Input on a possible project: Electrolux Closing

[Vaughn]

What a great opportunity to help others tell their stories, to do something meaning full, and to learn an incredible amount.

Vaughn

 

[Jerevan]

I think you're onto something good: start out small, and let grow from there. Use a camera that you are familiar with and a simple setup if you are going to have lights or flash stuff. One lens, one film you like. What's interesting is the people sitting in front of you, not the equipment inventory.

Go for it. It'll be rewarding.

 

[PeterAM]

I'll second the comments about shooting more than portraits. Although the portraits and interview information will be important in themselves, you should shoot in/around the plant environment (before and after) also. This way you will have a complete body of work relative to this bit of history and can use it in multiple approaches. Once it's gone, you can't go back. Someone suggested using 35mm for everything other than the portraits; this is a good idea, as it will be much easier to handle. While I think that using LF for the portraits is a great idea, I would use whatever equipment works best for the rest of the project, so that it gets done (even, heaven forbid, digital).

Good luck with this. It's an important thing to do and, who knows, you might get a book out of it.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I thought about it last night and here is what I'm thinking:

4x5 is going to be limited to formal portraiture. I have the Speed Graphic, but I do not have an appropriate lens, really, for the type of candid handheld photography that I really want to do. If I can find one I'll start using it for outside shots. If I can't, I'll just use something else.

6x6 is going to be my main format for this. I'm going to use a Mamiya C3 and 3 lenses: a 55mm, an 80mm, and a 180mm. I actually like the idea of square format for this project. The 80mm is probably going to be my most used lens. Printing to 8x8 would be nice.

35mm is going to be my backup for when I just can't get enough light. I'm thinking of seeing if Adam, the husband, would let me pick up a lens I've been coveting for quite some time: the 50mm f/1.2 AIS. If I'm going to use it as a low-light camera, my as well go as low as possible.

My main reason? These are strong, hard-working people. They deserve far better than to be out of work for any amount of time. The ones, like my dad, who have been there for so long, deserve so much more. I do believe that they will at least get a good severance package when the plant does finally close, but even that I'm not sure of. I want to portray the people as they are now...unsure of the future, but for the most part still able to enjoy their lives. I think I most want to tell the stories of the older workers and the workers with families; those who are a few years from retirement and those who have little mouths to feed.

I think, ultimately, I want to help these people. I don't know how yet. I know how incredibly lucky we are that Adam found a job so quickly after he'd been laid off; it was only a little over three months. Being pregnant at the time, though, and pretty heavy with child when he found his new job, I felt very...apprehensive. I know what these people are going through and I really want to do something about this. Maybe put together a book and have all the profits go to help if people need it.

It's still just a concept. I think that this entire town has a story because of this. Maybe I should broaden my scope a bit and actually take as many photos and get as many stories as I can, and then choose the best way to compile it when I'm finished.

 

[Eric Rose]

Maybe Michael Moore can give you some hints

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Maybe Michael Moore can give you some hints

*headdesk*

Maybe I should've added a disclaimer.

 

[JBrunner]

Start. A project like this finds it's own way, it's own voice. Make no promises, cherish no outcome. Just start doing it. In a year you will understand what you are doing now.

 

[BrianShaw]

I've been thinking. This usually gets me in trouble, but I'll go on.

...

Large project. Huge scale. Scared as hell to start down the road to do this. Need some encouragement, I suppose. The fact that I'm thinking of using 4x5" film isn't helping my nervousness.

Start small. Thinking too big too early will likely lead to failure. If it turns out to be big... so be it.

 

[removed account4]

bring a tape recorder ( and tape ) ...

 

[clayne]

Do it... those are important stories to tell... do it!!

Absolutely, DO this. This, in my opinion, is one of the most valuable uses of a camera.

I've worked on three documentary projects involving dozens and dozens of portraits. It is EXTREMELY rewarding.

In my experience, few people like to have their portrait taken so a lot of the challenge of portrait projects is to make folks feel comfortable. I am not a naturally warm or outgoing person but my people skills developed incredibly. When I started, I really dreaded going up to people to ask to take their picture. Now I dive right into it with genuine pleasure. So if you feel intimidated by working with people, just be brave and dive in. Smile, shake hands, act like you are enjoying yourself. Take your time and don't be in a hurry with each person. By forcing myself not to hurry, I also minimized my technical mistakes, which I tend to commit when I get nervous.

Don't spend all your time behind the camera. On one project I walked around for two days introducing myself to people and talking to them before the actual portrait sessions. I carried a camera but did not take any pictures. That way people knew me as "the camera guy" but I could engage them personally. It made the actual shoot much more fun and relaxed.

Good luck! In my opinion any chance to shoot people and tell their story is valuable.

^ This is excellent advice right here. There may be times you won't even be able to take photos, and there may even be other times you shouldn't take a shot.

Most importantly, listen to their stories and thoughts. Truly listen to what they're saying and how they feel about things and the future. If you have the moment, or if they ask, explain to them why you are actually doing this - that you're approaching it from a place of compassion and not trying to take advantage of people. Your connection with the subjects or how they feel around you is a huge factor.

Bring a voice recorder as well. This will be invaluable.

 

[removed-user-1]

It is smashed and unusable, so I need a new hose to use it. The unit itself seems just as strong as ever, though.

My parents had an Electrolux vacuum from about 1972 to about 2002. Built like a tank. I hate to dredge up another cliche but they don't build them like this anymore; what consumer product these days lasts 30 years?

This project sounds amazing and I wish I was part of something like this (I'm keeping my eyes open). Don't worry about skill level or equipment much, just tell the story.

 

[clayne]

My parents had an Electrolux vacuum from about 1972 to about 2002. Built like a tank. I hate to dredge up another cliche but they don't build them like this anymore; what consumer product these days lasts 30 years?

None - and that's part of the scam :-(. A story like this indirectly touches on the subject as well.

 

[Laurent]

I thought about it last night and here is what I'm thinking:

4x5 is going to be limited to formal portraiture. I have the Speed Graphic, but I do not have an appropriate lens, really, for the type of candid handheld photography that I really want to do. If I can find one I'll start using it for outside shots. If I can't, I'll just use something else.

6x6 is going to be my main format for this. I'm going to use a Mamiya C3 and 3 lenses: a 55mm, an 80mm, and a 180mm. I actually like the idea of square format for this project. The 80mm is probably going to be my most used lens. Printing to 8x8 would be nice.

35mm is going to be my backup for when I just can't get enough light. I'm thinking of seeing if Adam, the husband, would let me pick up a lens I've been coveting for quite some time: the 50mm f/1.2 AIS. If I'm going to use it as a low-light camera, my as well go as low as possible.

My main reason? These are strong, hard-working people. They deserve far better than to be out of work for any amount of time. The ones, like my dad, who have been there for so long, deserve so much more. I do believe that they will at least get a good severance package when the plant does finally close, but even that I'm not sure of. I want to portray the people as they are now...unsure of the future, but for the most part still able to enjoy their lives. I think I most want to tell the stories of the older workers and the workers with families; those who are a few years from retirement and those who have little mouths to feed.

I think, ultimately, I want to help these people. I don't know how yet. I know how incredibly lucky we are that Adam found a job so quickly after he'd been laid off; it was only a little over three months. Being pregnant at the time, though, and pretty heavy with child when he found his new job, I felt very...apprehensive. I know what these people are going through and I really want to do something about this. Maybe put together a book and have all the profits go to help if people need it.

It's still just a concept. I think that this entire town has a story because of this. Maybe I should broaden my scope a bit and actually take as many photos and get as many stories as I can, and then choose the best way to compile it when I'm finished.

I'm not the only one to say it, but DO IT ! Even if only to avoid feeling sorry if you don't and have regrets when it's to late. A better reason, I feel, is that it seems a good way to help people there, when they realize that other people care about them.

I think I'd go with the same choices for gear as what you expose. 6x6 would be very suited for such a project (IMO, best compromise between portability and quality, and even the slower lenses may not be a killer (don't tell this to Adam if you really want to justify the 50/1.2 )

 

[njkphoto]

You should do it. But why do you want to use 4x5. I mean I love the idea and the quality of the 4x5 but why don't you combine both? Document their daily activities together with a portrait done with the 4x5. If it was me I would to this with Tri-X. but that's just me. You mentioned at one point that you want to show the people as happy. If you are to document this to show how it effected their lives you should capture them on their natural state. If you will be doing just the portraits 4x5 I think you should do them at their home, and not a studio. Nothing against a studio setting but you want to document this and a studio setting does not document a situation. I also think you should go talk with the people first so they will get to know you and feel comfortable with.

Good luck.

 

[2F/2F]

If it was me I would to this with Tri-X.

I don't get how this follows. The use of Tri-X is totally independent of film format.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I've worked on a few projects like this in my day job at a newspaper. JBrunner is exactly right when he says projects like these take on a life of their own and evolve over your time spent on them...that's one reason why it's important not to think yourself out of a good idea.

You had it in your heart to do this - that is what you need to take it on. Don't make the mistake of 'getting in your own way'. Don't over-think it (although DO think about it!)

These people are having their voice (and a whole lot more) taken away from them. You can provide a voice, no matter what becomes of the images. And of course there is the matter of historical record, if nothing else.

Don't think, just do. Trust and believe. Come back in a year or so and look at your images...at that time, you'll know you did the right thing.

 

[njkphoto]

I wanted to say that if it was me and I was considering this kind of project I would shoot it on Tri-X. I just love Tri-X. What do you mean the use of Tri-X is totally independent?

 

[2F/2F]

I wanted to say that if it was me and I was considering this kind of project I would shoot it on Tri-X. I just love Tri-X. What do you mean the use of Tri-X is totally independent?

I mean that pretty much everything in your paragraph up to that that sentence was about what film format to use, not about emulsion selection. The sentence about the emulsion did not follow your argument about film format, and seemed random and out of place. It made it seem as if you equated Tri-X with small format, which is available in all common formats, including 4x5 and larger. It sounded like, "Don't do it on 4x5. Do it on Tri-X instead."

 

[njkphoto]

Not at all. I did not intent to equate Tri-X with any format, I just wanted to say that it might be easier for the photographer to shoot 35mm (Ijust like Tri-X that is why I mentioned it) and I did not say anything about emulsion. At this point since I am a new member I would like to mention that some of my sentences could be a bit confusing since English is my second language

 

[Stephanie Brim]

The very first idea I had was to show only the people's faces. I figured on using natural light as much as possible, a black backdrop, and a large format camera. Since it's what I already have, I was planning on using a 210mm lens on either 4x5 (which I can shoot now) or 5x7 (which is why I put up the ad - I wanted to source one). I think that 5x7 would be an excellent size for the portraits if I did them this way. The problem is that, if I was going to shoot 5x7 head shots, a 210 may be a little wide...so I thought about sourcing a 300mm. Faces are important to me...expressions on them can tell a lot about a person.

Anyway, I'm working on a concept. I'm going to have Adam sit down for me this weekend and I'm going to shoot with the Mamiya C3 until I can fix up the Speed Graphic to be usable on a Tripod again. I'm heading to the next town over to get some supplies: something to use to secure the Speed to the tripod so that it's usable, a piece of fabric to use as a backdrop, a piece of glass and a piece of wood that I can use as a makeshift contact frame, and a cheap backless stool for people to sit on.

This project is all about me learning how to take a good portrait as well as telling this story. But this is only one way to do things. I'm going to be trying out multiple things before I decide on how to do it. I've gotten some really great ideas from all of you.

 

[clayne]

The very first idea I had was to show only the people's faces. I figured on using natural light as much as possible, a black backdrop, and a large format camera. Since it's what I already have, I was planning on using a 210mm lens on either 4x5 (which I can shoot now) or 5x7 (which is why I put up the ad - I wanted to source one). I think that 5x7 would be an excellent size for the portraits if I did them this way. The problem is that, if I was going to shoot 5x7 head shots, a 210 may be a little wide...so I thought about sourcing a 300mm. Faces are important to me...expressions on them can tell a lot about a person.

This is true, but I would highly recommend face-based portraits be a secondary element rather than the primary. By far, a project like this is screaming for environmental portraits (IMO) - such as 35mm (135) or 80mm (120) focal lengths. If you can photograph the people actually at work, or doing things like hobbies, etc. I think it would be very beneficial.

 

[njkphoto]

I just discovered this photographer which I think does some amazing portrait work and I think it might help you for your project. Here is the link. http://www.ericamcdonaldphoto.com/

 

[BrianShaw]

... a piece of glass and a piece of wood that I can use as a makeshift contact frame...

Just out of curiousity... onto what are you planning to contact print?

 

[BrianShaw]

Was that a rude or stupid question? Just wondering.

 

[michaelbsc]

Was that a rude or stupid question? Just wondering.

Nah, I think the thread is just winding down.