STILL LIFE; Bulb

Kamra #3 Bulb test with daylight. f2 at half a second and full one second. Processed immediately.

PRINT FAILURES

PRINT FAILURE; left these 2 exposed papers undeveloped for a couple of days before processing them. for some reason the exposure is ruin and finger prints very apparent. Must be the salts from my sweat oxidising and reacting with the paper over time. 2nd time a batch of exposed paper react strangely. *NOTE develop exposed papers as soon as possible

MAILING PRINTS

Finally made time to visit the post office. Prints of the last batch of sitters from Art for Grabs, the Royal Belum & Endau Rompin forest expedition.

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

 

 

 

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.

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

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?

 

 

PAPER RESTOCK

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

KANTA on wheels

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

PRINTING POSITIVES

have been busy these 2 days, making positive prints of back orders. practise makes perfect. i can safely say i could print atleast 50-60 prints a day (undisturbed). which is 30 positive prints

MOBILE FIELD KAMRA

Had another mapping assignment down south, brought Kanta #1 interchange along. better improvement in tray construction and printing procedure. Still made alot of mistakes, especially with metering (artificial / natural) and photo paper handling. Need to do thorough test with f stop and in the field test processing in extra bright conditions.

WASTE WATER

off-loading about 16 litres of waste water to be sent for silver extraction before being safe for disposal into a sewage system

Art for Grabs / UNHCR World Refugee Day

6-7 June 2015 Kanta #1 first public debut and photo booth.

1. the art for grabs weekend in conjunction with World Refugee Day & UNHCR. the first field run for kamra #1, ran a photo booth for instant portrait for RM20 per portrait, all proceeds to the Refugee Fund. Turned out "Not-so-Instant-Portrait" and overwhelmed by number of people wanting their portrait prints. Al got bartered the yellow chair for a portrait :) thats a nice trade
2. Met up with some old friends,  it's beautiful to make pictures of smiling people. Overwhelmed by the response, people still wanting prints. Film, Print & photography is alive and kicking!
3. first public event, didn't turn out very instant. But on average it comes down to about 7-10 minutes to process shot. Thank you to the patience of the sitters.
4. The info card that explained about the project with a sample of the image. (KANTA experiencing the living form of photography - instant box camera - an art project - made from waste material - uses silver salt photo papers - inspired by the Afghan Box Camera Project- all photos will be part of an exhibition in July- all proceeds will go to the Refugee Fund - with support from the Krishen Jit Astro Fund)
5. working indoors was not what this kamra was designed to do. so hence the artificial light (strobe) and the complexities to add to the process of making an exposure
6. the photo negative, I've made quite a few mistakes where i had to recall the sitters for a reshoot. As well as opening up the box while the photo was still in development, which caused some interesting light leaks and textures. (some with my finger prints all over it). Such is the charateristics of this process and the instantaneous accidence that makes each photograph so unique.
7. The viewing gallery, Didn't have time to organise a proper viewing. A total of over 100 prints were made in 2 days (about 12 hours). Printed 46 positive prints for 61 people.
8. Alia was around for so long. But she was pretty happy with her picture. Thank you everyone for your patience, and your participation.
9. About 6 litres of waste water produced by the entire 2 days. when they're settled, it'll turn yellowish like the small bottle on the left. At the bottom is a sludge, gum base that contains silver. This will be sent to a photography shop (@Bang Bang Geng, Publika) who will sent it in for extraction before being safe for disposal into a sewage system
10. Thanks to the assistance of yew weng, deb, seksan, sumei and i'm sure countless others for explaining about the project!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. 

KANTA BOX KAMRA

just did a quick board for the photo booth at tomorrow event. First public debut, hope all goes well. Come over to UNHCR & Art for Grabs this weekend at The School, in conjunction with World Refugee Day, all photos taken will be part of the exhibition in July

http://www.facebook.com/events/347215605477896/

LIGHT PROOFING

light-proofing the edges, using jute string forced into the joints

TEST SHOT

test shots and reproduction under way. getting used to the kamra, timing and procedure. pics are coming out better, these are with light strobes though. for indoor shooting. prepping for Art for Grabs weekend

ART FOR GRABS

World Refugee Day; Kanta project will be operating a photo booth. Working hard to prepare Kamra #4 for the event.

REPAIRS & IMPROVEMENTS

Areas of this kamra that needed some fixing and improvements in the build. pictured here is the wax coating.

 - Being a steel can, the chemical spills have started corroding and oxidising the surface. Had to partially dismantle and apply some machine oil and coating with wax

- Safelight bulb fused, rated 2.2V, batteries at 3V. Use depleted batteries

- Custom 150mm lens still not sharp unless stopped down to f32, which needs intense light, not suitable in the field, needs a better reproduction lens

- Chemical tray cannot withstand long use, developer oxidises the plastic foil coating of the tetra-pack. Need to find a better substitute

- Fixer tray topples, need to build a platform for stability

- use surgical rubber gloves and accessible wiping cloth within box to limit exposure and contamination of the chemicals