Last Scanner as Camera update

Yes I have been fascinated with scanning objects and creating photographs - and found that other people who are very handy with gaffer tape and wire had made some remarkable cameras out of scanners.
They did not stop at placing objects on the scanner - they ripped tscanners apart and mounted them on conventional camera bits and pieces.

I googled scanner as camera - and selected the images option and - lo and behold! - there were some very elaborate and interesting examples of the ways people have exploited this extreme artistic sport.

Here are 2 of my favourite links
http://golembewski.awardspace.com/index.html

http://johnvanhornphoto.com/lgformatdigitalphotography/Gallery1.html

Michale Golmbewski's work shows that the engineering efforts mentioned above are really worth while.

Aren't these just wonderful?

Hand colouring with Photoshop

There are several ways to simulate hand colouring of black and white images using Photoshop, so I have been using different methods to see which is best. 

Conclusion - depends on the subject and the image.

Method 1

Starting with a black and white image.

Add a new layer

Set the MODE to COLOR

Pick a oft paintbrush

Make sure the BRUSH is set to COLOR

Set the opacity to around 60%

Pick a color and brush on the layer

These lilies started life as a pinhole b&W film image and were hand coloured on Photoshop using this method.

Method 2

Starting with a colour photo

Open the color version

MODE - Adjust_ Desaturate (or better - select a B&W adjustment layer if you have a later version of PS)

Use the History Brush on the adjustment layer to restore the colour

OR create a layer mask and pant with black on the layer mask.

These were done using that method

Scanner as Camera 4

Getting images ready for folio submission - more scanner as camera

Hard to go past natural forms - how to choose which ones to put in the folio??

Scanner as Camera 3

I am finding the use of the scanner as a camera very interesting for NMIT Visual Arts Photomedia project. These images have a certain appeal.

Scanner as Camera 2

More beautiful images I created using a scanner as part of my NMIT Photomedia assignment- will do some more pears that are in better shape next time I use the scanner.

Scanner as Camera 1

New assignment for Photomedia subject at NMIT - using a scanner as a camera. The scanner can render some lovely images. First attempts today were encouraging

Etching workshop with Christine Willcocks

During the break we did a workshop with Christine Willcocks - she is a printmaker who uses a special kind of card to create etched plates. These are then inked up in the usual intaglio manner. The advantage f the card is that it does not require acid to etch it, and unlike collographs, it does not need to be shellaced.

A lovely clean way to get some fine prints. Good for travelling

Only 'disadvantage' is low print run numbers .... but that can be a plus. And they can dent easily - so they are a bit more fragile than usual plates. Below is the image I played around with to see what was possible.

 the plate

the print

Van Dyke process

Last Friday I did a great workshop with Wendy Currie. She showed us how to use the Van Dyke photographic process to create some very interesting images.
The Van Dyke process is an 'alternative' photographic process where paper is sensitised with light sensitive emulsion and then an image is exposed on it using a UV source (the sun or a light box). We uses a UV light box. The result is a lovely brown toned image in ... Van Dyke brown.
Best to look at Wendy's lovely images here
Here are mine:

The 2 images above were photos I took and transferred to acetate to make a contact print.
So are the 2 images below - same process.

 

The images below combine collage, found objects and contact negatives

It was a very successful workshop

John Farmer Printmaker

A visit to the McClellan gallery in Langwarren is certainly recommended. 
There is a small but wonderful exhibition of work by John Farmer  (1897-1989)-  small, sepia-toned print. Some drypoint, softground etching and aquatint. Traditional subjects - landscapes, a self pro\\ortrait, a pine cone - all exquisitely done. They are tiny - one more than 6 inches square - but very detailed an traditionally etched beautifully printed on toned paper. His work is said to have been inspired by the Dutch masters.