Jellehavermans:reviewing

Version 1

Kamali interviews Jelle Kamali asks:

What are you making? I'm making a focal camera. It's a pinholematte painting It allows you to adjust the image before taking a picture. Why are you making it? I'm fascinated by cinematography in the 50s and 60s, the matte painting-method was often used back then. I want to reproduce these esthetics through still images, whilst commenting on the weird fantasy that was the norm (and which is still visible in contemporary cinema) Does it relate to other things you have done? The thematics (50's and 60's cinema) are similar to my precious projects. In my previous work(s) I have also criticised the " american fantasy" How is it different to other things you have done? This is going to be the first time for me that I will be shooting analogue I've also never made a camera before. What are the most significant choices have you made recently? I've decided that I'm probably not going to use photoshop but a studio setting. I'll also try to shoot some analog pictures besides my digital ones.

Version 2

I'm currently making a pinhole camera, which I can use to shoot simple photo's with matte paintings as background, because there is a plastic transparent element attached to it. It allows me to adjust the image before taking a picture. I'm planning on taking pictures of landscapes, which I can influence with the transparent element. I'm fascinated by cinematography in the 1950s and 60s, the matte painting-method was often used back then. I want to reproduce these esthetics through still images, whilst commenting on the weird fantasy that was the norm back then. (and which is still visible in contemporary cinema) I want to experiment with the same techniques as filmmakers from the 50's and 60's to see what kind of problems or inventions I can run into. Does it relate to other things you have done? The thematics, which 50's and 60's cinema, are similar to my previous projects. In my previous work I have criticised the "white american fantasy", which is a term I use to describe that ideal image of the middle class (white) American, living this simple but flashy lifestyle in the 50's and sixties. You often saw it in advertisements and movies, and it's influence is still noticeable in popular media. I think I’m appealed mostly by it's pretty shallowness; it portrays a small and idealised version of a certain time. For example; in movies like North By Northwest almost every ingredient is part of a specific male American fantasy. There is the handsome, successful male lead; a tanned, older but still attractive man who runs a business in a big, flashy city. He wears pretty suits and despite being dragged into a conspirarcy, he remains fairly calm and looks best. His pursuit to the pretty landscapes of the United States even get him to show off his awesome sunglasses. This is going to be the first time for me that I will be shooting analogue on film. (except for polaroid) I've also never made a camera before, so I hope it's going to learn me more about film and photography as a tool. I've decided that I'm probably not going to use photoshop but a studio setting. I'll also try to shoot some analog pictures besides my digital ones.