Things You Never Thought You'd Learn from Large Format Photography

[unixrevolution]

I find it pleasant the kind of things a new hobby, or in my case, a new aspect of a hobby, can teach you. For instance, I had never needed a changing bag as a 35mm, digital, or Medium Format photographer.

It is therefore because of Large Format that I learned I could operate an iPhone with nothing but my nose.

What unexpected lessons has Large Format taught you?

[E. von Hoegh]

"Looking" and "Seeing" are two different processes.

[Vaughn]

That cameras can actually be too big.

[Preston]

Snow makes your bellows sag.

--P

[jnantz]

you can still print film too dense to see through

[Ken Lee]

Ansel Adams > Zone System > Minor White > Meditation > Eastern Philosophy > Mysticism

[drew.saunders]

That I finally own a "Hasselblad," just that it's made out of wood and metal and leather, or at least many people seem to think I do.

That you can scan film that is so thin that there doesn't appear to be an image on it.

That, yes, they still make film for that thing and, no it isn't a video camera.

[jp]

I still don't have a changing bag (the upside of a darkroom)...

Prior to LF, I never thought about alt process stuff at all. It seemed like a means to an end using the technology of the era. Now it's a fascinating choice.

I've long had an academic interest in photo history and art history, but the actual historical tools with large format are a hands on extension of that I wasn't expecting.

While LF does a really nice job at crisp sharp photos, it does an even better job with soft photos (compared to the small stuff), something I never attempted with smaller and digital formats.

I never used a handheld light meter prior to LF. My 35 and digital cameras had that built in.

I'd never developed film in a tray prior to LF (just with patterson or stainless reel tanks)

Never had a motorized enlarger. The small enlargers are generally simpler.

Never had to concern myself with dust on negatives with roll film. (dust on sensor is a common digital concern though)

I've stopped wondering if a resulting photo is going to be grainy.

I've met lots of people who either had a speed graphic or had a family member that used one.

[Robert Hughes]

That you can make a perfectly good camera out of card stock and 1x1 lumber.

[Kerik Kouklis]

That cameras can actually be too big.

Hmmm... haven't learned that one yet.