Photographic Equipment

Camera:
Handed down to me from a family member a few years ago is a Pentax P30 35mm film camera which I used to learn the basic skills of photography with but have little use for since. The loading procedure is straight forward and from my experience the light meter is accurate. This Module will allow me to use this camera again.

From previous modules I have used Medium Format cameras and the details that are captured are much improved to that of the 35mm cameras and I enjoyed seeing the results of my learning of the format. However I don't have great experiences with focussing with medium format which has out me off using it again for this module.

Lens:
Along with the Pentax I also received a Sigma 35-70mm lens with a variable aperture of f2.8 at 35mm & f4 at 70mm. Whilst I'm sure this lens isn't the sharpest available for this system it's focal range provides great general use and at f2.8 I could shoot in poor lighting if needed. Paul also stores a variety of lenses for Pentax cameras which I could consider booking out if needed. (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 50mm Macro, 55mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm, 400mm, 28-80mm).

Film:
I have experience of using Ilford Black & White hand have had some nice results so I am looking forward to experimenting with new darkroom techniques. Previously I have found that the 400 speed film is versatile as to what conditions it can be shot in. There is also the option of pushing that film to 1600 speed if shot for that use. However I've found even that film is grainier than I would like so for this module I would like to stick to a low speed film, 125 HP+ which can provide fine grain suitable for enlargement.

With this low speed film being used and wanting to find methods of processing, I'm wanting to use a new developer to me when called Rodinal that we've talked about in class as a fine grain developer.

Research

I enjoy shooting film and am looking forward at viewing previous works from big names in photography at how they continue to shoot black & white film to this day from it's introduction to the masses through the Lecia 35mm, utilising the medium to show off their subject & light in monochrome. 

Martin Parr:

Hebden Bridge

I like the black & White work from Martin Parr from Hebden Bridge throughout the 1970s after he studied away from home at Manchester. It is less intense than his colour imagery of the south coast of England that is extremely popular. But this documentary series of a quaint northern town is moving because of some of the scenes & traditions that are depicted simply have not outlived the photographs that represent them.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2013/sep/30/martin-parr-hebden-bridge-only-in-england

Peter Mitchell:

Gallery

A classic documentary series on the city i've grown to know over the years; Leeds. Whilst this series is not created with black & white I appreciate the formal approach made in terms of composition & appearance of still lifes such as building exteriors.

http://photoworks.org.uk/martin-parr/
http://www.photobookbristol.com/index.php/participants/peter-mitchell

Henri Cartier-Bresson:

Mexico '36

Shooting in Mexico during the 1930s, Bresson has thought about the use of light and it's intensity with these images, altering the cameras exposure to compensate for the harshness of light. this has allowed for an interesting image to be created that shows off the subjects bodily features, with his left arm settled under a shadow cast by the wooden shelves. The black & white medium of this image perfectly shows off the highlights & shadow contrast created by the artist.

Bob Gruen:

John Lennon

I've been a fan of Bob Gruen's work for a number of years now and discovered him through his black & white images of the New York music scene throughout the 70s & 80s. Through this format he was able to provide photographs that emit so much emotion & talent from both subject & photographer through repeated technique so shooting, talking to people, shooting again &then talking to more people. My favoured work of Gruen's are his candid portraits of John Lennon before his death, closely documenting his relationship with his young family, music & New York.

Ralph Gibson:

Ralph Gibson

Whilst researching Rodial on the Internet I came across this interesting photographer from America that has used the solution throughout his career and was interested in what images he has created in the past  with the same techniques as I intend to use for my project.


Dan Wood:

Dan Wood

I was introduced to Dan & his work through a camera shop I worked in Bridgend a few years ago. I love how he captures not only interesting still life images from typically subject matter, but he also places these images around incredibly detailed portrait images that appear timeless in black & white.

Robert Capa - The Falling Soldier

Don McCullin

Garry Winogrand 

Bruce Gilden

Idea

For this module I would like to document somewhat of a dying tradition of British culture which is that of going to the pub. The trend has decreased since the arrival of the smoking band and the lower price of alcoholic drinks that can be found at superstores to be enjoyed at home. Recently I walked past a piece of artwork in Montpellier that depicted several pub crawls across Cheltenham and displayed them in a London Underground style map, which I could bring to life in Photos. I think the black & white format of this assignment will reflect the simple pleasures in visiting pubs and allow the viewer to distinguish areas of Cheltenham shown through the architecture of the buildings. It would be a good project to shoot on medium format as when it comes to printing there will be great quality in the images to show details than in 35mm film. To expand on this idea I could speak with some of the owners to get their views on this changing culture and document how the interiors differ from pub to pub in terms of lighting, furniture with general ambience & atmosphere. March will be an interesting time to shoot this project with the Race Festival on at Cheltenham Racecourse & the ongoing Six Nations rugby competition being shown in venues across town.