Convert – world of photography and ... cameras

There was a long time with no posts. To be honest not sure if people still read blogs… They probably do but whole attention has shifted to fast changing images rather than anything else. 

I also have to admit that I had not much time to write about anything for the last half a year or so. All my projects are on hold due to work and family related duties. One can say that there is always a moment for casual photography… well, that really depends on circumstances .

So ... first post after over 6 months will be mostly about cameras for a change rather than photographed subjects ;) but there are a few photographs to look at as well.

Let’s start from the beginning. Couple of years ago I decided to switch my photographic equipment which I am using for professional purposes to mirrorless system. It was all about weight,  outcome quality and other features unavailable in DSLR world (at least at the time when change has come).

This move took a while but I enjoy every single minute with it. My backpack lost about 40% of its weight and technical quality of work at the same time went up incomparably.

Weight was the main factor when I started to consider similar change with my film cameras I am using for personal purposes… personal projects and rather rare negative film based commercial assignments. 

It was especially important due to my recurrent back problems and the fact that I cycle and walk most of the time. I definitely had to get portable analogue equipment .

I sold my Hasselblad 500cm with its two lenses at the beginning of this year. 10 years with  this wonderful but relatively heavy system came to its end. Shooting hand held, which is the way I work a lot when photographing for personal purposes, was limited rather to 1/125 with Hasselblad. Even 1/60 was very risky with its large mirror. It was also a bit awkward to carry around.

I needed more flexibility.

I decided to go for Rolleiflex T with 75mm f3.5 Tessar lens.

Very small and light camera. At the moment even 1/30 of a second is easily doable handheld. Completely different experience. Now this camera is often in my bag or over my shoulder and it is not a burden anymore. I could come back to my long forgotten routine of photographing Dublin. Of course as long as weather is good. Also thanks to easily accessible and affordable filters I could rediscover my way of photographing and getting stronger contrast which I love. 

© Artur Sikora 

When sun is up which happens more and more often these days - Dublin is beautifully illuminated. I can see places I am passing by almost every day in completely different way. New perception, new way of seeing and completely new way of transferring this vision into celluloid material. 

Chancery House designed by Herbert Simms in 1934 © Artur Sikora

Kiosk designed in 1934-35 by Herbert Simms
 as part of the development of Chancery House housing scheme
© Artur Sikora

That wasn’t the end. I needed wider angle. Equivalent of Hasselblad 50mm lens.

Long research and I ended up with Fujica GS645w Professional equipped with 45mm f5,6 lens.

Extremely light camera, perfect ergonomic design and incredible optics. Also scale focusing system made it obviously point and shoot medium format camera created to photograph architecture or landscape :) 

Berkeley Library designed by ABK Architects in 1967
© Artur Sikora

Miesian Plaza, Recently renovated building 

originally designed by Ronnie Tallon of Scott Tallon Walker Architects 

and constructed in two phases during the 1960s and 1970s

© Artur Sikora

Glandalough © Artur Sikora

I am using both interchangeably and looking forward to get back at some stage to expand my ‘Unfulfilled Dreams’ project. I miss visiting modernist classics for pure photography and education purposes. I just need a time for it…

This is not the end of course. My very reliable and also heavy large format camera Sinar F2 has also gone. This was a camera which I wasn’t using anymore due to its weight and complexity of setting it up on site along with very heavy tripod needed for it.

I ended up with two excellent super light custom made 4x5 pinhole cameras with perspective correction. 

Well, I am thinking about getting proper, small and portable 4x5 camera at some stage as well but that’s the future…

Arts Building designed by ABK Architects in 1978
© Artur Sikora

Former Saint Nicholas of Myra National School,
Carman’s Hall, Dublin (1936-39)
Building designed by John Joseph Robinson and Richard Cyril Keefe
© Artur Sikora

Achill Island © Artur Sikora

And that’s enough for now. I hope to prepare more substantial text next time. Thank you!

3rd Place Winner - Monochrome Photography Awards

Truly wonderful news arrived this morning…
I was awarder 3rd place in International Black and White Photography Competition - Monochrome Photography Awards, Professional Architecture Category.
I can’t say anything else except that I am really really happy :)Below is the winning entry... 

Image was made with large format 4x5 camera and Fomapan 100 black and white negative film.

I wanted to transfer a very specific look of the place into my image. That's why I visited this location a few times.

Finally I managed to photograph it in the way I wanted... after third or even fourth approach. A few frustrating moments but it was so worth it...

Press Release (please click image to enlarge):

Have a look please at other great photographs from organiser's gallery:

Monochrome Awards website:                http://monoawards.com/

My entry:                                                 http://bit.ly/2jKgcDU

Other entries in category Architecture:    http://bit.ly/2ip6ZED

Other galleries:                                         http://bit.ly/2jwnmwc

Thank you!

Hunt for modernism...

One can observe an increased hunt for modernism these days. Fascinating and important structures disappearing one after the other. All of it in the name of 'redevelopment' of the area which is usually related to demolition of precious object in order to built new one. 
...As simple as that... and It goes along with usual public acceptance - 'ugly building', 'eyesore', 'happy to see it down'.
...hmm why it is so difficult to understand that traces of every period are very important for future generations... architecture, literature, paintings...
In case of architecture we are talking usually about very innovative structures for the time when it was built, about genuine ideas. It is an architectural heritage which needs to be treasured. Doesn't matter what people say and how much money developers can offer for the land...

Just my opinion which I keep repeating for quite a long time and I am not going to stop...

So many buildings has gone already and many other will be demolished sooner or later. 
It is truly frightening, so sad and hopeless... 

Over a week ago I was photographing Fitzwilton House (please click HERE to see the photographs) ...'redevelopment' of its area will happen very soon. 
This includes demolition ...
The same with part of the old AiB Bankcentre in Ballsbridge, absolutely stunning building which I am hoping to photograph before it will be to late. 
I am awaiting permission since a while...
These are just very recent examples.

A few days ago I spent couple of hours with my camera in Phibsborough centre. Busy streets with lots of people, cars , busses... Typical morning rush hours.
Luckily there was still plenty of space to set the equipment.

Phibsborough shopping centre with office tower on the top. Magnificent structure.

The building, opened in 1969, was designed by McCormack Keane and Partners. 
It 'is a seven-storey concrete office tower on a plinth of single-storey retail units. The formal arrangement of tower and plinth recalls a motte and bailey fortification. This comparison is enhanced by both the segmented concrete staircase that clings to the  south-western side of the tower like a medieval turret and the first floor concrete annex that wraps around the corner of Connaught street like a battlement.

The facade is composed of 409 pre-cast panels in the office tower and further 50 on the first floor.'

(info from the Cormac Murray's article on architectureireland.ie)

Soon I am going to come back to make some images showing more context. It was kind of impossible with large format camera I was using that day. Some views requires shooting from the street or middle of the footpath so small equipment and relatively fast photographing is required.


These photographs are part of 'Unfulfilled Dreams' of course. Please have a look at all project.

***

Equipment used: Sinar F2 4x5 large format camera with Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 90/8 lens and Fomapan 100 4x5 sheet film.

Corbusier House

'Construct: Art in Architecture' international, juried group exhibition in Darkroom Gallery, in Vermont, US is on the way...

I am very happy to announce that my photograph 'Corbusier House' has been selected by the jurors to be a part of this show. This time fully dedicated to architecture...

Corbusier House © Artur Sikora 

(...) Photographing the art of architecture; the anthropological implications of structural design (...)' (part of the description from Gallery website)

'Corbusier House' was made about a year ago in Berlin, during my trip dedicated to modernist architecture in this city. It is a part of a small project called simply 'Modernism in Berlin' (please click the link to see the project). 

I would like to come back here with my blog articles showing many photographs and some interesting information collected during research  made back then. I think it is worth to have a look at it if you have an interest in architecture and modern movement itself.
'Corbusier House' is in Modernism in Berlin - space for living article listed below.

Modernism in Berlin - Prologue:
http://artursikora.blogspot.ie/2015/05/modernism-in-berlin-prologue.html

Modernism in Berlin - along the Landwehrkanal:
http://artursikora.blogspot.ie/2015/05/modernism-in-berlin-along-landwehrkanal.html

Modernism in Berlin - space for living:
http://artursikora.blogspot.ie/2015/05/modernism-in-berlin-space-for-living.html

Modernism in Berlin - concrete sculpture and spaceship...
http://artursikora.blogspot.ie/2015/05/modernism-in-berlin-concrete-sculpture.html

Darkroom Gallery

12 Main St.
Essex Jct., VT 

US

http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex82

Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00-4:00 and by appt. 

Exhibit opens May 26th, and will run until 11 June.

Thank you!

It was close...

Couple of days ago judges of ‘Black and White Photographer of the Year’ competition selected winners of 2015 edition. We will see these entries in next issue of the magazine.

Congratulations to all winners!!!

A few of my photographs were nominated in two categories and it makes me really happy! 

Well, it would be amazing to win again like in 2011 (have look please HERE) of course but I will try to do that next year ;) 

So first category and first nomination it is: Black and White Photographer of the Year 2015 (over all winner)

 Second nomination is in category: Black and White at its Best

Thanks a lot!

Modernism in Berlin - concrete sculpture and spaceship...

…Going back to my first day of documenting Berlin modernism. As you remember from my post related to galleries/museums it started pretty early… Sunday 5am beside U-bahn station, waiting for the train with coffee in one hand and cigarette in the other. Glorious weather and beautiful morning light. 

Timing was crucial and I wanted to do as much as possible in one day. I was expecting rain all next day…which actually happened. 

Before 7am I was already on my first location… 

Benjamin Franklin Campus - Charite 

It’s a one of the biggest in Europe university Hospital with institutes, clinics and lecture halls. Building is located in Steglitz, southwest of Berlin - beautiful place with lots of green areas and mostly residential houses. CBF, huge concrete 'sculpture' full of amazing details was designed by Curtis, Arthur Q. Davis (from New Orleans) and Franz Mocken as contact architect.
I would like to add also that Franz Mocken was together with Werner Düttmann the contact architect of Hugh Stubbins for building in 1956-57 for the Interbau (Hansaviertel) the Kongreßhalle. 
Hospital was constructed in 1959-1968 with financial help of USA as ‘evidence of the American interest in the future of Berlin’. That’s why in honour of the American support original name ‘Klinikum Steglitz’ was changed over a years.

The Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin located in Westend. My second building.

This closed now since 2014 structure, designed by Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte was completed in 1979. As one of the largest conference centres in the world It was used for conventions, theatrical productions, and concerts.

I'd say It was the most challenging building. Massive, spaceship-like structure surrounded by roads with heavy traffic, railway, fences and other urban elements. All of it makes it impossible to set large format camera and frame it in an interesting way. There is obviously no space for that. After moving all equipment around it a few times I thought I will leave without photographs which would be really bad for the project. I had to do something. ICC is a unique structure.

After while I realised that there is a narrow footpath along one to the busy roads just beside ICC. Also this elevation as the only one was beautifully illuminated by the sunlight. I decided to give it a go. Close distance, very tall building and fence in between the road and my subject…  Photographing some details with a little bit distorted view was the only chance to do it ... and I must say I really like the effect.

ICC © Artur Sikora

ICC © Artur Sikora

The job was done. Next on the list was Corbusier House ...

...

This article closing my presentation of modernism in Berlin documented within 2 days at the end of April. Very busy two days but also exciting (as my subjects) and very satisfying.

T the end here is the list of all related articles if you missed it before or if you would you like to read it again:

- Modernism in Berlin - prologue

- Modernism in Berlin - along the Landwehrkanal

- Modernism in Berlin - space for living

- Modernism in Berlin - concrete sculpture and spaceship...

Thank you!  

New website and Fine Art Prints

  Once I came back from my holidays in August I was literally bombed with commercial assignments which for some reason I was avoiding before. This time I decided to face new venture and I must say - I really enjoy it :)

In this situation there is not much space left for pure creativity unfortunately. 

My temporary abandoned projects however will eventually back to live sooner or later and I will be also more active online.

...So here I am after about 3 months of absence on this blog ;)

***

As many of you already know I managed to launch the new website about 3 weeks ago.

This one covers more information, it's faster and mobile friendly.

I would like to point here quite important feature - incorporated ecommerce. 

I moved all my fine art prints sales into one place - my website (click HERE please).

At the same time I would like to introduce new series of fine art limited edition prints which many people asked about.

From now on I am selling copies of photographs I am making walking around Dublin with my Large Format camera loaded with Direct Positive Paper, material which is not produced anymore.

Limited edition prints keeps the same size as originals ...4x5inch.

Each of them will be printed by myself and framed by professional framer.
Frame size will be apx 14x15 inch.

Each limited edition photograph (15 pieces) will be printed on a beautiful Canson Infinity Rag Photographique museum quality matte paper, pencil signed on print recto and signed, stamped with date, print date and edition number in ink on print verso. 

As for now 8 photographs from this particular series is for sale and 4 other including very popular 'Film House'.

Also if someone decide to go for the original one and the only wet print which was exposed in the camera (instead of limited edition copy) it is possible to buy them on Saatchi Art Online Gallery. There is 6 available at the moment. These will be also framed by framer and delivered by courier.

Please click HERE 

Below are all links once again.

Limited Edition Fine Art Prints:
http://www.artursikora.com/prints/

Original Prints on Saatchi Art:
http://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/694652

Thank you!

Prints on Saatchi Art

I decided to put on sale some of my photographs made on Direct Positive Paper. 
I am talking here about original 4x5 inch wet prints made in camera and processed in darkroom. These are always one of a kind single copies.

one of the wet prints available for sale

Direct Positive Paper itself is not available for sale anymore which makes such photographs even more unique.
All images are signed (at the back of the print and front of mounting board) and will be framed (wooden frame) by a professional framer.

Example of framed wet print

All of it is available on Saatchi Art website. /LINK/
Soon I will also put on sale limited edition of its copies (pigment prints) on archival (museum quality) paper. Limited edition prints will be available on my ETSY shop. /LINK/

Thank you!

Illumine.../exhibition/

2011, 2012... very active period  with a few important for me exhibitions in London (B&W Photographer of The Year) and Dublin ('Coffee Flavour', Royal Hibernian Academy Annual exhibition, Inspirational Arts Gallery and Backloft Gallery). 

That was also the time when my son was born (second child) and I started to share my everyday duties in-between work and children. Not much of it left for purely creative activity. 
I had to slow down a bit...
I also had to gain some distance to my work and think what's next. 
Now I feel  like I am getting slowly to the end of this stage...
That's why I am coming back this year after over 12 months break...
About 2 months ago I released 'Coffee Flavour' photo album  and now there are also  two exhibitions on its way.
I had a sort of idea how to start motoring again but I have to admit that the way it happened really surprised me. Especially if we are talking about the time frame...

The Mill

'The Mill', as this is the title to above piece, it's one of my recent creations.
This photograph was selected for the group exhibition 'Illumine' in Darkroom Gallery, in Essex Jct, Vermont, US.
It is quite important event for me as for the first time my work physically will be shown outside Europe. 
Certainly it's not the last one as another exhibition in Calgary, Canada along with publication in Seities magazine is coming later this month.

Building you can see on the photograph it's a Bolland's Mill located on Barrow Street in Dublin /Ireland/.
Fascinating abandoned structure with an amazing power of attraction.
Image was made on Harman/Ilford Direct Positive Paper using 4x5 large format camera. Exhibited copy is printed and framed by the Gallery.

Now why Illumine?

'Every photograph is about light. Light, which is a plastic medium capable of being physically manipulated, is the key ingredient shared by all photographs and the determinant in the look of every photograph you make. Light’s primal authority defines the essence of a subject. The powerful glue that holds your image together, light makes known the emotional and physical contents within your visual space and activates vision and meaning. Every image provides a different set of conditions in which we can experience light. If the light does not inhabit and reveal the perceived nature of the subject, the picture will not communicate the content you wish to transmit to a viewer. In that sense, pictures are about what others are able to see in them.' Juror Robert Hirsch 

Exhibition opens tomorrow, 6th of March and will run until the end of the month, 30th of March.
If any of you will be around Vermont and especially Essex Junction, please visit Darkroom Gallery where lots of very good exhibitions taking place.

Gallery Info:

Darkroom Gallery

12 Main St.
Essex Jct., VT 05452-3132

Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00-4:00 and by appt.
(802) 777-FOTO (3686)

'the wind' ...

Photographing modernism in Ireland I almost missed one very important place in history of Irish architecture, planning and urban design and history at all. 
This place I would describe as an important and interesting from sociological and also technical point of view rather than architectural itself.
Ballymun flats and its area. 
This is the place where great ideas and dreams of planers failed almost instantly...

Remaining block of flats /2013/. Photograph taken on Direct Positive Paper.

Last Sunday I had an opportunity to spend some time on the streets of Ballymun with two fantastic people who grew up there and have a wonderful memories related to the flats when this place was shining. Jim and his brother Eric. These couple of hours I spent with them opened my eyes and allowed me to perceive Ballymun from completely different perspective...not as a 'Concrete Jungle' with many internal problems but also as a place with strong community integration. 
...so many thanks to both of them!
Most of the people are happy seeing all those flats going down. There is however  also significant group of those who would rather see this place booming as it was at the time when it was build, when the future of this place was very bright....for the very short time.
This is typical example of great ideas of creating new places for overcrowded cities in post war world, especially in Europe. Ideas related directly to famous modernists and their ideology, ideas of Garden Cities.
Ballymun was the answer (one of few) for huge housing problem in Dublin/Ireland those days.




The estate was built between 1966 and 1969 by the National Building Agency which was established specifically for the task. It comprised seven 15-storey towers, nineteen 8-storey blocks, ten 4-storey walk-ups and 400 single family houses. 
I would easily call it state of the art which may sound controversially but saying that I am thinking about its technical aspect rather then quality of architecture itself.
All those large, comfortable apartments (over half flats had three bedrooms) with underfloor heating, central hot water, flush toilets and lifts brought an amazing comfort of living. And we must remember that all of it was in Ireland in times when large families (sometimes around ten people) had to live often in one room in extremely poor condition.

Why its failed then?

Back of the local shopping centre /2013/

Such places which we can see all over the Europe needs properly designed and perfectly working infrastructure and maintenance. Lack of any of these elements along with mentioned sociological problems causes degradation of society. This is what has happened over there briefly. There was not enough money to finish what planers just started so many places like promised public swimming pool, meeting places and play areas were never built. People were left alone in the middle of nowhere.
During the 80s things got even worse due to economical crisis. Huge unemployment brought problems with robberies and drugs.
 
Today Ballymun is changing along with its inhabitants who remember old flats.

Now there is just 3 block of flats left. These buildings will be demolished very soon and Ballymun will step up into the next stage of its history.
Wandering among those abandoned structures you can hear only the wind and imagine how it was over there back in 60's...70's

Ballymun flats - Building that doesn't exist anymore with Maser's mural photographed many times before... 
I took this photograph in 2010

technical info:

During this trip I was using Sinar F2 with Schenider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 150mm 5.6, Harman/Ilford Direct Positive Paper 4x5 and Ilford FP4+ 4x5.
Also there is a roll of Kodak Tmax 400 exposed through hasselblad 500cm, Planar 80/2.8 and Distagon 50/4. This film will be processed soon and I hope to show some photographs soon my FB website.
The last photograph in this post was taken with Holga 120GN + Fomapan 400.

What else was engaged? strong wind and some rain...