"If it doesn't move, shoot it" (post yer still lifes)

[rippo]

I haven't seen a dedicated still-life thread here, at least in awhile. So, since I never seem to get out and about with my monorail, how about a picture thread for the homebound? I'll start:

We have a puppy. He's a six month old, 50 lb Australian Shepherd. He chews up everything in the back yard. Yesterday while I was away, he chewed the drip irrigation system timer right off the hose bib, causing water to flood for an hour or so, until a neighbor spotted it and turned it off. He chews everything. He broke into the composter so he could eat...dirt? Lawn clippings?

This is the first of a series. "Things the Dog Has Chewed."

Toyo-View C, Kodak Anastigmat 6-5/8" (154mm) barrel lens, mounted in front of a packard shutter. Shot wide open at f/4.5. Burned up the last of my Ilford Delta 100 on this (shot at ASA 50). Digitally toned, because I care about you guys.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2228025902_b195b419bb.jpg

[Jim Galli]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/WorkGlovesS.jpg
Campaign Promise

2D 810 / Wolly 8 1/4 'stigmat

[Toyon]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/WorkGlovesS.jpg
Campaign Promise

2D 810 / Wolly 8 1/4 'stigmat

Fantastic Jim. And of course with a stig.

[adietrich]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9542&stc=1&d=1201752511

Polaroid Type 55, scanned in color and inverted.

-a

[Matt Blaze]

Cover art for imaginary (and probably terrible) spy novel, "Pocket Litter":

http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/litter650.jpg


240mm/5.6 APO-Symmar-S, Betterlight Super 6K-HS, Sinar P. Minox III, lockpicks, business card, torn playing card.

[Maretzo]

G-Claron 210, Ilford FP4+

[David Karp]

Thanks for that Jim.

[Marko]

Had a really old bunch of Baby's Breath sitting around...

http://48pixels.com/images/bb_4501.jpg

[domenico Foschi]

Thanks for that Jim.

Yeah, really, thank for that Jim...:)

[domenico Foschi]

Blah, Blah blah blah blah blah blah.

For sale :)

http://i29.tinypic.com/amzcr9.jpg

[Alan Davenport]

Gotta focus on what's important...

[rippo]

extra points to Alan for bringing the booze, and Matt for bringing the absolutely contrarian minox. (i used to shoot 16mm awhile back, before i realized how small the negs actually were...)

i like the fact that there have been, as yet, no bowls of fruit. not that i have anything against bowls of fruit. but this thread is off to an early start (as opposed to an early grave).

[gary mulder]

4 X 5 plus-x apo-ronar 480mm

[ljb0904]

Brilliant, Jim!

[Geert]

I'm only a beginner in still lives. Don't have much time to go out for some hours to make pictures, so I am installing a giant softbox in one of our empty bedrooms.

In the shot below, you can see that the softbox is not ready yet and that the cloth needs ironing :D
I'm also experimenting with different setups and attributes... more to come soon

8x10" Fortepan 200 (neg scan) with Symmar 240

[Geert]

extra points to Alan for bringing the booze, and Matt for bringing the absolutely contrarian minox. (i used to shoot 16mm awhile back, before i realized how small the negs actually were...)

i like the fact that there have been, as yet, no bowls of fruit. not that i have anything against bowls of fruit. but this thread is off to an early start (as opposed to an early grave).

Bowls of fruit, you say?

Polaroid 59 emulsion transfer. Toyo C with Sinaron 210 f5.6

[jss]

polaroid 54 shot with a jamin darlot small brassie. light is from a speedotron head in a chimera softbox to the right.

[Nathan Potter]

Geez jss, that almost looks like an early version of a 4-65 triode in the center of the frame.

Nate Potter

[Matt Blaze]

polaroid 54 shot with a jamin darlot small brassie. light is from a speedotron head in a chimera softbox to the right.

Beautiful (and technically challenging) shot!

[sparq]

My wellness program and a yoghurt.

5x7 Linhof / Dagor 6.8/7'' / Efke 25

[Gary Beasley]

Old sax, probably done with Calumet Cadet with 150mm Caltar on ortho copy film.

[Mark Sawyer]

9 1/2" Wollensak Velostigmat on a Kodak 2D

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g139/Owen21k/bowls300-1.jpg

[Kerik Kouklis]

8x10 collodion on aluminum

http://kerik.com/wp_cabinet/images/wp070.jpg

[rippo]

hey kerik, what is that?

another from me:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2234514598_ea972f085b.jpg

[Colin Graham]

With my long lost Gowland pocket 6x7. Sniff, sort of miss it.

[rippo]

this one a year ago. i think on my now-sold Calumet/Cambo 4x5. 210mm lens of some sort.

"pears on a chipped plate"

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/1190496237_a81d4e151a.jpg

[amilne]

Matt, I like that one of the pears. Was that natural light?

[rippo]

thanks! yeah it was, through some venetian blinds. i don't even think i set up some gobos or anything, that was just the pattern that fell on the table. i had to work quickly before the sun moved. it could have used a reflector to bring up the shadows a little, but the inky black has grown on me (not to mention my lighting skills).

[Chris Strobel]

http://alan-george.com/found_object/images/XI9Q2062_3_dic.jpg

I like this shot.What camera and film?

[Andrew Tymon]

180 Symmar and J&c pro 100

[Hollis]

Coffee. Mmmmm....

[Drew Bedo]

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5575606

[SAShruby]

Glass of Martini No.1

[rippo]

sheesh Peter, you pour like I do!

[SAShruby]

sheesh Peter, you pour like I do!

:D

[JBrunner]

"Sus" Polaroid 55, MGIV.

[rippo]

Polaroid 55, MGIV.

bacon?

[JBrunner]

bacon?

yup.

[Joel Brown]

Fish in dry mud or anchovy brownie?
4x5/150mm

[Chris Strobel]

Two Shells

http://upload.pbase.com/cloudswimmer/image/92597209/original.jpg

[rippo]

chris: that image is so big, i can't view it all at once on my monitor. so i went to your website and got to see all of it. very nice, and some very nice other still lifes you've got there too!

[Geary Lyons]

Pomegranates, low natural light.
Cheers,
Geary

[Matt Blaze]

Persimmons, low natural light.
Cheers,
Geary

Geary, I really like the look of that shot.

Here are three more persimmons, for whatever they're worth:

http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/persim600.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Persimmons, low natural light.
Cheers,
Geary
Hey Geary! I know you're stressing over the election and all but those 'simmons sure look like pomegranates :~'))

[Geary Lyons]

Hey Geary! I know you're stressing over the election and all but those 'simmons sure look like pomegranates :~'))

Yeah! I actually was going to post an image of persimmons, shot at the same location, but the print is 11X14. My scanner is 8.5x11 and my Photoshop skills suck! So you get pomegranates!

Cheers,
Geary

[Matt Blaze]

Yeah! I actually was going to post an image of persimmons, shot at the same location, but the print is 11X14. My scanner is 8.5x11 and my Photoshop skills suck! So you get pomegranates!

Cheers,
Geary

Pomegranates, persimmons, all the same to me. I'm from the city.

[Geary Lyons]

Pomegranates, persimmons, all the same to me. I'm from the city.

Well Matt, I am a farm town boy and do know the difference! Although, my faux pas would indicate the contrary! But, whatever you call them, your shot of the 3 P-fruits is lovely!

Cheers,
Geary

[voigtf64]

TTH 9.5inch apotal process lens

[Kevin Convery]

Hello, I'm new - first post.
http://www.kevinconvery.com/stillife1.jpg
ToyoCF with Rodenstock 8" f6.8 Polaroid 55 scan
http://www.kevinconvery.com/stilllife2.jpg
ToyoCF with Rodenstock 8" f6.8 Polaroid 55 scan

[tim810]

On the silly side,
When I get board and have no way of going out (downpour, blizzard, etc...), I snag the Bears and photograph them. They don't seem to mind and it gives me practice.
This was done with a Cambo SC 8x10 and 240 5.6 Caltar, on TXP, developed in Pyro. BTW, these are great gifts for that V-day. My girlfriend has one of her bears hanging in her room.
Enjoy, everyone needs some sillyness.
cheers
Tim

[Olivander]

I've been lurking and learning here for a long time, but this is my first photo post. Taken with a Conley Model XVIa.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2239675891_284f17e4c9_d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivander/2239675891/)

[Mark Sawyer]

Kevin ~ Wonderful first post! I hope to see more.

Maybe a few of us should start a secret large format "Skull and Bones Society"...

[Joakim Ahnfelt]

I'm going to miss Type 55.

[Colin Graham]

I'm going to miss Type 55.

Ha, excellent!

[Joakim Ahnfelt]

I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, i'ts because I hate vegetables.

[Kevin Convery]

Mark - Thank you, I appreciate your comment! Ha, a secret society? What type of secret LF projects would that entail?

[Shutter]

Some of my first large format photos and my first still life series :o

Sinar F2 w 5.6/150mm Symmar (Convertible) + Provia100

edit: I messed up the scans, that's why the colours are so different

[Scott --]

Creepy doll. Seneca Competitor w/Graflock back, Tessar 105/4.5 wide open.

[Darryl Baird]

I got a new Kodak portrait lens and was dying to try it out so i set up a still life... here's a polaroid (55) proof, scanned and "color corrected" for print preview.

When the full 8x10 sheet is dry I'll try to post it too.

[rippo]

seems to be working quite well, Darryl! Very nice.

All these type 55s, I'm tempted to finally try it. But of course I'd get hooked and then wouldn't be able to find any more film...

[Darryl Baird]

I have to say this last year has been particularly cruel regarding some favorite, now discontinued films -- 35mm High Speed Infrared and Polaroid 55. :(

thanks for the comment

seems to be working quite well, Darryl! Very nice.

All these type 55s, I'm tempted to finally try it. But of course I'd get hooked and then wouldn't be able to find any more film...

[Jim Galli]

Tinkering today and modified a projection triplet for soft focus. The nice thing about this one is it retains it's 14" focal length and easily covers 8X10. Seems to have a very nice look to it but I need to shoot with it some more.


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Secret%20Weapon%20Lens/6000lens/LanternsPorcelainCoffeepotSii.jpg
Lanterns Porcelain Coffeepot

If I feel it's successful I may pick this type up once in a while, modify, and re-sell.

[Scott Kathe]

This is just a bit off topic but how do you do the lighting for the indoor still life images? I shoot nature/landscape and only use natural light. This morning I tried a still life of half a nautilus shell and it was very difficult to do. I was using diffused light that came into the room through closed blinds to avoid hot spots and shadows but it was partly cloudy so the light kept changing on me and my exposure times were from 1-4 minutes. Focusing wasn't really an issue and neither was the bellows factor (at least I hope that was the case-I'll develop the film tonight). So I guess I have two questions: how do you light with natural light? what do you use as a backdrop?

Scott

[rippo]

i use natural light if it's convenient, but i don't rely on it completely. if the weather outside is frightful, i'll use either some halogen work lamps i got from Home Depot (two for $30, including a stand), or i'll use hotshoe strobes with wireless remotes, a la The Strobist. my metronome shots (here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/2125608397/in/set-72157600740848572/) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/2126616759/in/set-72157600740848572/)) were done with strobes (triggered manually while i held the packard shutter open), and the portrait of my wife (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/2063013717/in/set-72157600740848572/) was done using natural light with a work lamp hairlight.

that said, when i use natural light, i use a large patio door as the source of light. i'm in california, so the light is (sadly) pretty constant during most of the year. the patio faces north, so it's perfect 'window light'. i'll use a white board or even a small mirror to fill in the shadows. i've bought some thick foam insulation from the local home improvement center, and made a V-card that's four feet high. it is very white, and reflects as much light as my shiniest umbrella (i've checked!).

for backgrounds, i have a few different pieces of cloth i use. i partially painted a painter's drop cloth (seen here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/1480235319/in/set-72157600740848572/) in a self portrait), along with some black velvet-like material that came with a backdrop stand i bought (also in that same shot). i bought some cheap gray cloth at the fabric store, along with some white muslin that i keep meaning to dye. i'll use the backdrop stand if i can be bothered, but more often than not, i'll tape the cloth to a couple of chairs. here's an example (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/2234514598/in/set-72157600740848572/) of that, with some gray cloth. and sometimes i'll just use what's available, for example the curtains (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shampoo_cam/2182793159/in/set-72157600740848572/).

[Kerik Kouklis]

Here are a couple new pieces. 8x10 collodion on aluminum:

http://kerik.com/sarah_braid.jpg http://kerik.com/helmet1.jpg

[Scott Kathe]

Thanks Matt,

I really like the Gerber Daisies! I have the Home Depot halogen lamps for work lights but haven't even used them yet for their intended purpose. It seems like they would cast a lot of shadows. Do you use any kind of diffuser with them?

I live in Vermont and it poured last night then we had sun first thing this morning then partly cloudy and now it's raining cats and dogs. It was in the 50s today but we are headed back below freezing tonight. Light is anything but constant here.

Thanks for the info.

Scott

[rippo]

nice ones, Kerik and Jim!

Thanks Scott!

not sure what you mean by 'a lot of shadows'. all light leads to shadow if you block it with something. ;) they are though a pretty hard source of light, so the shadows you get are hard-edged. for the hairlight on my wife, the hard light didn't matter. i have on a couple of occasions bounced them off a reflector, but you lose a lot of light, from what are not very bright sources to begin with. however it beats darkness, and would still work fine for still lifes. i hesitate to put any diffusion material too close to them, because they are hot lights and could catch something on fire. i must admit, the work lamps are my least-used light source. i find it more practical most of the time to use strobes, chimp the image with my dSLR first to make sure the lighting is right, and then shoot with the LF. or to use available light and modify it with reflectors.

[Darryl Baird]

"chimp the image with my dSLR"

where does the phrase "chimp" come from... ape, as in "ape (imitate) the actions"?

I get very funny ( and loud) visuals when I repeat that phrase.

[Matt Blaze]

"chimp the image with my dSLR"

where does the phrase "chimp" come from... ape, as in "ape (imitate) the actions"?

I get very funny ( and loud) visuals when I repeat that phrase.

I understand the term "chimping" to have originated with photojournalists and particularly sports photographers, in reference to looking at one's own photo on the little DSLR screen and saying "ooh, oooh" -- similar to the sound made by an excited chimp -- while trying to get the attention of one's peers. DSLR screens are sometimes called "chimping windows".

[Kevin Convery]

Kerik -
Have you and Tsuyoshi Ito figured out a date for the postponed Collodion seminar at Project Basho? I'd love to go. Your collodion shots are always really good, I saw you site a couple weeks ago.

[rippo]

Darryl, i concur with Matt Blaze. we've probably both read the same sources, but that's how i've heard it too. and it's so much easier to say than "shoot a digital polaroid"...

[Jim Galli]

Scott, my little studio spot is in a corner with a north facing window on one side and an east facing window on the other. I have beautiful open shade most days for many hours there. There have been those days like you describe where the light won't stand still for a minute but not too often here in Nevada. An old dark cloth is my back drop. Simplicity that would probably have seemed about right for Edward Weston.

[Scott Kathe]

Thanks Jim,

We have a huge two story north facing window at work that would be perfect but the last thing I want to do on my time off is to head back into work even if it is for fun. We also have a loaded darkroom with a Besseler 4x5 enlarger and a nice copy stand, but again, the last thing I want to do on a day off is head back into work. At home we have east, south and west facing windows we have an attached garage on the north side. I supposed a west facing window in the morning would be my best bet.

Scott

[rippo]

you don't NEED north-facing. just hang up a white sheet in the window (or, if you're fancy, the photo equivalent). you'll get something similar to north light: a large, soft light source, rather than the point light source of the sun.

of course, hard shadows are not necessarily bad shadows. they're just different.

[MenacingTourist]

This was the first shot I made with this lens. I want to make more.

[Jim Galli]

This was the first shot I made with this lens. I want to make more.

SWEET! Where'd you get a nice lens like that? ;)

[gene LaFord]

My take on politicians - both sides of the aisle.

gene

[Burmin]

Hi, everyone!

[Victo]

Fashion victim


http://www.vittoriocolombi.com/immagini/C_209_l4jpnl55melttkm5fxcqnb55_C005/F00001196B.jpg

[Louie Powell]

Bowl of Pairs
(spelling is intentional)

[RDB Korn]

veg, dollar store magnifying glass lens, toyo 45G, arista lith film

[NER]

FP4 in PMK on Ilford MGIV with Ansco 103.

N. Riley
http://normanrileyphotography.com/

[Gary Beasley]

Having fun with some ortho copy film, Cambo 45NX 210mmf/5.6, studio flash, exposure not recorded.

[darr]

FP4 in PMK on Ilford MGIV with Ansco 103.

N. Riley
http://normanrileyphotography.com/

I like very much!

[Stephanie Brim]

http://thirtyfivemillimeter.org/temp/4x5/highlights_apug.jpg (http://thirtyfivemillimeter.org/temp/4x5/highlights.jpg)

105mm Apotar (from a 6x9 folding camera). Click to see larger.

[rippo]

wow, talk about a revived thread! some really great still lifes here. all shall have prizes!

[Jim Galli]

First fruits from a 150mm Hermagis Eidoscop! I did 10 photos with it to try to get a grasp on it's personality. With 4X5 it's much harder to see what you will get on the gg in a diffused focus lens. This was done at f6.3, one stop down from wide open.


http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/150Eidy/150Eido_1.jpg
cut flowers, cut glass

I will get all 10 scanned and build a blog page about this lens. Can't wait to get more done with it. The French certainly had their act together here!

The 10 were done on some 1977 Ektapan rated at it's original asa and developed in PcatHD. I felt I probably overpayed for the Eidy in todays frantic market, but seeing the negs..............no way.

[matthew blais]

As found...
http://www.matthewblaisphotography.com/clocklures.jpg

[Alex Hawley]

Type 55, Wollensak 135mm.

[cjbroadbent]

Test Neg for brown prints. Gandolfi 8x10, 240 Sironar, TMax 400 in HC110.

[Andrew Tymon]

Fibonacci gets to grips with nature

[Bruce Schultz]

As found at John Coffer's Camp Tintype/farm in New York. 8x10 alumitype.

[cjbroadbent]

Then I shot it.

[Harold_4074]

2D, Heliar; FP4 in Pyrocat HD

[Daniel_Buck]

these look like alot of fun, I may have to try my hand at some still lifes! Very inspiring thread going on here!

[Colin Graham]

Then I shot it.

The waxwing?!
-Or the picture? ;)

Very interesting arrangements..the tone are incredible.

[jnanian]

...

[cjbroadbent]

How I pay the rent. 8x10, 240 Sironar, E6

[Daniel_Buck]

here's one from last night, 4x5 speed graphic and newly aquired Baush & Lomb lens

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bauschlomb_04.jpg

[Miguel Coquis]

Beams
8x10
scanned neg

[Ken Lee]

http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/img199.jpg
Sinar P, 250mm Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar
5x7 TMY, Pyrocat HD

[Ken Lee]

First fruits from a 150mm Hermagis Eidoscop!

Heavens that's a beautiful effect.

You have taught us that both razor sharp and lovely blur have their place. When both are present at the same time... each compliments the other.

[Matt Magruder]

all are 6x8 Wet plate collodions on aluminum. Shot with a 10x12 London Brass lens

http://www.matthewmagruder.com/files/gimgs/19_6x8impanddeer.jpg

http://www.matthewmagruder.com/files/gimgs/19_6x8hydrangea.jpg

http://www.matthewmagruder.com/files/gimgs/19_6x8hydrancalaporch.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Sinar P, 250mm Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar
5x7 TMY, Pyrocat HD

Smoooooooothe Ken ;) Was this a 4.5 tessar wide open?

[Alan Rabe]

..........

[Tyler Coen]

Matt: Great shots of the flowers. Middle one blows me away. Great tones and toning.


Bamboo roots: Portra 160VC 4x5, Schneider Symmar 210mm, Kardan Color 45s.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2569364953_8263e117a4.jpg

[Ken Lee]

Was this a 4.5 tessar wide open?

The lens opens to f/4.5, but this one was shot one or two stops down. Most of mine are like that: enough depth of field to contain the subject, and the rest to gradually dissolve.

In my experience, as we get in towards 1:1, using longer lenses, a few stops are required. Otherwise, we get just the edge of the potato chip, which hurts the eye. I like to have a bit of the chip too.

[Ole Tjugen]

Once more, my "found still life" from last year. My wife spotted the scene, and I decided that a 1932 Zeiss Doppe-Amatar should be capable of doing it justice.

I'll have to send the slide away for scanning soon, she demands a BIG print for her office :) :

[Scott Schroeder]

This thread sure took off today!
Okay, I'll add one that I like.
It's collodion on aluminum 8X10 and I liked the baseball on the sombrero.....

http://www.schroederworks.com/Pics/sombrero_baseball.jpg

[Maretzo]

Tachihara 45, G-Claron 210, Delta 100, leaking back.:mad:

[Burmin]

4*5 albumen print
http://pics.livejournal.com/dr_strausyan/pic/00011pex

[Ray Bidegain]

I have began to explore the wet plate collodion process, this is a 4x5 tintype.

Ray Bidegain

[ari velazco]

Scanned 5x7 contact print
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/arivelazco/image0-1-1.jpg

[cjbroadbent]

I mentioned using a niche in another post. This was done with paper for a niche demo.
13x18 (5x7) Ekta, Umbrella.
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/zucca.jpg

[Jiri Vasina]

This one is not gona move, for sure (at that time, I was almost not going to move because of the frost :) ). 13x18cm Fomapan 100

http://www.vasina.net/wp-content/gallery/zima/p13x18-054_web.jpg

[Victo]

School memories

http://www.vittoriocolombi.com/immagini/C_209_l4jpnl55melttkm5fxcqnb55_C005/F00001225B.jpg

Inka sinar 45,symmar 210,hp5 in rollei rls

[Steve Nicholls]

Two images with pre 1900 brass lenses. a Petzval and an unknown.

[Daniel_Buck]

not sure if these are considered still life (they aren't moving in the photos, haha!) I enjoyed shooting these, I brought my 4x5 speed graphic and 8x10 field camera to a vintage auto race this weekend!

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/vara_02.jpg

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/vara_03.jpg

[Scott Schroeder]

Last weekend I mad my first ambrotype. I have been making plate with aluminum up til now. So here's a 5X7 on glass.
http://www.schroederworks.com/Pics/TrainingWheels.jpg

[Brian K]

Here's about the stillest life I've come across. A new born, an 18 month old, an adult. From a book I did a while back.

[Colin Graham]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2433272617_3fc100d6f3.jpg

Teatime triptych, gowland pocket 6x7, xenar 135mm.

[PViapiano]

Test Neg for brown prints. Gandolfi 8x10, 240 Sironar, TMax 400 in HC110.

I like this! Wow, TMY in HC110...nice tones.

I have a box of TMX...how would that do with HC110?

Thanks, Christopher...excellent photos here.

Paul

[Michael_4514]

"Caution extremely sharp"

4x5 calumet cc400? or BJ Orbit, Tmax 100, probably a kowa process lens.

[cjbroadbent]

Paul,
Tmax 200 is no good for brown prints and whatnot because of the anti-UV coating which doesn't wash out. But it is super for silver. My way, whch I don't particularly advise because I use a Patterson Orbital, is the C solution, cut 50% for 8 minutes, then 100% for 7 to 10 minutes. It seems to do more for the midtones thought it's not a compensator.

[PViapiano]

Christopher...

Are those the times and dilutions you use to get a neg for your alt process...that yields a mighty contrasty neg, yes?

[cjbroadbent]

Bulletproof. But since this is an image thread, here's a digiroid of a set-up for nextweek's 8x10:

[PViapiano]

CB...

Yours are some of the best still lifes I've seen.

Your sensibilities and aesthetics remind me of my favorite 90 year-old photographer...please take that as the highest compliment I can offer!

Wow...I'd love to study with you ;-)

[cjbroadbent]

Here's the scanned 8x10 tmax400 done today. (PViapiano, I've still got 15 years to go but I'll never make it that far in aesthetics).

[PViapiano]

Beautiful, Christopher!

Do you do these still lifes for your own personal pleasure?

Also, do you do any traditional wet darkroom printing?

Keep 'em coming...I love seeing your work.

[Daniele Minetto]

Once more, my "found still life" from last year. My wife spotted the scene, and I decided that a 1932 Zeiss Doppe-Amatar should be capable of doing it justice.

I'll have to send the slide away for scanning soon, she demands a BIG print for her office :) :

Ole, I really love this one, beautiful shot !
Daniele Minetto

[scott russell]

These are the first photos i've posted on this forum. i've been hesitant to post any photos on the internet just because people love to steal my work for some reason, this typically happens to the live band photos i shoot the most, but still makes me paranoid enough to put my name in huge letters across the photo. sorry for the annoyance.

The first is of the cactus that sits in my room.

the second is of a banana peel that i found on the ground while walking home. I have a pretty good collection of them now, as either the same person, or several people eat bananas and throw them on the sidewalk around my house for some reason. This is the most interesting one.

[JBrunner]

Here's some favorites of mine that haven't been seen here. They are all 8x10 contact prints. The leaves and the bananas are on Varycon. The lamp is on Polywarmtone (R.I.P)

[Brian K]

Here's one.

[Brian Bullen]

8x10/ Scovill Waterbury lens test, wide open.

[Ted Stoddard]

Some nice "Still Life's" on here... So here is one of mine...


Camera: Ebony 8x10
Lens: Cooke Series Convertible
Film: Ilford HP5+
Processed in HC110B?
Location: Per Volquartz Studio in Pasadena,Ca. during my visit with him... I believe it was to drop off Jim Galli's 8x10 he left at Convict Lake one year during the Eastern Sierra Workshop... and just to hang out for a few days before the long drive home to Florida...

Can't find my notes on exposure...

[matthew blais]

That's very nice Ted...

[Brian Bullen]

A life now still.

8x10/ Scovill Waterbury lens test, wide open.

[Colin Graham]

Wow, those are both very nice Brian! Love the...thistles? and pitcher especially.

[Brian Bullen]

Colin, it's always a pleasure to receive a compliment from you! I check your blog often, with anticipation. That 300 xenar is really working well for you.:)
You're correct about the thistles, the vase is a beautiful light blue, "cracked" glass. A little cheapy that has been in the family for 40 yrs.

[Colin Graham]

Hey, thanks very much. I'll be sure to compliment you more often if it means such nice remarks in return! ;)

I love antique glass rendered in black and white. I'm always looking around flea markets for cool old jars and bottles. I love how the thistles' shape is mimicked in the shape of the vase in your image. Great stuff.

[Brian Bullen]

I love antique glass rendered in black and white. I'm always looking around flea markets for cool old jars and bottles.

Well, show us some photos of the nicer jars and bottles you've found. ;) The 5x12 format is probably a little more challenging for still life subjects.

[Colin Graham]

Heh, talked me into it. 150 f3.5 xenar. Actually I'm behind in still- lifes?...lives? I need to quit collecting and start shooting.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2707583094_8ba2da9488.jpg

[Ben Chase]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/WorkGlovesS.jpg
Campaign Promise

2D 810 / Wolly 8 1/4 'stigmat

I nominate this for "Most appropriate title" of all time :) Awesome Jim.

[Brian Bullen]

Colin, those xenars certainly do make for some beautiful bokeh. Excellent bottles too, are they all clear? My favorite parts of this photo are the little trinkets at the bottom, especially the glass skull, as well as the flower on the right. Very nice. Thanks for posting.

[Colin Graham]

Thanks Brian. The bottles are sort of odd pastels, pink and blue and a steely green, only the little one is clear. Probably would make for a nice high key color image. I couldn't resist fading the bottles into the backlighting so the raised lettering would sort of float off and look disembodied. Thanks for the comment.

[Jiri Vasina]

Brian, the Xenars are indeed very nice, I have just fallen in love with my 210mm f:4.5 (after first few sheets I wanted to sell it, now I'm extremely glad I did not). But what is more important, Colin really knows how to use it.

Btw. Colin, nice shot, though the cropping is a bit tight for me, I almost feel the edges cutting the flowers, and that bothers me a bit. But otherwise, it's so nice...

[Colin Graham]

Thanks Jiri, I agree completely, that does bug me as well. Also, the keystoning is a bit uneven among the bottles- it makes the far right bottle look like it's leaning out of the frame... Oh well, It'll give me a reason to try again next spring. Thanks for the comment.

The 210 f4.5 is next for me- the only one I'm missing I believe. Actually I goofed with my notes, this one was with a 180, not the 150mm.

[Brian Bullen]

What xenars are there for 8x10 and 11x14? I know the coverage for 5x12 is roughly the same as 8x10 so the 300 would be nice, are there any longer ones? What kind of price for the 300 and beyond?

[Jim Galli]

What xenars are there for 8x10 and 11x14? I know the coverage for 5x12 is roughly the same as 8x10 so the 300 would be nice, are there any longer ones? What kind of price for the 300 and beyond?

Brian, I have a 42cm that I was going to offer last weekend and didn't get it done. It's very soft wide open and covers 11X14. One caveat emptor; it is BIG! Probably weighs 8 pounds.

Did they ever make a 48cm or 60cm? Don't know.

[Colin Graham]

Ouch. 8 pounder. It's that an artillery designation? :D

Think I'll just keep pretending I never heard of that one.

[Jan Pedersen]

The 300 is nice on 8x10 and 5x7 mine is mounted in a #5 Compound so i imagine anything larger would be in barrel?

[Brian Bullen]

Jim,
Wow, 8 lbs is pretty heavy. My Korona is hiding and shaking in the corner. Probably far out of my price range too.
I bet it's a beauty though!

Colin,
You can pretend but deep down you know it's calling.:)

Jan, do you have any samples?
I've used a packard for so long now, I'm afraid I wouldn't remember how to use a "real" shutter.:D

[Jim Galli]

Ouch. 8 pounder. It's that an artillery designation? :D

Think I'll just keep pretending I never heard of that one.

It would be a bad bad day if you looked up and it was coming at you at high speed. Make a great cannon ball. OTOH, on a Century #8, it's itty bitty.

[Colin Graham]

Lol Brian, I can't sleep now as it is.

Here's another macro xenar shot on 5x12. This time a 135mm f4.5. I love how the sharp focus place just falls to pieces on really wide macro shots.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2713978431_83ff680f66.jpg

[Colin Graham]

It would be a bad bad day if you looked up and it was coming at you at high speed. Make a great cannon ball. OTOH, on a Century #8, it's itty bitty.

Headache! :eek:

[Jan Pedersen]

Brian, Will look but it does not get used as much as it deserves. Due to the size it always ends up left behind.

[Brian Bullen]

Colin, That is beautiful. It does have an amazing fall off, very smooth.

Jan, that poor, poor lens. Neglected and left at home all alone, a tragic story.
(Oh you gorgeous xenar, leave Jan. He doesn't love you, he thinks you're overweight. Come here to my open arms, I'll love you. I'll let you see the light!:D )

[Jan Pedersen]

Sweet talker Brian but i made a mistake and sold a 210 Xenar and told myself to never let the 300 go. :p

I do fondle the lens every week so the love is alive and well :D

[Donald Miller]

Firenza Italy. 5X7 - 180 Nikon W.

[cjbroadbent]

Sometimes it moves, requiring flash. Linhof technica 4x5, 120 Symmar with Hasselblad soft thingy.

[Jiri Vasina]

Christopher, IMO you're the one to learn color still life shooting from... It's so good...

[jetcode]

Firenza Italy. 5X7 - 180 Nikon W.

aside from the artistic splendor the content of this piece is deeply meaningful, everyone in humanity is represented in the roles within this scene

[Donald Miller]

Sometimes it moves, requiring flash. Linhof technica 4x5, 120 Symmar with Hasselblad soft thingy.

This is very, very nice. I like it a lot.

[Donald Miller]

aside from the artistic splendor the content of this piece is deeply meaningful, everyone in humanity is represented in the roles within this scene

Thanks Joe

[jetcode]

Sometimes it moves, requiring flash. Linhof technica 4x5, 120 Symmar with Hasselblad soft thingy.

What's interesting about the composition is the diving board effect where the subject is found in a somewhat precarious place and with the cup tilting slightly forward suggests a not so still still life. The lighting is excellent and the focal point of color is the subject. Everything in this presentation supports the subject. In my opinion that's why this is an excellent image.

[cjbroadbent]

Thanks all. I was told to do a still-life in movement after doing this static version...

[Steve M Hostetter]

Flowers in water pitcher: Sinar P 4x5 on provia 100f 210mm f8 SA...

This shot was done on 8x10" and transfered to water color paper

[Steve M Hostetter]

Apples: Sinar P 8x10 w/ 210mm f8 SA film was outdated fujichrome

[Miguel Coquis]

Zucchini !!!
pick them from kitchen garden when they where still moving;-)
3x4 graflex rb
scanned neg

[Miguel Coquis]

Zucchini color version,
playing with PS :-)

[jim kitchen]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here is something that decided to stand still for a few moments... :)

jim k


http://largeformatgroupimages.jimkitchen.ca/images/07081604_large.jpg

"Sin Speed"

[GSX4]

Here's my upload.... It's a still life of an antelope skull I have. Taken with Canham DLC 45 and 127mm Kodak Ektar lens wide open!

[Colin Graham]

Nice one Andrew- is it a lith print?

[GSX4]

Colin, yes I left that important fact out... Lith print on Agfa MCC111 bleached back, lightly sepia toned, and finished in selenium.

[cjbroadbent]

I admire the brilliance in Jim's Harley.
Let's keep this thing going. 8x10 240mm Tmax overdeveloped for Alt.

[Colin Graham]

More w/ xenar 180mm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2731666693_a0b6bf8f54_o.jpg

[Marko]

Colin, if you decide to run workshops, please let me know!

[Colin Graham]

Will bloviate for food! ;) Thanks Marko

[Miguel Coquis]

[QUOTE=Colin Graham;375941]More w/ xenar 180mm

Colin !
Really appreciate your "seeing".
Great views.

[Jim Cole]

Will bloviate for food! ;) Thanks Marko

Geez...I had to look that one up!

[cjbroadbent]

This is argyrotype from a digital negative from colour (cheating). Big hassle to get enough density. Better to shoot 8x10 direct and develop Nx2.

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/argyrotype2.jpg

[Jim Galli]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Feather.jpg
feather

No camera, no lens.

3800 X 5000 pixel capture @ 5X7 inches. Cropped as seen this would print 40X40 inch at 96dpi

[cjbroadbent]

No longer cheating. An 8x10 for the next argy.
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/twolemons02.jpg

[jim kitchen]

Excellent images Jim and Christopher...

jim k

http://largeformatgroupimages.jimkitchen.ca/images/pipeOrgan.jpg

A pipe organ...

[Jim Galli]

Thanks Jim. The organ pipes are splendid! Wish we had some locally :(

[Steve M Hostetter]

Here's a few more for you Polaroid lovers... All shot w/ 8x10" Sinar P 210mm f8 SA to Polacolor transfered to water color paper

[Steve M Hostetter]

PS. The light bands on the right are from my scanner glitch I need to get worked out.

[Alex Hawley]

Type 55, printed on Kentona.

[katie cooke]

An image from some work in progress, and I start crawling up the steep learning curve of wet plate collodion, scraping my knees, blackening my fingers, and having a revolting amount of fun as I go.

4x5" clear glass ambrotype.


Three more from the set so far (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyoka/sets/72157606969428707/)

[Geert]

on outdated Polaroid 59... the last ones.

Toyo C with Sinaron 210mm.

Made in January 2008, just before the announcement that it would never be produced again. Have a look at the clock, it seems that somewhere I already knew what was going to happen.
The green color comes completely from the outdated material, the tabletop was actually white :-)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2801044484_7f38c8db27_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/geertvandenbroeck/2801044484/)



G

[Brian_A]

http://largeformatgroupimages.jimkitchen.ca/images/pipeOrgan.jpg

A pipe organ...

Jim,

Awesome image! You've inspired me to want to find one of these pipe organs myself to try my 6x17 on it. I hate to copy ideas like that, but that's just something I've gotta see for myself. Great work, wonderful lighting!

[jim kitchen]

Jim,

Awesome image! You've inspired me to want to find one of these pipe organs myself to try my 6x17 on it. I hate to copy ideas like that, but that's just something I've gotta see for myself. Great work, wonderful lighting!

Dear Brian,


Merci...

If I had a film format such as yours, I know my cropping would surround the bottom portion of the choir organ pipes...

Inspiration is excellent passion to transfer, and that format would surely tighten the pipe's focus. I hope you are successful. :)

jim k

[Brian_A]

Jim,

Any time, I find your work very inspiring. You do some pretty cool stuff. Now the trick is, is to find a pipe organ of similar look in this area. Or a pipe organ, period :D Hopefully I'll be able to do it relatively soon....

-Brian


Dear Brian,


Merci...

If I had a film format such as yours, I know my cropping would surround the bottom portion of the choir organ pipes...

Inspiration is excellent passion to transfer, and that format would surely tighten the pipe's focus. I hope you are successful. :)

jim k

[Drew Bedo]

I'm done with gourds for 2008.

[Drew Bedo]

Gourds

[Scott --]

Dunno if this counts, but it t'weren't movin', so here 'tis:
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/smpsweeps/Joeshog.jpg

Korona 8x10, Koehler 10"/4.5, 1/20 at f/16, Arista.EDU Ultra 100 in HC-110 dil H 7:12 @ 20C

[Hugo Zhang]

Here is a picture of a church I took last weekend. Chamonix WP camera with Zeiss-Dagor 18cm f/9 lens.

[Brian_A]

Hugo: Is that the one in San Diego?

[Hugo Zhang]

Brian,

That's the one.:) I took the picture from a parking lot north of the church on a Sunday morning around 8.

Hugo

[Hugo Zhang]

I don't know if this qualifies still life. I mean, the fish was moving...

Chamonix WP camera with Apo-Lanthar 30cm lens.

[jim kitchen]

Dunno if this counts, but it t'weren't movin', so here 'tis:
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/smpsweeps/Joeshog.jpg

Korona 8x10, Koehler 10"/4.5, 1/20 at f/16, Arista.EDU Ultra 100 in HC-110 dil H 7:12 @ 20C

Dear Scott,

Nicely done... !

Yours? :)

jim k

[Scott --]

Thanks, Jim. It's my neighbor's bike - such things are verboten here... ;)

[monkeymon]

Broke my toilet seat

[jim kitchen]

An antique, but never dusty chair at the hotel, which has not moved in decades, and an image that presents an slight odd frown... :)

jim k


Along the Spanish Walk, Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada

http://largeformatgroupimages.jimkitchen.ca/images/spanishWalk_BanffSpringsHotel.jpg

[Colin Graham]

Wow, that's really nice Jim!

[Jiri Vasina]

Jim k, although you've already posted that one, I'm open to enjoy it any time again. Wonderful place presented in very good way...

[jim kitchen]

Jim k, although you've already posted that one, I'm open to enjoy it any time again. Wonderful place presented in very good way...

Dear Jiri,

Merci...

You are probably correct, since I could not find it in this post, and I cannot find the post it was probably in... :)

I am getting older by the second.

jim k

[jim kitchen]

Wow, that's really nice Jim!

Thank you... :)

The jpeg file does not give this image justice...

jim k

[Jiri Vasina]

Dear Jiri,

Merci...

You are probably correct, since I could not find it in this post, and I cannot find the post it was probably in... :)

I am getting older by the second.

jim k

You can post it again and again, I absolutely don't mind... On the contrary, I enjoy it very much ;)

J

[jim kitchen]

Speaking of coal on the west coast, and still life objects, here are a few items that remained dormant for several decades within this abandoned coal mine's entrance, including the transit and the plumb bob... :)

Unfortunately, I was only allowed to take one image during this session, but I will return next year to capture additional interesting features that exist within this abandoned coal mine, and the immediate vicinity.

jim k

Bellevue Coal Mine Entrance, Bellevue, Alberta, Canada

http://largeformatgroupimages.jimkitchen.ca/images/belleviewCoalMine_AB.jpg

[Drew Bedo]

The quiet light of my sitting room window.

[Gary Beasley]

Tough nut to crack. Shot under studio lights with Cambo 45NX 210mm lens on ortho copy film.

[clawhammer]

Here's my first photo contribution the forum. It's one of my first 4x5 shots to even marginally turn out decent.

View Graphic 2, Schneider Extar 150mm, probably f/32 and 1/10th of a second (or so), Velvia 100
http://www.xmission.com/~dgadams/BuffaloBridge3.jpg

[jim kitchen]

Here's my first photo contribution the forum. It's one of my first 4x5 shots to even marginally turn out decent.

Nicely done, first timer... :)

jim k

[Greg Lockrey]

Tough nut to crack. Shot under studio lights with Cambo 45NX 210mm lens on ortho copy film.

What would have been cool is to see little bits of shell flying off the shell as it is being cracked. :)

[Gary Beasley]

What would have been cool is to see little bits of shell flying off the shell as it is being cracked. :)

Yeah but then it wouldn't be a still life! ;-)

[cjbroadbent]

Still at it. 8x10 tmax400 over-devoped for POP and curved back in the scan. And a 4x5 tmax from some time ago. I can't do much with the 45's because I don't have an enlarger and digital negs just don't make it like the real thing (and it's cheating).

[monsta]

an old brass shell case from WW1

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2833424602_f39bf15042_o.jpg

[Daniel_Buck]

one from this weekend, speedgraphic and a Petzval

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/rileys_02.jpg

[domenico Foschi]

an old brass shell case from WW1

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2833424602_f39bf15042_o.jpg

nice image, Monsta

[Kerik Kouklis]

How about a still death:

http://kerik.com/last-leap.jpg

8x10 collodion on aluminum
Kodak Masterview
Fuji 360-W

[Daniel_Buck]

Kerik, is that in a swimming pool? interesting image, what's going on? :-)


and another from last weekend, same combo, speedgraphic & petzval:

http://www.buckshotsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/rileys_07.jpg

[Jiri Vasina]

Daniel, the petzval look is interesting. Nice photos of yours...

Kerik, also wondering what's going on. The capture is very strong, though.

[Steve M Hostetter]

Jim,, that's really nice

[Kerik Kouklis]

Yes, this fawn found it's way into our pool but could not get out again. We found it the next day as you see it.

[cjbroadbent]

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/lemonade2.jpg
8x10 TMax in HC110. My scans are useless because of newton rings. What's the remedy on an Epson V750 - more glass?

[PViapiano]

Christopher...I love that shot...plus all the rest of your work.

There is an anti-newton ring spray from Prazio. It's been mentioned several times here. I haven't used it myself, although it's much lighter and cleaner than other oil-y methods.

One question: Is that a straight scan or do you do much manipulation in Photoshop? How about the color work on your website?

BTW, the TMax in HC110 looks remarkably good. I've been using D76 on my TMax roll film lately and like the results...

[cjbroadbent]

You can't do better than D76. I use HC110 as a one-shot in a tray (two really, because it's an Orbital). No manipulation whatsoever- apart from shifting the curve way back from the high density needed for POP prints. Thanks for the Prazio tip. It's going to be hard to find it here.

[PViapiano]

Is the POP density about the same needed for pt/pd? Or is that what you mean?

[cjbroadbent]

Printing Out Paper as in 'Argyrotype'. I'm exposing normally and over-developing by a factor of 2.5 (20 minutes in HC110 1+30). This is way beyond pt/pd. Somehow you have to coax life into the lower mid-tones without killing highlights. The shadows tend to look after themselves. There are no rules. With argy it all depends on the paper you are using. Thats probably why a lot of people try it and give it up.

[jim kitchen]

My scans are useless because of newton rings. What's the remedy on an Epson V750 - more glass?

Dear Christopher,

Great image... :)

I wet mount my images emulsion side down on the 750 scanner's glass surface.

jim k

[Alex Hawley]

TMY-2 in Pyrocat-HD, 305 G-Claron, Slavich Unibrom G2

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2962682409_b7dfaa10a6_o.jpg

[Jim Galli]

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/Pinkham-Smith/TeaThingsf9s.jpg
tea things f9

12" Pinkham Smith Semi Achromatic 12" @f9 on 8X10

[cjbroadbent]

Jim,
I really like that tea thing. It's got stability and tangibility.

[Maretzo]

Tachihara 45, G-Claron 210, 1"@f22", Delta 100

[Jim Galli]

Jim,
I really like that tea thing. It's got stability and tangibility.
Thanks! J

[cjbroadbent]

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/PolaGear.jpg
8x10 polaroid. 240 Sironar, Gandolfi. Not got rid of the bird yet.