High Contrast
By Kenneth Bolton
This is an experimental project in which I emulated the "look" and "feel" of classical analog photography.
I processed the images to be high contrast black and white and added sharpening as well as film grain effects in Adobe Ligtroom.
As for the photographs themselves I shot all of them in natural lighting under drab, cloudy conditions. All subjects are my family members and I sort of snuck up on them with the camera with little to no prompt.
I shot with my Panasonic Lumix G7 with a an adapted Canon 70-200mm lens.
FORLORN
This is my brother Christopher.
He's not a particular fan of having photos taken and wasn't in a state in which he'd be happy volunteer either. He's a handy man by trade and he was waiting for my father to come and aid him with the metal fabrication on his latest project. Naturally working the way he does works up a greasy sweat, and so he wasn't "slick looking enough" (his words) to pose for a photo. That candidness is exactly what I wanted for this experiment and so I shot him regardless. I think he wasn't aware I even took the photo to be honest.
I love the genuine "lost child" expression he made.
AS EXPECTED
This is my aforementioned father.
He's never surprised to see me harassing everyone with my camera and he's indifferent about his appearance at the best of times. He's always wearing a smile and bellowing a deep laugh. I have to say it's not quite the "candid" look I was going for as he's smiling and looking into the camera however I don't know if it's possible to capture him in a state that would do more justice to his true nature.
My main issue with this image is his eyes being out of focus.
That monstrous nose of his stole the show.
A genetic trait he lovingly passed down to me.
GO AHEAD
My brother Raymond.
I did the usual sneak up shot but Raymond is prideful. He had no objection to his photo being taken as he was "done up" to go out anyhow and was feeling photogenic. He actually has a decent sized social media following and posts pictures of himself on a regular basis so he has an immunity to the disease known as "camera shyness"
I think I went a little over board on the film grain on this one but I actually feel conflicted on that. I don't like its look on his skin and negative space in the photo but I really take to the look the textiles took. It's as if it emphasizes the texture of the stitching on his coat and gives a unique ascetic to his wool scarf.
I've now learned the best way to have fixed this mixed feeling would be applying a feathered mask and add the grain where I want it specifically.
...DON'T
My sister in-law Kaitlyn.
Raymond's wife is camera shy. Having her photo taken unannounced is as welcome to her as a cockroach is in a Michelin Star dining experience. Candidness succeeded.
I like the look of the shading on the neck of her coat, it has a interesting quality to it. I think material of that texture would make a good back drop for studio black and white photography.
STREET SMART
My brother Innocenzo.
Though not particularly camera shy Enzo isn't a fan of being photographed looking "grubby". Likely for me he wasn't. He's an elusive subject for me as he lives three hours away. I met him halfway when he was buying a new car and popped the shot while he was talking to our father (who you can some what make out in the reflection of his sunglasses)
This photo (in-terms of shooting) is the odd one out. All the other photos were taken with my G7 and Canon lens. This one however I shot with a Fujifilm XT3 with an adapted vintage Takumar 70-200mm.
I like how this one turned out so I threw it up on Instagram.
REFLECTION
I'm happy I did this experiment. It was far more constructive than I thought it would be. At first when I was conceptualizing I was afraid the photos wouldn't look good and the whole project would have a pretentious undertone. I don't feel that's the case and I'm glad with the results. I'll definitely do more photography in future with intent to convert to a gritty, film look.
