Italians believe that Spring begins on the morning of March 21st, the same way that they believe that as soon as August is over you need to begin to wrap up warm. It makes sense, it puts the seasons in their place.
I, on the other hand, believe that as soon as you feel that first burst of sunshine, the type that gives your face a fleeting reminder of last Summer, Spring has arrived. It’s irrational, a little desperate, but great for the soul.
The light is the difference. Anyone who paints, photographs or just appreciates their surroundings, knows that light is everything and so, today, I got the uncontrollable urge to get the camera out and start photographing again.
I’m trying out a new technique, something introduced to me by a young American girl, Trisha, who was staying with some friends. It’s a great lesson, especially to a teacher, that often the best ideas come from students prepared to try something different.
This technique isn’t strictly new and is called ‘Through the viewfinder’ photography, defined as ‘taking a picture of any subject through the viewfinder of any camera with another camera.’
Sounds complicated, but in reality it’s just a little fiddly knowing what to do with two cameras and only two hands.
Anyway, I have made a tentative start to what looks like an exciting idea to pursue and I will pursue it, safe in the knowledge that a little Photoshop manipulation (colour and contrast) is also allowed. Fun, fun, fun!
The stupidest thing I did today;
Well, I was supposed to be painting the studio doors, amongst my list of a million other things to do, when I got this uncontrollable urge…
There are some online tutorials and some flickr images (free to use) that also allow you to cheat and reproduce the TVF effect with normal images and photoshop and its equivalent.
Posted by: Alison | July 05, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Love your photos!!!
How's it going? Any more uncontrolable urges?
Hope all is going well with classes and guests, etc.
xo Karen
Posted by: karen cole | April 03, 2009 at 09:32 PM
Caro Jilian,
You are so right about Italian "fixed" seasons. Excellent observation! I am more of an irrational type - unlike most Scandinavians.
Like your photo experiments! I would be interested in a photo course. Are you considering????? Bacione, Ingrid in Umbria
Posted by: Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese | March 24, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Wouldn't the picture be better if you use only one camera?
Posted by: Paolo | March 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM
sometimes you just need to give in to the urge Julian... the list seems to always be there doesn't it?
Posted by: joe@italyville | March 19, 2009 at 03:26 PM
They kind of remind me of Polaroids. Definitely sort of mystical atmosphere.
Posted by: dianabaur@gmail.com | March 18, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Interesting way to photograph the scenes...very neat. You're so right about the Italians with seasons...it's still March so parkas must remain on!
Posted by: Valerie | March 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I like the effect it gives the photos, making them look old. I am going to try this, I just hope they turn out at great as yours did. My husband and I hope one day to visit Italy.
Posted by: Kim Carroll | March 14, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I agree with Erin. Very interesting and mysterious.
Posted by: nyc/caribbean ragazza | March 12, 2009 at 02:28 PM
There's something of the pinhole about them, or even box brownie. Strange how you're back in the birthpalce of the renaissance where pinhole was one of the painting techniques. Just a rebirth I suppose.
Posted by: casalba | March 12, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Those photos have a strange bluriness about them, like frames from an old film. I can't figure out the technique, though. Did you use a tripod? Were they both digital cameras? How close did you have to get to the first camera with the second? How, how, how?
How about a brief tutorial for us? Because, as you said, one can never stop learning!
Posted by: Francesca | March 12, 2009 at 01:43 PM
wow !I love these photos...they look so mysterious or like they came out of an old movie!
Posted by: erin :: the olive notes | March 12, 2009 at 01:02 PM
I've done this before...but mine didn't quite turn out like yours have! perhaps it was because I was photographing Kingston as apposed to Umbria ;)
Posted by: Sophie | March 12, 2009 at 11:50 AM
It looks good, but I do not get it. Really. What do I do to the camera that I am not looking through other than press the button?
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | March 12, 2009 at 09:52 AM