My New Photo-Hero

[Chris101]

I just read about this newly discovered grunge photographer, Miroslav Tichý.

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/81346

http://www.tichyfotograf.cz/miroslavtichy-dilo.html

I really do aspire to his aesthetic (although his subject matter is somewhat taboo these days.)

 

[Keith]

I've seen this guys work a while ago.

If you gave him an MP and Noctilux he'd probably throw them away and make something to take photographs with from the packaging they came in! 😀

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks for posting this, he is one of the originals of the grunge genera. I wish they had mentioned something about the sophisticated equipment he used. I really like his ability to catch a bit of an erotic glimpse. It is like a peeping tom.

 

[Chris101]

I liked his stuff so much that I made a lens in his honor. I call it the Nycore.

(Get it? nycore Cause it's made from the core of a roll of toilet paper.)

 

[GoneSavage]

I think you're going to have to post some samples!

 

[Chris101]

I haven't shot any film with it yet, just a bunch of digital junk from around my house. I hope to shoot some people with it later this week.

 

[palec]

I really love his work, very subtle, not shouting nor vulgar.
I've seen his exhibition in Frankfurt during my usual annual visit. I've spotted a poster during my walks through town and the last day I went to gallery. Good for me.

 

[GoneSavage]

So it works, then? How does one go about building a lens anyway? I've often thought of putting something like that together, but have no idea how to arrange the elements.

 

[charjohncarter]

So it works, then? How does one go about building a lens anyway? I've often thought of putting something like that together, but have no idea how to arrange the elements.

I've built 6, some work even too good. I built one using a disposible plastic camera lens, it worked so good I had trouble telling it from a real lens, so I dumped that idea. But here are some other ideas for you.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/homemadelens/

One thing that I have found is that you have to be careful to keep the internal reflection down. I do it with some black felt purchased a JoAnn's on the inside of the tube, body cap or whatever you are using.

 

[Chris101]

The internal reflections just add to the already abundant flare. I thought about using some dulling lacquer inside of my nycore. I broke apart a plastic toy binocular to get the objective lens out of it. As it's a single element lens (plano-convex, with the flat side toward the subject) there are no elements to arrange. I glued the lens to a tube (a black film canister with the bottom cut out) that slides in and out of the TP tube, then taped it to a Nikon reversing ring. The lens is about 158mm focal length, and an inch in diameter, so that makes it about f/6. There is no aperture control.

Here are some shots of my front yard this morning:

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Perhaps I will shoot some unaware ladies later today.

 

[RayPA]

I just read about this newly discovered grunge photographer, Miroslav Tichý.

While 'grunge' might be more appropriate--and despite the fact that he did receive formal art training--he is generally considered as an 'outsider artist' (of which there is a long list of exceptional and troubled individuals).

/

 

[Chris101]

While 'grunge' might be more appropriate--and despite the fact that he did receive formal art training--he is generally considered as an 'outsider artist' (of which there is a long list of exceptional and troubled individuals).

You are correct! I just checked Wikipedia's list of outsider artists, and there his name is. I suppose the time he spent in an asylum, after art school qualifies him. None-the-less, his sloppy handling of the media and tools of his art also qualify him as grunge. Outsider/Grunge. I don't think it could get any better.

 

[dcsang]

You are correct! I just checked Wikipedia's list of outsider artists, and there his name is. I suppose the time he spent in an asylum, after art school qualifies him. None-the-less, his sloppy handling of the media and tools of his art also qualify him as grunge. Outsider/Grunge. I don't think it could get any better.

Part of me doesn't really dig his stuff but the other part of me thinks "good for him" - I get tired of people bemoaning the fact that ALL photos have to be "tack sharp" and ALL photos have to be composed and well exposed and such.

Freedom of expression using whatever tools are at hand is probably the one way to free oneself of the confines of that box that so many call "art" 🙂

Thanks for this.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[GoneSavage]

Very cool photos, thanks for sharing!

Perhaps I will shoot some unaware ladies later today.

Haha, best of luck to you (at least they shouldn't be intimidated).

 

[GoneSavage]

One thing that I have found is that you have to be careful to keep the internal reflection down. I do it with some black felt purchased a JoAnn's on the inside of the tube, body cap or whatever you are using.

Good advice! I've flipped elements in lenses of mine before, but never built anything form scratch. Excellent link, too.

 

[Krzys]

I look at the direct content and it isnt very interesting. However the vague impression of the fence separating him from the subject and the hand drawn borders make it all so intriguing.

 

[Chris101]

...

Perhaps I will shoot some unaware ladies later today.

Haha, best of luck to you (at least they shouldn't be intimidated).

Thanks Matthew! In fact I tried channelling Mr Tichy all afternoon:

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