Justin Quinnell; Pinhole Photography

Justin Quinnell is a freelance pinhole photographer who discovered pinhole photography in 1998, after doing his degree in fine art. After being Head of a photography department, Coordinating the National Cycle Network to managing a safari camp in Kenya. Currently, he lectures at universities around London, and is a artist at Knowle West Media Centre.

The whole idea of the pinhole camera was discovered due to the fact that the majority of Justin's students couldn't afford cameras, so they used drink cans to make cameras. Throughout this time he was 'disillusioned' commercial work aswell as getting involved with environmental politics.

10 years ago he first attempted to do 6 month long exposures with film and neutral density filters doing day and week long exposures, and soon realised that paper didn't need developing. Justins first three month duration photo was on the 'suspension bridge' in Bristol, which didn't turn out as planned but still caught the publics eye.

Suspension Bridge in Bristol

 

Justin Quinnell Analysis

Context

Justin Quinnell who lives in Bristol is a very passionate photographer who created this image. He is a freelance, contempary photographer who was the first to use pinhole photography in 1998, and does work shops to inspire other people with his creativity. 

This photo was created using pinhole photography and is a landscape piece. I chose to analyse this photo because goes into the same theme as my pinhole photography.

Meaning 

I have used various websites to further my understanding of Justin Quinnell and his methods. These websites are: http://www.lomography.com/magazine/lifestyle/2010/06/16/passionate-pinholes-with-justin-quinnell

http://www.sheptondigitalarts.co.uk/programme/2010_programme_friday_26th_of_november/justin_quinnell

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/justin-quinnell-s-pinhole-photography-tips-15300

Whilst researching Justin I came across an interesting quote from someone who attended one of his classes. On the website they said "He is an inspiring (I don't use the term lightly) teacher, uses humour to great effect and is very sensitive to the needs of his students."

I like the majority of Justin Quinnells photography simply because it seems 'fun'. By this I mean that his work never seems to have a theme that is too serious. His work presents the fact that he has no limits as his work is often quite strange, random and sometimes quite childish. 

Aesthetic:

Justin was very creative with this photo as he made a small cigarette appear the same size as a building, which I think is fascinating as the building and the cigarette are completly different sizes. This effect has clearly been done using a particular angle, which is low to the ground.

Personal Response

The maini reason why I decided to analysethis picture is the difference in the scale sizes of the two main apsects to the picture; the building and cigarette. I also think that the blured round outline influences the way we see it, as it adds to the 'strange' type of theme he has presented. This piece of work has definately inspired me to create a photo with the same aspects; contrasting size.

This is the image I have created after being inspired by Justin Quinnell

Technical Studies Brief

 After reading this brief I became highly interested in the subject and I am now looking forward to experimenting with new techniques and creating a wide range of images. I.E: photograms, following the examples of Man Ray and Maholy Nagy in particular. This is due to the fact that I am very familiar with their work as I studied their art which I find very fascinating. Throughout the course of the year I hope to accomplish many things. One being to produce interesting images, with good effects using different styles. For example: photograms, pinhole photography, using SLR cameras and digital cameras to present ideas. I also want to research things about different artists as I can use their work and ideas as inspiration for my own designs and images. I am already inspired by a lot of Florian Imgrunds work and I'd like to develop recreations and my own versions of his 'Human & Landscape' photos. One thing that is essential that I'd like to do is evaluate and analyse the work that I create so that I can improve and perform my very best in all areas.

What is a pinhole camera?

What is a pinhole camera?
A pinhole camera is a camera without a lense, but a very small apeture made using a pin, allowing light to enter the box from one side only. Once the hole is exposed light from a scene passes through it and reflects onto the opposite side of the box, creating an upside down image of your chosen scene. If the apeture is small, it will create a sharper image compared to a large appeture.

 Due to the fact that this camera needs a large amount of exposure, the shutter can be manually operated using a black piece of tape (any liht proof material) to uncover and place over the hole.


The first pinhole photograph;

Joseph Nicephore Niepce was the first person to create a photo using photo obscura. 

Examples of pinhole cameras:































































Pinhole photography:

How To Make A Pinhole Camera

The steps I took to make my pinhole camera:

 Step 1. First I took a tub and painted it (aswell as the lid) with black paint.

Step 2. Secondly, I carved a 2cm by 2cm squared hole 6cm up from the base of the tub.

Step 3. I then cut out a squared piece of tin foil, larger than the hole on the side of the tub. Once I had my foil cut out I rubbed sand paper against one side of it and then coloured the same side in with a black marker pen and used a pin to create a very small hole in the middle of it.

Step 4. After that I stuck it down covering the squared hole on the tub. However I ensured that the 'pinhole' was still visible.

Step 5. Once that was all done, I made a flap out of black electric tape to cover the pinhole for the times that I don't want light to enter the tub. (Particularly when I've finished exposing the photo paper to light).

Why did I use black ink and a black marker pen?

I had to use black paint and a black marker pen as the darkness of the colour ensures that no extra light is entering the tub. If 'extra' light was to enter the container, I would not get a good quality picture as the light would reflect onto the paper and create black marks where not needed.

Why use a pin to make the hole?

The pin was used specifically because it creates a small appeture for the camera, which allows the image to come out as sharp as possible.