Years ago I replaced film with digital technology, I missed my large format camera.I missed the weight of it, I missed the physical act of loading the dark slides, seeing the image projected upside down on the ground glass while working under the black cloth. The performance fully engaged my senses in the act of creating. Since the lockdown of 2020 I started working with direct positive papers which I expose directly inside my camera. I process the papers using a developing mixture of instant coffee, cleaning soda and vitamin C.The unpredictable results due to fragility of the papers, paper's sensitivity to light and variability of the home made developer make this technique incredibly exciting as well as frustrating. But, all these emotions arrive at a wonder, inviting me to embrace and explore the unplanned marks and faults. These unplanned imperfections create ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere, ambiguity and unease which invites interpretation.I now take my large format camera with me when ever I create my self-portraits on location and I mostly develop my paper negatives on site, often outside late at night, connecting the work fully to the environment it's been exposed in.
