Foundation
History Of Photography
The core concepts of photography have existed since at least the 16th century with the advent of the camera obscura: the discovery that poking a hole in the wall of a darkroom leads to an upside down projection of an image from the outside. The earliest documentation of camera obscura come from philosophers such as Mozi, Alhazin and Aristotle. In 1490 DaVinci provides detailed accounts of camera obscura and even uses it in tracing. Camera obscura mechanisms were widespread by the 18th century and were speculated to have been used by artists such as Rembrandt.
In 1724 Schulze discovers that substances mixed with silver nitrate solutions react in the presence of light, to form temporary images. In 1824 Niepce takes the first photograph using a process he developed called 'heliography'. The exposure time for this initial process was multiple days. An accosciate (Daguerre) continues this work after Niepces death and in 1833 creates a practical photographic process: the Daguerrotype. This process is made international available for free, by the French government. In 1840 an Englishman Talbot unveils his invention: the 'calotype'. This is the worlds first camera employing negatives and that allows for paper copies to be produced, The calotype never achieves mass popularity due to Talbot's insistence on licence fees.
By 1850 exposure times were down to 3 minutes and professional photography was a viable business, with mobile photography studios being used to take official paid photographs. In 1871 Maddox develops the 'gelatin dry plate', allowing for the production of much more portable camera models. 1885 Eastman invents roll film and goes on to form Eastman Kodak. The first handheld camera is also developed by Eastman and named the 'Kodak' accordingly. Kodak produce the 'brownie' in 1900 making portable photography affordable and accessible for all.
In 1925 the Lyka 1 35mm portable camera is developed by Barnack. Many of history's most famous photographs have been taken on Lykas. The world's first SLR camera is produced in 1949, with the worlds first digital image being produced 8 years later in 1957. Following the revolution of digital imagery, digital cameras come about in 1975, invented by Sasson while working for Eastman Kodak. The company show little interest in digital photography and their business model stays firmly fixed to film.
Kodak eventually realise their mistake in 2004 and switch to digital. This switch proves too little too late and the company files for bankruptcy in 2012. DSLR photography is developed in the early 1990s, again revolutionising photography. Photography is at it's most accessible and is pushed further still when the first mobile phone with an inbuilt camera is released in 2000. Modern phones contain powerful cameras and digital image sharing via the internet allows photography to be shared like never before.
In 1724 Schulze discovers that substances mixed with silver nitrate solutions react in the presence of light, to form temporary images. In 1824 Niepce takes the first photograph using a process he developed called 'heliography'. The exposure time for this initial process was multiple days. An accosciate (Daguerre) continues this work after Niepces death and in 1833 creates a practical photographic process: the Daguerrotype. This process is made international available for free, by the French government. In 1840 an Englishman Talbot unveils his invention: the 'calotype'. This is the worlds first camera employing negatives and that allows for paper copies to be produced, The calotype never achieves mass popularity due to Talbot's insistence on licence fees.
By 1850 exposure times were down to 3 minutes and professional photography was a viable business, with mobile photography studios being used to take official paid photographs. In 1871 Maddox develops the 'gelatin dry plate', allowing for the production of much more portable camera models. 1885 Eastman invents roll film and goes on to form Eastman Kodak. The first handheld camera is also developed by Eastman and named the 'Kodak' accordingly. Kodak produce the 'brownie' in 1900 making portable photography affordable and accessible for all.
In 1925 the Lyka 1 35mm portable camera is developed by Barnack. Many of history's most famous photographs have been taken on Lykas. The world's first SLR camera is produced in 1949, with the worlds first digital image being produced 8 years later in 1957. Following the revolution of digital imagery, digital cameras come about in 1975, invented by Sasson while working for Eastman Kodak. The company show little interest in digital photography and their business model stays firmly fixed to film.
Kodak eventually realise their mistake in 2004 and switch to digital. This switch proves too little too late and the company files for bankruptcy in 2012. DSLR photography is developed in the early 1990s, again revolutionising photography. Photography is at it's most accessible and is pushed further still when the first mobile phone with an inbuilt camera is released in 2000. Modern phones contain powerful cameras and digital image sharing via the internet allows photography to be shared like never before.
Photograms
Process: I arranged objects on silver gelatin print paper in various ways. Once satisfied with said arrangements, I exposed the paper to light for 3 seconds. I then placed the paper in a series of baths. Firstly the developer, then fix, stop and finally water. Once done I dried each photograph using the dryer. For the prints that utilise double exposure I tweaked my technique. I would expose the print a first time for about a second and then after moving the objects again for 3 seconds, creating the effect when developed. For solarisation I painted the paper with the developer, using a paintbrush after exposing it, I then put it through the standard developing process. To create the sandwich print I took an already done photogram and placed it face down on a larger piece of gelatin paper. I covered the paper with a layer of glass and then exposed it for 3 seconds while moving a piece of black across the glass.
Top Row: All normal prints
Middle Row: (left to right) negative sandwich print, solarisation, double exposure
Bottom Row: (left to right) normal long print, painting with developer.
Middle Row: (left to right) negative sandwich print, solarisation, double exposure
Bottom Row: (left to right) normal long print, painting with developer.
First Task
Marylebone was an area I spent a lot of time in, as a child. The unique blend of 1800s ornamentalism and modern architecture create an atmosphere that held a lot of nostalgic value for me and I tried to capture this, while experimenting with light. I moved through the area following the same path I would take as a child, shooting as the sun set.
Pinhole Camera
Photo taken using a pinhole camera made out of a pringles can. Pinhole cameras are rudimentary cameras, with no lens and a tiny aperture. Images are produced via camera obscura.
This shot was produced by placing the pinhole camera on a bench facing the front entrance of Fortismere School. The camera was exposed to light for 8 seconds and then recovered, the image was later developed.
DSLR Cameras
Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras (DSLR) are the most common form of digital camera. They possess a single lens and digital image sensor. Like film SLRs that predate the DSLR they use an alternating mirror to display an image. They overtook film SLRs in popularity during the early 2000s. Many DSLRs feature auto focus options as well as various configurations.
Film Cameras
Cameras that utilise film have been the most popular style of camera for the majority of photographic history. They come in various forms with various lens and compatible types of films. 35mm film cameras are perhaps the most iconic form of film camera. When using a film camera a few major variables must be controlled. The focus must be adjusted, as well as the focal length and shutter speed. Film cameras don't normally have auto focus options and as a result the aperture must be controlled manually to give the film the ideal exposure (in relation to the light levels of the scene).
Aperture
The opening in the camera through which light reaches the film. It is variable and changing it, by varying the size of the opening affects the exposure and overall tone of the image produced.
Shutter Speed
The shutter speed (sometimes referred to as exposure time) is the amount of time for which a camera's shutters remain open whilst taking a shot. The shutter speed is partially responsible for the amount of light that reaches the film. Varying shutter speed can be used to create effects such a motion blur, when photographing fast moving objects.
Test Strip
35mm shots (400 speed film)
These shots were taken in and around Muswell Hill using a 35mm camera and 400 speed film. A digital light meter (IOS App) was used to help calculate shutter speed and aperture.