In search of real atmosphere…
I have a camera app on my phone called Hipstamatic ‘classic’. I’ve had it for years.
It used to offer a very un digital experience, the view finder was not quite what the photo would be, the lens and film choice were made before you took a photo, the result unpredictable…
They’ve changed it more recently so you can apply the films and lenses to existing photos - and so, here we have two deliberate attempts with unpredictable results that have captured something rather unique, the atmosphere of an industrial engine shed in the 1950s...
Taking photographs and writing, creating material here or in print are every bit part of this wonderful hobby for me - they’re translucent layers in a creative process, each adding a little more to the overall result, interacting with those before, and more, with those that follow.
It is interesting to reflect on the success of the Inside Out video this week. Out performing anything I’ve ever previously shared, what is it about this small scene that excites so many of us?
This isn’t the end of the story. Until next time, more soon…
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I think you've hit on a great recipe James. Your crisp modelling of a Gifford photo - one of the great school of photographers looking for real atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteCouple these to the speed of your producing a “layout” from the germ, one beautiful little tank engine, and some good thinking around the details and crew, and you have a winner.
Plus it's tiny - almost anybody could fit one into their space.
Years ago, somebody (John Dormann?) did something slightly similar in 7mm of part of Swindon works - twas in MRJ. Smoke machines were used, and mirrors. Neither really needed on yours!
Thank you John - for the reflection. Yes I suppose driven by the creativity, the atmosphere of the source material fuelled this little project. The composition, details and result photograph with as much character as that first photo… perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise?
DeleteI think the answer to your "what is it?" question is in the title - atmosphere. And loads of it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review of your book in this week's Heaton Lodge Junction youtube update.
Thanks Ian, I hadn’t spotted that review, I don’t think I’d have expected it either! Yes, lots of atmosphere - sometimes things just work out well I guess…
DeleteIt's funny, just like John above, it immediately made me think of Colin Gifford. The atmosphere, that indescribable 'something', just screams out from the shot and draws me into this tiny scene. It's undoubtedly that magic which is making this little cameo so popular with us all!
ReplyDeleteI think, David, that the photo that inspired the project was a Gifford. I mentioned it in the video too… but funny then that the composition works from other angles too - like when you wish you could get into a photo and walk around as in that episode of Red Dwarf… anyhow, thank you as always!
DeleteYes - it was a Gifford, indeed seeing this prompted me to look anew at that IRS Manvers Main book as I now see there's quite a few other Colin Gifford photos in it. It's an utter gem of a book!
DeleteCertainly is John!
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