Starting Into 4x5

[Michael Slade]

I appreciate the kind words Tom. The story rings true with me too on many levels.

Congrats on the truck and camper. Now you are set!

Mike and Ted,
We just acquired a Ford 7.3 diesel with an Alaskan camper and we read this forum avidly. "4x5" in your title caught my eye and I believe you are doing the correct thing for your students at this early stage in their education. The professional work flow at the point they choose to become photographers will be whatever it will be, but they will have a firm grounding in the thought processes necessary to produce important photographs. I have abandoned the chemical work flow 6-8 years ago. However, I think black and white is viable and will remain viable because of its nuanced palette, the longevity of the negative and relatively benign chemistry.
When I was the age of your students, Mike, Ansel Adams was my "rock star". I was able to get into photography by studying his work and books. My wife and I were fortunate enough to meet he and his wife, Virginia, at their home while on assignment in California. My favorite Ansel Adams story: Ansel would return to the same spot repeatedly looking for variations in weather, vegetation etc. to strengthen a photograph that he had already done. He took his class to one of his favorite overlooks in the Yosemite Valley. Everyone, including Ansel set up a tripod and camera. Ansel sat down on a rock while the students began exposing sheet film. When the students began to run out of film, one of them turned and said, "Ansel, you have not made a photograph today". Ansel replied, "there wasn't one". This story is probably true and indicatives the difficulty of making an important photograph. It does not adequately reflect the generosity and good humor of the man.
My intention is to proceed with the rest of my career pursuing the kinds of landscapes thrilled Ansel. He would be an enthusiastic adopter of digital technology.
Michael, it must be personally gratifying to challenge young minds, to be creative and to work with the range of tools available now.
Cheers,
Tom

 

[wanderingeye]

Everyone! Open this link

Everyone who reads the Expedition forum who has an interest in landscape photography should open this link and view these images: www.gslps.org
This is a superior set of images displaying a high degree of craftsmanship.

Michael, The first link below your signature doesn't work but gslps.org does. I was very excited to see your work. The 2.5 to 1 format makes a very effective presentation.

Ted, Thank you for the compliment on my work. I was looking around your website for examples of your work. The only thing so far that I have found is that we have LightWare cases in common. I hope that professional photography in Sweden has not turned into the dog's breakfast that it is here in the US. Is there a website where I can view some of your advertising images?
At this point, I am guessing that Michael is having the most fun; educating young minds and photographing Utah.
Expect the best,
Tom

 

[FotoValpen]

Things have slowed quite a bit here in Sweden too. But I am fortunate to work with larger companies like Scania. http://www.scania.com

You can see my work that pays the bills here: http://www.soost.com

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

4x5, very cool... Only harder to move back to film (and expensive film) I figure these days with digital. Some day though....

I learned 4x5 when I was a kid from a famous photographer in the Adirondack Mountains named Nathan Farb. Hell of a guy...

 

[wanderingeye]

Large! Format

I now understand that both Michael and Tedd are 8x20 photographers! I admire your dedication to film and think your work is superior. We agree to disagree on the value of film however. I'll be watching for more images gentlemen. Attached is a snap of our new truck and camper. There probably will be no "build" thread on this truck because we are just rough road travelers not off road. Expect the best Tom

 

[FotoValpen]

Thank you Tom!

Looks like that new truck could make for a nice portable darkrrom! :smiley_drive:

 

[wanderingeye]

wet darkroom/digital darkroom

Tedd, Our little Alaskan has 27 gallons of water. Just about enough to process and wash 1 8x20 negative. I am wondering if your wonderfully restored Volvo has enough battery to recharge my Phase One and Betterlight and laptop computer.
Keep up the good work. Tom

 

[FotoValpen]

Tedd, Our little Alaskan has 27 gallons of water. Just about enough to process and wash 1 8x20 negative. I am wondering if your wonderfully restored Volvo has enough battery to recharge my Phase One and Betterlight and laptop computer.
Keep up the good work. Tom

Funny you should mention that Tom. I've bought a 6,5kw generator that has a 3 phase outlet on it to power my 5kw Arri light. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/575731-REG/Arri_551505_T5_5000W_Fresnel_Pole_Operated_.html

I hope this coming fall to try some twilight landscape painting with it. :smiley_drive:

We are working on putting together a week long landscape meet in Norway. I can keep you guys informed if you are interested? We have a group on Facebook. " Scandinavian Large Format Users Group"

We had one 5 years ago and one here in Stockholm's Archipelago 3 years ago.

 

[wanderingeye]

PTO trailer

Tedd your Pto video was great. I would definitely be interested in your LF group particularly the final photographs. I appreciate the qualities of B/W film, however I will never use film again. Tom

 

[wanderingeye]

light painting

I am also interested in you light painting.

 

[Michael Slade]

We are working on putting together a week long landscape meet in Norway. I can keep you guys informed if you are interested? We have a group on Facebook. " Scandinavian Large Format Users Group"

I wanna party with you guys.

 

[Michael Slade]

I appreciate the qualities of B/W film, however I will never use film again. Tom

What's funny is that if you switched the words 'digital' and 'film' in your sentence, it'd be about how I feel.

 

[wanderingeye]

4x5 B&W

Michael, Ted and other forum members,
B&W film and prints have always been a center of interest to me. I think the B&W image is actually more exciting than color if done well. "Done well" is the hard part. I am in no way trying to talk you out of shooting film. I commend your perseverance.
You may be interested in a 4x5 camera that I am about to sell. It is a Crown Graphic in pristine condition with a built in range finder and modern Schneider 135 mm lens. I have many Nikon cameras and lenses from my film days that I will be selling. If you are interested, please email me @: TomPhoto25@hotmail.com and I will be glad to send photos.

 

[Michael Slade]

Michael, Ted and other forum members,
B&W film and prints have always been a center of interest to me. I think the B&W image is actually more exciting than color if done well. "Done well" is the hard part. I am in no way trying to talk you out of shooting film. I commend your perseverance.
You may be interested in a 4x5 camera that I am about to sell. It is a Crown Graphic in pristine condition with a built in range finder and modern Schneider 135 mm lens. I have many Nikon cameras and lenses from my film days that I will be selling. If you are interested, please email me @: TomPhoto25@hotmail.com and I will be glad to send photos.

Send the pics! I am slowly building Utah's largest selection of working Press cameras. Your Crown Graphic would fit nicely into our stable.

And I know you're not trying to talk us out of film. I am on APUG, but I'm not anti-digital. I teach a LOT of it here at Waterford, have used it extensively since '99 and am a big fan of the pixel.

Here's our field trip demo from last year.

Here's our first demo from yesterday.

We'll go out again on Saturday for real and shoot out at the Great Salt Lake.

 

[wanderingeye]

travels with grampa

We are away from home having Grandparent fun. Michael I'll send pictures soon.