“Kodakery” with a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921

Posted by Becky Jane

This Studio 2 Class (PH2300 at College of Dupage, taught by Peter Bosy) assignment was “Specular/Diffused” and the goal was to take a series of images where the camera and object did not move, but the lighting changed to bring out different details in the object. I chose to use a No. 1 Pocket Kodak Junior c. 1921 for my object. The first try had camera movement and focus issues. But the second session worked!

The images below are a composite of seven different lighting images, plus seven different colored gels images.Using masks on Photoshop, the best characteristics of each image were selected to make the composite image.

I found the manual on Orphan Cameras, courtesy of M. Butkus, and I was pleased to make a donation so I could have all the information needed to actually use this camera. A friend gave me two rolls of 120 50 ISO black and white film and she will help me develop them. Figuring out the exposures will be fun, as this camera does not use our current terms or options. ;-).

I can choose 1/25, 1/50. T or B for shutter speeds. I can choose 1, 2, 3, or 4 for my lens opening. And focusing is movement of the lens on the camera bed, with a very stiff bellow. But I’m excited to try and will share any success I have on a future blog post.

A few other technical notes: The manual talks about “Kodakery” and reads like a photography textbook. This camera was designed to put cameras into the hands of the people, a marketing plan of Kodak that we are all thankful for today. But Kodak had to teach the people how to use this camera! The manual mentions “Meniscus Achromatic” which is a lens configuration that reduces aberration and increase aperture, and according to an internet search, will likely produce blurry images. There were a number of “Pocket Junior” models, and this one seems to be an early one. By 1927, the Pocket Junior were using the f-stops we are familiar with today. 

Can you tell I had fun with this assignment?

Grab Bag – What do you think this is?

Posted by Becky Jane

Studio 2 offers new challenges. The first assignment was to photograph a “grab bag” item. All the items were mundane, every day objects. We were to photograph it in a way that made the object look like art, like a featured image in a magazine. So, can you guess which object I had to photograph? And what lighting style I chose?

Dragonfruit, Studio Style

Posted by Becky Jane

One of my Christmas gifts was a small set of LED lights I can use for small studio lighting projects. Like this Dragonfruit. A little table top setup with a black cloth and two very bright LED lights, shining on the Dragonfruit to provide drama, detail and color.

This is also my January 1 image of A Picture a Day for a Year. 

Antique Woodworking Tools

Posted by Becky Jane

Studio 1 class opened my eyes to lighting in a refreshing and new way. I’ve posted my class assignment finals and my final project “Antique Woodworking Tools” to my website. The tools gave me a lot of latitude with creativity, and I enjoyed the hours I spent with them. They take on a whole new look with the Contour Shape lighting, very dramatic!

You can see the entire series, as well as class assignments on the main website.

Studio 1 Photography

Improving Macro Skills

Posted by Becky Jane

I recently attended a Macro Workshop led by Lou Nettelhorst to improve my macro photography skills. I did learn a lot, and was able to apply some of the recent experience in Studio Lighting as well. And, as always, I learned more about how to better use my Nikon D800!

In two photo sessions, I captured about 130 images. These four were the best of the best.