The 'Not Here and Now' Look to Photos

[ClaremontPhoto]

In recent years the standard television/movie flashback convention has changed from going into black & white to going into something much more like this.

It seems that we could use this new convention too so as to indicate in a subtle way that a photo is not here and now.

Technique note: Very old Fuji Sensia slide film 'badly' stored (matured) and exposed at ISO100 handheld at a slow shutter speed, developed in a standard minilab for color print films.

 

[Ray Nalley]

Yeah, that looks like my photos BEFORE I gave up coffee. So people would know it was in the past. 😉

 

[MickH]

TBH Jon I think alot of your photgraphy has that 'not here and now' quality to it. Maybe it's the settings as much as anything, none of which seem to be anchored in C21. The people in your pix could come from any time in the last 50 years too and I've always liked the colours, which often look a little 'washed out' and are very reminiscent of old snaps left out in the sun.

I like it.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Ray Nalley:

I think you knew I was talking about color shift, not severe camera shake!

Try this one above.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Mick: Thank you, but take away the plastic lawn furniture from your avatar and that's timeless too.

Pitxu: Many, most, of your photos are timeless. We both live in timeless settings.


What I'm thinking about is how our choices in technology subtly influence how people see our work.


For example:

We make a photo of a barn using modern color film. For most viewers it's just a photo.

If we use Rollei Scanfilm instead viewers may think it's a cute thirty year old photo that's faded.

We can click on the first photo to turn it into B&W, now it looks like it's sixty years old and they're looking at history.

Click again to give it a sepia tone and they think they're looking at an even older photo.

Do the xpro thing, and with new visual conventions being introduced in television shows, they might think it's depicting a dream.


In all this we've never said anything such as 'My grandfather gave me this photo'. That would be dishonest. We've merely set up cues to create a mood around the photo.

 

[gb hill]

Hi Jon, This is one reasons Kodak Porta NC 160, not the VC is a favorite of mine. It gives nice pastel colors that are not blown out like most color films that are out there. Looks simular to the film you use but with less grain.

 

[charjohncarter]

Jon, you and I have to talk. I have been trying to achieve exactly what you, I think, are talking about. Check this and see if it is what you want:

Taken this summer, Polaroid ColorPack II, FujiFP110 B&W pack film.

 

[charjohncarter]

I forgot, gb hill and I agree about Kodak Portra 160 NC.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

charjohncarter:


Thank you, that's the look and feel I was looking for yesterday in the rather similar 'The Vintage Color Look' thread which you joined in. Although I had color in mind.

Roger Hicks came up with Rollei Scan Film, which is the way for me to go for the vintage color look. Although expensive.

What I'm looking into today is exploring techniques something like they might use on an X-Files movie to denote a parallel universe, or in CSI to show one person's recall of events as being at odds with another person. I can already get the color effect using Xpro old E6 in C41, now I want to use it in a coherent manner.

 

[MikeL]

Jon, I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I'm with gb when it comes to the look of portra nc. Skin looks normal and other colors are muted relative to most color films.
With an old Canon 28mm

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Thank you.

I can do the technique fine, it's just that I'm thinking about how to use it to best effect.

 

[charjohncarter]

My theory is find the right old camera or more specifically; old lens (it could or could not be fixed). And find the right color film or 'chrome.' This one is Fuji Superia 100, in date and fresh from the refrig. As I said, I agree with gb on portra 160 NC. But I couldn't find one:

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I can do the look fine, just see my two examples upthread. I do not need advice on the materials and processes. I've got that one solved.

Now I'd like to discuss how to use that 'Not Here and Now' X-Files sort of look with like-minded creative people.

I don't like to mix the Xpro photos in regular photo sets, just as I prefer to keep color photo sets distinct from B&W sets.

I don't want an Xpro set just to showcase the technology without an underlying theme.

Question: How would you envisage Xpro (like my kind of Xpro) being used to best advantage in a themed set? Derelict buildings? Fashion store displays? Wet city streets? Kids in bright clothes?

Please do not contribute if your idea involves a Barnack Leica IIF with an early serial number and...

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Pitxu:


Thank you I'll look that up tomorrow.

Your post also reminds me to look at Harry Gruyaert's photos of televisions series. I've got the book here, but I forgot I had it.

 

[charjohncarter]

I guess I don't get what you are trying to do. What is an Xpro or for that matter X-files? Are you trying to take an image where you can't tell anything about the date of exposure (within reason), and also using equipment and film that is also somewhat timeless? If you are looking for equipment that does this, I've got all kinds of it. In fact, I bought a camera just to get the old time look. It was a Petri 7s, unfortunately the lens was too good:

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Jon,

Consider also a LensBaby, a Dreamagon or a Thambar (see my Thambar thread on this forum).

Cheers,

R.

 

[MickH]

Question: How would you envisage Xpro (like my kind of Xpro) being used to best advantage in a themed set? Derelict buildings? Fashion store displays? Wet city streets? Kids in bright clothes?

It would be interesting to see a set of formal portraits done using this method.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

MickH: I don't know about that specific idea but you've got the drift well. Thank you. This evening Pitxu also PM'd an idea after his coffee in the cafe. You're both understanding where this may be going.

Roger: I have the technique nailed. I don't need stuff, I need to talk about using the imagery in a coherent manner.

charjohncarter: I have a technique that I like and can reproduce over and over. A part of it is cross processing which is often written as Xpro. And to give it context I've likened it to a popular television show 'The X Files' which is sort of sci fi. You may have heard of it.


What I'm exploring is producing a photo set on a theme to be decided, using the technique to best advantage.

I might be ironic and do a photo set of cats sleeping and discuss the bokeh of each photo! I'd call it 'Lense Test #83'.