Facing The Weekend

Photo taken by Rogan

Over the next day or two I will start taking down the 130 or so photos stuck to the walls of my studio from last weekend's Spring Fling Open Studio event (see previous post).

It was a success on every level I can think of - in terms of response, feedback and keeping up my energy levels. Before I began, I thought perhaps I might be able to photograph 80 people over the 3 days. Secretly I hoped for a hundred. As I closed the door late on Monday afternoon, I had photographed over 170.

Amazingly, more than half of all the visitors who walked through the door agreed to take part. And the feedback and enthusiasm I received was wonderful.

This is what the first ones faced as they entered my studio (click on any of the images for larger versions):



KEY
1 - PHOTOS - not wanting the first visitors to face a completely empty wall, I figured having a few photos up first might help encourage people to take part. This included one my daughter, Meg; two of my son, Rogan - before and after his dramatic haircut; one of me, taken by Rogan, and 4 photos of friends who helped me 2 days before when I decided to dry-run the system - Graham, Danny, Mark and Ken. Andrew also helped, but the printer started playing up so I didn't get a photo of him up until later.

2 - REFLECTOR - the back of the reflector used to bounce a softer light on to the other side of the face - see below for more details.

3 - COMPUTER - bridging the photo between camera and printer, allowing me to convert the image to black and white and email a copy to anyone who wanted it.

4 - CHAIR - in order to minimise energy expenditure, I spent most of the weekend sitting down.

5 - OLD PRINTER - ready as back-up in case the new one failed. After all the hassle I'd had with it on the dry-run, when I discovered the new printer would only use the black ink cartridge if I lied to it, I thought it was wise to have one in reserve. Fortunately I didn't need it.

6 - STACK OF BLACK INK CARTRIDGES - I had no idea how many I would need. In the end, I only used about half the number I bought.

7 - OLD LAPTOP - used for displaying a slideshow of photos. However, it became clear quite quickly that no one was bothering with it - partly because it was too low down to see, but as there was no room anywhere to put it at a higher level, we didn't use it on Sunday or Monday.

8 - STEPLADDER - used as a seat for my assistant (my wonderful friend Mark, until about 3.30pm on Saturday, and Rogan the rest of the weekend), or for sticking the photos on the higher parts of the wall.

9 - CUPBOARD - stuffed full of miscellany not intended for display, so hidden behind the assistant/stepladder.

10 - TABLE WITH FORMS - so I could use the photos of the people, I had a Model Release Form for each of them to sign. It's a legal grey area, so this covered my butt. It also allowed people to leave their email address if they wanted more information about the book I'm going to create (see further down the page).

11 - VISITOR COMMENTS BOOK - and a bowl of sweets to encourage people to leave nice comments. However, only 16 visitors left a comment in it, and one of those was my daughter.


THE PHOTOGRAPHY AREA



Those who got their photograph taken would sit in the chair with their body facing the window, which acted as the main light source, then they would turn their head back to me and look into the camera. The textured backdrop worked as a background more interesting than white and not as ink-heavy to print as black. The reflector cast a softer light on the other side of their face, lifting it out of the shadows.

This set up allowed me to be at the right height to photograph them while sitting in my chair, and it removed the need for lights, which would have taken up more room and run the risk of getting knocked over, or bulbs burning out.

It was all about trying to keep things as simple as possible.

Below are a couple of photos of the studio after the weekend, with all the photos on the walls.





The exhibition was intereactive and grew as the weekend progressed. At 5.30pm on Monday, it was all over. However, this is not the end.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be putting all the images into a book called "Facing The Weekend", which I'll be publishing on Blurb.com for anyone who's interested. More on that when it's complete.

Most of my energy lately has been taken up with preparation for this coming weekend’s Spring Fling Open Studio Event

For 3 days (28th-30th May), along with more than 80 other artists and makers across SW Scotland, I will be opening my doors to visitors.

To make a more interactive event out of it, I will be taking photos of anyone interested, printing them out and pinning them to the wall. As the weekend progresses, the walls of my studio should steadily fill up with images of the visitors.

In order to survive 3 days of intensive interaction, I am trying to create a system to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible – from getting people to sign a model release form (so I can use the images in a book of the event later), through to sitting and posing, taking the photo, printing it, emailing it to anyone who wants a copy and pinning it to the wall. All this needs to be done within a few minutes per person.

If, for example, I take 15 minutes per person, then I can only do a maximum of 4 per hour, even at the busiest times. What I want to do is streamline it so I can get up to 10 per hour. Not every hour of the weekend will be packed, but going from previous experiences of Maggie opening up for Spring Fling, at it’s busiest, you can have up to 40 people or more in an hour poking their heads into the studio, and I want to miss as few people as possible.

My biggest hair-pulling frustration at the moment is the printer. I bought a new one especially for the event. It even has a wi-fi option so I don’t have to connect cables to it. However, for some bizarre reason it won’t print black and white photos using the black ink cartridge only – it insists on using some of the colour inks too (thereby increasing the ink cost). It also only has one photo-printing setting – highest resolution, maximum ink and soooo slow to print an A4 sheet (approx 30cm x 21cm).

Hewlett Packard – you suck!

The style of portrait I’m going to shoot will just be head and shoulders. A light background doesn’t go with the mood I’m want to create with the images, so my original plan was to use a black backdrop. However, given the ink problems in particular, a completely black background would have me changing the cartridges in the printer every 5 photos.

I figured a textured background would be better and could add an extra level of interest, so yesterday Maggie and I went in search of some material. Unfortunately, almost every material available had a regular pattern and I wanted something a bit more random.

Luckily Maggie spotted one my eyes had skimmed right over. The reason I hadn’t registered it was because it was purple – not a colour I would use in a colour portrait. However, as Maggie pointed out, I’m doing black and white portraits, so the colour is irrelevant.

Below is a test shot I took of my son, Rogan, using the set up I plan on using throughout the weekend.


Original with dodgy colour scheme


Cropped and converted to black and white

If you’re in the region this weekend, do come along and get your photo added to the wall.


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Cash From Chaos

When my son, Rogan, and I went to the Scottish Tattoo Convention in Edinburgh 6 weeks ago, we got in courtesy of Skid, the lead singer in the punk band, Cash From Chaos.

We first met Skid and his band last November at the Sex Pistols Experience gig in Bathgate. They were playing again at the Tattoo Convention, so I took a few photos.

The light was low which meant I had to have a high ISO setting. What that means, for those who don’t know, is it allows you to take photos is lower light without so much blurring of movement, but the downside is the images get “grainier”.

For photographing a punk band, however, this isn’t such a handicap, as it just makes the images look a bit grungier and more fitting.

Below are a few photos – the rest can be found in my Flickr and Facebook pages


Skid


The Band


Lizzie the drummer


When someone with big hair stands in front...


A wide variety of audience members

As always, feel free to click on any of the images for a larger version

Links:
The full set on Facebook
The full set on Flickr
Cash From Chaos website

Farino at The Mill Sessions

The 4th of the Mill Sessions this year took place on Wednesday, and this time featured accoustic guitar duo, "Farino".

As with previous sessions (see Sean Taylor, Beth Fouracre and Becc Sanderson & Graeme Stephen), I was given time to get some photos of them before the gig started.

Unlike previous sessions, however, the seasons have moved on, and it is now light in the early evenings. Additionally, with The Mill on the Fleet open again for the tourist season, the empty gallery space I used for the last 3 photo sessions is no longer available.

So I turned up early to try and find another possible area. After searching inside and out, I was directed to a closed off, derelict part of the complex, which had plenty of space and light.


Guitar duo, Farino

There was also a great old weathered area of wall that added a wonderful texture in the background for close-up portraits


Graeme Wrightson


John Shepherd


Farino

When we were heading back over to the main building, I realised we were in the "golden hour" where photography is concerned - when the sun is low in the sky, giving everything a golden hue.


Sunlit



Like last time with Becc Sanderson, I recorded one of their songs on my camera. It was a close run thing - the memory card would have run out if it had gone on for another 15 seconds.



If for any reason the video isn't showing above, you might need to click on this link:
http://youtu.be/svw-f0se0LI


I should also mention the support act, warming up and getting everyone in the mood, was talented local singer-songwriter Marcus S Wright, and I also managed to squeeze a quick photo session in with him too.


Marcus S Wright

The room was packed, and the atmosphere and playing were superb. It was a great evening.

You can hear more of Farino's music on their MySpace page, here
And Marcus's music can be found on his MySpace page, here

Scottish Tattoo Convention 2011 at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange

When Skid (the lead singer from Cash From Chaos) asked if I’d be interested in attending the Scottish Tattoo Convention in Edinburgh, I knew it was too good an opportunity to miss.

As a portrait photographer, I love faces and the way people inhabit them, so to get the chance to go to a place where many would also be highly decorated with tattoos, piercings and more unusual hairstyles, was a dream.

Of course I had to overcome an extreme reluctance to ask complete strangers if they would mind having their photo taken – normally people come to me, not the other way round – but as it turned out, not a single person refused or even seemed the slightest bit irritated.

The experience was about as far removed from normal portrait photography, as it was possible to get.

Usually when I photograph someone, I spend time with them to establish a rapport and trust. I arrange the background so it’s uncluttered, and the lighting to help generate the mood I’m after. I take many shots, showing them as I go, so we can work together towards achieving an image we are both going to be really happy with.

At the Tattoo Convention, however, I could do none of these things. The backgrounds were busy from any direction; the lighting was very low and mostly coming from straight above, so cast dark shadows over the eyes; and I only had 30 seconds to a minute with them to try and get something worthwhile.

Because I handed a business card to nearly everyone I photographed, and told them if they contacted me I would send them a copy of the photo, it meant the challenge was immense.

I have spent most of the past week working on the best of the photos, making adjustments to compensate for the poor lighting and background conditions.

Finally I have a collection I’m ok about displaying. Below are a small handful. The rest can be found on my Flickr Account, or on my Facebook Photography page

As always, you can click on the images for larger versions


David - the very first person I asked to photograph


This guy was getting an eagle head tattooed on his neck


Laura had problems keeping a straight face


Originally from Borneo, this guy does traditional tattooing by hand - not an electrical appliance in sight. A much slower process and certainly not for faint hearted


Sakura's "horns" are silican implants. Despite appearances, she was a very warm and friendly person to chat to


Nonchalant expression. To look at her you might be forgiven for thinking she was being drawn on in felt pen rather than having a needle jabbed thousands of times into her thigh.

Becc Sanderson & Graeme Stephen at The Mill Sessions

The 3rd of The Mill Sessions was last week, and this time featured jazz singer, Becc Sanderson with guitarist Graeme Stephen. As before (see Beth Fouracre at the Mill Sessions and Sean Taylor and the Mill Sessions), time was set aside for me to take photos.

Both were quite relaxed in front of the camera, but Becc knew how to play to it - which was fun for me, as usually I have to spend quite a bit of time getting people to a point where they stop looking like a rabbit in the headlights.

As usual, click on any of the images for a larger version.


Graeme and Becc


Jazz guitarist, Graeme Stephen


Becc Sanderson relaxed in front of the camera


Taking this photo I was practically lying on the floor on my back to get the angle I wanted.


In every photo session, there's always a time when the person cannot keep a straight face.

Becc's dress, by the way, is a genuine vintage from the 1950s.

I am a photographer, and not a film maker. However, the camera I have does have quite a good movie capability on it, so I recorded one of the songs to give you a taster. This is "Cry Me a River". I especially love the breathy quality as she begins to sing.



If you're up in Scotland for the Edinburgh Festival this summer, then do keep an eye out for Becc who has is doing a show this year.

Meanwhile if you would like to experience more of Becc's singing, then visit her MySpace page, here. And you can discover more about Graeme on his website, here.

Tawona and Ernest - Seeds of Thought

Continuing the arrangement with The Bakehouse, in Gatehouse of Fleet (you might remember me writing about it when I photographed Bashabi a few weeks ago), on Saturday past I was invited to photograph guest poet, Tawona Sithole, and his brother, Ernest.

The brothers are based in Glasgow, though they’re originally from Zimbabwe. Along with artist, Tarneem Al Mousawi, they founded a group called "Seeds of Thought" combining poetry, music and art.

They took to the camera well, quite quickly overcoming any apprehension.





Although, they didn’t always find it easy to keep a straight face



They also play mbira (sometimes known as a thumb piano), which has quite an amazing sound.



Between The Bakehouse and The Mill Sessions, I’m getting to meet some really interesting people. It’s just as shame I only get to spend an hour with them.

For those on Facebook, you can find more out about Seeds of Thought here:
http://www.facebook.com/seedsofthoughtglasgow

Beth Fouracre at the Mill Sessions

The 2nd of this year’s Mill Sessions was on Thursday past, this time featuring singer-songwriter, Beth Fouracre. As before, a bit of time was set aside for me to take her portrait to build up images for The Mill, and my own portfolio.

Although she was a bit uncertain to begin with, it didn’t take long for her to relax and quite quickly she connected with the camera.



Unlike Sean Taylor’s request for Dark and Moody (see Sean Taylor and The Mill Sessions), Beth wanted a slightly lighter mood.



In fact, I have a whole folder full of blurred images where she found it impossible to keep a straight face and collapsed into laughter.

I’d decided the “house style” for the Mill Sessions would be black and white with a hint (18%) of sepia overlay. However, I have to say on only the 2nd photo shoot I found myself quite torn. What doesn’t come out in black and white is the fact Beth had vivid red hair, which really was quite wonderful.

Eventually I decided I would stick to my original idea, but here’s one to show you what I mean.



Until the evenings get lighter, I'm limited with the space and lighting I can use for these photo sessions. I have to bring along one of my lights and a reflector and I can use a room in the Mill that's currently empty, but only until it opens up again for the tourist season.


Light with umbrella diffuser - Beth - reflector, side on

As usual, click on any of the images for larger versions.

For those interested in her music, and Beth really does have a lovely voice, then you can hear some of here songs on MySpace, here:
http://www.myspace.com/bethfouracre/music

Sean Taylor and the Mill Sessions

As well as hosting my Staring Back exhibition, last year the Mill on the Fleet (in the nearby town of Gatehouse of Fleet) trialled the idea of becoming a venue for small, acoustic performances by local and up and coming artists, using the space in one of its galleries. It went well and plans to have monthly sessions are now underway, collectively known as The Mill Sessions.

In a similar vein to my arrangement with The Bakehouse (see last post), I will now be taking photos of guest artists prior to their performances to build up a “hall of fame” collection.

On Saturday, fresh from his concert at Celtic Connections and interview on the Bob Harris Radio 2 show, was Sean Taylor, an amazing bluesy singer and guitarist. His live performance at the Mill was superb.

A day or 2 before he came down I spoke to him on the phone to see if there was a particular style he fancied when we did the photo session. “Dark and moody” was his instant reply. This suited me fine – I like dark and moody.

As usual, click on any of the images for larger versions







You can hear songs from his album, Walk With Me, on his website. My personal favourite is “Hold On”

Life behind the eyes

Far too much portrait photography is little more than product photography featuring people instead of objects. Just like photographing a pewter plate, a necklace or a dressing gown, the idea is to create an image of the best achievable version of the subject. And any flaws still there after lighting the product as perfectly as possible, can be conveniently removed afterwards in the digital editing process.

This is why there are so many complete make-over and photo sessions around (do your hair, make-up and soft lighting), and why every model on every magazine cover now looks like a computer-generated, plastic doll.

What all these things lack is a real, human, emotional connection with the viewer. I find them flat, boring and, ultimately, sad.

However, getting someone to relax with you, trust you and buy into your vision as a photographer looking for something deeper, is no easy thing. Fears, insecurities and reservations all have to be overcome in a very short space of time. Months of psychotherapy are not available: at best I have a couple of hours.

Last weekend I had less than one hour to photograph Dr Bashabi Fraser before The Bakehouse event, at which she was the guest author.

I’ve begun an arrangement with The Bakehouse, where I will be taking portraits of their guest poets/authors/performers before the events, and over time this will build up a collection of images for a “Hall of Fame” for the venue, while it gives me the opportunity to photograph people who invariably have an interesting background and/or take on life.

Bashabi was the first of these and, given the time constraints and less control over the lighting arrangement than I would have in my own studio, it’s fair to say I was feeling the pressure.

Fortunately all my instincts and experience kicked in at the right time, and although I over ran a little, everyone felt it had gone well.

Rather than a bland, plastic, soulless portrait, I hope this hints at the intelligent, fascinating person she is.


(Click on the image for a larger version)