Long exposure and light trails

Try capturing light trails by shooting long exposure in low light conditions.
If, like me, you don’t have a tripod you can open a larger aperture (at about f/2).
This will allow you to adjust the shutter speed to something more reasonable, at around 5 seconds.

Amoeba Music on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood

Quick inkjet transfer

This is one of the simplest and easiest ways to transfer an image, mainly because the transfer is done without applying any transfer medium and also because it is an instant process.

Now, a few words of wisdom:
1) It is recommended, especially if you have text in the photo, to print a mirror image of your photo – otherwise the final transfer will appear to be backwards.
2) If you are using a sheet protector and it does not go smoothly through your printer, try inserting a piece of standard printer paper inside the sheet protector before printing, and then try again.
3) You can set your printer to any of the paper/media type options available for your printer, but keep in mind that unless you wish to have the ink-smudge effect, the “plain paper” option will work quite well (not to mention it will help you economize the use of precious ink).
4) The ink works well on most surfaces I tried, but if you choose to transfer to a surface that is not so smooth such as canvas or watercolor paper it is a good idea to increase the amount of ink by setting the printer to a photo paper printing.
5) Using inkjet transparency film for inkjet transfer won’t work since this type of media absorbs the ink rather quickly. However you can still use  inkjet transparencies for gel medium image transfer.

If you like this article you can find it and many more photo processes in the new book:

Spice Up Your Photos [eBook download]
PRICE: $10

Thank you for your support!

Get this book on Amazon

Simple Mixed Media Photo Transfer

Combining photography with other forms of visual arts has the capacity to produce a very interesting and appealing final piece. Therefore blending mixed media and image transfer, two methods that are often done independently, is probably the ultimate union and can generate some exciting results.

What you need:

• Inkjet photo or laser photocopy
• Collage materials such as: newspaper clippings, designer or hand-made papers, stamps, ticket stubs, brown paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Acrylic or water paints
• Mod Podge or gel medium
• Gesso
• Spray fixative
• Canvas or wood panel
• A water spray bottle
• UV-resistant clear finish

Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles
Mixed media photo transfer on 11×14 canvas panel

1. Gather your collage materials and lay them out in a design of your choice on any size canvas or wood panel. Adhere the collage pieces onto the surface using Mod Podge.
2. Make sure to cover the collage pieces with Mod Podge so it not only adheres the papers to the canvas but also protects it for all eternity (or at least a few years).
3. Next, cover the collage layer with watered-down gesso. It will mute the layer a bit and also will tie the pieces together.
4. Optional: add a thin layer of acrylic or watercolor paint of your choice. Don’t over do it so it doesn’t overwhelm the other layers.
5. Let the collage thoroughly dry.
6. Convert the photo of your choice to black and white (not grayscale) by adding brightness and 100% contrast. If you prefer to use a color photo (like the one used here) make sure to mute the colors.
7. If you are using an inkjet, print a mirror version of your image onto standard printer paper and protect it with spray fixative.
8. Cover your image with Mod Podge and press it face down onto the collage. Rub gently with your fingers to smooth out any air bubbles.
9. If you are using an inkjet photo you will have to wait only about 15-30 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry and for the transfer to complete. If you are using a photocopy let it set for a few hours, preferably overnight.
10. Spray the back of your photo with water and gently remove and rub off the excess paper with your fingers in order to reveal the transfer. If you are using a photocopy you will have to repeat this step until all the excess paper is completely gone.
11. For the final touch you can add text, letters, gesso and paints.
12. Preserve your art work with a protective finish such as “preserve it!” by Krylon for inkjet or Krylon Crystal Clear if you used a toner based photocopy.
Applying the UV finish will help minimize the foggy appearance created by the leftover paper.
13. Clean up the mess!

 

If you like this article you can find it and many more photo processes in the new book:

Spice Up Your Photos [eBook download]
PRICE: $10

Thank you for your support!

 

Get this book on Amazon

 

Photo transfer – the L.A series

Korea Town - the LA series/mixed media photo transfer

This is another one from the LA series photo transfer I’m working on; so far there are three of them, and I’m planning to make quite a few more. This one features Korea Town, which from obvious reasons, I drive through quite often these days (thank you, Amit!). Generally speaking I’m trying to portray that certain something about Los Angeles which I found when I first arrived here. It is the sunny side of the city, a quality that is somewhere there beyond the daily traffic disaster, the crime, the strange dynamic between poverty and wealth and the superficiality.
I think I will always be a tourist in my city:)

If you want to make your own mixed media photo transfer you can find the well-written details of this process here.

Photographing on the move

is easier if you don’t have any bulky equipment. Street photos are often formed on the move. Consequently, there will be no time to address the usual photographic practices and very often even focusing can become an extravagance.
Street life has its own pace.
Therefore it will make a lot of sense to record street life by using what’s out there rather than sitting around patiently waiting for the right circumstances.
Adjusting to the energy of the street often means fast thinking and quick reaction. Fiddling with the camera or other equipment you carry will result in the disappearance of that Kodak moment.
As it is, the best results in street photography are often achieved owing to the photographer’s eager, insightful eye but seldom to the highly sophisticated equipment.

Close call. Downtown Los Angeles / Holga 135BC

You can find this article and many other photo processes in my new book:
So Much More than Photography
eBook edition Price: $10
Kindle edition Price: $10
Print edition Price: $35 (Now on sale for $27.00)
Black & White print edition Price: $20