DGA
Well-known
I'm a leica shooter, a photographer who should have been born in different era.
I shoot 400TX which I spool on my own from 100ft rolls and develop it in Rodinal.
I make contact sheets, mark the best frames with a red marker and print them in my small darkroom.
While my photographer friends are running around with their Canon 5D MkII or Nikon D700's gulping GIGAs of images,
I walk slowly with a stealth-ish black M body on a wrist-strap, taking one frame at a time.
When they are trying to capture the scenes, I try to absorb the atmosphere.
That is how I am. You probably know my character, some of you may even identify themselves as described above.
I enjoy taking photos, but not less, I love it when people see my work.
Furthermore, when I have something good, I want as many people to see it as can (naturally
).
I don't have my own gallery place, and even if I had, I wouldn't get the exposure I want.
I have recently discovered an interesting new media - the presentation video.
(well, I know it's not new, it is as old a digital photography is. But, still, relatively, you know)
It is something in between stills and a video movie.
I just had to try it.
I took one of my projects and scanned the frames of the series.
Did a little contrast+brightness modifications in photoshop to get the digital files as close to the prints as possible.
(you never get close to a silver-halide prints anyway...)
Imported the files to a slideshows software and set the series on the timeline, with fading transition between the frames.
Then I took it for a test run - played it in full-screen mode.
Something was missing - sound.
As funny as it seems, this way of showing pictures requires a sound to accompany the visual.
The rhythm of the frames' transition shouldn't be hanged in the air just like that.
It doesn't look good. It doesn't feel good.
Now, here is a territory I haven't been to - music and sound.
What should I do?
I was about to give up the whole idea when I suddenly remembered a song that was played in my
head one day, when I came back from a shooting day in that project.
"Let's give it a try" I said to my self. I added it to the timeline of the series and played - BOOM! it fitted like a glove.
The sound gave the slideshow the emotions it lacked, the emotions I had when I presented this project as prints.
I did some modifications to the transition times to better match the song and gave it a second run.
It was something else - much more sensitive. I've got it.
I uploaded it to YouTube, sent a link to my friends and asked their opinion.
All got the same feeling I had when I've creasted the show (more or less).
I was happy, I managed to pass over emotions, the same as I managed on the exhibition I had of the project.
What do you say about this format?
(Oh, the presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgMiVqOGcVM).
Cheers,
Dotan.
I shoot 400TX which I spool on my own from 100ft rolls and develop it in Rodinal.
I make contact sheets, mark the best frames with a red marker and print them in my small darkroom.
While my photographer friends are running around with their Canon 5D MkII or Nikon D700's gulping GIGAs of images,
I walk slowly with a stealth-ish black M body on a wrist-strap, taking one frame at a time.
When they are trying to capture the scenes, I try to absorb the atmosphere.
That is how I am. You probably know my character, some of you may even identify themselves as described above.
I enjoy taking photos, but not less, I love it when people see my work.
Furthermore, when I have something good, I want as many people to see it as can (naturally
).I don't have my own gallery place, and even if I had, I wouldn't get the exposure I want.
I have recently discovered an interesting new media - the presentation video.
(well, I know it's not new, it is as old a digital photography is. But, still, relatively, you know)
It is something in between stills and a video movie.
I just had to try it.
I took one of my projects and scanned the frames of the series.
Did a little contrast+brightness modifications in photoshop to get the digital files as close to the prints as possible.
(you never get close to a silver-halide prints anyway...)
Imported the files to a slideshows software and set the series on the timeline, with fading transition between the frames.
Then I took it for a test run - played it in full-screen mode.
Something was missing - sound.
As funny as it seems, this way of showing pictures requires a sound to accompany the visual.
The rhythm of the frames' transition shouldn't be hanged in the air just like that.
It doesn't look good. It doesn't feel good.
Now, here is a territory I haven't been to - music and sound.
What should I do?
I was about to give up the whole idea when I suddenly remembered a song that was played in my
head one day, when I came back from a shooting day in that project.
"Let's give it a try" I said to my self. I added it to the timeline of the series and played - BOOM! it fitted like a glove.
The sound gave the slideshow the emotions it lacked, the emotions I had when I presented this project as prints.
I did some modifications to the transition times to better match the song and gave it a second run.
It was something else - much more sensitive. I've got it.
I uploaded it to YouTube, sent a link to my friends and asked their opinion.
All got the same feeling I had when I've creasted the show (more or less).
I was happy, I managed to pass over emotions, the same as I managed on the exhibition I had of the project.
What do you say about this format?
(Oh, the presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgMiVqOGcVM).
Cheers,
Dotan.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Is the song original?
cweg
Well-known
Very strong and intensive series. Good work buddy.
DGA
Well-known
I haven't composed it, if this is the question.
spiderfrank
just a dreamer
It's a beautiful work, very interesting, I must say I liked it very much, and the music souds as it was written for your movie. Well done!
Franco
Franco
photony texas
Light Sensitive
As you are a Artist, so are the Musicians. Give them a credit (Name) on the Video.
Very well done and emotionally moving images.
Very well done and emotionally moving images.
charjohncarter
Veteran
You were not born in the wrong era, that is great work.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Yeah, it from Porcupine Tree and I'd guess it's copyrighted. You really can't use copyrighted stuff in your multimedia. That will get you in trouble.
DGA
Well-known
A little about the project:
In the southern part of Tel-Aviv, Israel, there is an industrial building where at its second floor
exists a special workshop for blind and visually impaired people.
Although these people get their income from the welfare of the government, the additional payment
they receive from their job at this factory is like the extra air bottle of a diver in the deeps.
For 8 months I was visiting this workshop and took their photos.
During this time I got deeply attached to these wonderful people and to the organisation that runs this place.
These days I'm trying to help them raise funds for keeping this place up and running.
D.
In the southern part of Tel-Aviv, Israel, there is an industrial building where at its second floor
exists a special workshop for blind and visually impaired people.
Although these people get their income from the welfare of the government, the additional payment
they receive from their job at this factory is like the extra air bottle of a diver in the deeps.
For 8 months I was visiting this workshop and took their photos.
During this time I got deeply attached to these wonderful people and to the organisation that runs this place.
These days I'm trying to help them raise funds for keeping this place up and running.
D.
DGA
Well-known
Oh, yes, you are right, this song is by Porcupine Tree.
Does anyone know how do I get permission to use it?
(I better take it offline soon, then).
bmasonoh
Established
Very moving. I was touched by both the images and the music. I think you discovered a wonderful medium for your work. I will look forward to seeing more!
mich8261
Well-known
doesn't that fall under Fair Use (in the US)?
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
No, it doesn't. A tiny snippet might, but not the way it is used in the video.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
It might seem like a small issue, but not for the copyright holder.
HarryW
Established
DGA
Well-known
Thank you.
In the meantime, I changed the music to a legal one given by YouTube.
It's an Irish tune that fits the slideshow (although not as perfect as the Porcupine Tree's one
)I will contact them, though.
In the meantime, Here is another uploaded presentation of another project I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-caDEXy6vk
Thanks for the kind words, the warnings and the assistance, all.
Dotan.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Dotan,
Great work - looks great and the presentation has a very tight consistent feel.
The introductory text on your second piece helps even more to bind the pictures together.
I like your concept of a relaxed absorption of the atmosphere and mood rather than an all guns blazing digital or video viewpoint.
Have you considered a spoken narrative ? Or mixing in some audio recordings, which would have been great for your Lutheran church.
If you are looking for ideas, Magnum seem to have become the masters of this new mixed media medium e.g. http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/essay/bolivia
Donald.
Great work - looks great and the presentation has a very tight consistent feel.
The introductory text on your second piece helps even more to bind the pictures together.
I like your concept of a relaxed absorption of the atmosphere and mood rather than an all guns blazing digital or video viewpoint.
Have you considered a spoken narrative ? Or mixing in some audio recordings, which would have been great for your Lutheran church.
If you are looking for ideas, Magnum seem to have become the masters of this new mixed media medium e.g. http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/essay/bolivia
Donald.
DGA
Well-known
Thanks Donald.
Indeed, Magnum are the best, but there are more places on the web where you can find excellent material as such.
Take a look here, for example:
http://www.monkeywitch.com/projects/
These are small presentations of stills and video combined and
they were done with a lot of talent.
(and the internet is full of those).
The project of the Lutheran Congregation is not over yet and I'm still there.
I was thinking of bringing a small recording machine with me, I already bought one.
cheers,
D.
