Visual Design (Roll 1): Fall 2009

October 10, 2009

by Posted in 35mm Slides
visual design 1
Infrared Vision: October 2009
Visual Design (Roll 2): Fall 2009

My Visual Design class at Columbia gave me a couple rolls of film for an assignment. I loosely paid attention to the assignment as I shot this random stuff instead. Here’s the first roll. 35mm slides, fall of 2009.

A sequined scarf, once used as a bandana in a production of "Les Mis," hangs loosely from an unseen support. The background is a wash of soft blurs and colorful lights, primarily shades of green and blue, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The 35mm slide film gives the image a grainy texture and an ethereal quality. A circular light source dominates the frame, its white glow diffused by a greenish tint that fades outward. The slide film's characteristics add a hazy softness to the edges of the light, emphasizing its abstract, almost otherworldly feel. The front of an old, small television with a built-in VCR/VHS tape slot faintly visible. A bright yellow A/V RCA cable protrudes from the side, resting on a metal wire shelf. The scene has a nostalgic tone, with the 35mm slide film adding a slightly washed-out, ghostly effect to the edges of the frame. A close-up of a leopard-print fabric, possibly a pillow or blanket, softly illuminated in warm yellow light. The print's bold, organic patterns stand out against the abstract simplicity of the composition, creating a cozy yet slightly surreal mood, amplified by the softness of the slide film. Trees in near-total darkness dominate this flat, shadowy frame. The branches form faint silhouettes against the murky background, lending the image a haunting, subdued atmosphere. The 35mm slide film accentuates the quiet, eerie stillness with its muted tones and slight grain.

A trio of people, Claire, Caslon, and Phil, stand together but are partially obscured by a bright greenish lamp, which hides their heads. Claire’s smile is faintly visible, as well as Caslon's long hair and casually folded arms. The abstract framing and soft colors from the slide film create a surreal, fragmented moment.

claire + caslon + phil

A stark hallway light shines downward prominently, with a softer upward glow creating an hourglass-like pattern on the wall. The greenish hue from the slide film adds a moody, atmospheric tone, highlighting the contrast between light and shadow. The minimalist composition enhances the abstract, mysterious feel. A blurred, ethereal photograph of three figures, Claire, Caslon, and Phil, captured mid-motion with abstract light and color reflections. Phil’s short, dyed blonde hair stands out while the other figures' features are soft and obscured. The image has a wispy, dreamy effect, typical of 35mm slide film, with soft greens and yellows in the background. A flat, high-contrast image of a sidewalk in Chicago, taken from a slightly low angle. The scene features a bright red fire hydrant standing alone in the distance, a thick black street pole to the right, and a manhole cover on the far side of the frame. The pale concrete pavement appears clean and smooth, creating an abstract and minimalistic urban feel. A grainy, dark photograph with a flat visual effect. The shot captures the essence of emptiness, with a barely perceptible green hue across the surface. The details are abstract and almost entirely obscured, adding an eerie and mysterious quality to the image. A completely dark frame with faint smudges and scratches characteristic of 35mm slide film. The absence of defined elements creates an impression of void or night, amplifying the abstract and minimalist nature of the photo. A scenic view of downtown Chicago featuring a massive green tree dominating the center of the frame, surrounded by tall buildings in the background. Streetlamps line the edge, and a lone bike rider is visible, adding a human element. The pale sky and soft focus lend a serene, ethereal quality to the urban environment. A vivid blue sky occupies most of the frame, with the top corner of a light-colored monument and a small patch of green vines visible in the bottom left. The composition emphasizes the expansive sky and the architectural detail, creating a serene and minimalistic atmosphere.

A close-up of a cracked sidewalk with clusters of dirt and debris scattered across the surface. The intersecting lines from the concrete cracks add a geometric element, while the muted tones lend an abstract and somewhat melancholic feel to the image, indicative of the 35mm slide film aesthetic.

blood (not mine)

A vibrant red fire hydrant with a yellow collar stands on a smooth, light-colored concrete sidewalk. The hydrant has minor scratches and wear, adding texture. The background is an ethereal blur, typical of 35mm slide film, giving a dreamy and isolated focus to the hydrant. Chicago urban scene featuring mid-rise and high-rise buildings with large windows. The foreground includes dark silhouettes of leafy trees that contrast against the soft blue sky. The overall image has a hazy, slightly overexposed look, characteristic of slide film, creating a surreal and abstract impression. A glowing neon green light fixture dominates the frame, casting a soft illumination against a pitch-black background. The rectangular light is slightly off-center, creating a sense of depth and intrigue in this minimalist and abstract shot captured on 35mm slide film. A view of Chicago South Loop train tracks running below a metal bridge structure in a tranquil urban setting. The background includes a line of leafy trees and two towering skyscrapers that appear faint and ethereal through the soft, light haze of the 35mm slide film. The interplay between industrial elements and natural greenery creates a balanced composition. A broad sidewalk in Grant Park, bordered by ornate white concrete railings and evenly spaced antique-style streetlamps. The setting includes lush green trees on either side, with their shadows creating patterns on the pavement. The bright sky enhances the peaceful and picturesque atmosphere, giving the image a dreamy quality typical of 35mm slide film.

Shooting on slide film seemed harder than usual–I don’t know if these rolls were extra sensitive or what. Granted, if there was an issue, it was almost certainly a user issue, not a tool issue. I was still figuring this stuff out, I was doing all kinds of crazy stuff during art school, and I wasn’t exactly putting my full attention into this. Back then I didn’t even know what putting my full attention into something even meant!

The assignment was something very basic, where one slide had to show depth of field, another had to show a plain uniform image, another had to show high contrast in lights, and on and on, stuff like that. I don’t remember what all the requirements were but I do remember half-assing a lot of them and trying to get away with many by finding random stuff that barely fit in my dorm, despite the low light.

So some of these things are in my dorm, or in my friend Claire’s dorm, along with her roommate Caslon and their other friend Phil. I don’t remember if Claire and I were in this class together or not but we were in other film classes, so she knew what was up.

The outside shots are around Grant Park and surrounding roadways, all taken in a day or two. Love the trees and the trains. Nothing against Grant Park but it was THE place that EVERYONE at Columbia went to shoot EVERYTHING, so looking back, I do wish I had gone even a little out of my way. That’s something I should take to heart now, though, too.

Aren’t you excited to see what’s on the other roll of slide film for this class? Oh boy.

Infrared Vision: October 2009
Visual Design (Roll 2): Fall 2009

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