Is large format photography on the rise?

[BrianShaw]

Youngsters may like the idea of appearing to be artisans, but many stall when they get to the learning-the-craft part. They apparently thought that they could "just do it".

Yes... I don't know if the numbers are rising or if I'm just noticing it more, but there are many postings on the photo forums by "newbies" who are trying out film and larger-format cameras. So seem to think it through then buy and use, but there are others who seem to be in a swirl of buy-try-sell (repeat) and may not be achieving their goals of becoming an instant artisan... or even learning the craft.

Then there are others, like me, who keep plugging along with the gear we've had for decades in the hopes of someday becoming relatively proficient and maybe even creating a decent image every once in a while.

[E. von Hoegh]

You'll also notice that many of the newbie questions here asking about 4x5 are directly related to huge prints. Galleries want bigger and bigger prints and people think it'll be so easy to do it "if i just get a large format camera"

I've noticed that too. *snickers*

[Mark Stahlke]

With modern expressive arts, it seems to be more about attitude and image than learning about difficult procedures through trial and error. Youngsters may like the idea of appearing to be artisans, but many stall when they get to the learning-the-craft part. They apparently thought that they could "just do it".

Sounds just like the amusing Hiptsers Stunned thread.

[mandoman7]

Thanks Mark, that article says it way better.

[DennisD]

You'll also notice that many of the newbie questions here asking about 4x5 are directly related to huge prints. Galleries want bigger and bigger prints and people think it'll be so easy to do it "if i just get a large format camera"

As noted above... A symptom of the inkjet generation and the (readily available) capability we have to make giant size prints (whether graphic or photographic).

"Larger is better" and "size does matter" in the retail, advertising, and gallery worlds. Walk into any copy center or office supply store (Staples, etc.) and there's a wide format HP printer for your photos, posters, whatever. We are barraged with large, poster size images from the subway platform to the shopping mall.

Much art was always on a large canvas, now photo images enjoy a much easier access to large size printing thru the digital process. ( I don't, for a moment, doubt that Ansel Adams would have loved to dabble in digital printing, if not routinely making his larger prints via inkjet, given the quality achieved to date).

So there's a likely correlation between "huge prints" and interest in LF cameras, however direct or indirect (or right or wrong- perhaps not fair to judge).

[John Kasaian]

Well, Yosemite Valley is the Disneyland equivalent for LF photographers, and driving around I haven't seen any more numbers of view cameras being set up, but then I haven't seen any less either. FWIW.

[John Kasaian]

Thanks Mark, that article says it way better.

The deal I find with large negatives and large prints is that imperfections are also larger.

[Frank Petronio]

I bet half the outfits sold never get used and the rest just a little. These people buying $5000 Ebonies as their first cameras are just acquiring nice possessions... they get stumped at handling film. One guy told me he will only use expensive, old Quickloads because film holders are too intimidating.

[Mark Stahlke]

... they get stumped at handling film. One guy told me he will only use expensive, old Quickloads because film holders are too intimidating.

When I got started with LF I used Quickloads exclusively. I figured I had enough to learn without learning to load film holders too. Once I got the hang of using the camera, I started loading my own film holders and found it to be very easy.

[John Olsen]

Our waste transfer station had a 4x5 enlarger, including lens, on the freebie pallet a few weeks ago. Evidently at least one person couldn't find even a photographer who would haul it away from his house. I also snatched up a couple of free mixing valve assemblies locally. I don't detect a ground-swell of LF interest on our island.
I attach results of last weekend's shoot, not that it's relevant in any way.
John Olsen