UNIVERSITY: Studio Photography Experimentation – Location & Indoor
For this assignment for Studio Photography, we were given the task of simply experimenting with lighting equipment to come up with different lighting solutions for the different subjects.
For my own style of photography I have a preference to ‘on location’ styles of photography. I often do this while I photograph vehicles and landscapes so this was an easy decision for me to follow the ‘on location’ style. However I decided to experiment with both what I know and the interior studio.
ON-LOCATION
This particular image was shot in my garage at home using multiple speedlight flashes. This required a long process of setting up the garage to become a suitable studio, which included blackening out the windows, attempting to hang a black backdrop, and building a suitable table-top for the objects to sit on. After this process it was simply a matter of trial and error to come up with a successful lighting position to compliment the photograph. I did have trouble lighting all three subjects due to the size difference between the eagle and bear and car.
This photograph was inspired by the photographer Easton Chang – who recently photographed a BMW and an Aston Martin using water splashing all over the car. I personally found this image very inspirational based on my enjoyment of car photography already and decided I must attempt to replicate it. After some trial and error and some wet clothing I came up with this solution. One problem I ran into was the lack of power in the speedlight flashes, which caused me to include a third flash inside the cars windscreen to highlight the water droplets in the middle of the car.
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This was a basic experiment required by university. This is essentially a time-sheet of the same object over the course the day. This simply demonstrates how day dramatic day light can alter the look of an object over the course of the day. This was annoying to remember to click the camera every 45 minutes!
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INTERIOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIO
This photo was captured using two strobe flashes with soft boxes. I added a gold reflector to add some natural light over the image as I felt the image felt a bit lacking with the inclusion of a wildlife in it. (even it is not a real bear). This photo is just a fun experiment using objects.
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Using the same objects the on location studio (besides the eagle) I thought I would try and capture a simple and amusing take on the ‘Man vs Wild’ idea. I simply thought it was a fun image to capture the old Mexican stand-off between a bear and 4×4. I intentionally made sure the bear was slightly blurry as I wanted to draw focus on the car, however in hindsight I sort of wish I had photographed one image where everything is in focus to compare.
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This image I love. Using a low aperture each glass is behind the front is blurrier than the last. However, by varying the quantity of 100′s and 1000′s in the glasses the shadow of the most blurry glass in the back appears to actually be the most in focus compared to the shadow of the front which is the most blurry. And interesting trick which I found to really amplify the strength of this final image.
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These are just a few photos I chose to place up here as a source for some studio lighting experimentation.
The Film Experiment 2: ‘Historic Glory’
Following on from my previous film experiment I have continued to use the Mamimya 7 – medium format film
camera to photograph another series, this one titled: ‘Historic Glory’
Due to being closed down and refurbished as a functioning station once again Healsville and Yarra Glenn stations and its historic trains that have become quite the tourist attraction will be demolished in place of a functioning station after decades of barely any use.
This series photographs these trains, their carriages and their train yard in an attempt to memorise what these trains once were and to imagine what they would have looked like in their glory days. I would argue they now look even more glorified as a rustic feature in a town that always draws the tourists.
I also completed a digital photography series on this same idea for university which may be published at a later date.
This series was photographed on ISO 400 film, and developed and printed in a darkroom by myself. These photos have been scanned to be shown on my website, the quality has been lost in these scans.
Thank You for reading
‘Historic Glory’ – By Ben Cadwallader all images are copyrighted.
The Film Experiment: ‘The War You Don’t See’
So I have finally found some time to update the website with some new content. And I have decided to post up some
experiences I have had using various film cameras over the last year or so.
Today’s series involved taking a Mamiya 7- Medium Format film camera and walking around the Victorian suburb of Footscray.
After walking for a few hours, I discovered what I was going to show in my series of photos. And my first photo – showing the remnants of a poster for John Pilger’s documentary: ‘The War You Don’t See’ - gave me my title and goal.
As with all series’ I wont explain into detail, except this: The series explores the corners of Footscray and discovers what is hidden just off from the footpaths or major roads in the suburb, by looking a bit deeper reveals a darker history to the suburb.
2011 ET Street’s Modified Car Show at Caribbean Market Melbourne
While Sunday’s weather may not have been the most ideal for a car show, ET Street’s car show at the Caribbean Market in Victoria drew large crowds for its events size, bringing not only the avid car lover but many of the casual
market shoppers in the area as well. Because of this it was interesting to see a very diverse range of people viewing the cars, which is something not often seen in an organized car event.
The event saw a range of vehicles primarily Holden Commodores and Nissan Skyline’s but scattered around the area were a few other cars such as some Ford Falcon’s, Audi’s, Mercedes and even a Holden Barina.
Trip to 2011′s Avalon Air Show in Melbourne – Photographs
I made a trip with a few friends to visit the Avalon Air Show 2011, in Melbourne on Friday 4th of March. Sadly, upon waking up we all saw the dreaded grey clouds covering the entire sky. The forecast was terrible: rain, black clouds, general unpleasantness but we all manned up and soldiered on and drove the long drive to Western Melbourne to the Air Show…
Upon reflection, coming on the worst day of the week (weather wise) was a fantastic idea, as there was essentially no effort to get to the front of the run way to get a great view of the live air action. When we looked at other peoples photo’s from that weekend we were shocked to see how much more busy it was. If you’re going for the spectacle of the live air show and acrobatics then definitely go on the potentially wettest day of the week. Perhaps if you would have preferred spending your day browsing through the show tents and displays among the large show grounds, it might be more ideal for one of the nicer days. Either way, just remember to bring a jacket because it got so cold.
