The homepage for Mollie Chapman's archeography project.

The Proposal

Proposition: The photograph is a 3 dimensional object. This includes not only the paper that the photo is printed on (how it feels, what size it is, thickness, etc.), but also the emulsion of the film. Embedded in the image is the process that created that image. How was the light bent by the lens before it reached the film? How did the grains of silver interact with that light? The difference between digital and film is much more than a quantitative estimate of dots per inch. The grain has a depth as well as a value (of color, darkness). Not only this, but it records the light differently.

Proposition: Photographs are subjective. This subjectivity is not a new phenomena of Photoshop. The manipulation of the image begins with the camera. First, the choice of subject and then the selection of the frame. The perspective, the moment, the depth of field (which has the power to distinguish between figure and ground), the length of the exposure (is time stopped or emphasized?), and finally the type of camera.

Proposition: Part of this subjectivity depends on the camera being used for the photography. Different cameras create different modes of engagement. These include both the way the photographer interacts with the camera and—when photographing people—the way this interaction interacts with the subject.

To explore these propositions I am shooting the same subject with several different cameras.

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The Cameras

Toy Cameras
The Diana
Some other photographers who have used the Diana:
http://dianekaye.com/DSKToyCameraGallery/maintoycamera.html http://diana.com.hk/gallery/

The Pouva
An example of Pouva work:
http://www.usefilm.com/image/989117.html

Twin Lens Reflex
The Mamiya c330
Diane Arbus used a TLR.
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/A/arbus/arbus.html http://www.artnet.com/artist/672854/diane-arbus.html

Single Lens Reflex
Canon T90, with 14 mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 200mm lenses

Leica with an uncoated pre-war 35mm lens

Digital
Nikon Coolpix 990, with a swiviling lens/viewfinder and a fisheye lens

Early Cameras
Kodak Box Brownie 1925
More info at: http://www.boxcameras.com/no2brownie.html

Altissa

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The Subject
Ann's Coffeehouse in Menlo Park
Famous for its pies and a local favorite since WWII, Ann's continues to serve up classic American fare with the charm of its rich history. They have generously allowed me to frequent their establishment for this project. I choose Ann's in part, because of its historical feel, to play with the way different cameras give off impressions of different time periods.

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The Results
Images from Ann's

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