New here

**pam edwards** · 27-Jan-2008, 10:11

I kinda fell into photo work. Out of the blue, my brother sent me my dad's old Yashika LM [MF,2.5"X2.25"]. I didnt know my dad, and i certainly didn't know he did photo work. I lagter was told that all his work was lost in a fire. only his camera survived, and my brother thought i'd like it. I thought , welll , if my dad did photo work, then maybe i should try it too.
Once i started , I knew I really did want to do photo work That's how i got started in B&W photography. I didn't like school, so i picked up Vestal's BW photography. It became my teacher.

A few months later some one gave me an old Omega D2 enlarger. Bascially I learnt how to use it by trial and error. Lots of Error.
Best thing i ever did was seek out other people's B&W's . I went to NYC once , just go see a retrospective of Edward Weston. Then to Portland ME to see the " US RT. 1" show if Bernice White's photos. Once I took a train ride to Chicago to see what the Insitutue of Art had inn thier of B&W photo collection/exhibit. I think it was Arnold Newman, Willy Brandt and some Chicao B&W photo greats. I loved the B&W works so much that i found my self crying. I was seeing the orginal prints. So beautiful. No kidding. The beauty of them took me over.

I spoke to some B&W phtogrpahers in Boston once. One said that great Photopgrahy's the equivalent to poetry. I agree.
I liked making 4X5 duplicates of 35mm films[both pos. and neg. negatives] and print from the 4X5's.
Now i want to shoot w/4X5 camera.
I never used anything but ambiant light to shoot in. Just never did get into added light. I just like it this way.
Mainly i prefer to "take off" from the negative.Though I do "realistic images" for friends and such. Now that i wandered on to this site, I feel like i met kindred spirits and i will be moving into LF photography for shure.
Anyway, that's my intro. I am glad to be aboard . Thanks for the site. I already found here much info i can use. But i am also interested in talk B&W LF phtography too.
Pam in Maine

**Joe Monteiro** · 27-Jan-2008, 10:35

Welcome from MA I'm back into analog after a couple of years away from it and it's good.

**pam edwards** · 27-Jan-2008, 10:52

Thanks joe.
Some one said to me the other day, " You *will* have to go digital eventually. No one understands film photography; film, chemicals and paper you do your work with ,will t become available. Then what will you do?"
I had no reply. LOL
Hmmmmm.
-pam

**Ralph Barker** · 27-Jan-2008, 12:12

Welcome to the LF Forum, Pam.

As to those who forecast the unavailability of traditional photographic products, it's easy to point to various other arts and crafts that received the same prognostications 50 or 100 years ago. As long as people continue to do something, whether that's "traditional" photography, painting, or whatever, there will be other enterprising people who see a business opportunity in providing the materials needed.

**BarryS** · 27-Jan-2008, 13:10

Welcome to the site Pam. It's beautiful seeing original b&w prints and a good idea to see what quality prints look like as well as seeing the works of great photographers. I think you meant Bill Brandt the photographer--not to be confused with Willy Brandt, the former Chancellor of West Germany.

I'm just starting out with a 4x5 field camera and this is definitely the place to hang out to figure out large format photography. It sounds like you really want to be working in 4x5 and I think it's a great experience to work with a large format camera--it feels like a connection to the roots of photography, and it's just plain cool to play with all the lens and back movements.

**Clueless Winddancing** · 27-Jan-2008, 13:37

I was listening to a book on tape, waiting for my coffee and opening this forum (multi-tasking) when my third ear felt what you were saying, what my eyes were hearing. Metaphoricly, there's a magical story in what is happening. I look forward to see just how cherished you will become on this forum.

**John Sarsgard** · 27-Jan-2008, 14:31

Hi, Pam, and welcome from down South (Connecticut!). The people who hang around here are among the most knowledgeable and helpful folks to be found anywhere. Many of us (me included) also work in digital and with smaller film cameras as well, so it's a great place to ask all kinds of questions. You will get to know some interesting personalities, as well! You will also meet people who think a 4x5 is a small camera. We look forward to knowing you better. Cheers, John

**Oren Grad** · 27-Jan-2008, 14:38

Originally Posted by John Sarsgard

You will also meet people who think a 4x5 is a small camera.

John, 4x5 *is* a small camera.

Welcome, Pam!

**John Kasaian** · 27-Jan-2008, 15:38

Welcome from Fresno, California.

What a great story! I'll look foreward to reading more about your LF adventures.

**Ken Lee** · 27-Jan-2008, 16:45

You've come to the right place. The assembled wisdom and talent here is remarkable.

Back in '71 (no, not 1871) as a high-school student, I took a long train ride to Philadelphia, to see the Paul Strand retrospective. In your words, it "took me over". I never fully recovered.