Off-Hand

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Off–Hand

My Right Hand

It surprises me how something like the Single in January challenge can lead you down paths you hadn’t realised were there.

Quoting myself from the Blooper thread
“Inspired by a documentary of Barbara Hepworth Sculptor – considering the next roll to be a photo series examining the shadows forms shapes and textures I can create with my right hand. Reasonably easy to do with a digital camera but with a film camera focusing composing and shooting is much more difficult. Cable release and tripod.”

Barbara Hepworth
available on bbc i player

Background Explanation

Ever since the 60’s and a school trip to the Tate in London I have always admired Barbara Hepworth’s work. I find them very moving, extremely tactile and fascinating. Though I need to clarify that not all of them are instantly understandable (to me) but all of them are an experience. I find myself wondering what the source for her inspiration was and how a piece was developed. It’s not always on a large scale as some of them are quite small but then what has scale really got to do with anything?

While watching this documentary I found I was following / tracing the images on the monitor of some of her shapes with my hand. This in turn gave me pause to look at my own hand a bit more closely and start to study it as an object in itself. The slightest change and twist of angle altered the light and the shadow. Shapes and textures appeared more distinctly whereas Half closing your eyes adds a softness and blur to the outside edges and is a useful blending tool for shape and shadow. To re-create this with a camera requires a fair bit of dexterity and thinking - so enter post processing tools.

I originally intended the photo exercise to be done with the Cosina C1 with the X10 as backup. I must admit this is all too limiting and have switched camera roles. The X10 has many more advantages ie rear screen is much more useful to focus with one hand, self timer (none on the Cosina), and most useful is the macro capability – with the Cosina 50mm lens my hand is 500mm away in focus – that’s quite a stretch viewing through a viewfinder. Also Photos of my two hands together are possible (just impossible on the Cosina). Not to mention speed and convenience of processing and getting feedback on images. The X10 is a better all round tool in this instance.

Another aspect of the documentary for those that can watch it is the black and white photography by Eric Deeming. None of your HDR here, it has a 50’s feel which I find quite beguiling and very much suits the sculptures. (Note actually dated 1961). I maybe wrong but I think it’s a 16mm movie format - with its own character, benefits and shortcomings.

Looking back through my own archives it seems that hands have already played a reasonably prominent part in my photo journey. Not something I was particularly aware of until now.
I have no idea how long this exercise will go on for and I’m not setting any targets. Just to say that apart from the human face our hands are the most expressive part of our body and a very convenient resource.


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SJ 10 My Right Hand X10
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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My Right Hand 2 X10
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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SiJ 10 Hand X10
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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MRH Paper Form and Light 1
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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MRH Paper Form and Light 3
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

Previous Photos

Looking back through the archives it seems that hands have played a prominent part in my photo journey. Not something I was particularly aware of until now.

16554493645_87e54bc147_c.jpg

Hands Selfie
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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Img04082-002 c 1024
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

15457458687_0731510644_c.jpg

Two Hands 800 bord
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

15640755961_1495df0475_c.jpg

The Shout
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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DSCF3091 hands
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

16601930968_a28d32b49c_c.jpg

DSCF3239-014b
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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DSCF3289-006b
by Roger Evans, on Flickr

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Visiting
by Roger Evans, on Flickr
 
do you have a title for that Barbara Hepworth documentary. BBC player no workie outside of the UK

Thanks for the food for thought. There's definitely a few framable shots in your work above.
 
Luke simply called Barbara Hepworth - BBC Film Documentary 1961
If I can find a universal link I'll post it
 
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