
Alternative Process
IV. Special Darkroom techniques
I. Shadow Work
In the shadow work series, I tried to create the feeling of seas and waves, with elements like glass bottles, hemp ropes and plastic bags. By creating a sense of floating and flowing, the series of photograph looks like they were filmed under the sea. Focused only on the surface, there were not any attempts of converting 3D spaces into 2D like cameras do. I wanted to present to the audience the unclear and the unsure qualities about shadow work.
II. Pinhole Camera
After being familiar with the pinhole camera, I started to have fun testing different methods to affect the result of the image.
III. Infrared Photography
When I begin my work using infrared film rolls, I shot the most classic theme in infrared photography, trees. I mainly drew contrast between trees and artificial structures, relying on the artificial structures to bring down the brightness and create division in nature. Later, I started to shoot infrared films at night, hoping that the camera can capture infrared lights in the dark by utilizing long exposure. Though the idea ended up not quite successfully, the image still looks unique and interesting.
IV. Special Darkroom techniques
I mainly did solarization in the works of special darkroom techniques, trying to find the best exposure time to produce the solarize effect I want. There are some double exposure images as well. I chose some complex composition to do double exposure, making the final result seems like totem.
V. Cyanotype
The series of cyanotype works is my favorite. I like the feeling of painting and the dark blue color. Since its quality of painting, I did not want my works being about clarity and precision. Therefore, I used only clips to hold my negatives in place, leaving some spaces between the negatives and the papers. The effects of blur and double image may appear accidentally, creating more randomness and imperfection to the cyanotype works, hence a stylish series of works was born.
VI. Instant Film Camera
In the photographs I shot with my instant film camera, I mostly played with its multiple exposure function. I experimented several kinds of composition with its wide-angle lens, constructing a depressed look that feels like everything was distracting.