#d.r.congo

Searching for face/s IV

Black and white portrait tests for fun. Might look at black and white as the overall image. But the second (middle) the pose. I just liked the others as well. Don’t mind the tacky wall, had images up to help with editing into a sequence/ a narrative.

Photograph a Photograph

It’s a weird concept really but it is also the easiest (at least one of) forms of reproducing a photograph which already exists.

These were taken really quickly before my next tutorial. I also didn’t much enjoy looking at the photographs on screen. The edges curled too much and the contrast faded. Maybe its because I was in a hurry.

I was between shooting these and urbanscapes and figuring out what the “missing link” was. As well as working, travelling to and attending uni.

Faces are my main thing, well people. For me at least, it makes photographs more relatable/ personal. So including portraits would surely be my addition to the project. I say this because the album/ family images are from other people (although I included my parents family albums); then the urbanscapes were the community’s overall contribution. I just happened to be the person behind the camera. But the styling and addition of portraits are from me. Portraiture and documenting people, life and events is what gets me going so that’s my contribution.

Scan those Photographs

It’s the easiest and I found quickest way of reproducing an image that you do not have the negative for, and I had used this method for an earlier project so of course it was my first (and only shhhh...) thought!

Personally, I love this method. The scanner used was Epson V700 flatbed which I have. However because Mac decided to update its system and I silly enough clicked the update button (after years of not doing so)! The new updates weren’t compatible with the old version of Epson Scan and I had done everything I possibly could but it just wasn’t having it *insert loud screams and floods of eye waters*

Not to worry, as uni had the V750 and I was already inducted to use them.

The reason why this scanning photographs appeals to me is because you can really see the texture of the photographic paper come through. Most generic prints these days are glossy and flat (some times both texture and colour wise), in contrast to a print from 1960′s going back. This is what I had come to realise whilst going through the vast collection which my aunt had (shock horror) so badly stored in one giant plastic bag.

If the texture doesn’t call to your photo geek within, then take a closer look at your screen at the tones. Tones like this, cannot be recreated in the same way. The paper and chemicals used then have changed so much so that even digit prints (after editing) won’t have the same aesthetic. It’s a sad reality many analogue/ archive buffs come to.

Are you convinced yet? No...? Well...

Take a look at the aesthetic of the edge of these photographs. Notice how it looks as if you could just reaching down and pick it up. This is something I have not seen in photographs of photographs before. A limbo between 2D and 3D. Enticing, no! The edges in scans make these photographs pop, the slightly burnt outline helps to differentiate the object [photograph] from its background. Clearly stating that this is an object. A print/image of a photograph.

Disclaimer: all these are from my father’s family. The first image is of my granpere <3

Searching visuals

After the portrait tests in http://tinyurl.com/y7hbsrlx, I realised the it thing that was missing was a print/pattern/colours. The fabric as background.

All above were taken off search engine. (I use Ecosia, not google on the Mac)

Tried taking quick pics of my mothers collection but she’s in the habit of hiding things that are needed or giving them away.

The first liputa wouldn’t be an option for me as its very blatant. Though I appreciate the colours and vibrancy. Liputa is lingala for african fabric

In September 2016, I graduated from the University of Westminters’ MA Photographic Studies course. It was at Westminster that I was able to, through a burning desire and uncontrollable fear start what is now Kongo: You Should Know Me. an archive project, collaborating with Congolese people of the London diaspora to produce this book.

A look within only showcases but a droplet of an ocean of stories, images and more of and from the Congolese people.

Kongo Stories, is my way of connecting with more of my brothers and sisters of the motherland, learning more about the motherland and collating multi-(hi)stories of a country that has and continues to change.

Searching for face/s III

Still not quite there, but bless his patient self.

My go to device for project work is always Hasselblad 500cm. I adore the format. I enjoyed the colours within the first photo. Come to think of it, these are the colours of our flag!

The second, well... this was the good surprise.