It has been a long time since I thought about Cymatics. I am currently in the process of creating a macro setup around my Xpro 1 with the use of some vintage bellows and a Soviet M42 lens. I have therefore started thinking about the possible subjects and yet again the question of picturing the sound came back to life. Here is a great video by Dr. Hans Jenny, the main name in the field of Cymatics. I do have his book, which unfortunately took a back seat when I was studying with OCA. As I have no course books to attend to at the moment, I think this could be my next read after the 'War Photographer'.....

Here is an absolute ingenious idea, proving that money is not everything in the field of photography. This inventive photographer built a macro setup with pennies to create the most stunning photographs of snowflakes. Here is more:

http://chaoticmind75.blogspot.ru/2013/08/my-technique-for-snowflakes-shooting.html

My illness has flared up again and unfortunately it has prevented me from doing anything other than working and sleeping over the last week. My heart seems to be heavily misbehaving and I simply have very little energy to carry on with life as before.

Anyway I am here today and I have managed to get myself out this morning with my lovely Fuji X Pro1. I have taken a few good shots, which I am posting below. I am just so very pleased with this camera. The low light performance is out of this world, which means that photographers like myself who detest using the on camera flash, are simply in paradise when shooting with this lovely little gem. The only set back so far is certainly the lack of RAW support in Lightroom 3. I had to purchase a Lightroom 5 in order to shoot in RAW again. I have been therefore photographing in JPEG until my new Lightroom arrives.

Unfortunately I am having to reorder my Pictorico Pro transparencies and my prepared test papers will need to go to the bin! Contact printing definitely involves a lot of time and material wasting! Well, better luck next time.
I thought today I could post about one of my favourite experimental photographers - Abelardo Morell, who works mainly with a pinhole camera obscura. Morell challenges the concept of space with his ever complicated setups and often confusing results. Below are some of my favourite examples (courtesy of Google Images):

I have now officially started my thorough research into the world of war photography. Something that has recently become my new possible photography choice. It is a very long term plan, to be completely honest I am looking at a probably around 10 years to get to the actual war front. Such carrier will demand the right connections, impeccable photography skills, outstanding camera equipment, a stable financial situation and must not forget a British passport in case of any trouble. For now I am getting familiar with the greatest of war photography. I have bought a book 'Get the Picture: A Personal History of Photojournalism' by John G. Morris, I have already seen a documentary on Sky Arts based on this book. Another great documentary centring around the James Nachtwey's work can be watched on YouTube for free:

And finally, the work of great Robert Cappa here:

With a slight delay, but I am finally posting an update. I have been heavily preoccupied with other excitements, therefore I did not spend any time on my cyanotype progress. I have also run out of ink and my missing colour cartridge has only just arrived yesterday. 

First of all, I have decided to improve my cyanotype process, I have purchased a Pictorico Pro transparencies to replace my current 3M film. This change in the setup means that I have to rework my curve and my blocking colour. I must remind that any, even the slightest change in the setup requires a brand new curve and a blocking colour. I am planing to sort this out tomorrow morning.
I did manage to get a couple of testers done on Monday.  Here, I introduced a border, something I will definitely use in future.

And below I wanted to check the effect of lifting a glass of the image. Three sponge rectangles were used to assist in the lift. I do like the less pronounced details and more dreamy look to the final print. Again, something to be taken with me for future work.

A couple of random pics created today, more Cyano stuff on Tuesday.

I believe I am getting closer to perfecting the contact printing process, still thought I am hoping to improve it even further. I have recently started a death inspired project (yet again) and I'd actually try to concentrate this time purely on portraits (a very new territory for me). I haven't had the chance to photograph much and so far I've managed to get a one self portrait combined with already existing photograph of a dying rose (previously posted on this blog).
What I am heavily experimenting with is a negative overlaying under a glass, as I would like to skip the Photoshop overlay and replace it with a real time hands on technique. I am not getting anywhere at the moment, but I'm hoping there will be a way of achieving this effect somehow. I will keep trying!
For now, I will be creating an image in Photoshop and print it under the glass. A couple of examples below, one showing my first successful toning done by bleaching the blue cyanotype and toning it in green tea for about an hour.
More soon...

Every once in a while I come across a very special photo book and ever since my encounter with 'The Garden' by Alessandro Imbriaco, I've been longing for a fresh piece for my collection. I am pleased to report that such book was given to me for Christmas. 'Alexander Mcqueen Working Progress' by Nick Waplington is  heaven and earth away from a typical cliche fashion photo book. It summarises the work and preparations of each stage of the production of the "Horn of Plenty" collection, the last collection to be designed by the great Mcqueen himself. Waplington manages to describe the process in a very thorough and eloquent manner. The book takes the reader from the reclamation yard to the inside of the Mcqueen studio.   The beautiful photography does not get spoilt by unnecessary explanations, instead, we are given the very informative foreword at the beginning of the book.
Waplington with his very honest photography and a clever book layout allows us to become the part of the intricate creative process. A highly recommend read. Great combination of one no-nonsense artist telling a story of another such artist.

All pics courtesy of Google Images.

I have today decided to simplify my photo equipment. I am getting rid off all of my 4/3 and micro 4/3 bits and pieces and instead I'm introducing Fujifilm X-Pro1 as my new walkabout setup. I am staying put with my Nikon kit until I can afford to replace it with a full frame. I will be posting my experiences with the Fuji soon...

Everyone who knows me knows that I live for music (despite my constant photo related posts on this blog). Well, today is the day I have finally discover the title of the song that has been haunting me for the last 15 months. Here it is, a beautiful example of 80s Italo Disco :

Here is my mark breakdown for PWDP module. I am really pleased with the results, especially considering the difficulties I had to overcome whilst studying it (Alderney, Alderney & Alderney!!!).
I agree with the comments underlining the lack of references and I promise to address it immediately \
(I might wait with it till tomorrow).

As promised, I attach a (very clumsy) scan of my cyano rose, which I have since destroyed it with bleaching and toning :(. I must add, I'm still very much at the experimental stage of my contact printing and to be honest I am yet to produce the perfect print. Every exposure is a lesson learnt, but I strongly remain in my determination to perfect the process.