Machu Picchu as the location have my ashes scattered when I die.

 

Sorry, that statement may seem strange. 

I'm not planning on kicking the bucket anytime soon!

These two places give me a feeling that I could stay there forever and 'just be'. It's a special connection that you get with a landscape and it plays a large role in how you interact and capture that scene, the spirit of that place.

 

So maybe I'll be scattered half and half.

 

The experience of being in a place, of walking through that landscape, the time spent connecting and being mindful with your surroundings are just as important, to me, as the photographs.

 

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

Here is an opportunity to see the before and after of my open skies project. This image is my edited version of the colour capture above.

The light when I think about it, must look odd in this edit. I've removed the clouds! This is intentional to fit the ascetic of my Open Skies project. In which I want to convey a certain sense of a disjointed reality. Things are not quite right, not as you would expect and not how science and logic teaches us it should be.

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

Open Skies is about my ongoing battle with mental illness and my quest for wellness.

I feel disconnected from people and the world at times.

At times I feel very far away.

I feel that I am on the outside looking into a world in which I do not conform to or belong in.

Through my photographs I hope to remake that connection with people through a visual explanation of feelings and sensations that I often don't have words for.

 

 

 

Wex Monday: Week 10

© Katherine Broadbent

 

So this shot was taken Sunday at Wells Next the Sea. You'll notice my Sunday Outing post for this day was missing.

 

This is because I was a mess.

 

I took my tripod, but forgot the mount.

 

I got everything covered in silt.

 

I dropped my camera (only a few centimetres)

 

And I managed to jam my two filters into the same pouch (without noticing) and scratched them both, one badly.

 

 

 

BUT I WON.

 

This image forms part of my Open Skies series which I will be doing a post about when I have a few more images. You can keep up to date with my progress over on Flickr. 

 

 

I've now got a lovely shiny £20 voucher to spend at Wex Photographic. Which no doubt will go towards a new filter. Check me and the other winners out on the Wex Blog. I particularly liked 3rd place, won by @MushroomGodMat, this week. Check out the beautiful colours in his entry.

Sunday Outing: Sea Palling 15th February 2015

Today we ventured out to the cost. While there was no rain the weather was infinitely gloomy. So trusty tripod and filters in hand I experimented with long exposures.

© Katherine Broadbent

 

This is the shot I am happy with out of the 12 I took. Did a bit of editing to get it looking presentable. I'm still finding me feet so I don't think I will enter any long exposure into Wex Mondays until I get a bit better at the whole process. Any tips from my readers would be gratefully received.

 

I also snapped a shot with my iPhone.

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

Edited on Snapseed. I have briefly tried the new Darkroom by Bergen app but I did miss the selective editing tool I'm accustomed to in Snapseed. I will be having more of a play Darkroom over the next few weeks and plan a review.

 

Review: David Lynch: The Factory Photographs

June last year I came across an advert for Prestel Publishing. Who have quickly become one of my favorite publishers.

The first book that caught my eye was David Lynch The Factory Photographs. My first thought was 'David Lynch does photographs?!' But on reflection, it's not that odd for a cinematographer, especially such an auteur* to also be a photographer.

* A term used in film theory. The French word for 'author'. Used in reference to a film maker who's personal artistic vision is portrayed throughout their body of work.

The book collects images taken between between 1986 - 2000 across Europe and America. Interestingly England only providing a handful of opportunities to shoot. Lynch explains how the decline in industrial factories in England meant that a lot of the vacant sites have been demolished and/or rebuilt. I would imagine this is owing to the limited space we have in England, all workable space is precious with our ever expanding society and need to preserve Green Belt areas. I suppose in larger countries and states in Europe and America, respectively, have space that they can allow to 'go to seed' for longer periods. Creating some beautiful derelict and abandoned places. Perhaps it might also have something to land owning and procuring laws.

The book opens with a portrait (taken by Nicky Bonne) and quote from Lynch:

"I just like going into strange worlds. A lot more happens when you open yourself up to the work and let yourself react to it. Every work "talks" to you, and if you listen to it, it will take you to places you never dreamed of." Gilroy-Hirtz, P."David Lynch: The Factory Photographs Germany: Prestel, 2014. 

I suppose this is fitting owing to Lynch himself, as an artist and public figure, being the main selling point for the book. Opposed to the notoriety of the work, however brilliant, itself. The quote also prepares us as readers/viewers on how to contextualize what we are about to see. 

Following this is a short interview between Petra Gilroy-Hirtz and Lynch which further familiarizes us with the world we are about to enter. Lynch remembers some photos were taken just after his film, The Elephant Man. This dates some shots in the collection back to the nineteen eighties. We also learn the subject matter of Lynches great fascination is owing to the great beauty and abstract forms he found in these abandoned places. This certainly comes through in the images. Lynch succeeds in capturing the individual personality of each factory. Personality that is, Lynch laments, lacking in modern factories.

After a longer piece detailing an overview Lynch's career and further exploring his fascination with industrial scenes. Finally a collection of quotes from Lynch. The title "Reading David Lynch" directs us to take note and bear these in mind when looking over the work.

For me all this introduction material was fascinating. It really helped me to understand the meaning of abstract photography. I was also able to contextualize modern photography in terms of photographic history. Gilroy-Hirtz draws parallels between Lynch's work and that of the New Objectivity movement in the nineteen twenties. Even those who have studied photography academically, or otherwise, will find something of interest. 

The Text

Written by curator Gilroy-Hitz is compelling and well presented. Making the reading experience enjoyable.

The Book 

The one thing I love about (and makes me willing to invest in) photography books is that they are often beautiful objects. The Factory Photographs is just that. The cover is a soft textured linen. The 160 prints are spread across good quality paper in a matte finish. It's a medium sized book measuring 30.4 x 26.7 x 2.6 cm.   

The Photographs 

The collection is arranged loosely into untitled sections. My description would be External, Internal, Windows and the final section moving toward abstract landscapes.

A common thread through out the series is Lynch's use of high contrast black and white. This is commonly used in abstract photography, creating flatter images breaking 3D objects down into 2D shapes. As color film was readily available at the time it's worth noting that this was a conscious choice by Lynch to create a certain mood in the project. One he has made in some of his films(IMDB: David Lynch) as well.

Through out the book we certainly get a sense of Lynch's fascination with industrial spaces by variety of shots included. Delving deeper we find the photographs were taken over a period of 14 years. Further showing how much time Lynch has dedicated to the study of his subject. 

David Lynch: The Factory Photographs is available from The Photographer's Gallery & Amazon.co.uk and is published by Prestel. 

This publication coincided with an exhibition of the work. I was gutted to have missed this as it was held in London at The Photographer's Gallery 17th January - 30 March 2014. 

I have since visited The Photographer's Gallery and it is a fantastic exhibition space spread over three floors. There's also a cracking photography bookshop (shop online here) in the basement. They also, if you have the budget, sell a selection of prints from selected photographers (available online here). Along with a large selection of books and magazines the shop also sells refurbished Polaroids by The Impossible Project and Lomography products. 

Sunday Outing: 4th January 2015 at Holkham

I needed a shot for Wex Mondays weekly competition, So Sunday we decided to go out to the North Norfolk Coast. I'd wanted to visit Holkham for a while so we picked there. There's Holkham Hall and the beach is boardered by march land and forest. So a great variety of potential subject matter.

I packed my Nikon D300s with 25-120mm Lens along with my Lomo LC-A.+.

Here's a selection of my edited digital images:

To be honest I am most excited about the double exposure I experimented with using the LC-A+. There is an amazing range of textures available at Holkham. So I hope to develop them soon to show you!

New Years Day: Great Yarmouth

Starting as I mean to go on, me and Nick decided to have an analogue day! While I have a 35mm SLR I really wanted to have a go with these two:

The Lomo LC-A+ was a Christmas gift from Nick and The Cannon AF35ML was a bargain I picked up on Ebay. The thing I love about the LC-A+ is that multiple exposures are a breeze! All you do is take your first image, flick a switch and your shutter is primed and ready to go for round 2!

The Cannon AF35ML is a reliable little shooter with the convenience of a built in flash.

Both cameras allow you to set the ISO (which I can't on my 35mm SLR). This is an advantage if you want to shoot with ISO variable film or experiment with over/under exposure when your metering is automatic. I have a roll of Lomo Chrome Purple to experiment with later in the year which features ISO variable from 100 - 400. The higher the ISO the more intense the colour shift! 

New Years Day was spent walking up and down the seafront. But I don't have any photos to share yet since I shot on film! Here's one I took on Instagram to tide you over!

Sadly the Winter Garden has been closed for some time and fallen into disrepair. But this along with the overcast sky made for some atmospheric shots. I'd love to be able to go inside and shoot one day!

Where would you love to shoot? Is it local to you? Or do you have jet setting dreams?

 I got a few shots from outside, it's a lovely Victorian structure.

As it's off season we were able to park for free which was a bonus. It also made us walk further (and find more shots) because the free parking it quite far up the promenade. I finished off one roll, and got half way through two others. I think I will take the LC-A to the industrial estate where I work and finish off the current roll there.

Industrial buildings really inspire me! As you might have spotted in my previous post I have David Lynch's Factory Photograph's. I love this photo book because it made me realise that I am allowed to photograph whatever inspires me. It doesn't matter if it's traditionally beautiful or not. 

All that matters is that; whatever you photograph mean something to you.

If you're interested in David Lynch's photography, stay tuned, Factory Photograph's will be my first review later this month.

Resolutions or Goals?

New Year often comes with resolutions.

Eat Less

Exercise more.

Ect, ect, ect! (to quote his majesty, Yul Brynner)

But I’ve always been one for goals. Because goals are SMART

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Resourced

Trackable!

So here are my goals for the next 12 months. I’ll be tracking these on this blog so I can review them once the year is up.

1.       Read & Review 10 photobooks. I have quite a large collection of photobooks & essay collections/biographies. I often worry that I don’t make the most of them. So I will be reviewing them here for you!

 

2.       Shoot more film. Specifically 10 rolls of 35mm I have sat here right now! The 7 black and white I will process myself and the three colour will be at my local shop.

 

3.       Complete a project. 12 images edited and submission ready, relating to a common theme or that tell a story.

 

4.       Enter every #WexMondays on twitter (and as many other competitions that I might get feedback from as possible). This means going out or setting up a home shoot every week to get a great shot. Okay, I know I won’t win photographer of the year. But we all start somewhere.

To start with I thought that everything I wanted to achieve in 12 months was too much. But then I began to think about it. Reading/re-reading my photobooks will inspire me to go out with my camera. Shooting more film means taking more images that could go into my project. Photos good enough to go into my project will be good enough for competitions.

What about you? Are you someone who prefers resolutions? Or the type who like to focus on goals?

 

Will you be making or working toward either in the next 12 months? 

Whatever you do, do with passion and kindness! Happy New Year.

Dreams of Burgh Castle

Today, being the last day we have off before the New Year, we were determined to go out somewhere for an adventure. Having, ashamedly,woken up at 10.30am -we decided to visit the Roman Fort at Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth. It's been considered a few times before and was the only place we had considered the day before.

I found a couple of subjects that peaked my interest, but nothing that I got excited about.

© Katherine Broadbent

 

© Katherine Broadbent

 

Overall we were a little disappointed. Photographically speaking it's a beautiful place but not very photogenic. Even Nick, who shoots Landscape felt the are was lacking good focal points for composition. Burgh Castle is a lovely place for a walk, especially if you have a dog. Added bonus of free parking and easy access to the site. Just don't hold out too much hope for an interesting composition.

I did however happen to have my Cokin Dreams 2 Filter in my bag! As I'd not previously had a chance to give it a go I thought this might be the prefect opportunity.

The Dreams filter has an arrangement of small circular lenses on it's surface. This means the object/s within frame is/are duplicated and appear as a halo. Creating some soft in camera distortion.

Two unedited images to compare - showing the effect created.

To the left without any filter.
To the right with the Cokin Dreams 2 filter.

I can see it's going to take a bit of practice to get this just right.

I already learnt you don't want to go much about F11 or else the lenses on the surface of the filter can be picked up in
focus!



So after the initial experiment I put in a little more thought and effort (as well as some editing)!

 

© Katherine Broadbent



 
I increased the contrast and dodged the highlights on the fluffy seeds. I wanted them to look as if they were glowing, adding to the dreamlike quality of the shot.

I'm going to experiment further, and have a good think about different situations this filter would suit. If you have any suggestion feel free to leave a comment.

For those not familiar with the Cokin Systems they comprise of three elements: the filter, the filter holder and the adaptor ring. This system means as long as you buy the relevant adaptor ring, you can fit the filter onto any of your lenses. They have a variety of systems; A, P (which I use), Z-Pro & X-Pro. Basically each system covers different ranges of lens diameters. There are other systems out there but as I am not a serious landscape photographer(i.e lenses are not what I would class an essential part of my kit) I didn't want to spend the kind of money you would on, for example, LEE filters. At the end of the day Cokin met my needs within my budget. I the Cokin P System, it relatively easy to use, filter systems can be a little fiddly but as far as I can tell that's in their nature.

You can read more about Cokin's systems here and purchase from many different photographic retailers. I got mine from Wex Photographic. At the time Wex were running a promotion where they gave away a free filter holder with each filter purchased. I've found this quite useful as I've got three lenses that I use with filters. Having a filter holder for each saves time but is in no way essential.

My First Year In Photography

Back in March of this year, I picked up a camera and started to think seriously about photography. 10 months later and I'm starting this blog to document and discuss my progress.

So I suppose the best place to start is the beginning.

During that "getting-to-know-each-other-dating" stage my boyfriend mentioned he was really into his photography. Now I'd always had an interest but high school art and all it's demands had knocked my confidence. And lets face it, what do they teach in high school that has any bearing on the real world?!

So I said;

"Hey, you should show me how to use this old camera my dad gave me!". 

That camera was my Dad's Praktica Nova. This was one of the shot from the first roll of film I shot in it. (please note the contrast has been edited slightly due to the fact the film was expired).

© Katherine Broadbent

Despite all it's imperfections I love this image. It's the first image that I took that made me think; "I can do this." Plus, y'know, I'm a Crazy Cat Lady to the max.

I started to go out and shoot more. Not setting my goals too high. If I got one decent shot on a roll of 36, hey, that was a success.

While I love the Nova, it is older than I am and almost as heavy! So my boyfriend, happy with my enthusiasm for something he was so passionate about, handed me his old Nion F55 to hold on to for a while.

We enjoyed (and still do enjoy) many days out across the county. Him with his landscape and street and me in the early days getting to know my camera.

© Katherine Broadbent

This shot was taken on a day out at Overstrand. This was back when I didn't edit my photos. Learning the manual controls and thinking about composition were challenge enough. Without worrying about scanning the film and blundering about in some editing software I began to get a sense of what I wanted to photograph.

As my skill developed I started to put a little money away each month. In May I bought my first DSLR a Nikon D300s which I got second hand, along with a Nikkor 35 prime from the lovely folks at Wex Photographic.

© Katherine Broadbent

By now I had learnt the basic techniques needed to get the shot I wanted 'in-camera'. But when I moved onto digital, I began to experiment with editing. I use Nikon Picture Control & GIMP (both free). The image above I straightened then added a vignette with a gausian blur to intensify the dark without blowing out the light.

One of my days off I have to myself. So I take myself off on an adventure to shoot! I try to go every week but life occasionally demands my presence elsewhere.Once I got the basic functions of the camera right, I started to think about what I wanted to shoot and where I might find it. I now keep a note book of locations I have been to or have heard about, where I might find something that catches my eye.

© Katherine Broadbent

© Katherine Broadbent

These shots were taken below a flyover on the outskirts of my city. I almost didn't get there as the path was overgrown with nettles. I almost didn't stay because of all the graffiti and discarded beer cans creating a rather intimidating atmosphere. But I am proud to have the shots proving I overcame my hesitation and fear.

© Katherine Broadbent

Another big milestone I reached this year was having my photo 'Warriors' noticed by some actual experts. The photograph (above) was picked by WEX as runner up in there weekly Twitter competition as well as a runner up in Ted Forbes' Art of Photography Book Give Away Competition.

I'll sign off this post with a shot I took just last week. 

© Katherine Broadbent

I've recently been experimenting with botanical photography. Prompted by the awesome Ted Forbes (check out his YouTube vlog The Art of Photography) running a botanical themed photography competition. (Via Twitter #AOPBG)

To get the shot I wanted I experimented with:

Presenting my subject,
Framing,
Lighting &
Editing (mainly dodge/burn).

Until they all came together to form an image I was proud of. All in all I'm more proud of how far I have come in such a short space of time.

Here's to an even better year of shooting in 2015!