view camera magazine

We are having some suggestions for more how-to articles in View Camera. What would people like to see in this regard?

steve simmons

www.viewcamera.com

How about an LF basics article on bellows compensation factors? Why they are important, how to determinine them and then apply them in the field/studio?

How-to-Prufread

Here is my easy formula

for every 25% you add to the infinity bellows extension you add 1/2 stop of exposure. For example if you have a 6"/150mmlens and you have 7.5 inches of extension then add 1/2 stop of expsure. Normallyyou can add the extra exposue with time or by opening up. However, if you are using strobe then adding time does not help and you must open up wt yor f-stops.

If you have a 6" lens and you have 9" of extension then add 1 stop. If you have 10.5" then add 1.5 stops an if you have 12" of extension then add 2 stops.

This formula works for any focal length lens.

Some people will snow you with math formulae but it is not necessary to know. My formula works everytme.

steve simmons

How about an update on digital negatives, shooting with say 4x5 and using Photoshop to digitally print larger negatives. What's the best combination of printers, inks, mylar, and software? The best books to read, etc? (Is it still Burkholder?) For example, can the ultrachrome inks be used for this purpose on this or that particular mylar. Etc.

I would still call this LF, since one's shooting a 4x5 and scanning it in using a flatbed scanner.

1) Perhaps showcase the exposure & darkroom techniques of a famous or not so famous
photographer in each issue. (in detail, the nuts and bolts)

2) List the most sucsessful film/developer combinations for expansion and contraction.
This could be brought out in item (1).

3) Many of us are not professionals and can't afford new equipment so any artical dealing
on strategy for using old lenses and shutters in the field, repairing equipment, buying used equipment or saving money while enjoying this hobby is always of interest. Perhaps this could be part a hobbyists corner in the online section of your publication each month.

I'm a novice 8x10 enthusiast. Your early mags contained rudimentary "how-toos". I've purchased
a few and they are fascinating for the amature. At the same time I don't know of another publication thats more interesting for the large format photographer as your present mag. So I hope you do begin again to publish more "how-toos".

Thanks,
Mike

Ron Rosenstock d0es a darkroom how-to each issue discussing one of his images and showing a before and after print.

The Dec/Jan issue of CameraArts had an article about the new guru of digtal negs.

We've done lots of articles about older cameras and lenses and will continue to do so.

We are starting a series on digital printingin the March issue.

Our March issue is our 10oth issue. We have a special portfolio on Paul Caponigro.

We are going to do more how-to articles in all future issues

www.viewcamera.com

steve simmons

PS

We also have an article on scanning lf negs coming up in the May issue

steve simmons

Just to add my math-impaired way of figuring bellows extension to what Steve posted above: If I have, say, an 8-inch lens, I say to myself "I'm starting at f8" Then I measure, and if the bellows extension is 11 inches, I call that f11, so I must increase exposure by one stop. If the bellows extension is 13 inches (f13), I just figure how much difference there is between f8 and f13 -- about one-and-a-half stops? It's always worked for me.

Steve,

Overall I'm very happy with my subscription. The paper and developer shootout, the B&W Meunch photos, the focus and toolkit articles have all been great. I've also enjoyed the recent Speed/Crown Graphic articles.

As for how-to's, the things that I've trouble with over the past year have been bellows extension factors, and troubleshooting a 545 holder that was consistently causing one side of the neg to be out of focus (though everything was fine with a standard holder and sheet film).

Quick disk or your formula take care of bellows extansion (but not forgetting that you have to compensate for bellows extension). As for the other, some short articles (100-500 words) on maintenance would be good. Something on fresnels (what do they offer the photographer) might be good, too.

Another thing, though not a how-to, would look at a shot with a selection of lenses (75,90,150,210, 300 etc). I haven't been able to find anything really like that on line, although VC did do an article on an Italian Photographer (who's name escapes me) that used alot of wide and super-wide lenses. My first good lens was a 135 Nikon because I liked the view from my sometimes sticky 135 Optar. My other primary lens is a multicoated 210 Schneider.

Finally, thanks for your work at VC. It's enjoyable, informative and well produced.

Mike Davis

More stuff about alt. processes would be fun; Examples of backpacks and/or other bags for carrying a monorail in the field and how they are packed in said backpacks (I know, get a folder but I don't want one); Making digital negatives; A 'newbie' column that reintroduces basics for those of us who are new to the mag.

Guess that's all I can think of :-) Thanks for asking!

Steve: When I got into large format a couple of years ago VC was my first research tool for nearly everything. After twenty years in photojournalism, the magazine has been a big help in transitioning when I want to take the time to go slow. That's why I still suscribe.

With all the technical talk, though, I'd like to see more on the 'Zen' part of this format. What inspires people to lug all this stuff around? We read about the masters who had some sort of classical training that help moved them to see something unique in compositions; what works for people today?

Also, a portfolio every now and then of the unkowns who make nice images without a book or business to promote would be good. Hard to find, I'm sure.

Others: Self Publishing. Home publishing (injets at the ready). The least expensive way to get into LF.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

As a past subscriber, here are some things that may get me to re-subscribe. Keep in mind those are my personal preferences and do not reflect on any value the magazine might have for others:

* More portfolios. Not just of big-names, but readers as well. I personally value those more than the technical/how-to/history-of/shootout/etc. articles. (which are important, but not always interesting to me)

* Recurring columns from prolific photographers/writers about the art and philosophy of photography. This is something I really like about publications like LensWork, Photo Technique, and even mass-appeal mags like OP have/had such gems from William Neill, Galen Rowell etc. that kept me interested. These are rarely about gear and more about photography and personal expression.

* Someone already mentioned it, and I don't mean to be petty, but... better proofing. Maybe I'm just anal, but it upsets me to find errors in spelling and grammar in a printed magazine.

My 2c...
Guy
Scenic Wild Photography

Steve,

In the July/August 2003 issue of View Camera Magazine, there is an excellent,although incomplete article titled "Flatbed Scanning 4x5 for High Quality Inkjet Printing-part 1" by George DeWolfe. I, and I'm sure others, are waiting for part 2. As a subscriber I can't find part two to date. Could you please follow up on that article.

VCM has a fine mix of articles, some that cannot be covered in one issue, especially cutting edge digital scanning, processing and printing. Installment articles covering these in depth, I think, would be well received. Are you familiar with the works of Joseph Holmes? http://www.josephholmes.com/ Maybe he would consent to sharing his knowledge along with all of your other great contributers.

Thanks for all of your effort.

Richard Martel

I would appreciate a workflow for modifying scanned 4x5 negatives and transparencies in Photoshop. I use both B&W and some color transparencies. I have scanned a few color negatives, but the orange color (coating) confuses me.

I realize this is somewhat basic, but, some of us have to start somewhere.

Specifically on the how-to question, I'd like to see details on large-print mounting techniques. I've seen some mention in the forums on mounting to plexiglass and metal, as well as various experiments with protective coatings, but an article that walked through step by step would be nice for these somewhat esoteric practices.

-T

The one improvement I want from View Camera Magazine is a functioning way to subscribe. I won't relly mind if you have to ship it by surface mail so it takes six months to arrive in Norway, but I'd like to be able to sobscribe without going through a "proxy". I have only the best experience with Robert White, but that is not what I'm complaining about.

So I'd like to SEE the content. Then I'm sure I could dream up a "wish list"...

I might even be persuaded to write something myself - if I can find a good proofreader who can turn my thoughts into English.

A real review of scanners, with actual numerical measurements such as density, S/N, MTF 50, resolving power, etc... as can be provided by Imatest (a $60 software), or any other comparable method.

What I'd really like to see is a comparison of what the same image looks like when using different film/developer combinations. It doesn't have to be extensive, just enough to give us a feel for what the 'major' differences are.

Curtis

You used to run a certain kind of article that I really enjoyed - Caponigro's (the younger) interviews/conversations with various artists. Very interesting discussions about vision and technique, especially the former and how the latter related to the former. I, personally, would enjoy stuff along those lines. Cheers, DJ

My favorite how to article was the one where a small 4x5 field camera was made. I'd like to see more of that. Steve, there was one article about the guy who made a 7x17 camera and shot at a farm in Central California. How about an article on that camera's construction.

How about an article on metering off the ground glass.

a brief non esoteric article re how to match film with paper. For owners as well as non-owners of densitometers. I mean: how do you determine which paper matches best your chosen film?

Of topic: as suggested by me before, an occasional issue devoted to or written by young L.F. photographers. Educational institutions could be approached for this purpose.

Thanks for your efforts.

I'd like to see more portfolios by people we've never heard of before.

I would like to second the suggestion for an article on mounting prints.

How about an article, probably difficult to do, which would illustrate the differences between good negatives and bad for silver prints and platinum/paladium. I've only heard people TALK about it. I want to SEE it. And, as an article, it would become a great reference.

I second the idea of articles/interviews with world class master photographers. Background about them, portrait, what they do (show examples), what drives them, where are they going, where do they think photography is going, what they recommend for newbies, etc.

how about articles on unorthodox subject matter and technique.

Steve,

First, I would like to thank you for coming to this forum and requesting input as to what participants would like to see included in future issues of your magazine. This is a really nice gesture on your part.

From my perspective, I would like to see a regular column dealing with cutting edge aspects of large format or perhaps a "whats new in large format" article in every issue. I know you try to do this frequently, I am just suggesting a more organized and regular column particularly from various shows around the world where camera companies have displayed their latest wares as they relate to large format or manufacturers have come out with a new lens. At some point, you may wish to consider a "book review" corner where various books displaying photographs from large format photographers are "reviewed" from various esthetic and technical aspects.

thank you for all the hard work,

Dan Dumitru

Steve, I wrote you once regarding this topic. It is getting down to recommending your book and forgetting the magazine as far as encouraging others to get into large format. Hardly anyone I run across gives a hoot about digitial large format. They are interested in shooting black and white and Velvia, and Polaroid films for proofing. They are interested in simple techniques and procedures, in seeing the portfolios and works of others, both new artists and past artists, in darkroom techniques and materials, paper comparisons, lens comparisons, camera comparisons, auxillary equipment like tripods, etc.. B&W is the only magazine I can recommend to anyone at this point.
Although I am pleased you are exploring article options for View Camera, my first preference would be to rewrite your book and come out with a new edition. 5X7 could be added to the book and charts, not to mention some of the other formats that have returned to popularity, or some of the wide landscape formats. Darkroom processing techniques could be added, both old ones and newer ones, as well as every other aspect of view camera operations.
Gosh, I guess I am calling for the new publication " The Encyclopedia of View Camera" or
"The Complete View Camera". I hope you write it since your book is so well written, even though it could be more complete and thorough and a real reference.

I have spent a lot of time lately researching lens choices for large format; 11x14 in particular. I would be interested in an article comparing lenses head to head; say for example, taking photos with a 24 inch Dagor, and comparing it to a new 600mmFuji lens, and also the new Cooke triple convertible, and throw in a Schneider or Rodenstock, or a Red Dot. This would be very interesting, and helpful from my perspective, and probably for many others. While you are at it you could answer the question once and for all if there is or is not a difference between the Dagor classic lenses and the Gold Rim or Gold Dot versions! In another 6 months I will probably have 3 or 4 of these lenses anyway, and end up doing the test myself (waitng for the Cooke lens backordered).

People that seem to have a vast experience with lenses are Sandy King and Jim Galli; ask them to do an article. In addition ask Sandy King to do an article about his PyroCat deceloper; it seems to be becoming quite popular. Thanks,

John

Hi there,

How about 'Bellows making for dummies'?

Just a thought.

There are apparently quite a few LF camera makers in the US. How about a visit to their factories for an inside look along with an interview?

Seems rebuilding and refinishing old cameras is very popular. How about an interview with some of the people out there who do that. What finishes work best for 70 year old cherry? How to do the brass work. Not so much a "how-to", but "how they do"...

Something on 8x10 chocolate Polaroids...

And digi-what??? Who cares!!!

How about an article on how to properly prepare an effective portfolio for presentation. I have yet to see anyone write an article on this important subject.

How about how to get your photos ready for a photo show. What to do and what not to do as far as matting, mounting, and displaying your photographs. Too many people just slap something together without a clue as to what judges at photo shows look for in a photograph.

I'm more interested in why a particular photograph was taken than with what equipment it was taken with. When you profile photographers I'd like to see more discussion of their esthetic and what lures their attention to the images they take. On the other hand, you do have quite good variety in your magazine. The articles you recently ran on stock photography and gallery sales were interesting and different, if not necessarily immediately useful to me. Interesting beats useful, hands down!

I don't care for your short, 1-2 paragraph "equipment reviews" which basically just repeat the manufacturers' specifications. They don't say anything useful or interesting: there are a lot of sources for that sort of info. If you want to review equipment I'd much rather see hands-on reviews, in depth, by working photographers who've actually spent some time with the gear and who aren't afraid to point out the weak points as well as the strong ones.

I like the articles you've been running comparing different developers, papers, etc. Having an experienced photographer or printer give their personal impressions of working with materials is helpful when trying to figure out what to do next (such as the present situation when Forte paper is unavailable, or nearly so. Need to find an alternative, I guess...)

I don't care for digital much, either capture or printing, but that's a personal thing. I spend all day in front of a computer and just don't want to spend my leisure time wondering whether it's time to upgrade the beast again. Looking at the magazine racks at my local Borders, there does not seem to be a lack of magazines covering (or devoted exclusively to) digital in some form or other. (On a side note, my local Borders carries perhaps three magazines which are film-oriented photography, and a dozen which are all or nearly all digital. Why is it that film-oriented magazines are accused of being "anti-digital" and the vast pool of digital magazines are not accused of being "anti-film"? Never understood that one.)

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have printed out this thread and am reviewing the suggestions.
Some of your ideas are in progress beginnig with the March issue. We have Charles Cramer beginning a series on color printing by reviewing recent hx of color printing. This will be an ongoing series andwill move into digital printing. We have an article coming up in May on scanning lf negs.

We do thearticles on people doing books to show the process. It is evryone's dream to do a photo book and we want to make sure everyone understands the process

We will look for leser known photographers and do more byo types of articles.

Thanks and keep the comments coming.

steve simmons

Steve,

First off thanks for publishing VC without it large format photography would be at even more of a disadvantage.

You've ask for suggestions (for articles). Well my pet peeve is the website login/password. I can't find my bloody little address tag, it was right here. Pls fix this and issue more permanent passwords.

Oh yeah you ask for articles. Here are some ideas to consider.

1. Interviews.
John Sexton. An intimate portrait of AA. Discussions on the fine art print.
Dan Burkholder. The future of the digital negative. Improvements in printer technologies. Update on his book.
Kim Weston. Discussions on his family the legacy, the influences. Printing techniques.
John Fielder. The photographer and the environment. His reflections on the art of seeing.
Other emerging photographers with more to tell than simply format, film and lens.

2. Techniques for selling fine art work.
Galleries
Publications
Online auctions

3. Archival techniques
Slide/negative and print processing
Mounting and framing

4. Add a section for 1/4 page photographer adds similar to Lenswork.

As an aside the March issue is our 100th issue. I never thought I'd live to be 100 :)

steve simmons

I don't know if the lead time necessary would allow it, but you might consider reviewing major exhibitions by large format photographers.

I'd also like to see a bit more criticism and opinions on philosophical/aesthetic issues. These tend to generate the most involved responses and longest threads on this forum, indicating a good level of interest in these areas.

And I second the call for more portfolios by lesser known photographers, or lesser known work by well-known photographers. (I'm always disappointed to see photographers publish the same image in three or four different books and then in a magazine portfolio too.)

Seems a little heavy on the digital side lately...

This may seem a bit off-topic or abstract, but how about an article on "how to get there." What I mean by this is, for every great photo, a lot of time and thought went into how to traverse to that location, getting permits or finding access roads to different spots, tips for packing essentials, spotlights on possible new locales, etc. Kerry and others have touched on this occasionally, and a lot of great information on the topics of permits and access have been presented in this forum.

Maybe some real world experience, like road trip/anecdotal type stories in which we can learn from others' mistakes, be entertained with their trials and tribulations and view some great artistic photos. I know that I really enjoy sitting down with shooters who have been doing this alot longer than I have and hearing all of these great tales.

The journey is half the adventure; we are supposed to be enjoying this, right?

Thanks,

Bobby

The reason I subscribe is because the landscape portfolios are so beautiful.

How about a series on early large format cameras (boxes, tailboards, etc) from the user's perspective, not the collector's.

An article on buying and refurbishing old cameras. With the exception of the wealthy/brave/crazy folks who start with an Ebony, who didn't start with a Korona/B&J,etc. Maybe enlist Richard Ritter.

Some articles on homemade cameras and accessories. Maybe get the fellow who wrote Primitive Photography to do an article on the user's perspective of his work (the book covered more of the construction side). Another article on homemade lens would be great too. There was one about a year ago that was good, but only covered using wide-angle filters. There's a whole world of surplusshed.com lenses out there. I can't be the only nutcase. Somebody else is buying up all the oldies on eBay, etc. Even the "parts" cameras are going for $200-400.

I second the request for an objective review of large-format-capable scanners that would separate the marketing hype from real performance. I would be particularly interested in how much a high-end scanner like an Imacon or Creo improves on, say, an Epson 4990.

It's probably obvious, but the point of my suggestion (above) on printing larger digital negatives is to use them for contact printing.

Steve,

I'd love to see an article on the practicalities of using movements. There are plenty of books and articles on the theory, eg Schliem... etc. But personally, partly because I use my 4x5 quite infrequently, I am put off using movements, as I make errors too often.

A set of practical hints and tips on making sure that what you want is properly in focus especially after movements. Also hints on how to introduce movements to the camera to use them successfully eg focus, tilt, focus, shift etc... How to spot mistakes early...

Oh and more portfolio's please.

Dave.

> --Jeff Morfit, 2005-03-01 04:56:59

What Jeff said. A series on mounting/matting/framing. Different types of glass/acrylic, etc.

And really, better editing. No offense, but your posts are full of typos. Read it over a second time before hitting the 'send' button...

Now that Martha's out of prison, maybe she could do an article on decorating with large format photography?