Painting on Developer

Idea

I really want to try painting developer for my idea project. I had never heard of this technique before today, but I think it looks amazing, and there's so much that you can do with it. I looked through some articles and learned some tips and techniques.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/uneven-development---darkoom-guide-4729

Tools to try: straws, sponges, scrubbing brush, water gun, paintbrushes

Techniques: blowing the developer around with a straw, sponging it on, gently applying it with a scrubbing brush, spraying it on for a paint splatter effect, loading it into a calligraphy pen, painting designs or pouring it on above to create a pooling effect.

Tips: make sure you allow enough time for the picture to properly develop, test out your materials ahead of time, make sure you know where everything is in the photo before you expose it, stay near a safelight so you can see where you are spreading the developer and make sure you don't apply too much/miss any spots

Splatter Effect (with a spray gun)

Splatter Effect (with a spray gun)

Scrubbing Brush

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Inspiration

After talking to Ms. Murphy from Hallmark, I looked through their catalogue and their pictures online and I found them really inspiring. I love the composition  in a lot of the pictures, and the focus, and I found them very impressive. I also looked up her friend Katy Merry, and her pictures are beautiful.

I think this picture is gorgeous because it is lit perfectly, the depth of field showcases the bride's mehndi and it makes me think of all of the Indian weddings that I have been to and how fun they can be. I also like that you can't see her face, and it isn't a traditional portrait of the bride. Also choosing to make the picture black and white takes away any distractions because saris that brides wear tend to be very bright and the bangles do as well. On top of the rich colour of the mehndi, the rings wouldn't have stood out, but in black and white, they contrast and are the focal point.

http://www.ktmerry.com/portfolio.cfm?galleryID=5

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Idea

For the memories project, I am planning on taking most of my pictures inside, but there won't be a lot of natural light. I thought a solution to this would be to try some double exposures, because not only would it be perfect for this project, but the film would get properly exposed since it will get exposed twice.

http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/techniques/multiple-exposures.html

This website shows some tips for how to get a good double exposure from a Holga camera. It recommends shooting in lowlight which is perfect. I also found this Flickr which is for a Project called a Tale of Two Cities. Basically, one person shoots a roll of film, rewinds it and then sends it to another photographer without disclosing what they took pictures of. Then the second photographer shoots the roll and develops it, and it ends up with a full roll of double exposures. I really liked this idea and how it was a surprise for each photography.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/urbandoubleexposed/pool/

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