RogerFeeley
8-Nov-2007, 13:04
Hello all,
I find myself getting into this mostly because I am a stubborn curmudgeon. In another life, I taught photography (badly) for about 8 years. That said, I have no fear of most anything with film.
Now I want a family portrait but I am distrustful of the way portraiture is currently done. I want a portrait I can hand down to my grandchildren. That leaves out virtually all current printing processes. That also pretty much leaves out color. I want to store the originals in my Bank safety deposit box. That means either digital files on CD/DVD or film. I don't trust CDs. That leaves me with B&W film.
No local photographer works in film anymore.
No local photographer will release the negatives. (there is a rant there)
That leaves out the pros.
Now I have to get creative. I have good friends who are very talented filmmakers and generally artistic. They have access to lights and a background. I am unafraid of the film hardware and am perfectly capable of setting the correct exposure and focusing.
All I really need from someone else is lighting, composing the shot and clicking the shutter.
I haven't owned a camera for a very long time. I figure if I am going to do this, why not do it up right.
Here is my plan:
--I obtain a 4x5 view camera, lens, meter, film holders and tank off Ebay
--I do some initial testing to test the rig and get comfortable with exposure, processing the film myself and using a few poloroids.
--I get the background and lights from my filmmaker friends.
--We have a portrait party.
--I use a local B&W lab for the printing (although that was always my favorite part).
I figure that even paying for the equipment, film and processing, I won't be much more expensive than using a studio (not Walmart/Sears) AND I get the negs for my safety deposit box.
So, my questions:
1. Is there anyone out there willing to do a bit of mentoring?
2. Am I nuts. No flame wars, please. I am just a guy trying to get exactly what I want.
thanks to all,
Roger
I find myself getting into this mostly because I am a stubborn curmudgeon. In another life, I taught photography (badly) for about 8 years. That said, I have no fear of most anything with film.
Now I want a family portrait but I am distrustful of the way portraiture is currently done. I want a portrait I can hand down to my grandchildren. That leaves out virtually all current printing processes. That also pretty much leaves out color. I want to store the originals in my Bank safety deposit box. That means either digital files on CD/DVD or film. I don't trust CDs. That leaves me with B&W film.
No local photographer works in film anymore.
No local photographer will release the negatives. (there is a rant there)
That leaves out the pros.
Now I have to get creative. I have good friends who are very talented filmmakers and generally artistic. They have access to lights and a background. I am unafraid of the film hardware and am perfectly capable of setting the correct exposure and focusing.
All I really need from someone else is lighting, composing the shot and clicking the shutter.
I haven't owned a camera for a very long time. I figure if I am going to do this, why not do it up right.
Here is my plan:
--I obtain a 4x5 view camera, lens, meter, film holders and tank off Ebay
--I do some initial testing to test the rig and get comfortable with exposure, processing the film myself and using a few poloroids.
--I get the background and lights from my filmmaker friends.
--We have a portrait party.
--I use a local B&W lab for the printing (although that was always my favorite part).
I figure that even paying for the equipment, film and processing, I won't be much more expensive than using a studio (not Walmart/Sears) AND I get the negs for my safety deposit box.
So, my questions:
1. Is there anyone out there willing to do a bit of mentoring?
2. Am I nuts. No flame wars, please. I am just a guy trying to get exactly what I want.
thanks to all,
Roger