How to enlarge a black & white photo in the darkroom

Enlarging black and white photos;

1. Firstly chose your negative that you want to print (make sure it is clean, no scratches and no dust on it)
2. Hold the negatives so you can read the numbers, then turn the negative round (not over) so the number is furthest away from you. 
3. Place your negative in the film carrier in to place. 
4. With a lens on full aperture, turn on the enlarger. Place a normal piece of paper on the easel and use the focus finder to focus the image (use the focus on the enlarger to focus the image).
5. Change the aperture back to f8 to increase the sharpness of the image.
6. If the picture looks flat increase the amount of magenta on the enlarger. 
7. Produce a test strip (3 seconds for light photos & 5 seconds for dark photos), develop the test strip as normal.

 

Click here to see how to create a contact sheet; http://aapbtn.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-create-contact-sheet.html

Click here to see Darkroom Health & Safety;

 

Sources; http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/200629187211322.pdf

 

 

ICT - Health & Safety

Ict Health & Safety 

• When using the computers you have to make sure you are sitting comfortably.
• Adjust your chair height to a position to a height that is parallel with the floor when you type, also place your feet on the floor.
• Adjust your angle of the chair to support your lower back,  tilt your seat so that your body is inclined a little bit forward. This encourages you to sit upright and keep your back straight in a good posture.
• Adjust your keyboard so your desk supports your forearms, wrists and hands. Position your keyboard so you do not have to overreach. Nothing should be placed between you and the keyboard.
• Adjust the screen position so that your eyes look down on it slightly, adjust the viewing angle of the screen to eliminate reflections and glare.
• Watch out for wires that can trip you up or cause equipment to be pulled off desks.
• Take regular breaks, a 5-10 minute break every hour at your desk will help, this does not mean a break from work - do some wrk away from the work station.
• Keep food & drink away from the computers - liquids, crumbs or sticky fingers cause keyboard problems.
• Take exercise breaks after a prolonged spell of typing and using a mouse, stretching aids blood flow and helps break up the effects of static postures.

Sources; Ict Health and Safety, Southdowns Moodle

file:///Network/Servers/xserve3.sdcmac.lan/Volumes/XRAID2/UserHomes/30078271/Downloads/ICT%20Health%20and%20Safety%20(1).pdf

Lens types and Focal Length

Standard lens: (35-70)mm 

 Has a similar magnification to the human eyes. The standard lens offers a natural perspective.

Wide angle lens: (80-135)mm 

By using this lens, we can get a wider view for the image. This lens is used to capture wider perspective for capturing landscape such as broad mountains, beautiful architecture,  this lens is a perfect choice to use.

Telephoto lens: (135-300)mm 

This lens allows you to capture an image from a great distance.Telephoto lens is suitable in situations such as capturing sports athletes in a big stadium, or to snap a wild lion from a distance. 

Super telephoto lens: (300-600)mm 

Super telephoto lens can get up to 600mm and is mainly used for wildlife.

Focal Length

F stop is the focal length 

Focal length is a measure of the strength of the lens. 'angle of view' the bigger the focal length the narrower the angle of the view as seen on some of the pictures above.

Zoom lenses has many variable focal lengths where as prime has a fixed length. Prime lenses is better quality.

What is a Prime Lens?

A prime lens is a lens that has one focal length only, you only have to focus if it is on manual setting.

What is a Zoom Lens?

A zoom lens is a lens has a range of focal lengths rather then a fixed setting.

Sources:

http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/knowhow/knowhow12.html
https://projekarka.wordpress.com/basic-lens-types/
http://www.wexphotographic.com/?/guides/lens-sense.html
https://projekarka.wordpress.com/basic-lens-types/
http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses-which-are-best/

Adobe Bridge (shortcuts + contact sheet)

Adobe Bridge

I will definitely will be using Adobe Bridge to create contacts sheets and to narrow my photos down.
I learnt some shortcuts which was quite handy when going through my images.

Firstly you find the folder you want to use the images from.

 You have to make sure you have clicked on 'Output'

Select your images and press "shift" to select more then one.

You can change the template by clicking on it, I wanted a 4 x 5 contact sheet.

 Here is my contact sheet.

                       
Shortcuts;
CMD + Del = Delete
CMD + C = Copy
CMD + P = Paste
CMD + A = Select All
CMD + ] = Rotate 90 degrees clockwise
CMD + [ = Rotate 90 degrees anti clockwise
CMD + L = Slideshow
CMD + Enter = Review Mode
CMD + Q = Exit
CMD + B = Review
Space bar = Full screen preview

To find out the focus and f stop on an image; > Meta Date > file properties to view

Lino Printing & Lino health and safety

Lino Printing 

Lino printing is a reductive printing method. 

Equipment: 

   Lino block, inking surface- plastic Board, lino cutting tools and cutting block- to ensure safe cutting, roller for inking,dry roller, spoon, or hand for burnishing, tracing paper, pencils and marker pens, to transfer the image to the lino,albion press and packing, soap, lay lino block face down onto the paper you are printing onto and burnish using a dry roller

Relief Ink v Block Ink 

Relief ink is a time worth process but looks better then the block ink on the other hand Block ink drys quickly which is a downside to this ink also requires a lot of ink. Water-based- is inexpensive but dries quickly, Oil-based- is more costly but produces better quality prints.

Health & Safety: 

You must cut away from your body as this can cause injury if you cut towards your body, return each lino cutter when finished also lino scalpels, never leave tools lying around, heat lino prints before cutting as this makes it softer and easier to cut.

Health and safety when printing:

 Protective clothing and apron is advised and you may wish to ware barrier cream and/or protective gloves to prevent skin contact with inks or cleaning materials.

Remember:

You are cutting the areas you DO NOT want to print!

 To clean equipment use a liquid soap & water, allow to dry thoroughly before packing away equipment.

J.Weston Lewis is a contemporary artist, I like his work because it stands out due to the colours that contrast each other. His work looks like it has been done using the computer which makes it stand out.

Sources: http://departmentart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Hetlth-safety-Lino-Cutting-copy.jpg

Handout from Jenny -  lino handout pdf.docx

Stitching

Stitching

Here is one of my workshop outcomes, I like this as it very unique next time I am going to experiment with more techniques so mixing them together (mixed media) . Next time I will make sure there are more stitches also make them a bit thicker so they stand out.

The thread is made up of 6 minature threads and I only used 3 for this one so maybe next time I will try and use 4. Also I will wait for the glue to dry instead of rushing because I ruined my work a little by rushing it as a I made some big holes because of the needle.

I like this technique and might explore it further.

Health & Safety

Be careful not to stab yourself with the needle as they are very dangerous and is easily done. You must stay focused when stitching as it is dangerous. Don't leave your needles laying around too so you have to pack them away when finished with them.

Photography influences

William Klein

What have I learnt from Klein's work? To get close up and personal in my work when taking photographs, to have fun, to interact with people to achieve some great shots! His photography is quite similar to Bruce Davidson.

Klein’s street photography was very subjective. He traveled to places all around the world and photographed things how he saw them. He shares how he approached street photography in New York:

Klein pictured above

Here is one of Klein's contact sheets which has been pained on and you can see which one he prefers.

Bruce Davidson 

Bruce began taking photos from an early age and was a gifted young pupil at school, he was selected for service by his country and in 1957 his photography career was resurrected.  Davidson dedicated his career to documenting New York City life and culture.

 These extraordinary photographs document the fascinating lives of a teen gang living in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950s.The images are part of a collection called Brooklyn Gang. 

Bruce pictured in the middle with two young men. This is from the series Brooklyn Gang.

Another picture from the Brooklyn Gang series.

I love 'Brooklyn Gang' as their is some fantastic photos. I love them as their in black and white also you feel like your their as it captures the mood of each individual. 

In the spring of 1980, Davidson began to photograph the New York subway system.

These series of photos are very nice as the use of colour has been used well and gives off a different feel compared to Brooklyn Gang.

Very serious photo makes me love it much more

I love this one as you can tell it's very old fashioned, the use of colour conveys the mood.

Sources:

 http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_9_VForm&ERID=24KL53ZTH6

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2525368/Photographer-Bruce-Davidson-captures-images-1950s-Brooklyn-gang.html

http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/dec/01/train-thought-subway-photographs/

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/03/26/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/