Against the Wall

I took a medium format film camera and flash to a New Years Eve party, probably not a great idea when you take into account my propensity to lose/break equipment while under the influence, but I’m glad I did. I shot all these images within about 2 hours, but decided to stop when I started loading film back to front…
I photographed on a Mamiya 7II rangefinder camera and a Vivitar 285 flash. All the photographs were made in almost complete darkness, the only time I saw the expression on the subjects face is when I fired the shutter and saw them illuminated by flash through the rangefinder window. Direct flash is never flattering, and I don’t think these are flattering portraits, but are my portraits ever?

Film is either Fuji Pro 400H or Fuji Superia 400 for colour and Kodak Tri-X for mono.

9 responses to “Against the Wall”

Ally Croft

January 8, 2013 at 2:04 pm

These are great! Dare I say they have a Terry Richardson look to them?

Really impressive work! I got to get me shooting some film, seriously!

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mariepalbom

January 8, 2013 at 2:16 pm

really like these! not all portraits have to be flattering – thats the beauty of a portrait:) Great work.

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kairulabas

January 8, 2013 at 3:29 pm

Direct flash doesn’t flattering film photography 🙂 amazing work, Sir.

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ckponderings

January 8, 2013 at 5:32 pm

Great images – I understand where you’re coming from with direct flash, but it seems to have only gone to enhance these images – they are of a moment, NYE, and are summarising that evening, not the people your photographing. (And they all seem relatively sober!) The second and fourth shots are my favourites! 🙂

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parth893

January 8, 2013 at 8:18 pm

AWesome Mannnn …… CAnt Explain How Much i liked emm ❤

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Carissa

January 9, 2013 at 6:49 am

Honestly, are you capable of taking a bad photograph?

I don’t smoke, yet I’m partial to the two smokers. And I love the last one.

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1. Phil Kneen Photography
  
  January 9, 2013 at 10:06 am
  
  Haha! That’s very kind, thank you, but I do have quite the collection of negatives that will never see the light of day!
  
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Jan

January 11, 2013 at 1:12 pm

Not sure what these people look like in real life, but on your portraits they look REAL. You’ve mastered the art of ‘cool, trendy, Phil Kneen photography’ and I love your images. They are always yours whoever is in them.

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Alchimaer Art

June 10, 2015 at 12:02 am

Perfect

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