Author: Robert Young

In a Hallway

I am working on a set of images that I want to use for my first attempt at an art folio. I came across some neat (and cheap) folios at Dane Creek Folios. I’ve purchased three to have a try and only realised the issue after I received them. They are sized for US Letter paper and not A4.

Try buying US Letter sized fine art photo paper in Australia. However, the good folks at Giclee Media are helping me with that (big thanks to Anne-Marie for her patience and information).

Last week I organised a series of test images to see if the idea would hold together and produce something worth putting into a folio. I was happy with the results I got but need to work on getting the exposure and contrast working better before I try printing them.

Here is one shot from the test. Once again, the subject is my good friend, the multi-talented Miss Sharon.

In a hallway

Pop Art

Recently good friend Sharon and I had a photoshoot, partly for me to become more familiar with a new piece of lighting equipment, partly to produce an avatar image for Sharon to use online (@msscarpenter on Twitter).

However, the best thing that came out of the whole session was this lovely piece of pop art produced by Sharon from one of the images.

Pop art Sharon

In her artist’s statement Sharon said the piece was specifically inspired by the work of prominent American pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein.

Here is my version of the image, but I think Sharon’s version is much better.

Portrait of Sharon
Portrait of Sharon

Dungeon Crawl Yet Again

I can’t stay away. I am addicted to Ben McKenzie’s Dungeon Crawl. The most recent episode was to celebrate the release of ‘that’ film. And it produced this image…

A Dungeon Crawl Moment

From left to right: Karen Pickering, Lawrence Leung, Brenna Courtney Glazebrook and Louise Joy McCrae.

It was a fun night and I can’t even begin to explain what was happening when I took that photo, it involved butter beer and breasts.

Details: Canon 5D, hand held with 70-200mm zoom, 1600 ISO.

Head Shot

My good friend Ben McKenzie and I were discussing some photos that Ben could use for publicity. We decided to start with a traditional black and white head shot that could be used as an avatar for Twitter (@labcoatman) and other online uses, and could also be printed and handed out when needed.

Ben McKenzie

The aim of the photo was to let Ben’s personality come to the fore, so I decided to use the classic Hollywood-style clam shell lighting. One umbrella is placed directly in front and slightly above the victim’s eyeline with a second umbrella lower down and set two stops below the main light to fill in the shadows and put light in the eyes. The white back drop is a piece of foamcore clamped to a stand.

It is a simple setup and one that gives very even results. The rest I left up to Ben.

Ben McKenzie

And yet again…

Deepest Darkest Tasmania

I planned a pleasant three-day weekend in Launceston, Tasmania. Little did I know when I set off that a volcano in Chile would scramble the holiday and most of the following week.

The volcanic ash cloud drifted into Australian air space and shut down all flights to and from Tasmania. The party I was travelling with decided to come home by boat from Devenport. The overnight Bass Straight crossing was smooth, but not a journey I wish to repeat. There is a reason why aeroplanes were invented.

But, the early morning light and occasional mists in and around Launceston were great photographic inspiration. Photos to follow.

Entally House, Hadspen, Tasmania

Dungeon Crawl

I enjoyed my first time shooting at Dungeon Crawl so much that I have returned twice. Apart from the fun of the show, I am learning much more about controlling the camera under difficult conditions, following moving actors and getting some fun images that can be used for publicity.

The Four Adventurers

From left to right: Jimmy James Eaton, Brenna Courtney Glazebrook, Casey Bennetto, Karin Muiznieks

This episode was on June 1st at the regular venue, Bella Union in Melbourne. And once again the adventure was conducted by Ben McKenzie and produced by Shaolin Punk.

A Response to Walking up Duckboard Place

The multi-talented Russell Boyle, poet and good friend, had a response to my image of a man walking up Duckboard Place in Melbourne. (The image is in the last post)

Duckboard Place

Steady pace up
Duckboard Place
Toward the sun
Grey pencils run
Buildings glare
Lenses flare
Light, time
and moment

(c) 2011 Russell Boyle

Visit Russell’s website.