Posted May 1st, 2009
by DeeDee Dobson
by DeeDee Dobson
I am sure I’m not the only one with piles of film from my pre-digital days. I had half a fridge door full, and just couldn’t bring myself to throw it out. I needed a fun project to put it to good use.
Pinhole photography is both fun and creative, and since Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day falls on April 26 this year, now is a great time to give this technique a try.
Many of you probably made pinhole cameras in a class at some point – out of a box, a can (I used a coffee can), etc. And they work fine, but getting the film in and out in total darkness can really be a pain, and the shooting is of course total guesswork. If you’d rather load a roll of 35mm or 120 film while being able to see what you’re doing, check out these cameras:
Pinhole Blender Cameras The film cameras from Pinhole Blender look like cookie and tea tins (with 2 dials on top) and come in small, medium and large format (35mm, 120 and 4×5). The small and medium format cameras can be loaded in daylight, but the 4×5 has to be done in total darkness. The small and medium format cameras come in two configurations: with one or three pinholes and the large format with three or six. Fun, easy to use and inexpensive ($20-$80), these are great cameras for those who want to try their hand at pinhole photography.
Holga The plastic, inexpensive Holga cameras first saw the light of day in Hong Kong in 1982, and quickly gained an almost cult-like status among photographers all over the world. The Holga pinhole cameras come in two sizes: small and medium format (for 35mm and 120 film). The 35mm version has an aperture of f/175, the medium format f/192. Both have only one shutter speed – B – which stands for Bulb and means that the shutter stays open for however long you press the shutter. Thankfully, they have standard cable release and tripod threads and come with (optional) cable releases, both of which are essential to shooting with these cameras. You advance the film at your own whim – make panoramas, double (or triple) exposures, or shoot “normal” one-frame images – it’s up to you. The deluxe package, which includes either camera, 10 rolls of film and a cable release is $100.
Pinhole Resource’s Hexomniscope For a truly unique pinhole experience, check out the Hexomniscope from Pinhole Resource. This 6-pinhole, 6-shutter, round camera uses 120 film and produces 6 overlapping 60 degree images. The shutters are individually operated, but have a single release. At $1,590, it’s not cheap, but the results are stunning.
Digital Pinhole SLR All you need to use your digital SLR for pinhole photography is an extra lens cap and a drill. Find the exact center of the lens cap and drill, from inside the cap out, as tiny a hole as you possibly can. Use the lens cap instead of a lens and voila! Pinhole camera.
Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day This annual event takes place on the last Sunday of April and was started to encourage photographers all over the world to leave technology behind for a day and go out (or stay in) and take pinhole photos. Once you’ve got some shots you’re happy with, upload them to the official WPPD website for review. This isn’t a competition, and here are no prizes, but the best shots from they day, as selected by the “Coordinating Team”, are displayed online. There are tons of happenings surrounding this event both before and on April 26: workshops, exhibits, lectures and more, so if you need inspiration or want to share the day with like-minded photographers, check out the listings on the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day website.
Tags: art, camera, camera equipment, creative, digital pinhole, experimental, film, hexomniscope, holga, images, Photography, picture taking, Pinhole, worldwide pinhole photography day Posted in Photography
Posted February 11th, 2009
by Anthony Santiago
by Yars Revenga
Photography has developed rapidly over the years with equipment and film working in tandem to pioneer new methods of taking pictures.
35mm film, also referred to as 135 film, can be used for still photographs and motion pictures. The 35mm camera was put on the market in 1934 and was a best seller by the late 1960s and still enjoys success today.
The typical number of exposures on a roll of 35mm film is 36. However, the number of exposures can vary depending on the needs of the photography and cost constraints. Disposable cameras can be found in 6, 8, 10, or 15 exposure quantities.
The American Tourist Multiple was first introduced in 1913. It was very expensive for the average consumer. In 1925, the 35mm Leica was released and created a boon for photography hobbyists and enthusiasts across the globe.
The Leica quickly caught on amongst photography enthusiasts. Its compact size, quality glass and German craftsmanship all contributed to the success of the 35mm Leica camera. The Leica became the standard for professional photographers, fashion photographers and photojournalists.
In 1934, the Kodak Company launched the German built Kodak Retina, the first 35mm camera to use the modern film cartridge, familiar to camera users today. The next important innovation took place in the 1960s when Nikon introduced the Nikon F SLR.
The SLR camera, Single Lens Reflex system, took the world of photography by storm and hasn’t looked back since. These cameras were more intuitive to handle than its predecessors. Multiple functions such as a viewfinder, preview screen and a motor to advance the film.
Traditional 35mm film camera sales took a big hit when digital cameras first hit the scene. But with the advent of Digital SLR cameras, the 35mm seems to have weathered the storm and is regaining its popularity.
Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji and Ilford are the leaders of the camera making world. These visionaries have all contributed to the evolution of photography and will undoubtedly be a part of future advancements. The traditional 35mm film camera will never be forgotten and has played an integral role in the popularization of photography on all levels.
Tags: 35mm Leica, digital camera, Digital SLR, film, Kodak, megapixel, Nikon, Olympus, Photography, Single Lens Reflex, slr Posted in Photography
Posted January 10th, 2009
by SFXsource
by SFXsource
You don’t have to be a professional to start making short films and videos. No matter what kind of camera you have, these tips will help you create professional looking videos. A lot of what you do to make a fantastic video is in post-production, however, you will absolutely need some well-shot footage. First, figure out what you want to document. Find an interesting person to make a short film about. Leave the tripod behind, use a steady hand, and go off on an adventure.
1. Don’t move the camera. You don’t need to move the camera to capture movement. Hold the camera still and don’t feel like you need to follow the movement. Later on you may want to pan the camera, if you have a steady hand.
2. Get in close. Getting in close will get the viewer engaged, and it will also draw attention to the action. Don’t be shy, go ahead and stick the camera close to the person’s face, they probably won’t mind.
3. Film over the person’s shoulder. With this shot, you can make the viewer feel like they are right there in the action. If the person moves in and out of the frame, that’s okay.
4. An overview shot will tie in the previous shots- take a step back and get all the action in one frame. Walk around (not while you are recording) and get shots from all around.
5. Once you have the previous shots, you can begin to experiment filming from other angles. You can shoot from above, or get on the ground. Try not to “zoom in.” If you feel like you need to get closer, just move yourself in closer.
Generally, you want to hold each shot for 10 seconds. Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts, and capture what catches your eye. When you are done, you will have a dynamic film with different shots.
Tags: camera, Cameras, film, make a video, making a film, making films, media, shooting film, shooting video Posted in Cameras
