So Many Talented Voices, So MuchTo Say.

[Bernice Loui]

Since I joining the LF forum, I have been doing a bit of "catch up" reading about what LF photography folks have been doing. As always, there is the debate and discussion over hardware such as lenses, cameras, darkroom stuff, printing, technique en all.

I come away with a sense of awe at how much LF photography has grown since the time when I started this interest over 15 years ago now. The range of talent, interest and ability is just stunning. While there have been heated debates and passionate discussions over just about every aspect of the LF world. All here seems to share a common interest that holds the group together very well, like family.

I'm happy and honored to be part of this wonderful group of LF photographers.

For me, I'm pretty burnt out on the hardware aspect of LF photography. Over the years, there have been so much hardware I have used and tried, only to discover years ago, hardware is a not to focus of creating a truly expressive image. This is something i learned years ago. My desire tryout,experiment and discover what the latest lens, camera and etc just seem to be of much lower importance to me these days. My interest now much more focused on create images of the world around me that I'm passionate about and try to be honest and compassionate towards the subject I'm creating an image of.

I have no idea where my new journey into the world of LF photography will take me in the future. One thing is certain, the journey will be a more interesting than the destination.

:)

[domenico Foschi]

It seems that most photographers go through the gear phase and that is probably a necessary stage in order to find out what are the tools that fit our vision and the ones that don't.
I know I have, and now my gear is extremely reduced to my essential, but I still hold it as a very important tool, just like the film I use is a tool and the times of development are a tool and so is the paper and flashing and printing with different grades and I dare say that also my vision is a tool.
Some tools are more important than the others interchangeably according to the situation , they all work together and separately to get to the result I am striving for, and this is also the description of the journey you mention.

[Michael Graves]

Toys are fun, but my two favorite photographs of my own from thirty years of shooting came from an old 5x7 2D with a 8" Ilex Paragon lens and an old twin lens reflex that was made shortly after WWII.

[PhotoBob]

Regardless of equipment, my publisher and friend tells me, "show me the image"

[Vaughn]

...One thing is certain, the journey will be a more interesting than the destination.:)

And I find the seeing more interesting than the image...but I click the shutter (or remove the lens cap) and expose the film anyway...because it is also fun to share one's seeing.


Vaughn

[John Powers]

And six posts in, no flames, no anger, just positive comments. Bernice, please start more topics and let the positive view prevail. Thank you.

John

[Ralph Barker]

Nice post, and good points, Bernice.

My observation has been that photographers come with varied motivations, just as with most other endeavors. Some, more technically-inclined photographers tend to emphasize the gear side, while others focus on the aesthetics. Similarly, some woodworkers obsess over having the best chisel, saw, or router bit, while painters debate brushes, and so on. Fortunately, there's plenty of room for varied inclinations and differing opinions. It also helps to recognize that the other person's opinion is likely just as valid as our own.

[jetcode]

I had an antique Kodak 5x7 field camera that featured a pendulum level on the side with a heart on it in brass I believe. It came with a wide angle pin-hole lens board and was extremely light and simple. What a delight.

[Gary L. Quay]

Bernice,

Hardware aside, the journey is about desire. In the three years since I started LF, I've bought and sold cameras, lenses, and sundry items, and built a system that my wife assures me will be all I really need. However, most of the images in my exhibits are still from my Hasselblad or Pentax 6x7. I'm still fighting dust, forgetfulness, and just plain old lack of time to practice. This site has been instrumental in getting me over the bumps in the road. I have read posts and articles, and made decisions about developers, lenses, and the like. I've achieved a measure of success in my day job that allows me to buy hardware and gadgets as long as I don't overdo it, but it all does come down to knowledge, skill and the desire to create. All are abundant on this site. Enjoy.

[jetcode]

Bernice,

I've been through the hardware phase too for nearly every format. I am not a hardware junkie but I am an image junkie. I really enjoy the process of finding an image and bringing it to life. I would consider myself an average photographer but that has little meaning in my life because the work is fulfilling and I learn a lot about life in the process.