Thursday, August 14, 2008

082208

Came across a couple of sites this week where the photographers make their own cameras, from the rather primitive yet effective cameras by Czech photographer Miroslav Tichy



to the elaborate cameras by "Boy of Blue" artist Wayne Martin Belger



Tichy invented his film cameras out of bits and pieces of trash, while Belger's are highly-developed cameras whose elaborateness are in direct contrast to the simplicity of the pinhole. Both types produce a wonderful dreamy effect with psychological edge and tension. Since Tichy lived behind the iron curtain (so hard to find a camera for sale), do these images have a historical significance or did he simply like naked women? (seems to be quite the leg man).



Facing a light source, the iconic cross looks like its warding off the threatening storm behind it, but what's that plastic angel doing exactly?



Here are a few recent images from my Canon point-and-shoot:



I picked these images because although they're not dreamy, they're a bit edgy (or in the case of jack fruit image, pointy). The man's bruised face and torn eyes, the scattering of neon light; things seem displaced or disrupted, forcing our gaze, sometimes on the surface, other times disturbingly inward.

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