Self-portrait (with Photobooth)
1987
Initially conceived in 1985 the idea was to create a passport photograph using a standard photobooth converted into a pin hole camera. Prior to using the photobooth itself as an alternative camera a few images were made in 1984 at Brighton Railway station and used a mirror placed at 45 degrees to the machines camera so that the booth could look out onto the station platform. The first attempt to make a black & white pin hole photograph was made in Leicester bus station in 1985 but the image was partially destroyed by fogging and the image was also underexposed with the angle of view highly restricted. The first experiment required the photobooth to be partially vandalised inside so that the light from the Lens (in this case a hole) would project onto the area inside the booth that normally housed the camera.
In an effort to further research the photobooth i applied for a job with photo-me international to work as a technician. During the interview the manager told me that the job was more akin to a toilet cleaner due to people using the photobooth as a urinal and that my qualifications would render me too intelligent for the position. The documentary photograph below was made just prior to the interview at the rear of the factory in south west London and shows the photobooth graveyard
Undeterred two years later another attempt was made using a photobooth situated next to charring cross station on villiers street. A wooden door was constructed and painted with an ‘out of order’ sign designed to make other possible users of the booth think it was currently broken down. A lower section of the door opened to enable the operator to crawl in and out of the booth to load and unload the large sheet of photographic paper used to record the image. The first attempt again partially failed and can be seen below, the eventual successful image (shown above) contained a number of features that i found disturbing and so the photograph was not initially exhibited. On the lefthand side of the image is a German swastika which was part of a small museum that happened to be in the background of the image. Combined with the erect posture of the subject, the black and white format and the lines of perspective converging towards the head all gave the photograph a fascist atmosphere. The photobooth is a part of street furniture and cannot be adjusted to give a particular view in this case so all of the elements were, momentarily coincidental. The black shadow on the uppermost righthand corner is the shadow created by the adjustable stool inside the booth.Exposure time was 20 minutes approximately.
Self portrait (with photobooth)
failed first attempt where the paper negative moved during the exposure and partial fogging of the image
1987 Villiers street London
Original experiment in Leicester bus station 1985
Villiers street London 1987
The operator unloading the photograph by crawling through the ‘cat-flap’ light tight doorway into the booth. Image taken from a super 8 documentary film of the event.
Photobooth door panel showing light trap system to enable the photographic material to be loaded without exposing or fogging the image.
Final photobooth experiment Mall adjustment
For further information on works contact :