Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day 2019

Annual pinhole photography event. 

All photographs created with a 3D printed camera, on April 28, 2019.

All photos by Laura Cofrin, except the first, which was shot by Gavin Brent.

Ilford FP4+, and Kodak Ektar (expired) films.

Snowmass Rodeo

I Musn't Call You Darling

mio cuore appartiene all'Italia,

Pinhole is a concept

Why pinhole? I am often asked that question. Why would I choose a photographic method that only adds time, difficulty, and complication to my art practice?
'Why' indeed. It is exactly this forced slowing down that I embrace. It is the purposeful placement of these technological hurdles that allows me to focus in on the craft itself, the image created is secondary to the process. The experimental nature of the method negates any control over the resultant image. The pinhole is the perfect analogy of my chosen path, one which is narrow, and not easily traversed. A rare experience captured in print that deserves longer contemplation.
Calling my self a photographer, or more specifically, a pinhole photographer is too limiting. I may better describe myself as a conceptual artist.
As I am updating the resume, I realize I am having trouble living up to the self appointed label of Pinhole Photographer. Yes, I make pinhole photographs, but I also have an interest in conceptual works. Sometime this involves performance art, certain documented actions, or elaborate installations in which the viewer experiences the photographs and/or videos. I am always experimenting, trying to discover new ways to utilize the camera, exploring alternatives to normal shooting and showing.

Transfer of spaces, objects, ideas,

Laura Brent, untitled photo-gram,2011

A time of change brings with it a great opportunity to move in a new direction, and with a stronger intent. The work that will come from this transition will be interesting to see, I am excited to witness its unfolding. The new location adds the ability to work without distraction or intrusion. The security that comes from this will bring an adventurous spirit to the creative work. The timing of this beginning, its happening in company with my audience during the studio tour, will forge a deeper connection with the work. My dedication to 'getting it right' is bolstered in these actions.

With these ideas I forge ahead into the next big event, the Fort Collins Lincoln Center annual Studio Tour. I participated in the tour many years ago, when it was organized by the art museum, and it was not a great experience for me. It was not a particularly high point of my career. I was still learning. This year, already, has been a great experience. Partnering with Jennifer Davey has kept my spirits up, and we encourage and challenge each other to make it an enriching event for our audience. We are offering a special chance for collectors to forge a deeper connection with artists, an opportunity to witness the creative processes. We want to draw the viewer into our experiences. We will each offer something for the visitor to do, a chance to be an artist with us, and create something unique to themselves.
The studio tour is June 22 and 23, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.
The exhibition featuring one work from every participating artist, opens June 14th with a reception from 5-7 pm at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center Gallery. The exhibition continues through June 29th. Gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10-6 and Saturdays 12-6. There will be extended gallery hours during the tour, June 22 and June 23, 10-6.

...a reflective look back.

American Beauty

Valhall Arts has come a long way in its last 5 years of existence. Like a toddler, there were the awkward moments, and mistakes, but overall it has been a fun and successful run. The growth of my photography has only begun, and I feel like a child exploring, as I make my way forward in my practice.

With the probability that the current situation is coming to an end, this month I offer a Retrospective, opening Friday May 3rd, 6-9 pm. The exhibit offers a look back at past exhibitions, and the opportunity to see the progression of my work. The gallery began with straighforward photographic exhibitions, showing the work I did while talking classes at Front Range Community College. I had good luck with the fact that the local educational institution was home to some world class instructors, and my passion for photography and the arts was ignited.

Even as I opened my first few shows, I knew I would grow tired of the standard presentation of photographs presented under glass with white mats in black or white frames. From the very beginning I was more interested in experimenting with the medium, expanding the ideas of what a photograph could look like and how a photography exhibition could be presented. I was interested in engaging my audience, really inspiring them to interact with the art works, bringing in relational aesthetics, and other contemporary practices into my projects.

Come see the transitions and changes that occurred over the five plus years at Valhall Arts.
More details and images can be found on my website, http://www.valhallarts.com.

Thanks! Hope to see you at the receptions May 3rd and June 7th,
                                                                                         ~Laura Brent

New Pinhole Project

Laura Brent; pinhole photograph, silver gelatin contact print

I have started a new pinhole project, re-visiting an old series I shot back in 2008, "Toyland", combining it now with the pinhole camera. Using vintage toys, dollhouses, and handmade dioramas, I create small stages, positioning my 'models', evoking a possibly frightening narrative. The imagery is a bit reminiscent of film noir, and the viewer must look closely to determine what they are seeing. The objects pictured are easily confused with reality. The small size of the camera allows me to obtain a vantage point unlike any from the previous project. Often I am shooting blind, placing the camera into the scene, at a location that I am unable to witness with my own eye. The project will debut at Valhall Arts February 1, 2013. Stay tuned for more details.

ArtHouse Sketchbook Project Process, Part 3

This is the third post in a three part series explaining my processes in creating my sketchbook for the Art House Co-Op, in Brooklyn, NY. (Sketchbook Project 2012)


Here is how I re-bound my sketchbook:

First, I started by punching hole in every leaf, and arranged the pages in four groups of four pages each, with a fifth group being made up of the single photograph. I arranged them, and cut the edges even, the corners rounded.


Due to the thickness of my five sections, I decided to make three holes in the cover, planning to use the outer two holes twice and the center one once. I did not want to make 5 separate holes, because I did not want the book to be too thick.


Before sewing, I waxed the binding thread by pulling it through a block of bees' wax. I left plenty of extra thread to tie my knots, and began at the front top outer hole, and wove back and forth through the punched holes in the section and the cover, then back up adding the second section. Once at the top again, I pulled everything tight and tied a knot to secure it.







I continued on, adding the sections one by one, sewing up and down, in and out of my punched holes, until all were tightly in place.




I finished by tying a a secure knot




I added a strip of book binding tape to cover the outside threads, being sure to leave the bar code visible, and voila! It was finished.

Seeing it in its completed state was quite a rush of emotions. I was excited and proud at the results, happy even with the failures as it was a testament to the adventurous process I had undertaken. I hastily took some quick snaps of the project, just in case it was lost in the mail, and packed it up and shipped it off to the Art House Co-op. I plan to visit it sometime on the tour this year, or at its permanent home at the Brooklyn Art Library.