Terrible quality due to the necessary compression, but this is my first GIF. For each day of our 2nd lockdown I photographed a bunch of Tulips. I was fascinated how much they moved in a single day.
lockdown
Locked Down
Having completed my triptych journal I decided that it should be bound into a book.
My journal is printed on fine art matte paper and the cover is made from Nepalese Lokta paper that has been waxed to give it an aged look. Finally it has been hand- bound with Japanese stab binding. I have made stab bound books before, but the challenge this time was to make a hard backed version with a flexible spine.
Here are a few sample pages.
Hard back Lokta paper cover and stab binding in linen thread
Vellum sheet
Title page
Introduction
Chapter Introduction
One triptych page from Time Management chapter
One triptych page from Emergence chapter
If you wish to see the contents of the book then please scroll through my previous blog posts.
Thank you so much for looking at my blog. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Emergence From Lockdown
My final chapter in my triptych journal is a reflection on our emergence from Lockdown. It is a confusing and unsettling time. Our behaviour and day to day life will have to alter accordingly. A new order will arise out of the chaos.
During Lockdown, I’ve really enjoyed packing away the digital cameras and using the old Polaroid Land Camera. The slowness and thoughtfulness that is required before pressing the clunky shutter has been a true reflection of our lives during the pandemic. I wont be putting the Polaroid away just yet, my fridge contains quite a few packs of expired colour film and I have a few bottles of bleach in preparation to reclaim the negs, a completely different process to black and white. In the meantime, I’m going to get printing and bind my journal. The paints will also be staying out.
Time Management in Lockdown
During Lockdown it feels like time has unravelled. For many, our daily organised routines have been dismantled as we have been released from the metronomic ticking of the clock. Our lives have slowed down, the deadlines have gone and the divisions of the day have become fluid. I feel there is a new sense of time and, in parts, I’m enjoying this freedom and hope to take a piece of this into the new ‘normal’.
Conversations in Lockdown
Continuing my Lockdown series using the 250 Land Camera and instant peel apart film.
The next triptych series is Conversations in Lockdown.
Newly Acquired Lockdown Skills.
As Lockdown continues so too has my passion for the Polaroid. I have been getting to grips with the 250 Land Camera as well as my SX70 and One Step to produce, I suppose, a form of journal created during this pandemic. The work covers a series of triptychs as well as some good old experimentation and play. I really don’t know where it is heading, but it’s certainly keeping me occupied.
Developing the idea of A New Commodity (see last post), I created four triptychs. Whilst the actual photographs are rather interesting 4x6 images, it’s the negatives that I love. Grainier, rougher and greyer - a perfect reflection of our present times. The scanner adds an extra dimension and unpredictability as it emphasis the light streaks caused either from the removal of the film from the camera or from peeling the film apart - both requiring a certain knack that I haven’t, it appears, quite mastered..
These are my newly acquired Lockdown Skills-set. I have become proficient in Commerce and Economics, Hairdressing (both scissors and clipper skills), Growing veg - in an effort to be self-sufficient (can one live on rocket alone?) and finally Dentistry - a broken tooth from day one of Lockdown did not bode well …
Lockdown 2020: A New Commodity
Three images were taken on the 250 Polaroid Land Camera, this time with a self timer. Post-it notes served as perfect markers on the wall which were hastily removed in the available 10 seconds. While the actual photos are not too bad, a definite improvement on the the first 3. Reclaiming the negatives proved pretty worthwhile. The light steaks are accentuated by the scanner and add a surreal and ethereal look to the composition. I call this triptych A New Commodity.
Only two shots left in the pack…
Lockdown 2020
During this period of isolation with time on our hands, I have decided to continue exploring the potentials of the Polaroid. Subsequently, I have found myself in a rather strange place, which is rather fitting considering our new ‘normal’ at present. I have resurrected a 1966 Polaroid 250 Land Camera and ventured into the realms of pack peel-apart film. My first batch is FP3000b - super speedy instant Black and White prints . This pack expired in 2012.
Apart from the nauseous smell and bouts of light headiness from the chemicals, it has been a slow and interesting experience. Each piece of film is precious, they aren’t made anymore so supply is limited and cost is high. So like our lives right now I have slowed right down, given thought to how this beast of a camera and its film operates, thought about the images I wish to make and celebrated each of the random, bizarre outcomes. Everything that emerges from this camera is a surprise to me. The out-of-date film has a life of its own, my limited knowledge creates uncertainty and together the weird and unpredictable is formed. Now that really appeals to me!
I don’t like anything going to waste, so all elements of the Polaroids are being explored. In the case of the peel-apart pack, it’s the negatives I’m particularly excited about. The actual prints allude to hidden secrets, so once the negatives have dried I dive straight in. Here are my first three attempts, they do get better after this!!!
First attempt with scratched title. Used straight from the fridge - error #1 - too cold and pulled apart far too soon.
Error #2 turned the exposure knob too far over to the darken side and peeled apart too soon. Looks like an under-exposed X-ray.
Result! Loving those light streaks, where did they come from?. Error #3 touching the wet negative leaves a fingerprint - actually I don’t really consider that an error, it adds a personal touch.
Self portrait 1966 Polaroid 250 expired film.
Really looking forward to see what else this beast of a camera produces.