an uncontrollable urge

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…

Comments

[Alison]

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.

[karen cole]

Love your photos!!!

How's it going? Any more uncontrolable urges?

Hope all is going well with classes and guests, etc.

xo Karen

[Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese]

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

[Paolo]

Wouldn't the picture be better if you use only one camera?

[joe@italyville]

sometimes you just need to give in to the urge Julian... the list seems to always be there doesn't it?

[dianabaur@gmail.com]

They kind of remind me of Polaroids. Definitely sort of mystical atmosphere.

[Valerie]

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!

[Kim Carroll]

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.

[nyc/caribbean ragazza]

I agree with Erin. Very interesting and mysterious.

[casalba]

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.

[Francesca]

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!

[erin :: the olive notes]

wow !I love these photos...they look so mysterious or like they came out of an old movie!

[Sophie]

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 ;)

[Judith in Umbria]

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?