KANTA Portraits: July 2015

2015-07-24

EXPOSURE TEST #3

carried out some exposure steps for Kamra #3 Bulb. Although the bulb has a focal length of around 100mm, the aperture opening is Ø25mm or /f4.0. 3 test print exposures were done. Rated with light meter at eye level, f2.0, 2.8, 4.0 the most accurate and ideal is between /f2.0-2.8 the bulb does collect alot of light and causes alot of flares and adds diffusion / soft focus

2015-07-23

Kamra #3 first print

digitally inverted from the negative print. focal length estimated at 100mm. aperture opening at /f4.0 which is about Ø25mm, strobe light rated at f 4.0 at eye level (power output at 2.5). today all kamras have finally been tested with printed exposures. what a benchmark! project completed!

Kamra #3 Bulb test

Going through some testing, using a spherical aqua lens, first patented by Thomas Sutton in 1859. here using a light bulb filled with water, an estimate of /f4.0 aperture opening.

2015-07-21

Kamra #2 Foldie

light meter rated /f 8.0 for the custom combination lense 100mm on -0 shutter ring (which is rated at f 4.5). about 2 stops under to get a well exposed image. (positive image digitally inverted)

TESTING KAMRA #2 FOLDIE

the custom-made combination of lenses & aperture/ shutter ring rates the exposure at double step under. also tested positive papers which are also rated at least double steps under too, ASA 1-2

2015-07-20

DISASTER

while preparing kamra #4 woodie for processing, was mixing the chemicals in the box when the front tripod leg started to move and slip. the kamra's mounting came off from the fall and the 12kg box smashed the tripod's leg into pieces :( have to fix this another day. but in the mean time i need to find other surveyor's tripod too. anybody got any?

2015-07-16

PAPER RESTOCK

delivered personally by hand, 400 sheets of glossy resin-coated silver photo paper from Singapore. thanks to Eiffel Chong.

2015-07-10

KANTA on wheels

bringing kamra out on the bicycle. mobile field kit becomes even more mobile.

Jeffrey JC Lim

Jeffrey Lim’s exploration into photography started with the family’s point & shoot film-camera and the stories behind their black & white photographs. It was later in art school that he discovered the magic of the darkroom and explored deeper into the craft of image-making & printing.

He started experimenting with self-made box cameras utilising pinhole and lenses, and also explored using century-old box cameras, crossing between different mediums and methods to producing an image. At the same time, he started researching his family’s roots through interviews and photographs.

After watching the Afghan Box Camera Project video in 2011, he was inspired to design and build variants of the Kamra. Starting the project Kanta Box Kamra, he built the first four prototypes. He then developed new techniques in reproduction & printing after visiting the exhibition Retrato Popular, Sesc Belenzinho, and studying the Lambe-Lambe cameras of Brasil, he built several other prototypes.

In 2017, he started Kanta Portraits to explore the concepts of identity and the national-construct. Travelling to different parts of the region and many different indigenous communities, he recorded their narratives and in return, gave instant portraits. He is currently archiving the portraits and reflecting on the journey in the hopes of producing an exhibition and publication.