Contreras Photography

Final Portfolio Work - Portraits

2010-01-12T22:28:00.012Z

My Darkroom sessions have recently become much more successful and I am now getting results a bit faster, albeit still slow in comparison to Digital. However, I can never get over seeing that image slowly emerge from the developer, watching it turn into a well exposed final print which you have photographed, processed and made yourself.

I have really enjoyed the experience of using Medium Format Film Camera's and cannot believe the lack of grain at times.

I like the absense of total detail in the background here and think the contrast works well because you are drawn to the portrait, and then the slight lines and shapes surrounding.

I hope to work with Laura again in the future, this hasn't been the first time and probably won't be the last. I hope I get a good mark for this project because to be honest, I've put so much thought, time and effort into everything.

That's all from me for now, who knows what will appear here next, watch and see. Thanks for reading.

Final Portfolio Work - Portraits

2009-12-16T20:09:00.012Z

It's been a few weeks since my last blog but anyone who knows me will know that I like to get things just right before I show them as a final piece of work. These two photographs will consequently be going into some form of Portfolio in the future when I find something decent to show them in. These two photographs were taken using the Mamiya RB67 Pro SD Medium Format Film Camera.

And I'm very pleased with the way they have turned out. It took me two sessions in the darkroom to get just these two right but I feel it was worth it. I have learnt how to properly use/change the different grades on the enlarger so that a desired contrast can be achieved. I feel like I have spent enough time in the Darkroom to be able to work out an organised system whilst in there in order to get results faster.

On another note, the camera was alot of fun to work with, as was my model and friend, Laura Powell. I just like the fact that this camera slows me down as a Photographer and allows me the ability to stop and think about what I am doing.

I took great satisfaction in being able to direct my model into the correct position (or indeed allow her to pose how she was comfortable) and then to take just a couple of shots per each pose.

I took time composing the images, checking all of the camera settings, focusing properly, checking how the lighting was and changing film too.

I also noticed how different people reacted to the Medium Format Film Camera. People were really interested in what I was doing and why. This was a nice reaction to have as I was worried that the shop owners at the location in Kent would not want me photographing near their shops but they were very friendly and welcoming.

I hope you like the photographs, there will be some more to come possibly in the New Year. I am pleased with the results anyway :-)

Final Portfolio Work - Fashion

2009-11-22T22:06:00.011Z

These two photographs are from a photoshoot I did in
September with my friend, Jenny. I was trying to
aim for the focus to be on the white dress.

I'm satisfied with the way the lighting has come out. I
had never really done outside portraits before so it was
a bit of an experiment and the reflectors appear to have
done what I wanted them to do which was bounce the

natural sunlight back onto the
cheeks and neck of
the model.

I'm quite pleased
with the results, these images will
be going into a
portfolio/book along with
future works.

These were shot with a Digital
Canon Camera.
My next photoshoot will
be with a Mamiya
RB67 Pro SD Film
Camera. Exciting!

This is the start...

2009-11-21T14:28:00.002Z

This is the start of my photoblog. I have searched the internet for a hosting site which could be tailored to the needs of my photography but each website I tried, I faced a different problem. I have now decided that with a healthy mix of photography and text I can make this lovely photoblog the home of my creative photographic work.

My aim is to add to this photoblog my final portfolio work which includes and mainly consists of portraits, fashion and beauty shots. I will also display a combination of both Digital and Film Photography. I do hope that you will enjoy browsing through my photoblog entries however you wish.

All the best,
Melissa Contreras.