Greetings from Ventura county, CA

[J Ney]

I'm still getting my feet wet in the world of LF photography and have only been shooting 4x5 exclusively for about 1 year but I am loving it.

I was somewhat forced into LF photography during a trip to Yosemite last year when the film advancer on my Pentax 67 broke within the first 5 shots of the trip. After trying just about everything to fix it, I had no choice but to use my recently-purchased Tachihara 4x5 that had languished in my camera bag for the past several months unused. I was forced to learn the patience required to manage the movements of the camera and - by the time I left - I couldn't imagine taking a picture any other way. Since then, it is my Pentax 67 that usually stays at home while I take my 4x5 for long walks in the woods. Below is what I consider to be my first 4x5 shot.

This site is of great help to me and hopefully I can connect with other LF photographers in the area.

Regards,
J

[Marko]

Welcome, neighbour!

You'll find out there's quite a few of us from SoCal here.

[Greg Gibbons]

Welcome Neighbor! I'm in Thousand Oaks.
And I'm still pretty new at this, but trying to learn fast.

But I can't imagine having a Tachihara, and not using it for months.

PS - did you check out the photo expo at the Westlake 4 seasons? You should - it's still going on, and there's some amazing work there.

[J Ney]

Thanks for the welcomes!! Great to see fellow locals around here! I'm still kicking myself for that lapse of time not using the Tachi but better late than never :-)

I just heard about the show at the 4 Seasons and I'm definitely going to check it out either this weekend or the next.

Always interested in hearing about new areas local for shooting... I spend most of my time in the Sespe area of Los Padres... probably heading out to Piedra Blanca this weekend.

[vinny]

Welcome, from los angeles. There are many of us who get together from time to time and either shoot or drink beer and talk about what it would be like to shoot.

[J Ney]

That always sounds good to me! Especially the combination of drinking beer while shooting! :-) :-)

My bag is never complete without small flask of whiskey to keep me warm while waiting for the right light. (j/k.... kind of)

[Eric Woodbury]

Welcome from Santa Barbara. I think a little flask of 'anti-freeze' would be a good idea for the walk after the late light is gone.

[Harley Goldman]

Hi J,

I am also up in Santa Barbara. Another big welcome.

Let me know when you are heading up to the Sespe if you want some company.

[bernal]

Welcome from Carpinteria. Enjoy the LF.

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therepy! You really got a "baptism under fire" when that Pentax broke...glad it worked out for you. The slow way of shooting is one of the appealing things about LF.