Solitude, Challenges, and Innovation: Mulligan Flats, ACT

Methodology
Written By Dani Watson

Location: Mulligan Flat, ACT

The coordinates (35.1649° S, 149.1625° E)

Located in Canberra, Australia, Mulligans Flat is a significant conservation territory and is esteemed as Australia's largest Box-gum Grassy-woodland region under conservation management (Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, no date). It forms an integral part of the Canberra Nature Park and shares a boundary with the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve (ACT Government, no date). Renowned for its diverse wildlife, the sanctuary serves as a critical site for biodiversity research (ANU College of Science, no date). The sanctuary's management is undertaken jointly by the ACT Government and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, with a primary focus on preserving its natural environment and cultural heritage (Your Say ACT, no date).

Planning: Upon conducting a site visit to the specified location with a colleague, it was immediately apparent that this particular setting held significant potential for the project at hand. The project, as initially conceptualised, appeared to be deficient in diverse landscapes, with an overrepresentation of rock formations.

For optimal results, it would be beneficial to conduct the photography session during a tranquil evening. The stillness of the water during such times facilitates mirror-like reflections, thereby adding depth and aesthetic appeal to the images. Moreover, the luminescence provided by the moonlight could introduce a novel dimension to the photographs, enhancing their unique appeal.

Considering the profusion of trees within the lake's vicinity, it is crucial to maintain simplicity in composition. Overcomplicating the frame with excessive elements could detract from the central focus, thus diluting the impact of the imagery. Consequently, careful planning and strategic framing will be necessary to balance the natural complexity of the environment with the desired simplicity of the final image.

Process: In order to enhance the veracity of the project, a decision was made to employ film photography as the primary medium. The equipment at my disposal consisted of a Hasselblad Superwide camera and rolls of 400 ISO colour film. However, this choice was not without its challenges, primarily due to my limited prior experience with film photography, particularly under moonlit conditions.

One of the principal concerns was managing reciprocity failure - a common issue in film photography where the film's sensitivity to light diminishes with increased exposure time. This phenomenon could affect the quality and accuracy of the exposures, especially given the low-light conditions inherent to moonlit photography.

To mitigate these potential issues, I expended an entire roll of film and also made several attempts to use a digital Hasselblad as a contingency plan, maintaining the use of the superwide lens throughout. This approach ensured the availability of alternative shots for the project, regardless of the outcome of the film photos.

Prior to the actual shooting, a significant amount of time was devoted to testing, primarily focusing on determining the ideal pattern to paint with light. The advantage of digital photography is the immediate visual feedback it provides, which aids in evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches.

Simplicity was a key consideration, particularly due to the presence of reflections in the scene. Moreover, I desired this image to exude a unique ambience, distinguishing it from the rest of the project's photographs. Therefore, careful planning and strategic execution were paramount in achieving the desired outcome.


Technical Notes : a noteworthy technical issue arose with the Hasselblad Superwide camera. The film within the camera appeared to be excessively taut and seemed to be nearly jammed, prompting questions regarding the root cause of this complication. Could it be due to an error in loading the film, or was there damage to the casing?

This setback proved to be a source of considerable frustration. However, it also served as an instructive experience, highlighting the importance of meticulous preparation and careful handling of equipment in photography. Moreover, encountering such a challenge necessitated a creative approach to problem-solving.

In this context, it is very important to note that technical issues like these underscore the need for a thorough understanding of the equipment being used, as well as the importance of contingency planning in photography projects. These experiences, while challenging, contribute to the development of resilience and adaptability, which are invaluable traits in the field of photography.


Reflection: Reflecting on this project, I have come to recognise it as an invaluable educational journey. The process was fraught with a multitude of technical challenges, which included dealing with issues pertaining to the Hasselblad Superwide camera and the drone.

Undertaking this project solo was a decision grounded in my preference for solitude. However, managing multiple elements simultaneously proved to be a daunting task. The manual operation of the film camera and cable release, the necessity to keep track of a countdown timer, and the simultaneous operation of the drone to achieve perfect timing presented significant complexities.

The execution of horizontal lines in the shot posed a particular challenge due to the continuous movement required by the drone. As the night progressed, creating vertical lines became easier as the drone could hover out of the frame, thus eliminating the need for constant motion.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the final image, the shoot was undoubtedly complex. It has led me to question whether I might be overcomplicating the process. However, it is important to consider that each new experience, regardless of its complexity or the challenges it presents, contributes to personal growth and fosters innovation. With all its difficulties, this project has been no exception to this rule.

References:

Dani Watson
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