Pictures of Paper

RyanB

RyanB

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Ryan
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Sounds odd/ possibly boring but a while back I started photographing paper, folded, curled, textured/ not, monochrome and lit by gel coloured flash. I haven't done tonnes of images but someone suggested they would make an interesting coffee table book and I filed that suggestion in the back of my mind. This week I started seriously thinking about the logistics of putting something together and came to the conclusion that first I probably need more images and second possibly some more unbiased feedback than I would get at home.

My aim is to get together a minimum of 28 images (currently have around 16) to fill a book. As for the printer, paper type, binding etc.. I'm a bit clueless although I am quite partial to the idea of a hard back. Initially thinking 3-4 copies for friends and family as gifts.

I thought I might as well make a thread here as there seems to be a wealth of experience amongst our members who I'm hoping might put their 2 cents in to help me sort it all out in my head.

I've ordered some different paper types and been looking at inspiration for folds and colour to create some more images but I thought this would be a good place to post them as I make new images.

Happy to hear thoughts on the images and or suggestions on the overall project, be as brutal as you like I can take it (hopefully... ;) ) I do have some niggling doubt in the back of my mind that its worth the effort and expense.

A few of the images I have done so far for a taste of what I'm talking about.
1.
5P8A4845v900.jpg

2.
5P8A4684v1010.jpg

3.
5P8A4823v3v1010fixed.jpg

4.
5P8A5712v2v1024.jpg

5.
5P8A4740-denoise1010.jpg

6.
5P8A4806v1010.jpg

Geez, never have I hesitated about hitting the 'post thread' button like I have with this one...
 
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RyanB said:
I've ordered some different paper types and been looking at inspiration for folds and colour to create some more images but I thought this would be a good place to post them as I make new images.
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Some origami incorporated into your paper adventure would be cool, think of it as a challenge(y).
 
Wonderful images Ryan, at your usual impeccable standard. I think a book of these would work well, but tbh a lot of these are perfect for wall art. You should consider something commercial with them definitely.
 
woof woof said:
I really like those Ryan. well done :D
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David_Mug said:
Absolutely fascinating. Wonderful, creative ideas.
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Micro-four-thirds said:
Wow they’re fantastic, thanks for sharing
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Boots said:
Great idea and superb images.
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Many thanks guys, a very encouraging response. :)

Wacky Adventurer said:
Some origami incorporated into your paper adventure would be cool, think of it as a challenge(y).
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Great suggestion. It's definitely something I have considered. I even tried my hand at it a few years ago but the results were err... lets say very amateur, to be very generous.
I may revisit it as I still have the kit knocking about somewhere.

lindsay said:
Wonderful images Ryan, at your usual impeccable standard. I think a book of these would work well, but tbh a lot of these are perfect for wall art. You should consider something commercial with them definitely.
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Thanks Lindsay, I have had a few (#1 and #3) up on Photo4Me for a while now but had no sales. In fact no sales of any type since it started getting flooded with AI slop images but then I stopped uploading there when that started happening.

Our local cc has a show on in September at Ely cathedral and some of these are in the running. Possibly as a framed panel of 4 as I have a coupe of very large frames I have been trying to find a use for. I have printed a few as A3+ on textured fine art paper and really liked the results so maybe I'll have better luck with people viewing them in person, who knows.
 
Very nice Ryan, the red/yellow has an ever so slight texture and creates interesting highlights within the fold. Textured rag type paper could add to the effect. Good luck with the show. I think a panel of four would diminish the impact of those beauties. Is there not an art shop you can stick them in on commission or something?
 
Barney said:
Very nice Ryan, the red/yellow has an ever so slight texture and creates interesting highlights within the fold. Textured rag type paper could add to the effect. Good luck with the show. I think a panel of four would diminish the impact of those beauties. Is there not an art shop you can stick them in on commission or something?
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Cheers Wayne, I have printed on textured etching paper which does add to the effect for sure. Its about as heavy a gauge paper as my printer can handle so anything heavier would have to go to a pro printer which is certainly an option I have explored. Not sure on the art shops, we used to have one in town that did exactly that but they closed down a few years ago, said they were moving but never reopened. Instead we have yet another tanning salon in its place... :mad:

Have to do some research about what's about in Cambridge in that regard, down there next week so if I see some I will pop in for a chat.
 
RyanB said:
Cheers Wayne, I have printed on textured etching paper which does add to the effect for sure. Its about as heavy a gauge paper as my printer can handle so anything heavier would have to go to a pro printer which is certainly an option I have explored. Not sure on the art shops, we used to have one in town that did exactly that but they closed down a few years ago, said they were moving but never reopened. Instead we have yet another tanning salon in its place... :mad:

Have to do some research about what's about in Cambridge in that regard, down there next week so if I see some I will pop in for a chat.
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Apologies if I have caused confusion Ryan, I meant folding the textured paper. I should have been clearer.

If you like the effect inside the folds on the fourth shot, "the red one"

I feel a right clown even commenting on such excellent innovative work
 
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Barney said:
Apologies if I have caused confusion Ryan, I meant folding the textured paper. I should have been clearer.

If you like the effect inside the folds on the fourth shot, "the red one"

I feel a right clown even commenting on such excellent innovative work
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Ah I see what you mean and yes textured paper is a great medium for this kind of stuff. Too thick and it makes shaping it a bit complicated/ difficult but it does look good with some texture to catch the light.

Also not a clown in the slightest, all comments are appreciated here! ( especially well considered one's like yours) :)
 
hottodz said:
Wow this is great :) wish I was creative like this :)
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Topsy said:
What a great creative idea/set Ryan, makes one think about thinking outside of the box. (y)
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lindsay said:
Wonderful images Ryan, at your usual impeccable standard. I think a book of these would work well, but tbh a lot of these are perfect for wall art. You should consider something commercial with them definitely.
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I agree with all of the above :)
 
skullfunkerry said:
I agree with all of the above :)
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Thanks Kerry!
dibbly dobbler said:
These are great - well done! The only one I am not that fussed for is the first funnily enough - the rough edge on the paper draws my eye. Might just be me so feel free to ignore :)
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Cheers Mike, that's a fair crit.
It was one of the first ones I did after #3 and I also wasn't liking the rough edges at the time. I even tried to redo it with smoother edged paper but never could repeat the design which I really liked. It did well in my CC in both internal and external comps so I decided maybe I was just being too picky and added it to my keeper selection.

These are actually pretty hard if not impossible to repeat as there are so many variables from light (many of these have 2-3 off camera flashes), gel colours( affects the mono conversion) and camera angles before you even get to the placement of the paper. I got a lot more perfectionist about the little details as my technique evolved.

Got to take the rough with the smooth I guess... ;) :exit:
 
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