Large format is a unique process that requires a lot of specialized technique and expensive gear, but the results are unlike anything you've seen before. This awesome video takes you behind the scenes to show you the process and images.
In his video, Ben Horne documents his journey capturing Zion's fall colors, offering a compelling look at the process of large format work. Large format photography, known for its intricacies and demand for patience, stands in stark contrast to the quick and convenient nature of modern digital cameras. This traditional method, requiring careful consideration of composition, exposure, and focus (especially considering the cost of each frame), encourages a deeper connection with the subject. Horne's detailed account of setting up shots, from metering light to adjusting the camera's tilt for depth of field, showcases the thoughtful approach necessary in large format photography. This process not only requires technical knowledge but also instills a sense of tranquility and presence, often missing in the rapid pace of digital photography.
The reason for the unique look of a large format image is the size of the negative. Even the smallest size, 4x5, offers negatives almost 15 times bigger than full frame, allowing for insane levels of detail. Of course, at that size, the film isn't cheap, but if you get it right, the results are worth it. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Horne.
I loved working with 4x5 film...I was buying Chinese sheet film which I also processed and back then, I bought as much Expired instant film as I could find for practice. I still have a cherry wood field camera, backs, spot meter, etc., mothballed for either sale or one day revisiting this slowed down type of photography
Yep, I still have my studio 4x5 camera that I bought from our school back in the early 90's. Something magical about shooting LF.
Jim Bolen, no doubt about the magic... There was something truly special about having your head shrouded under a dark cloth, looking at an inverted image on the ground glass, I sold my Sinar P2's years ago but still have my Zone VI displayed in my studio.
After shooting tons of medium format, I went as large as I could comfortably pack by myself. I ended up with 5x7 field camera. I managed to find some IR film for it: