Robert Trudell

I enrolled in a Black & White Film Photography Class (Art-191) at the Arizona Western College (AWC) for Fall.  It’s conveniently held across the street from my house at the Yuma Union High School.  The Instructor, Joe Medina, also teaches the High School Students.

In our second assignment, “The Self Portrait”, we were instructed to use 2 rules of composition which included Framing and the Rule of 1/3rds.  And the part I often find difficult in Self Portraits, we’re required to be in focus.

I tried to get a feel of the composition  and experiment with the camera setup by using my digital SLR (Sony A550 with a Minolta 28 mm*1.5 , f2.8 lens) and then mimicked that with the film camera (Minolta Maxxum 7000 with a Minolta 50mm, f1.4 lens).

We were required to take 12 Direct shots of ourselves and 12 Reflected or Shadow Shots.  While I spent days planning, drawing and composing my ideas along with gathering the props and outfits, practically none of those themes or scenes were used on film.  I suppose some were difficult to execute and others would have me making a ridiculous spectacle of myself in public.  While looking ridiculous in public hasn’t always detoured me, it did this weekend.

Mr. Medina (a.k.a. Funky Cold) told us to take all the photos outside in the early or late daytime, so I took mine late at night and indoors.  Later I tried opening the windows and using the daylight on either side of the house and studio apartment.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F2.8, Iso 400, 8/29/10, 3:54AM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs

At first I tried to frame my actual head in front of the poster with the Wanted text displayed.  It turns out my head was too large, so I put the poster in front and liked the result.  Hopefully the Wanted text is in the B/W film version.

Shutter 1/320 Sec, F2.8, Iso 400, 8/29/10, 5:00AM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs

Looking for a frame in the above Garage Studio Apartment, I saw the handsome attic access door I recently had installed.  The ladder nearly tipped over on this awkward shot and could of left me finishing the 24 frames of film in the hospital.

While I had the ladder out, I decided to check if Ray Collier placed the insulation on the Access Door as asked.  The answer was “no” and it was missing in other places as well.  I did spot this Bat in the Belfry when I had the door open.

Shutter 1/80 Sec, F2.8, Iso 400, 8/29/10, 5:21AM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs

The next frame I found was the Shower.  I figured I could use the shower curtain bar as a pull-up bar and do a Rocky poster pose.  The frame was narrow and I had a difficult time placing my elbows naturally.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F2.8, Iso 400, 8/29/10, 4:28PM, Lighting North and West Window Sunlight

Next I wanted to take some more photos on a wall without a frame, so I took the curtains from the house and hung them to stage a frame of my own.

Along with the Rocky theme, I found some shorts and a boxing glove.  Short 1 glove I used a Rooster Oven Mitt, which I found fitting as my most successful punch is the cold cock.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/29/10, 6:59PM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs, some Western Window Sunlight

And in Boxing there’s the Weigh-In

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F3.5, ISO 400, 8/29/10, 7:08PM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs, some Western Window Sunlight

While looking for some Cartoons of my friend Marek Zochowski’s, I stumbled over some pictures of his long lost children, Ashley and Daniel.  I found Ashley on Facebook and let her know she could contact me if she was interested in reaching Marek.

In this photo, I’m wondering if you think I did the right thing.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F2.8, ISO 400, 8/29/10, 11:40PM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, Overhead 60W Florescent Bulb

I tried to polish up a Reading Lamp my Mother-in-Law gave me to take a reflective picture of my vision through reading glasses.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 1:07AM, Lighting 1-300W Florescent, Overhead 60W Florescent Bulb

Looking for more reflective objects, I shined up the old Mirror Ball for this spotlight shot.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F10, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 8:57AM, Eastern Window Light, Reading Lamp

I enjoyed the way Kingston Gee framed a photo of me after winning the 2004 US National U1700 Table Tennis Championship.  I tried to recreate a facsimile of my Window to the World here.

Shutter 1/250 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 9:39AM, Eastern Window Light

It kind of looks like a helmeted soldier looking through a castle fortress window to me.

Here’s 1 of the photos I originally planned and diagrammed doing.  My Stiga Ping Pong Table is awkwardly placed between 2 rooms divided by a double pocket door.  When thinking of frames this was one of the first things that came to mind.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F4.5, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 10:54AM, Eastern Window Light

Another framed location I originally liked were my fireplaces.  After experimenting with a few blah poses, I came up with me sitting Indian Style and cradling my gumball machine filled with orange 38mm balls and a white 40mm Nittaku big ball released in the slot.  I’ve got a paddle on my knee that kind of looks like a rag to wipe the baby’s burp-ups off with.

Shutter 1/60 Sec, F4.5, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 11:09AM, Eastern Window Light

Running out of light from the East and needing some more reflective photos, I went to the Women’s Restroom to use the Bathroom mirror.  I discovered my girlfriend in the shower covering herself and decided to use her to help me focus the camera.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F3.2, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 11:30AM, Northern Window Light

She’s a 2-Dimensional Hottie, but she serves her purpose.

When I stepped in the shower myself I found she left a friggin bomb!!!

Not knowing what to do, I peeked around the curtain.

Then I finally realized I had my Safety Glasses to protect my eyes.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F3.2, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 11:46AM, Northern Window Light

Whew!

After all that Danger, I needed a cool drink.  Would you believe, just when I was thirsty, Iron Man crashes through my ceiling with a Dr. Pepper!  It was a plaster disaster, but quenched the craving.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 12:00PM, Northern Window Light

So, I was looking through my desk drawer for something and found this coupon.  I know I’ve got lots of them since they all tell me to “Keep” them and I haven’t seen any that tell me to throw them away.

Shutter 1/60 Sec, F3.2, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 12:44PM, Southern Window Light

I tried to frame this photo with both the door and the mirror.

Of course I still have my Safety Glasses on as I like to play things safe when keeping coupons and such.  Who knows, maybe a pipe could break in the Handicap Restroom and I don’t want it to put out my eye.  I hope I’m not being too cautious.

I did a search on self portraits and found one I liked using a door knob reflection. Unable to find a good continuous round shiny knob mounted on my doors, I settled by pulling out an extra packaged knob with a keyhole I had and slipping it in a tripod mounting plate slot.  I looked for a more interesting  place to slip my newly polished knob in, and found nothing more appealing.

Shutter 1/100 Sec, F3.2, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 1:38PM, Northern Window Light

Searching for a reflective pool, I sought something with a dark bottom and dark liquid.  It occurred I hadn’t had my morning coffee yet and wouldn’t ya know, my favorite black Aztec cups were in front of me in the display case.

Shutter 1/50 Sec, F2.8, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 1:54PM, Northern Window Light

Ohh, we need more shiny things!  Here’s the pride and joy of my disco lighting collection, mirror with light patterns that moves to the music, and I’ve got an In-N-Out Burger hat I stole from my son, Daniel at the restaurant.

Shutter 1/50 Sec, F2.8, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 2:42PM, Northern Window Light

It’s getting a little warm in the main house, so I head back up to the Casita Studio Stage.  The Franciscan Monk, and Ping Pong Friar appeared with a lit scented Vanilla Candle, searching for what only is found in the House of Guest — me.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 3:40PM, Western Window Light and Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs.

I angled a full length mirror at 45 degrees and pointed the camera at it.  The 28mm lens on the DSLR wasn’t able to focus properly at this range, hopefully it’s okay on the B/W film camera.

Here, the Rosary Ping Pong Paddle wielding Nun finds herself and in herself a hero — Super RET.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 4:02PM, Western Window Light and Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs.

And thanks be to me, I pray, thank you me, thank you Super RET, and please open this Bathroom Door so my system may be cleansed once again.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 4:03PM, Western Window Light and Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs.

Gonna Fly Now. The Nun aspires to fly with her Super Hero.

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F2.8, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 4:10PM, Western Window Light and Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs.

And as the Nun flies into the distance, I’d like to thank my Stand-In 2-Dimensional Hottie Girl for her help and focus brought to this self portrait project.  Thank you very much!

Shutter 1/125 Sec, F4, ISO 400, 8/30/10, 4:17PM, Western Window Light and Lighting 1-300W Florescent, 2-150W Florescent Bulbs.