Posted by Hilton Hamann on Sunday, February 5, 2012,
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 i... Continue reading ...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Tuesday, February 15, 2011,
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 togethe... Continue reading ...
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. Continue reading ...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Monday, November 22, 2010,
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 p... Continue reading ...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Tuesday, November 9, 2010,
 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 Minol...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Thursday, April 1, 2010,
I am beginning to think I have super-powers and should be called "the Rain-maker" -- but don't tell prospective brides who want to hire me! The last couple of weddings I've done have all had one thing in common -- rain and rapidly-changing, poor light. Danielle and Wimpie's wedding was not different. When we arrived at the venue, the Thatchery in Muldersdrift, it was overcast and threatening to rain but every few minutes a gap in the clouds would appear and bright sunlight streamed through. T... Continue reading ...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Tuesday, March 9, 2010,
 A little while ago I was asked to photograph the golden wedding anniversary celebrations of the parents of two of my best friends.
Werner and Klara Hollenstein (the couple) are Swiss/German and I wanted to use a camera that would be appropriate for the occasion. Something German and around 50 years old.
I had a couple of options -- a Zeiss Contaflex, a Voigtlander Prominent, a Rolleiflex -- but I opted for a 50 year-old Kodak Retina Reflex. The Retinas were made by Nagel & Co in Germany and ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Hilton Hamann on Monday, February 8, 2010,
I've been scouring the Internet in search of easy-to-make "kitchen-table" developers. Why, when there are good commercial developers available? Firstly because it is fun and secondly because I am committed to film and do not want to have to rely on the whims of companies whose only consideration is whether a product makes a profit or not. Elsewhere I wrote about Caffenol and Caffenol C but, with current the price of pure coffee, I wanted something cheaper. My search led me to a recipe publi... Continue reading ...
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