Navicula Obscura - status report

Should have posted some pics yesterday butb problems with the electrics made it impossible. Here's some samples: flickr gallery

And one to look at here:

Today (Tuesday) we're slightly behind schedule, mooring between Saltaire & Bingley, will be setting off up the 3 rise & then the 5 rise locks tomorrow morning if anyone cares to join us!

Steve

Navicula Obscura

Making a boat into a camera

25th-27th October - Leeds & Liverpool Canal

 (Navicula obscura = "darkened boat" in latin)

A project  to record a journey on an 18^th century piece of civil engineering (the Leeds Liverpool Canal) using a popular 18^th Century optical device(the camera obscura).

Featuring Narrowboat “Rahab” and a cast of assorted volunteers

 Monday 25^th October

– Starting at Airedale Boat Club, Crossflatts

Morning -  Assemble and test the cameras obscura on the boat

Afternoon -  Cruise to Saltaire passing Bingley 5 rise & 3 rise locks, Bingley town centre, The Fisherman pub on Primrose Lane (behind Beckfoot School), Dowley Gap locks, Hirst Wood Lock, Salts Mill and on to Shipley, turning just before the dock swing bridge off Dockfield Road, and returning to Saltaire.

Tuesday 26^th October

Cruise back up Hirst lock, Dowley Gap locks by the Fishermans pub, through Bingley town, up the Bingley 3 Rise & 5 Rise locks, continuing past the moorings at Crossflatts and on to Stockbridge near Keighley, and if time allows mooring near Silsden.

Wednesday 27^th October

From Stockbridge (or Silsden if we got that far) continue to Kildwick, passing through the road bridge and turning at Farnhill, returning towards Bingley and all being well arriving back at Crossflatts in time for tea.

This is intended to be a paricipatory project, and visitors are welcome, and indeed may be necessary to help with some parts of the journey. Bring your cameras, bring some biscuits or cakes (I’ll have the kettle on permanently), join in and see how the most basic of cameras works - and how to make one yourself.

Just in case you’re wondering – it will happen whatever the weather. All timings are approximate and dependent on the weather and functioning canal equipment

Throughout the journey we will be stopping to capture images with the onboard equipment – this will be open for anyone who is interested to have a look and see what’s happening. Be aware that as with all activities on the waterways we need to be aware of potential dangers so visitors will need to abide by instructions they are given for their own and others’ safety.

A diary will be posted on here my blog and on Flickr –

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightscrambler/

Info will also be available through East Street Arts “over yonder” projects section –

http://www.overyonder.org.uk/

Once the project is complete the resulting images will be printed using one of the first stable photographic printmaking media, gum bichromate (photo aquatint) and exhibited at a venue to be confirmed.

To find out more or check on the voyage's progress email steve at steve.rayner@yahoo.co.uk - this will be checked periodically and answered when possible.

Portrait Photography Workshop

I've put together some links that you should find useful to help you with the basics of portrait photography. These are the videos I've used during the workshop:

Emily Wilson shoots a natural light portrait
youtube video

Erin Manning top 10 tips
youtube video

Scott Kelby- How to use natural light
youtube video

Lighting - the "hand" tip
youtube video
How to use the palm of your hand to see good light. If you spin in a circle you can watch how the sun hits the palm of your hand to determine where to best position your subject for the best outdoor light. Generally close to full sun on the face or backlit are best.

Quick ambient light portraits:
youtube video

Outdoor Portraits in Parks or Open Space
youtube video

Very useful forum entry on "flickr" - How to take great portrait photos - read the writeup and follow the links. As he says, the JS Monzani site probably IS the best general portrait photography tutorial on the net. It's what I use for the printed materials of the workshop. flickr link

If you want to be informed of any other courses I'm running, please email me: email link