Summer Heat - Coffee / Cyanotype

[Pete Askew]

Shot last summer in the studio when the temperatures outside were in the high 30's. As discussed in the Liquid Emulsion thread, this is part of a series of coffee stained cyanotype simulations (I plan to do them using an analogue process when I get the time - maybe via digital negatives). They were shot on a Cambo Legend onto a PhaseOne P45 back mounted on a PhaseOne Flex Adapter sliding back using a Cooke Soft Focus lens. PP was done using LR, PS and NikSilverFX Pro. Although they were shot with a 5x4 aspect ratio it was always my intention to print the 1:1 as they were going into square frames (is there any other shape?).

 

[Kev Pugh]

Very nice and very subtle, would be nice to see an analogue comparison........

 

[Brian Moore]

That is lovely. The pose and the highlights off her cheek and neck really give the sense of heat and humidity. (She must have had to peel herself off that leather couch I imagine.) It's very 1930's-ish. I love it Pete!

 

[Pete Askew]

I suspect it will be quite similar although there should be more blue in the shadows. I got interested in the more sepia versions after I started fiddling and moved a bit away from my original objective. That led me here:

 

[Brian Moore]

#2 is better for me!

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Brian. It was certainly hot! This is from the same session but using a slightly different process to keep the tone smoother. This is one of the print series.

 

[Kev Pugh]

#2 does work nicely too.....

 

[Brian Moore]

These images are both Man Ray-esque, to me. (Or maybe Man's work is Askew-esque.)

 

[Kev Pugh]

These images are both Man Ray-esque, to me. (Or maybe Man's work is Askew-esque.)

I Agree Brian

 

[Pete Askew]

These images are both Man Ray-esque, to me. (Or maybe Man's work is Askew-esque.)

Yes, it's a problem - he was always copying me!!

 

[Asun Olivan]

I love the three of them! The second one almost looks like a painting!
Anyway, the photographer doesn't have much merit here having such a gorgeous model... I say that's cheating!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I feel hot a sweaty just looking at these images Pete!

I actually like #1 best - it conveys a great story

 

[Pete Askew]

Probably mine too.

The original full frame version of No 3 is my favourite, but I won't be posting that one!

 

[Paul Lange]

I think No 3 is a lovely image Pete. The smoothness really flatters the subject. The grainy ones are nice but IMO grain can make skin look a little hard and rough.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Paul. I know what you mean. The first couple came from the concept of the simulation more, whereas the 3rd was more influenced by the image as shot. The lens (Cooke Optics Limited : Products : PS945 Large Format) gives very smooth tones and the back has a fairly decent resolution (although this is a crop of about 50% area - the original capture was 39MP). So the only manipulation is the mono conversion and toning.

 

[Paul Lange]

Had a look at their website, it is really good to see an English company still making highly technical things. We have a long history of engineering excellence but seem to be throwing it all away in favour of cheaper imports made by people who don't really care about the quality of the end product.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Lovely stuff this pete... Not quite sure how this managed to slip passed me for so long!
Really nice!

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Hamish. That'll be my stealth posting technique - knew those slippers would come in useful!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

its just becoming harder and to keep up with reading all posts ...

this screen is getting harder to get to ...

 

[Glen Roberts]

its just becoming harder and to keep up with reading all posts ...

this screen is getting harder to get to ...

I know what you mean Hamish! I was away yesterday so hadn't logged on for a day and a half, only to find over 200 new posts!!!.