Big Bend NP Chisos Mtns

[kenj8246]

I'm going out to the Chisos Mtns in two weeks to shoot some 4X5 and 120. I have some fairly fresh Kodak E100VS in 4X5 and I'm wondering if it has enough range to handle the light down there, assuming I do my job at metering and composition. Any tips appreciated.

Thanks,
Kenny

[dentkimterry]

I shoot down there every year but only in the winter and only black and white. A single scene can easily contain pure black shadows to very light objects. It's going to be very hot there although probably 10-15° cooler in the Chisos. I envy you but can't offer much help with your film. Good luck and stay safe!
Terry in Kalamazoo

[kenj8246]

I shoot down there every year but only in the winter and only black and white. A single scene can easily contain pure black shadows to very light objects. It's going to be very hot there although probably 10-15° cooler in the Chisos. I envy you but can't offer much help with your film. Good luck and stay safe!
Terry in Kalamazoo

Thank you, Terry. Going now is kind of an accident; was surprised at finding 'room at the inn' in mid-June. I will make the best of it. Probably try to shoot early and late...just too stinking hot right now. :)

[biedron]

I've never used E100VS, but it probably does not have less range than Velvia 50. Here are a couple of images from Big Bend on Velvia 50, taken a few years ago in May. If you are staying at the lodge/motel in the Chisos, the view of the "Window" (right image) will be just outside your back door. Take care with metering and you should be fine.

Bob

[kenj8246]

Thanks, Bob and I believe you're right on the E100 vs Velvia. I only hope the sky will provide me something approaching your lovely vista of The Window. I'm planning to concentrate on early and late with LF and try some 120 in a more toteable camera for some short hikes.

Kenny

[pchaplo]

I’ve spent some time in the Big Bend, the subject of my first book, and one-person exhibit at the Museum of the Big Bend. In the Chisos early and late, I would choose a film with more range. That being said, I’m all for “working with what you have.” You will create some dramatic images, metering for highlights with E100VS.

The question that comes to mind is: what is your intent? Will you scan? Print? ...or just enjoy those amazing transparencies. I always felt that film like Velvia looked like jewelry on the light table. Just enjoy this amazing place, and shoot what film you have!

The other advantage of your E100VS is that in sun-drenched scenes, even mid-day, is that it will add richness and contrast. Don’t shy away from the subtlety of the amazing Chihuahuan Desert.

PS: My Border Patrol and NPS friends advise don’t be down by the Rio Grande after dark, and don’t camp at remote sites near the river. It’s too dangerous after the sun goes down.

Paul Chaplo

[kenj8246]

Paul, thanks for the details. I'm booked at the Chisos Mtns Lodge for two nites. Not nearly enough time but I can, and will, go back. It's not as far as, say, Zion or Yosemite. :)

Was amazed that I got that in mid-June. Anyway, the intent is purely enjoyment. I'm an amateur large format shooter who's fallen in love with slide film after seeing how relatively easy it is to do my own developing. And, yes, seeing them on a light table is magical! **IF** I'm lucky enough to get some decent skies, I may print some for my own enjoyment, scanning them first on my Epson V700 and printing with Photoshop.

I'll probably take some Portra just because I have it.

[pchaplo]

Kenny,

For pure enjoyment, the saturate trans film will rock! It will be so dramatic!!

Yes, about Portra, I have to remind myself that Joel Meyerowitz shot “Cape Light” on color negative film. With a V700, you have the world by the *ss ;)

179334

Being based at the lodge in the basin, spectacular beauty surrounds you on all sides. Just explore around you and hike as you abilities allow.

Paul


Paul, thanks for the details. I'm booked at the Chisos Mtns Lodge for two nites. Not nearly enough time but I can, and will, go back. It's not as far as, say, Zion or Yosemite. :)

Was amazed that I got that in mid-June. Anyway, the intent is purely enjoyment. I'm an amateur large format shooter who's fallen in love with slide film after seeing how relatively easy it is to do my own developing. And, yes, seeing them on a light table is magical! **IF** I'm lucky enough to get some decent skies, I may print some for my own enjoyment, scanning them first on my Epson V700 and printing with Photoshop.

I'll probably take some Portra just because I have it.

[Drew Wiley]

Cape Light was shot of old-school Vericolor L. Even Portra 160 is much more cleanly saturated, and Ektar color neg film way more saturated and contrasty.
E100VS is roughly in the same contrast league as Fuji Provia, while Velvia is distinctly more contrasty, and hence trickier to expose meaningfully. I have
used most of these in the desert, but found the extremes of low and high contrast the least versatile films for me personally. If you want to study very low
contrast, low-saturation Vericolor work in the desert, look at Misrach's southern Calif. images. E100VS basically equates to E100G with an 81A warming filter
over the lens (or actually E100S, which came out around the same time). I preferred E100G itself for the lack of that inherent bias.

[kenj8246]

I have plenty of E100G in120 format.

[Drew Wiley]

Lucky dude. I'm down to one box of 4x5 E100G in the freezer, and one unopened 20Pk of Ready-load sleeves, which I should probably use before it's too late. But the problem is that I don't have very many matching black and white sleeves at all - just half a dozen or so ACROS Quickload sleeves. Since I tend
to now shoot more black and white on backpacking trips than color, that ratio just isn't realistic. So this summer and fall I'll probably revert to either 6X9 roll film backs, using Ektar for color, or start carrying my film tent again, along with some 4X5 Mido holders. I no longer have the heat tolerance that I did when
I was younger, so lugging heavy packs has to be done either here on the coast for my weekly workouts, or preferably above 9,000 ft inland. I love some of
the colors one can get in hot weather. But I'm afraid Big Bend would be too much for me except in winter. Carry LOTS of water. Doubt the Rio Grande is itself
safe to drink, even filtered.

[kenj8246]

I will be going back but probably in February or so. This trip is an 'accident'. At 70, my bigtime hiking days are over, as I am on my second set of knee prostheses and hope to make the other side on these. :)

[pchaplo]

Love this thread. Requesting permission to go OT :) and talk about more important things. I love what Joel
Meyerowitz said about a ‘sense of place’ and th magic of being in the zone. Here is a great interview:
https://www.americansuburbx.com/2010/03/interview-interview-with-joel.html

[kenj8246]

I'm no kind of artist but I can certainly relate to some of his feelings. I only hope I can get 'in the zone' when I get out to Big Bend tomorrow and Friday. Since I have only the two days--until early next spring, that is--to shoot, I've decided to concentrate on the old structures and environs at Hot Springs and the area around Sotol Vista, perhaps going as far as the Santa Elena canyon overlook.