blog

An old substation and a Holga

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:58:42 +0100

Mainly because I wanted to try Kodak's old D23 developer, I took a ride on the motorcycle with my Holga and came across this old abandoned electricity substation in Krugersdorp.

A Cullinan Wedding.

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:30:27 +0100

Recently I went along with hair and make up artist, Claire Calvert, to grab a few shots of the bridal preparations at wedding at which she was booked to make the bridal party look beautiful.
The event took place in Cullinan the site where the Cullinan Diamond was found. At the time it was the world's largest diamond. The stone is now part of the British Royal Family's Crown Jewels.
I was not the primary photographer, in fact I never even got to see the bridegroom and when the bride got into the car and headed for the church we packed up and went home.
Still, it was fun. Here are a few of the images I got that day, naturally all shot on film -- and yes, that is a DELIBERATE double exposure!

Newtown, Johannesburg with a Holga

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:02:46 +0100

Recently I took a stroll around Newtown, Johannesburg, the site of the city's old market. Built in 1913 to serve the growing population of the expanding mining town, today it is home to Museum Afrika and the Market Theatre.
These pictures were shot with a plastic Holga toy camera that I am growing to like more and more. In fact I like it that much that I am going to start using it in my wedding and portrait work.
And yes, the opening image in the spread is a DELIBERATE double exposure!

Images of a nation under threat

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 09:36:35 +0100

December 16 is considered, by many Afrikaners, their most holy day.
It commemorates the December 16, Battle of Blood River in 1838 when they believe God gave them an unlikely victory against thousands of Zulu warriors.
Each year, thousands of Afrikaners gather at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria to celebrate and remember that day and reaffirm their culture values and beliefs.

New Blood River

In many ways they are once again engaged in a 'new battle of Blood River' as whites - and in particular Afrikaners - are increasingly marginalised and denied opportunities in South Africa.
When I shot these pictures a week ago, it was obvious to me that Afrikaners feel they are a nation under threat that needs to stand together to protect their culture.
But somehow this year's event was different to those I have previously witnessed. Gone was the bravado and arrogance that previously characterised such "saamtrekke". They appeared resigned to their future - or maybe they are just battle-weary.

Shaft of Sunlight

The monument is designed in such a way that every year, only on December 16, a shaft of sunlight moves up the steps of the cenotaph and is centered on it at precisely midday.
I sincerely hope I was not photographing a disappearing nation.
The images were shot with a Nikon F3 film camera on Fuji Neopan 400 and developed in a local version of ID-11.

The plastic-fantastic Holga

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:52:05 +0100

One of the problems with photography today -- and it's been caused by increasingly sophisticated digital cameras -- is that all images, irrespective of the subject being photographed, somehowlook the same.
The truth is, today's digital cameras are so advanced that most pictures are perfectly focussed, well lit and have accurate colours recorded. They are perfect, in a sterile sort of way.
The situation is even worse when it comes to press photography. The pic-men (or women) are herded together and confined in a specific area. All are armed with similar cameras (the brands don't matter), have similar lenses, similar flash set ups and, as a result, they get similar pictures.
I am more than ever convinced the days of professional photographers are numbered, a fact yet again brought home to me when a friend (ironically at a recent photographic exhibition and in poor light) took a picture with her iPhone. The quality was astounding! Photography is becoming so easy that there are fewer and fewer reasons to hire a pro.
In the light of that I decided to mess around with a Holga, a cheap, Chinese, plastic, toy camera fitted with a plastic lens. With the Holga it's all about compostion and creativity. You never know what you are going to get and no two cameras are the same. The only control, I believe, comes in the darkroom.
I am well-please with my initial efforts!

To view the full series please visit www.bighilt.smugmug.com

To purchase prints or to make enquiries about sizes or prices please contact me.

The new gallery

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:09:06 +0100

I am permanently exhibiting some of my cyanotypes in a new gallery in Pretoria, together with six other artists. There are five painters and another photographer.
Called Gallery Seven, it is located above the cake and coffee shop in Moreletta Park on the corners of Wekker and Esser streets and is open every day except on Mondays.
Pop in and come and visit us and while you're there be sure to try the cake downstairs at Divine Delights. The shop has been featured on television a few times and nationally been rated as one of country's top three bakers of wedding cakes!

Disappearing South Africa

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:59:06 +0100

Every day I see things that were familiar in my youth disappearing or falling into ruin. Here are a couple of images that show this, that I shot last weekend.
For those interested the camera used was a Bronica SQ AI and the film was Ilford Hp5+ (B&W) and Fuji Reala 100 ISO. The black and white film was souped in Rodinal (my last bottle!)

Some more cyanotypes

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:13:21 +0100

I have three gallery exhibitions coming up in the next couple of months and have been busy printing cyanotypes over the past couple of weeks. It's been somewhat frustrating with all the rain and cloudy weather. I have, however, managed to get a few printed.
I will have a permanent gallery exhibition at a new gallery in Pretoria soon, will also be exhibiting in Magaliesberg and later may exhibit at Smuts House in Pretoria.
Here are some of the limited-edition prints that will be on display.

Prices for hand-printed, handmade cyanotypes range from R750 to R1700. Each print is signed and numbered by the author. For more information or to order, or to discuss having any of your photographs printed as a cyanotype, please contact me by emailing bighilt@gmail.com

My cyanotype exhibition

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:05:51 +0100

On Thursday 18 November I held an exhibition of 45 cyanotypes in the ballrooom at the Randfontein Country Club. It turned out to be an amazing success with a turnout of around 125 people including members of the media.
Five large, limited-edition, hand-made, cyanotypes were bought by collectors and a couple of black and white prints were also sold. Prices for the cyanotypes ranges from R1500 (approx $220) for matted but unframed examples to R4000 (approximately $650) for framed, tea-toned prints.
And, as a result, I am in currently having discussions with some art dealers and galleries.
Unfortunately I did not scan the cyanotypes before I had them framed -- I do not have a flatbed scanner -- but, at the last moment, I took a few shots of the images. The pictures will give you an idea of the print but do not do it justice and in some instances, my reflection can be seen in the glass. That's just the way it is.
I plan on getting a scanner and rectifying the situation next time.

Minolta Autocord

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:23:05 +0100

It's amazing how many blog posts, all over the internet, start with the phrase: "...it's been a long time since I've posted on my blog."
In keeping with that fine tradition, it has been a long time since I have posted on my blog. Life always seems to get in the way and I have had my head firmly down making cyanotypes and prints for a solo exhibition that will take place next week. I have also had a number of commissions that needed to be completed.
But along the way I purchased a 1950s Minolta Autocord, TLR camera for about the price of a 16Gb memory card. I've heard good things about the 'cord which was the Japanese manufacturer's attempt to compete with Rolleiflex and I was not disappointed. The lens is every bit as good as my Rollei.
The two pictures taken here were shot on Ilford HP5 and developed in Rodinal. The (obviously tame) Zebra was photographed on the Seasons Eco golf course near Brits and the other shot is the arch on the Hartbeespoort Dam wall.
I think both illustrate the quality of the camera and the unique characteristics of real black and white film. I am looking forward to shooting some quality B&W portraits with the camera.