How Instant Photography Works

Instant cameras were a real revolution in the world of photography. Their invention made it possible for people to take a picture and hold the actual photograph in their hands only a few seconds later. How does that work? The film inside the camera is a plastic base coat with particles of silver compounds that are sensitive to light. Color films, such as those in instant cameras, have three layers of silver compounds – the top layer is sensitive to blue light, the middle layer to green and the bottom layer to red light. Underneath each layer, there is a developer layer containing dye couplers. All these layers sit on top of a black base layer and underneath the image layer, the timing layer and the acid layer. When exposed to light, the sensitive particles at each layer react to light of that color, forming metallic silver at that layer. The developing process is then started by the reagent. It is a mix of light blockers, alkali and white pigment. It is collected in a blob at the white bottom of the film sheet, away from the light-sensitive material to keep the film from developing before it has been exposed. After taking a picture, the film sheet passes out of the camera through a pair of rolls. The rolls help spread the reagent out in the middle of the film sheet where it reacts with other chemical layers in the film. The opacifier material stops the light from filtering onto the layers below. The reagent then dissolves the developer dye so it begins to diffuse up toward the image layer. Only the dyes from the unexposed layers will reach the image layer. The acid layer in the film reacts with the alkali and opacifiers in the reagent, making the opacifier become clear. The timing layer slows the reagent down on its way to the acid layer, to give the film time to develop before it is exposed to light. When the film sheet gets out of the camera you are actually able to see the last chemical reaction, namely the acid layer clearing up the opacifier in the reagent and making the image visible.

(363 words)

How to make a camera lucida?

The instructions “How to make a camera lucida”, written by Tim Hunkin, are very vague.

They do not not fulfill their task to explain how to build a camera lucida. Many important elements of an effective instructional text are missing. At the beginning the author does not provide a  list of items that are needed for the project. Constructing something without a list of what is required can be hard. However, the author tries to illustrate the process of building the camera by providing pictures that show measurements for the materials. Another important element missing is the estimated time for the project. Further on, what is really noticeable when looking at the how-to-guide, is that there are no numbered steps. It is challenging to follow the instructions as they are divided into paragraphs. Although the author explains how to build the camera lucida, he does not provide information on how to build the construct on which the camera should be fixed if used for drawing purposes. Despite containing pictures that could be helpful while building the camera lucida, the instructional text is complicated and makes it hard follow the steps since they are not numbered.

[195 words]

Migrant Mother - Description

Depressed, hopeless and gazing into space, Florence Owens Thompson depicts the sorrow surrounding her. She is in the center of the photograph, taking up most of the image. Her arm is supporting her head, looking like she is in fear of the future. The long and bony fingers are touching her narrow and dry lips, which have not tasted proper food and clean water for quite some time. Deep wrinkles around her mouth and eyes make her look older than she probably is, as well as revealing her concern for the family's future. The mother is wearing a checked shirt and a vest that look old, torn and itchy, as if they were made out of burlap. Hidden in her arm lies an infant wrapped in a dirty blanket. Next to the mother are her two older children leaning on her shoulders. Both children are not facing the camera but have instead buried their faces in their hands. It seems as though they are trying to hide behind their mother where they feel safe and protected. What can be easily noticed by looking at the children is that they have the same hairstyle, namely a bowl haircut. The light hair color of the child standing on the viewers right side makes a good contrast to the mother’s and other childs dark hair. Last but not least, the pale background illustrates the hopelessness and bleakness of her situation.

(237 words)


XOXO A.

A day in the life of...me! :)

“I need more sleep”. My first thought in the morning is how I need to go to bed earlier today and finally get a good night’s sleep. I usually have troubles falling asleep and most of the time end up staring at the ceiling. Therefore, I really appreciate the days when I am so exhausted that I just crash.

After getting out of bed my thoughts wander on what my tasks for the day are. I think about what I have to study for and the homework I still have not finished. The work keeps pilling up and my initial motivation for the day is starting to drop. University is a must on almost every day of the week. Although hard work is ahead of me there I also know that it is the place where I meet my friends, where we talk about our hopes and fears.

This leads me to another very important aspect of my day, my friends. My friends keep me going, they help me get up when I fall and encourage me to be the best possible version of myself. Whenever I feel like giving up, they are here to push me back into the game. I cannot imagine my life without them, I probably would not be the person I am today.

(218 words)

"What does it matter how many lovers you have if none of them gives you the universe?" 
Jacques Lacan