A Year in Review 2017

I was about to start this post with the same sentence as my 'year in review 2016' post " 2017 wasn't as rich in epicness as 2016" but then I had to stop myself, 2017 has been awesome for me. 

I've only been active in short bursts due to other commitments like working my full time job, building a house, teaching myself woodworking and looking after my family and I'm a bit bummed to realise I made my last portrait on 6th August!

My studio is currently shut down while I am relocating but expect a great line-up of portraits in 2018, starting mid to late Feb in my brand-new studio space. 

2 things stand out for me this year:-

Being voted Australia/New Zealand Emerging Photographer 2017 - http://www.capturemag.com.au/latest/who-is-australasia-s-top-emerging-photographer-2017

Making my first photography book, 'Artefact', which I entered into the NZIPP Iris awards to win a top gold award - http://www.paulalsop.com/blog/2017/7/30/artefact-the-book

There was also a couple of articles in a few publications:-

- Bay of Plenty Times Back Page - a local newspaper, but probably the best interview I've had to date - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11867340

- Progear - Joining the NZ elite photographers with a feature in their 'Photographer of the Month' section -   https://www.progear.co.nz/about/photographer-of-the-month/paul-alsop/

I've also had the opportunity to meet some excellent people and makes some excellent portraits, here are only a few:-

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me and a special thanks to those that have sat for me in 2017, looking forwards to sharing my work with you all in 2018!

Kia ora rawa atu (Many Thanks) and Noho ora mai (all the best). 

Paul

Artefact - The Book.

One of my ambitions as an artist was to make a book.

The first compendium of work by Paul M Alsop.

I had visualised making a book to compliment an exhibition. A few years ago, when I set this as an ambition, I saw this as a far away goal, something to work towards, I wanted it to be just right, I didn't want to rush it. At the time I didn't have a large enough body of work to make a book. I 'shelved' the idea (pardon the pun ...).

Head down and bum up, I've slowly been increasing my personal body of work over the past couple of years and I was heading towards having enough work to put into a compendium.

In anticipation of making a book, I had contacted a well known New Zealand publisher for advice. They were pretty black and white. "We would not take on your book, no offence, we really like your work, but ....." and here it comes ....

"Who in this day and age in New Zealand are buying books?" - not many people

"Of those people, how many are interested in Photography books?" - what's less than not many?

"Of those people, how many are interested in portraiture?" - I'm guessing even less than less of not many?

"Of those people, how many are interested in Wet Plate Collodion porrtaiture?" - I'm probably getting a number that might fit in a Mini?

"Of those people, who would want to buy a book of YOUR work?" - the penny dropped, I was the only person left in this metaphorical scenario - or maybe my mum?

Now I wasn't looking to make a fortune from making a book, I know most people that invest in making photobooks actually come out at a loss, it was more just for the experience of having a physical object that contained my work. Despite the dressing down by the publisher, I was still keen on having a personal book as a collection of my work for future reference, but as I said, the idea was shelved.

Fast forward to 11th May 2017, I get an email from Libby at Momento Pro, a well respected book makers for Australia and New Zealand ......

“Hey Paul

I’ve been loving your Instagram feed and sounds like you’ve had an amazing time since I met you at the AIPA Image Nation 2015.

Just checking to see whether you had printed or published a photo book - because if you had I imagine it would likely do well in the first ever NZIPP Iris Book Awards.”

— Libby Jeffrey - Momento Pro

....... The NZIPP what Awards? Book? I was well aware that the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographer had an annual event of print awards, but I'd never heard of a book category.  It was May 11th, the deadline for submission was 31st May and the Book had to be printed and in the hands of the NZIPP aficionados by June 12th!

My self doubt kicked in, there is NO WAY I can curate my work and have it all done in a couple of weeks. Then my self confidence kicked in .... "you always work better if you have a deadline ....".

To cut a long story short, I worked my butt of for 2 weeks solid, editing and compiling my work into a 78 page book called 'Artefact'.

See the video above for an idea of what was involved (oh, and it won a GOLD award). 

#makeportraits a bts look - Clare

A behind the scenes look at a recent portrait with Clare.

There is a considerable amount of preparation that goes into making just one wet plate collodion portrait. 

My preparation starts weeks before the proposed shoot with the acquisition and manufacturing of the chemicals involved in making an image.

Once the chemistry is sorted or in progress, I turn my attention to the sitter. Based on their most current image they send to me or on their public social media images, I start to create concept or mood board for the type of image I feel will suit their face for a portrait. I will often do this via Pinterest, although I usually keep upcoming portraits locked as private, only sharing them with the sitter or my creative collaborators.  

After creating a shortlist of images, either based on my preference, the sitters preference or my creative collaborators preference, I start deconstructing the lighting, then re purposing it for my own vision.

Check out the BTS images below and the commentary to read how the final image came about. Feel free to leave comments. 

Building a lighting plan

This started 6 days before the portrait session. The light is planned then tested on a phantom head called 'Barbara'

Barbara

The one and only head model. She sits still.

Contemplating changes

Although I make plans, very rarely to I stick exactly to them, the lighting pattern, the look or the sitters look may change at the last minute. 

Pouring a plate

The collodion is poured onto the plate with a steady hand. 

Collecting the excess

The excess collodion on the plate is flowed back into the bottle for collection and refiltering. 

Making wardrobe adjustments

I love working with Ani, she has the ability to move in the sitters personal space without confrontation. 

Adjusting the headpiece

With the opportunity to make only 1 shot, we have to sweat the little details. 

Roughing in

Whilst the plate is 'brewing' in the silver bath, I come back to the Clare and 'rough her in'. I was concious that the red hood would come out dark and I wanted to add some of the white shirt in the frame. 

Getting the frame right

The roughing in process ensures that Clare fits well in the frame, extra time is taken with the image formed upside down and back to front.

Making further minor adjustments

Ani is moving Clares ear-ring into frame.

A quiet moment

Between phases, Clare has a moment to relax and zone out. This process adds to a more natural portrait. 

The plate holder

The wet plate dripping in liquid silver and collodion is removed from the silver bath and loaded into the light tight holder

Final framing

With the clock ticking, and the wet plate drying, it is time to make a portrait. 

Hold still

Once we have began the process of the final framing, Clare has to hold her position rock steady.

Last light check

I make a final meter of my light to ensure we have enough light where we need it. My light meter is an essential part of my work flow and reduces wasted time and silver

Hold still

I've asked Clare to stay perfectly still. Any slight movement forwards or backwards will make her image out of focus. 

Final focus

Here I am using my loupe to make the final focus on Clares eyelashes on the ground glass screen. 

Loading the plate

Once the plate is loaded, we are blind as to what is happening in front of the lens. Hopefully all is still.

Developing

With an eye of experience, I develop the plate by pouring an iron sulphate mix and gently agitating. 

Wash

The plate is washed in water to arrest the development. 

Negative

The image is a negative. The plate is still loaded with exposed and unexposed silver

The fix

The unexposed silver is removed to reveal the shadows. and the final image. 

The watcher

I used to love to watch the images come to life in the fix, now I love to watch the sitters watching their portrait magically appear in the solution.

Clare 4 x 5 tintype

Once the image is washed and dried, I scan it then varnish it. 

Sitter: Clare McDonald

Collodionist: Paul Alsop

Creative collaborator: Ani Fourie

BTS Photographer: Shawn Rolton