*Zebra Profile*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: Tradescantia zebrina
I’m assuming the Zebrina and this plant’s name refers to zebras. I really like these leaves, they don’t look of this world, actually. I started doing these close up profile shots with strong textures. Need to work on a more directional lighting solution, but already I’m getting some cool results!
*Palms on the Back*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Lia
Texture: Zamia pumila (?)
Although I haven’t gone full macro on the plant textures yet, I think this shot shows the potential of that approach. Instead of seeing the outline of the plant, you see the structure of it. This is a large fern leaf, so macro wasn’t necessary. I need to take some time to gather the right textures for more macro though. I love how the spine of the leaf follows Lia’s spine. I kinda knew what I was doing, but it’s very satisfying when it comes out right!
*Mossy Palms*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: ?
Part of the fun with the new setup is exploring the possibilities of the macro lens. Now I likely could have done this same shot with a regular lens, but having the macro on pushed me to get closer. I really like the look of the fern like texture (I need to revisit that spot to take a clean shot of the texture in order to find its name). So far my attempts to shoot much closer have not been successful, but this is an inspiring start.
*Incense & Bokeh*
Canon EOS300 + Lomography Fantome 8
OK, so I plead guilty: I have shot this particular frame many times, and besides being a very Hong Kong thing, I can’t say that there’s anything special about this composition. I do like how the high contrast and shallow depth of field combine here to deliver a moody image.
*Quietly in the Shadows*
Canon EOS300 + Lomography Fantome 8
One of the wonderful (or treacherous) things with Fantome 8 is how dark even a mild shadow comes out. When I shot this I imagined the face of the statue mildly draped in shadows. The zebra look was unexpected and is amazing, I think. It’s just a matter of anticipating it.
*Public Service Announcement*
Canon EOS300 + Lomography Fantome 8
In my quest for tiny details, I stumbled upon this message glued on a duct. I like how the shallow depth of field and the shadows make it look like a pumpkin. And the message, while harsh, is (still) necessary.
*Upwards!*
Canon EOS300 + Lomography Fantome 8
When you’re shooting super shallow, deciding where your focus point is becomes a crucial compositional decision. What you have in the background is also crucially important and can make a difference. Here I tried to capture the verticality of the city in a different way. Let me know if you think it worked!
*Flaky Inscription*
Canon EOS300 + Lomography Fantôme 8
Ever since I first read about Lomography Fantôme 8 I wanted to try it out. I mean, it’s not everyday you get to shoot an 8 ISO film. For this stroll around Central and Wan Chai on a bright sunny day, I shot with my Sigma 50 1.4 and the aperture was set at 1.4 throughout with only one or two exceptions on the roll. I love the contrast and these dreamy out of focus backgrounds.
*Light and Shadow*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
One of the really fun aspects of the Photosynthesis project is how playing with light and shadows on the subject creates more of less texture. Here, Chris’ outstreched elbows create shadow on his chest, hence the denser texture. I love the way that the nipple is the only aspect of his chest that is recognizable.
*Leafy and bold*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Lia
Texture: Tree leaves
Sometimes it’s tempting to underexpose the portrait dramatically so that the texture really comes through, but with leaves and branches I find that subtlety works better and achieves a blended look that I think serves the purpose and philosophy of the project better. Case in point.
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