From Camera to Wall - Part One - Framing and Hanging

In the modern day, the perception of a photograph has changed with the advent of the life altering device that lives in all of our pockets, the mobile phone. With the benefits of a sense of consistent connection to all, but more appropriately the speed and ease of photography. Photographs now have a very different meaning, or do they?

We can all still admire the end result of a professional photograph hanging on a wall, but do we really know what it takes to get to this stage? I'm unsure we do, let me take this opportunity to unveil just what this process entails.

Starting in reverse order, with the final stage first - Framing and Hanging - part one in a series of six fortnightly newsletters. Over the coming weeks, demystifying the steps we take from 'Camera to Wall’.

Framing

Once you have selected the frame you'd like to showcase your photograph in, we work closely with master craftsmen we trust to achieve first class results. The wooden mouldings are made in England and Italy in a wide range of finishes. Each photograph is dry mounted to keep flat with an overlay mount if preferred, then sealed in the frame to prevent moisture and dust from seeping in.

We recommend using Art Glass, to cut reflection by 99% and to reveal the true colours of the photograph that ordinary glass doesn't. For work that is being transported abroad, acrylic instead of glass is a must, it's lightweight and shatter proof.

Nothing passes quality control until every join and cut is inspected to pass our strict attention to detail. We even make sure each piece has it's own certificate of authenticity added to the back, this shows which frame and mount card was used and the date the photograph was taken on, just to remind you in years to come.

Hanging

We also offer a service to deliver to your home or work premises, and to hang your photographs, so easy to get this part wrong. I oversee the hanging process using a trusted gallerist, who comes equipped with the correct tools for the job, including a laser line level, so vertically and horizontally everything is spot on, no more left a bit down a bit! Always a pleasure to see the end result and happy customers.

Please join me in two weeks time for Part Two - Meeting the Customer and Planning the Shoot.

Bye for now.

Stella

Let's Get In The Darkroom

Robin Bell in his London studio where he continues to process and print by traditional means.

For people born in the last decade of the 20th century a dark room isn't something they would necessarily associate with photography.

With this in mind, I'd like to tell them and remind others born before 1990 just exactly what did, and still does happen in the photographic dark room.

When I started my photographic career back in the 70s processing black and white film and printing the images were just as important as taking the shot. It takes a very skilled processor and printer to interpret the photographers vision - the two work together to create outstanding results.

A recent visit to Robin Bell in Fulham took me down memory lane. I was fascinated to see that very little had changed since the early days of this dying art. Robin is one of Britain's most respected black & white printers and just by spending a few hours watching him at work it was clear to see why.

Checking to see the images once processed.

Film Processing

Once the film has been loaded on the spiral it is processed in temperature controlled developer for a certain number of minutes, this depends on the type of film and the exposure the photographer has taken the images at, this process is all carried out in total darkness as stray light would fog the film.

Preparing the film for drying.

Drying

After the developing process of 3 different chemicals, developer, stop bath and fix, the film then needs to be washed in a solution to prevent drying marks and then hung in a warm air cupboard ready for printing, this last process can be carried out in normal lighting as the light sensitive part finishes once the film is in the fix solution.

In the darkroom holding the enlarger to print the image on paper, this process is carried out in amber lighting.

Printing

The negative is placed in a carrier above the lens in the enlarger which is then projected onto light sensitive paper, depending on the negative quality Robin chooses the appropriate grade of paper for best results, this is all carried out in amber lighting which the paper isn't sensitive to. Just like a camera, the enlarger has a lens to focus the image on the paper and a timer is set to expose for the correct exposure.

Custom made dodge tools used to hold back various tones in the printing process that need less exposure to light, and above the tools are boxes of printing papers.

The 3 trays of chemicals, from left to right, developer, stop bath and fix.

Boxes of negatives from photographers such as, Justin Leighton, Terence Donovan, John Swanell and Marcus Tomlinson.

Finishing

When the photograph has been through the chemical solutions it then needs to be washed and dried before any dust spots are retouched. Using a fine paint brush and black retouching dye in various concentrations, this technique that can take a lifetime to master!

A print of Calvin Harris perfectly printed.

A print of Audrey Hepburn Robin printed for a recent exhibition about the screen icon.

Compare Traditional to Digital Printing

The above two photographs are from the same 35mm black and white negative, the one on top was printed by Robin in the darkroom as described above, the picture bellow was by digital means.

The negative was scanned to a high resolution, then via photoshop any dust spots and scratches removed and converted to black and white so there aren't any stray colour casts, with a few tweaks of levels and contrast it is then inkjet printed.

The difference you can see is that the tonal range on the left is far richer, showing true blacks compared to the digital inkjet print on the right.

You can still achieve a good tonal range digitally by using a good quality fine art paper, but not quite as rich as traditional black and white printing.

If you would like to have a studio or location shoot in black and white film, for traditional printing, do let me know so I can dust off my film cameras to create something a little more bespoke.

Thanks for reading I'll be back next month with news about my location bluebell shoots which are soon to flower.

Bye for now

Stella

London Classic Car Show 2016

I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to photograph the Preview Evening of The London Classic Car Show on Thursday 18th February, having photographed the first show last year I was keen to see what was in store for 2016.

Guests included Jenson Button, Gordon Murray, Ari Vatanen, Bruno Senna, Jodie Kidd, Tom Ford, Jonny Smith and the evening was hosted by Suzi Perry.

One of the show’s main events was the Classic Six Nations Cup in which teams of ten iconic classic cars from the six leading car-producing nations vied for votes from visitors.

And when all the votes had been counted, the UK team – which included such varied machines at the original Mini, the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Le Mans Bentley, McLaren F1 supercar, Aston Martin DB5, Land Rover and Graham Hill’s 1968 title winning Lotus 49 Grand Prix car – narrowly beat an Italian team full of Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis. 

Below are my highlights of The London Classic Car Show 2016 Preview Evening.

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, made an impressive entrance driving a McLaren F1 – the supercar was celebrated at the show in a special display curated by its designer Gordon Murray.

Suzi Perry, Jensen Button and Jodie Kidd with the McLaren F1.

Classic car dealers crammed the halls with impressive displays of rare and valuable classic cars, many with six figure price tags. By the end of the show they delightedly reported sales of many millions of pounds.

A quote from the Event Director Bas Bungish:-
“If we were delighted by how the first London Classic Car Show was received in 2015, we were blown away by the response to the 2016 edition. From the moment the show opened right until the final curtain each day, the halls were buzzing with visitors. They loved the special displays and really got involved with the show: more than 9,000 for example, voted in the Classic Six Nations Cup.

“And the really good news is that we are already starting work to make the 2017 London Classic Car Show even better. Make a note in your diaries now: 23-26 February 2017,” said Bungish.

That's a date in my diary I don't want to miss!

Thanks for reading, I'll be back once a month with updates.

Stella

Where it all began

My journey with photography began back in the 70s, I had a fascination for being able to preserve a moment forever.

The recent photograph above with my first camera and light meter.

The picture below shows a photograph I took as I embarked on my apprenticeship 40 years ago, I came across this whilst I was having a sort out over Christmas, it immediately took me back to the day I pressed the shutter.

It was the first picture I took for my college course work, I processed the 35mm film and printed the picture too, it was the beginning of my colourful journey, as I celebrate my 19th year, today 10th February, since I opened my studio SMS Creative Photography.

Picture Library Of course photography goes much, much further back, to the 19th century. The Getty Archives in London house a vast collection of images from the beginning to present day.

The glass negatives below must be at least 100 years old. I enjoyed an educational tour of the archives given by Vice President Matthew Butson, about the millions of images available that cover almost every event photographed in history and much, much more!

Matthew Butson, Vice President, of the Getty Hulton Archive.

Rarely seen album of photographs of the Queen at home with her sister Princess Margaret. Thanks for reading I'll be back next month with more news.

Bye for now.

Stella

RM Sotheby's London Auction Monday 7 September 2015

Blue Chip Automobiles

On Monday 7 September I took a trip to Battersea Park to see a spectacular array of classic and supercars for the annual RM Sotheby's London auction. As usual RM Sotheby's didn't disappoint with this line up of 75 blue-chip automobiles, displayed for viewing during a champagne reception on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 September. The above Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster didn't meet the reserve of £650,000 - £850,000

Auctioneer

The lots were numbered between 101-176 and the auction was streamed live. For any of you who have seen auctioneer Max Girardo in action will know he conducts the auction with panache and zeal, communicating in English, French and Italian depending on the bidder. Max always makes these events exciting and entertaining with the help of Peter Wallman (left) who introduces each of the lots with a potted history.

Lots

Below are a selection of the cars, they were each presented with military precision, either driven or rolled on and off the stage for all to admire. Stunning photographs taken on location of each car were displayed on screens above. My favorite was the 1953 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 coupé, with the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider a close second

The star of the show, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione 'Tour de France' which went for £4,250,000 on the hammer making competition history, it was exciting to watch as the telephone bids were coming in thick and fast. Ferraris as usual stole the show, with total sales achieved of more than £16.6 million.

To find out more and to see the prices they were sold for please click here.

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks with more to share.

Enjoy the weekend! Bye for now.

Stella

Summer Photographic Exhibitions

This is my favorite time of year, with the Summer Solstice on Sunday 21st June. What better way to spend 16 hours of daylight than outside with your friends and family and camera in hand. The perfect opportunity to make the most of the early morning light from dawn 'til dusk. Inspiration

If you need a little bit of inspiration it's worth making the most of the various photographic exhibitions not too far from home. I have chosen a few that may interest you in London, but firstly one in Kent, at Hever Castle this Sunday for Father's Day.

Stella Scordellis Automotive Photography at Hever Castle on Father's Day Sunday 21st June, a family day out and to see the cars and bikes racing legend John Surtees once drove and to meet him too.  On display are a selection of my Limited Edition framed automotive photographs and on sale for the first time. This link will tell you more.

Beneath the Surface at Somerset House until 24th August, the photographs on display are of a watery theme dating back to Victorian times, some rarely seen and from the V & A collection.

Fresh Faced + Wide Eyed at the Photographers Gallery is dedicated to recognising and nurturing new talents on until 5th July.

Ernst Haas: Reconstructing London at the Atlas Gallery showing images by this iconic photographer of London in the late 1940's some of it still recognisable, on until Saturday 4th July.

Audrey Hepburn - Portraits of An Icon at the National Portrait Gallery from 2nd July, a selection of more than seventy images taken by, Terry O'Neill, Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Norman Parkinson and Irving Penn, this isa must if you love portraiture.

 A History of Photography Series and Sequences Victoria and Albert Museum until 1st November. V&A’s internationally renowned collection, which chronicles the history of photography from the 1840s to the present day. In 1852, the V&A became the first museum in the UK to collect photographs and in 1858, the first to hold a photography exhibition.

Would You Like to Understand Your Camera Better? If this applies to you please get in touch. Twice a week I save the time to teach, on a one to one basis, how to understand your camera better and how to achieve professional results. Often this is bought as a gift voucher to present to someone special (like your dad for Father's Day).

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks with more to share.

Enjoy the sunshine! Bye for now.

Stella