Tintypes

I fell in love with these tintypes by Victoria Will. Taken at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

There's something especially piercing about the portraits of the actors with blue eyes like Elijah Wood and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Evokes that old time feel in the photos. And the soft focus of Glenn Close behind Elle Fanning, she appears almost spectre like. I love all the marks around the photos as well, the wet plate process making each photograph entirely individual.

There appears to be a lot more of wet plate photography appearing these days and it's something I find endlessly beautiful. If there's one thing I'd like, it'd be to have my own tintype portrait taken. I think it'd also make a really fascinating project for family portraits. A tintype a year to document a growing family.

You can see the rest of Victoria's tintypes on her website, http://www.victoriawill.com/TINTYPES.

Inside Out

It's interesting to see how other people push the boundaries of photography. A while back it was reported that a couple of final year students from Kingston University had swallowed 35mm film, waited for it to pass wholly through their bodies and developed the results. The students, Joshua Lake and Luke Evans, have presumably received mixed reviews regarding this. I've seen both positive and negative comments about the work. There is an overwhelming amount of people who say the idea is impossible given that film needs light for anything to be produced on it. There's also doubt given that these aren't the developed photos but images from an electron microscope of the film after the digestion process. To be honest with you I'm not really bothered either way. I find their artistic process intriguing but unlikely one I'll try out for myself. As for the images? Well they're cool but then what doesn't look cool under an electron microscope?

If you want to check out more of Joshua Lake's work then his website is here. 

If you want to check out more of Luke Evans' work then his website is here.

Full credit to the lads. It's certainly an interesting series in my opinion. What do you think?

SAFETY WARNING, obviously do not try this yourself at home. That would be stupid.

Laters,

P x

Artsy Fartsy Friday

(I don't know if this will become a regular thing, this sharing of someone else's art but I did say this blog would be a mixed bag. And currently I'm on this little art kick and it feels right to share it.)

I'll say it again Tumblr is the greatest for finding inspiration. Personally I can't draw, I'm outrageously awful at it so I'm forever envious of anyone who can draw in any fashion. I do find myself following more and more Tumblrs that inspire me in mediums other than photography. One of my favourite art styles comes from the practitioner who practices their chosen medium pretty much every day alongside doing their bigger projects. And what I really like is artists who illustrate a daily thought or occurrence as a form of visual diary.

An example of this is Lizzy Stewart. I'd seen a couple of her drawings on Tumblr and liked/reblogged them as I felt that they represented a thought or feeling I'd had at some point. These came from Lizzy Stewart Diary and I've put some of my favourites below.

She has a great website which features her bigger projects - About Today. Some of my favourites from there include;- Bookcovers, Paintings That I Did Not Paint (I'd love a copy of this zine) and Living Things. She even has an Etsy shop selling some of her work, my chosen piece would be the Evening giclee print if you're asking.

I hope you like these as much as I do. I know I'll be following Lizzy's work from here on out and I'm excited to see what else she produces. Unsurprisingly she also had a blog which I'm now following - Things I Like About Today.

Laters,

P x

Jurassic Disaster

Tumblr is probably my absolute favourite website because it constantly introduces me to amazing things. Whether it's music, films, tv shows, books, food, places, photographers or artists. Tumblr is the place to go for inspiration and procrastination. And also a whole lot of boobs. So allow me to share with you my new favourite single purpose Tumblr.

T-Rex Trying - The Unfortunate Trials of The Tyrant Lizard King, By Hugh Murphy

You get the gist? Seems Mr Murphy here simply draws all the things that poor T-Rex can't do. There's a suggestion box for anyone who wishes to contribute. I love these as I'm a big fan of dinosaurs and I've long been amused by the tiny, ineffective arms of the T-Rex.

If you're a Tumblr user then I suggest following T-Rex Trying as it'll no doubt soon be filled with more drawings. And if you wish to follow my Tumblr, it's helloagainpanda.

Laters,

P x

Art Meets Music

On Tuesday I made a quick little post about Gotye's video for "Somebody That I Used To Know" and I mentioned how it reminded me of another favourite music video of mine. Although these two songs and videos are actually vastly different, it's the whole art in music videos that makes the connection for me.

This is 70 Million by Hold Your Horses!

How ace is that?! If you're anything of an art fan then I can't see how you couldn't enjoy that video. I've long dabbled in an appreciation of art but in my first year of college one of our projects had to be art inspired and we also had to write about modern art for an essay. Whilst the majority of my classmates were bored by this I quite enjoyed it. Well I enjoyed the learning part of it, not so much the essay part. But that's beside the point. Of course it would be a bunch of Frenchies that this video belongs to. But it makes me smile each time I watch it. It features lots of great reconstructions of famous paintings. It's just a fun video all round and the tune is kinda catchy.

Art is such a funny old thing. I don't feel Manchester has enough places in which one can indulge in the more classically known art. I went to the National Gallery t'other year and I honestly could have spent all day in there. And I won't mention the fact I've never been to the Tate. I need a big, arty week in London this year for definite.

Anyways I hope you like this video as much as I do.

Laters,

P x

A Sudden Obsession

You know when you hear about a song and you give it a listen but it doesn't really do that much for you? Then a few weeks later you hear it again and suddenly it is YOUR song? That's happened with me and Gotye here.

I cannot get this song out of my head. The video even plays in my head at times and I find myself miming along. I just love everything about this song and video. It's the look on his face as he sings like he can't help but think of whoever this song is written about. I love that pained expression. And it's the way she cracks her back just as she begins to approach him for her attack. The painted background turned body paint is such a simple video concept and reminds me of another favourite music video of mine. And of course it does make me think on my last relationship in that makes you weak but makes you strong as well way.

Funny thing is since I re-discovered this song over the weekend quite a few people on my Facebook have posted the video as well. Seems Gotye is getting himself around.

Laters,

P x