Photography In The Classical Tradition

Rob MacKillop

Rob MacKillop

Edinburgh Correspondent
Anyone familiar with the work of Kenneth Lee? He describes his work as "Photography in The Classical Tradition", and a big part of me wishes I was producing similar work.

Here's a link to his site: http://www.kenleegallery.com/index.php - which not only has some fine images, but also technical advice and instruction.

I've enjoyed playing with sliders and filters, and have created some interesting images, but part of me feels I should be doing some 'proper' photography - sorry, I can't help thinking that way sometimes. But I've not really made any film images to rival my digital ones, and haven't got the control of analogue techniques that I have with digital. And I wish I did.

Anyway, I don't like all the images on his site, but some are very beautiful and inspiring, which is why I've linked to his site in this part of the RPF forum.

We live in a very small, cluttered apartment, and don't have room for lights, backdrops - well, maybe I'm making excuses. Certainly we are trying desperately not to add to the clutter. I should learn to use natural light more, and get the RB67 powered up again...and steal a few flowers from our neighbours' garden (we only have weeds)...

Anyway, have a look at the botanicals, especially, on his site. I can see myself doing something along those lines, with a little bit of the Rob je ne sais quoi thrown in, for better or worse!
 
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I guess this is the closest I've come - a vase of flowers taken with the medium format Mamiya RB67 Pro SD, with the 90mm K/L lens. I can't recall, but it may have been darkened a little in Elements.

4.jpg

​
Aperture must have been 2.8, judging by the dof. I remember doing a digital version at the same time, but preferred this version, though only after I had darkened it slightly. I think it was Delta 100 film.

Yes, I might start looking into this type of photography more. Sadly, for health reasons, I am unable to develop my own films, so I send them off to get them developed and pro-scanned to a CD. Not quite living in the classical tradition there...

I really like this image - I was trying to say something profound about art living on when nature dies, but by bringing them together...bla...bla...​
 
After all my recent deliberations, I've just gone and bought from Ffordes the Mamiya 180mm f4.5 K/L portrait/landscape lens, to supplement the 90mm K/L I've used hitherto. I just have to accepted that despite its unwieldy size, the RB67 is my favourite camera, so I might as well use it a lot more. Well, I can't afford to use it a LOT more, but one or two films a month, the rest digital.

There we are. Decision made. Off to bed.
 
That name sounded familiar...so I had to check out his site. I don't actually remember seeing any of his exhibits but he is here in Massachusetts and taught in Boston for a while so maybe that's why the name sounded familiar. He does have a nice site...and maybe next time I'm out his way I'll look him up and I tell him about this conversation.
 
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Rob,...how long have ye been serious aboot snapping foties? A year...? A year 'n a hawf...? Twa year...?

I glanced at that bloke's foties. Aye, some are awfy guid,...but I'd raither see yer ain!
 
Started January 2012, Brian, nearly twa year - been serving an apprenticeship (unpaid!) - making big stupid mistakes and some successes, like everyone else. And I'll probably keep doing that...

It's not so much the guy's images I like, as his approach and techniques. I can't help but do it my way (so to sing).
 
Rob MacKillop said:
Started January 2012, Brian, nearly twa year - been serving an apprenticeship (unpaid!) - making big stupid mistakes and some successes, like everyone else. And I'll probably keep doing that...It's not so much the guy's images I like, as his approach and techniques. I can't help but do it my way (so to sing).
Click to expand...

Oh come on Rob...tell me you have been at least thinking about for 20 years or so. ;)
 
I have to admit that I don't like this guys stuff, well maybe don't like is a bit simplistic ... I don't find them interesting at all, there is no tonal contrast in a lot of his black and whites and the camera he uses seems to me to be a gimmick ( it is only personal opinions). Whilst i have said before that i don't always find your stuff stuff to my taste Rob they are always interesting and that for me puts you above this guy already.... be the best Rob you can i say
 
I should explain the gimmick comment before anyone jumps on me. Show me an image, if I like it then I may ask what you used to take it with... then feel free to tell me. What I am saying is don't try and use the equipment to persuade me that the picture is good, it either is or it isn't regardless of what was used... I hope I made sense :D
 
It makes perfect sense, Davie. Again, it's not his images or even his equipment, but the process of stripping down to basics - simple subjects, simple tones, a meditation on one thing rather than a bunch of stuff. I guess I do that already, but not enough. I'm on a backlash after all the digital stuff I've been trying of late - HDR (which is so easy to go overboard on) and various filters, experimental or in imitation of classic techniques. I've really enjoyed exploring them, and managed to get one or two interesting images, but...It's like using synthesisers - they can sound fantastic (I still love Autobahn, Phaedra, even the B side of Bowie's Heroes) - but after a while you just want to strum an acoustic guitar!
 
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