Following the Master of Photography program, I am determined to broaden my analogue photographic practice and am at a complete creative loss. Dom has provided me with exercises that aim to prompt creative focus and direction, leading me to explore lumen printing and zone plate photography. I am also deepening my study of photograms and pinhole photography.
Recent works include a photogram of a vintage threadbare denim jacket (Figures 1–2) and a series of self-portraits captured using a 4x5" large format pinhole camera (Figure 3). Planning to capture lumen prints of the jacket to compare how the colours and tones in the final images correspond with the photograms and researching pinhole cameras, including how to make them, is inspiring.
Figure 1. Untitled photogram, 2022
Figure 2. Untitled photogram (detail), 2022
Although creating artworks from items and events (Figure 3) that are part of my everyday life is engaging, it is also confronting, leading me to reflect on Dom frequently asking, "Yeah, but what do you want to make?" prompting me to reflect on past work and motivations. What do 'I' want to make indeed.
Figure 3. Zo Damage, Tea and falafel (self-portrait), 2022
Keywords
MFA, Studio 1, Photogram, Lumen, Pinhole, Cameraless photography, Film photography