Between Light and Shadow Portraits by Stuart Campbell

Between Light and Shadow Portraits by Stuart Campbell

National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, 30 April – 17 July 2011

I’d been meaning to go see this exhibition and our assignment to visit a gallery was the perfect opportunity.

Considering our current work on self-portraits and portraits in general I’d consider this exhibition one that is a must see. Stuart Campbell (1951-2009) graduated from National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and was in stage plays as well as appearing in films and on TV. In the 1980s he took portraits of his friends and moved from theatre to photography.

Most of his work was done using Ilford black and white film and printed on Agfa multigrade RC paper. “His ‘studio’ in his lounge room was almost comically modest – a red bucket placed upside down in front of a white or grey background on which his subjects would sit, lit by a couple of tungsten umbrella lights.” The converted laundry was his darkroom and the Hill Hoist his drying rack. (Tulloch)

The exhibition contains 40 portraits taken by Campbell including a self-portrait. His subjects include directors, actors, comedian, singers, dancer/choreographer, writer, and violinist.

What I enjoyed the most about the exhibition is that although most of the photos were taken in his ‘studio’ for the most part they are extremely varied in sitters positioning, lighting, poses, inclusion or exclusion of hands, position of the subject within the frame and sometimes outside the frame; and cropping with parts of heads, arms and other things lost in the crop.

There were many images that I liked but the one I found the most striking was of the writer Peter Carey. None of these images are dated. Carey was born in 1943 and if Campbell started photography in the 1980s the image is of Carey in his 40s – he certainly does not appear to be that old in the photo. Regardless, he is standing upright against a horizontal wooden louvered door/wall; his neck is stretched making it look unrealistically long; his eyes are bludging; his face is cropped, missing part of his glasses and part of the right side of his face; and there are vertical shadows on his face. A very unusual but successful portrait in that it makes the viewer pause and take a second or third look.

(Screen capture from website cited in Bibliography)

There are several more images I’d like to mention which is beyond the scope of the assignment but one I cannot ignore is my namesake, Paul Livingston, better know to most of us as Flacko, the comedian. Well know for his bald pate with that curly wisp of hair on the front. On this occasion he is wearing a blond Marilyn Monroe wig but his bulging eyes and sharp features make him immediately identifiable.

The gallery card information about Campbell and all the exhibition images are available as thumbnails, mousing over them provides the name and occupation of the sitter and double clicking brings up a full screen version of the image. Viewing online is an alternative to visiting the National Portrait Gallery, for the time poor, but seeing the exhibition itself is far more satisfying.

For those that are not members of the Circle of Friends of the NPG it is worthwhile to purchase the Galleries Portrait Magazine of the Australian & International Portraiture, March/May 2011. It contains an article about Stuart Campbell providing background on the man and his techniques – the source of some of the above information. For photographers the magazine in addition to the Campbell article has other photography related items on the National Portrait Prize and an interview with photographer Scott Redford, not to mentions articles on other forms of portraiture.

Bibliography

Tulloch L 2011, The essence of you, Portrait: Magazine of Australian & International Portraiture, no. 39 March/May 2011, pp. 22-29.

National Portrait Gallery 2011, Between Light and Shadow: Portraits by Stuart Campbell, viewed 25 May 2011, (http://www.portrait.gov.au/site/exhibition_subsite_stuartcampbell.php)

Research Assignment 2 – ver. 2

Workshop 1

Research Assignment 2 – ver. 2

1. Taliban strike to avenge bin Laden: 80 killed in twin bombings, ‘The Canberra Times’, 14 May 2011, pg 15, Reuters photo.

The photo appears on the first page of the “World” news section and occupies three-quarters of the page above the fold.

The world expected Taliban reprisals for the killing of bin Laden and it started with two suicide bombers killing 80 people. The large photo with the large headline reminds us that with the demise of bin Laden the threat is not gone.

This photo was chosen because I felt it was an ethical depiction of the horror of the bombing. An ethical photograph because although there was a great deal of blood on the victim’s clothing there are no injuries apparent to the viewer. The hospital worker’s senses of urgency is evident in his look of determination and the photographer capturing him in mid-stride.

I suspect the photographer working in this area would be shooting bursts of the action going on to ensure they capture a decisive moment. As for lens, it is probably a zoom to ensure they capture the action whether it is close or far away. The entire frame is clear and in focus using f/11 or higher and fast shutter speed since there is no motion blurring. The harsh shadows indicate strong sunlight. The detail in the folds of the patient’s white clothing and considering the harsh light also leads me to believe a fairly high f-stop was used. I don’t believe a flash was used .

2. Communists overthrown in two Indian States, ‘The Canberra Times’, 14 May 2011, pg 17, photo not credited and article indicates AP.

Green! How often do you see green people? Certainly captures your attention especially with the green background. It was the colour of this photograph that caught my attention. Had it been B&W it would not have had the same effect.

The beaming smile and the subject’s fingers raised in the peace sign let the viewer know this is a good news story.

The photographer used a low angle to virtually capture one key person, green woman, while still including a number of arms and hands repeating the peace sign and positioned himself or herself so the green flag/bunting formed an uncluttered background for the shot.

Photograph made with at a wide angle most likely of a zoom lens shot at f 8-11 (green background bit fuzzy and hands in foreground out of focus), shutter speed 60-120, for flash sync, as the hands in the air are clear with no indication of movement and I assume the crowd was excited by the win. Based on the catch light in the woman’s eye and the lighting of her hair the photographer used an off camera flash either bounce off the ceiling (can’t tell if this is an indoor shot or not) or using a reflector on the flash head.

3. Club will ‘soldier on’ in face of devastating fire, ‘The Canberra Times”, 29 April 2011, pg 1 (above the fold), Photo Karleen Minney

Right here in Canberra, a building I’ve seen many times while driving down Canberra Avenue totally destroyed. The photos show the extent of the fire after it had been extinguished and the size of the blaze that engulfed the building. Raises questions of how something this devastating could happen so quickly on a busy street only a couple of kilometres from the fire station? Was it arson, was anyone hurt, any other buildings involved, so many questions the photographs raise so you have to read the article to find out.

The main photo shows the interior of the building with everything charred except one pool table with a piece of green felt and its French polished finish still in tack while next to it is another pool table totally blackened. The photo was taken with daylight coming through the burnt out roof and flash was used based on the reflections on the polished wood of the table. f 11 + used the DOF is strong front to back, shutter speed 60-120 and zoom lens. The reason I suggest a zoom lens is since it is a scene that has to be investigated to determine cause of the fire access would be limited, even to news photographers, so even though she could get closer than the general public zoom lens would have to be employed.

The second photo of the blaze in full flame is fantastic.

• The flames appear to be more than double the size of the building;
• the porch/portico hasn’t yet been engulfed and is well lit by the fire;
• the two fire fighters in the foreground with a stream of water that appear to be no match for the gigantic flames;
• the flag pole reflecting the military services the club has served;
• the historic sign that tells about the history of the club and
• the silhouette of the trees directing the viewers eye back into the photo.

Very challenging photo for the photographer. Bright light coming from the fire, probably taken pre-dawn since they didn’t gain control until 7am, possibly a street light nearby since it is on Canberra Avenue. The brightness of the blaze would suggest an aperture f16-22 that would go along with the DOF displayed, shutter speed 60 –100 to have the water stream soft but not too slow as there is no movement evident of the fire fighters. No flash as no evident flare on the sign or on the fire fighters helmets.

Research Assignment 2 - Photojournalism Photographs

Research Assignment 2

Workshop 1

Fakes flooding markets

by Jim O’Rourke, Sunday Canberra Times, 1 May 2011, page 10, photo credit Australian Customs Service.

The main photograph caught my attention. It is of a Customs Officer in her blue Customs uniform jacket. She is wearing white gloves and holding a box of ‘Durasell’ batteries flanked by a number of other boxes with ‘Durasell’ blister packs spread around. The fact that the name ‘Durasell’ is emblazoned on what appears to be a Duracell package brought my attention to the article. It also made me think of grey market and cheap overseas photographic supplies.

There are five more smaller images, 4 depicting brand named products, Channel earings, Prada sunglasses, Tiffany & Co braclet, OMO laudndry detergent and the last of a male Customs Officer carrying a heavy bag, contents unknown, out of a cluttered room.

The misspelling of the word Duracell was very obvious the way the packaging was laid out for the shot with 9 packages displaying the mispelled word. The colouring of the packages, black, yellow and white is the same as the original manufacturers as well as the batteries having the Duracell “copper top”. The three fashion items, to me were less obvious. The OMO too seemed correct until I checked a photo of the real thing on the web and found that the colour of the word OMO should have been dard blue and not magenta.

The main photo appearst to have been set up considering the way the items have been laid out and the Customs Officer is looking directly at the camera the image has the feel of a set up photo. It was probably taken with a wide angle lens, using a flash as catch light can be seen in the subject eyes, and the blown out white of her glove. The fashion items have pretty strong shadows leading me to believe they were photographed using a flash. The OMO and officer carrying a bag photos appears to have been shot in a well lit space probably wide angle lens. I wouldn’t be surprised if the images were taken with a point and shoot.

In addition to the photographs the first line of the article draws the reader in:

"EXPLODING mobile phone batteries, chemicals in soup that can burn a child's skin and hair straighteners that can deliver a deadly electrical shock."

Use of Natural Light

Silhouette photography is a wonderful way to convey drama, mystery, emotion and mood in a picture. (Smashing Magazine)

Hilton discusses the principle advantage of studio lighting - tungsten and flash - as providing the photographer with consistent lighting for predictable results. Whereas daylight is not consitent nor predictable influenced by time of day, weather, season, warm or cool lighting.

Bibliography:

Better Photo.com undated, Silhouette Pictures, viewed 2 April 2011

dpreview.com undated, Indoor portrait shot using only window light, viewed 2 April 2011

Hilton, J undated, Studio Portrait Photography, RotoVision SA, Hove, England

Smashing Magazine 2009, Captivating Examples of Silhouete Photography, viewed 2 April 2011

Wikipedia 2011, Silhouette, viewed 2 April 2011

Wikipedia 2011, Portrait photography, viewed 2 April 2011

The Portrait and background

Since we had so much time available to shoot I've posted and evaluated three portraits I took on 30 March. I've included the original image and the final versions.

For the first photo I found two women sitting in the courtyard talking. When I approached them about taking a photo they both initially said no but when I explained it was for an assignment this woman agreed but said she would just continue her conversation with her friend. This made it more difficult to take a traditional portrait so it is more an environmental portrait.

Details: 1/50 f7.1 ISO 100

I wanted to isolate the woman from her friend so took it from a position in front of the friend, there was not too much distance between them and they were not willing to do anymore than allow a photo to be taken.

Original

Considering the restraints put on me by the subject the shot as it stands is not very well composed and needed some treatment. Although not readily visible in these jpg photos the brick wall is very soft when viewed at 100%.

Post Processing: Cropped the right hand side to get rid of the grey doors so the only background was the red brick wall. The crop resulted in removal of some of the subjects left shoulder and arm but conveniently placed her in the right third of the image giving 2/3 of the area to indicate she is gazing at something/someone outside the frame.

The exposure was increased less than 1/3 stop, contrast raised slightly and the image was sharpened.

Post Processing

The final image is more flattering to the sitter and works as a portrait.

The second photo is of one of the coffee shop workers who was having a break. Again another reluctant subject not willing to pose but OK with having her photo taken while she continued her discussion with people at the table.

Details: 1/100 f4 ISO 100

Original

Post Processing: increased the exposure by 1 stop and sharpened.

Original photo obviously underexposed because I failed to compensate in the manual exposure mode for the brightness of the subjects shirt and the light building in the background. I used f4 to purposely throw the background out of focus as much as possible; f4 is the widest aperture of the lens being used.

I intended to get the subject as natural as possible. At first she kept trying to hold a position for me to take the photo. I told her to just carry on as she was with her conversation and I would make the image when she was being natural. It didn't take long before she seemed to forget I was there allowing me to get the image.

Post Processing

As a photograph the image came out well as a snapshot but as a portrait I feel this image does not cut it. It is lacking something that I just can't quite put my finger on. Perhaps it is lack of engagement with the viewer.

The third subject was much more agreeable to posing outside the coffee shop. I wanted to use the umbrella as the background by taking the photo from a low angle. Couldn't quite get the angle I wanted and the subject jumped up on the bench to accommodate and make it possible to use the umbrella for the background. One problem with the umbrella was it was impossible to get the subject positioned where the arms or centre of the umbrella were not visible.

Details: 1/25 f4 ISO 400

Original

Post Processing: cropped, increased exposure by 1/3 stop, sharpened, slight noise reduction to soften skin.

Post Processing

Good portrait, engaging with viewer. The bar over her left shoulder is distracting and should be cloned out. I did not clone as I'm trying to present the works with the least amount of manipulation. The close cropping and square format works well. Overall this would be my choice portrait of the three.

Research Assignment 1 Admired Photographer

I chose the work of Don Fuchs a Sydney based freelance international photojournalist (www.dfuchs.com). The reason I chose Don is twofold, I like his work and I had an opportunity, with one other photographer, to work with him on a three day photo shoot in April 2010 capturing a variety of images for the Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Goulburn & Surrounds Visitor Guide.

Don uses Nikon camera uses available light adjusting his White Balance setting to the lighting situation. Lens he used most at the above shoot was his 80-200mm and a wide angle for interiors.

Following images © Don Fuchs

Aboriginal Boy

The shot seems to have been taken in the mid-morning sunlight that suits the image of an Aboriginal living in the desert area of Australia. The light is strong, based on the dark shadow on half the face and shoulder, but not too harsh and brings out the yellow paint on his face and chest. Rembrandt style was used with the triangle of light on the subject’s shaded side of the face. A large aperture was used to get the background out of focus probably f2.8, the background person is not too close to the subject. Suspect it was shot with an 80-200mm.

The boy is centred and fairly tightly cropped on the sides with lot of room above the head. Lovely portrait. Lighting is a little harsh to reflect the country in which the boy resides and quite strong light is needed to capture the features of dark skinned people.

Corporate

Corporate office photo of one of the executives of Linfox transport company. Interior shot with a wide-angle lens, small aperture to have the truck, subject, painting, and exterior building in focus, f32. Natural lighting coming from the window on the photographers left lighting the subjects right side yet there is still good light on his left side with only minor shadow. Bounce of natural light from the white wall and possibly a wall or reflector just out of frame on the photographers right could provide a soft fill light. Lighting is soft and the light from the window with the large DoF may be to show that Linfox appreciates clean air that is juxtaposed to the model that symbolises their business.

Resort

Interior shot of a room at a resort. Lighting – there are a number of tungsten lights visible lighting various areas. Look to be some natural lighting to the photographer’s left and slightly behind maybe sliding glass doors. There appears to be a shadow on the floor at the foot of the bed so their might be a studio or flash to the photographers right. Taken with a normal 50mm lens or a Tilt Shift lens, as there does not seem to be any distortion in the photo. Lighting gives a warm welcoming feel to the room.

Chickens

Interior shot with fluorescent lighting. It also looks as though the photo was taken from the exterior of a shop, open air market, and the vertical red strips are hanging from an unseen wire. Quite a large depth of field using a small aperture was used, probably f16. Based on the angle of view probably shot with a wide-angle lens. Lighting shows a well-lit and apparently clean environment with the birds laid out in an orderly fashion and clean white tile splashboard behind the woman and sink. Shows that this business has nothing to hide in the hygiene department.

Exercise

Wide-angle lens, natural exterior light on a cloudy day making the light soft and the window acting like a big soft box. Interior tungsten lights visible and turned on and there may be more outside the camera view to help illuminate the subject and large white reflector of some sort behind photographer to provide lite on the subject. Very small aperture used, f32, because of all the clear distractions seen outside – stuff on veranda, neighbours washing hanging out and buildings quite far from the subject. The incandescent lighting gives a warm and airy feeling to the large room and the cloud-muted sunlight through the windows gives the feeling of fresh air. While the small aperture mentioned above we might see distractions but some would see that the air is clean, clear and fresh enough to hang out laundry and breath deeply.

Horseman

The caption of this photo is “A horseman in Hiva Oa, the Marquesas” taken in French Polynesia helped me to read the photo as a man sitting on a horse, thus his upright posture, with the wind blowing across the island and his hair blowing. Taken in direct sunlight as indicated by the highlights on his forehead, under his eyes, and on his shoulder. Lens was a zoom with aperture f5.6 or f8 to get he wooded area and sky out of focus. Lighting in this case is harsh and rough like the Horseman himself.

Assessment criteria:
Yes, submitted blog containing sufficient and relevant research.
Yes, submitted a typed analysis of the images.
Yes, demonstrated an organised and self disciplined approach to performance.
Yes, participated and contributed towards group learning.

High, extent of the exploration.
High, evidence of appropriate research skills.

General Queanbeyan Photos

Time and nature have taken their toll.

Window security with a flare.
John Gale (1831-1929) the Father of Canberra.
Who was here?
Bowls anyone?
Police
Dress Rules.
Julian and Belinda
Emma excitedly waiting to start her shoot of Queanbeyan.
Alcohol Free and so many pubs.