Large Format Landscapes

[Ben Calwell]

Iran, Arjomand, Panoral 45 camera, Schneider Symmar-S 150/5.6, Hoya red filter, Ilford FP4 9x12cm Sheet film

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50228370283_7d1748276e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jwvwyc)



I like it!

[ALVANDI Camera]

I like it!

Thank you.

[unityofsaints]

That red filter really pops, well done!

[ALVANDI Camera]

That red filter really pops, well done!

Thank you.

[cbella]

Lake Angeles, Washington. Olympic National Park. Shen-Hao HZX45-IIA (4x5) camera, Caltar II 90mm/f6.8 lens, Fuji Acros film. 2 sec @ f45.
207433

[Vaughn]

Printed a couple days ago (pt/pd) -- from a bike ride with the 5x7 back in late July.

Ossagon Creek, 2020
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA

5x7 TMax400, 180mm FujiW, f/32 @ 4 seconds, PyroCatHD developer
Print: Platinum/palladium on Premium Rag paper, warm Potassium oxalate developer

[CreationBear]

Ossagon Creek, 2020
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA


That's a lovely grotto that reminds me of scenes here Back East... One thing I've been wondering about lately is how successful 5x7 contact prints are when the subject is highly detailed/fractal like this one, or whether you were wishing the 11x14 was along for the mo' better treatment. (FWIW, my favorite TJ Cooper photos are pretty much the early 5x7 work from Shropshire...:))

[Vaughn]

It is about a mile bike ride with a drop of 1100 feet (roughly 1.75 km ride with a drop of about a third of a km in elevation) down a single track. Still figuring on how to get the 11x14 on the pushbike (with electric assist) on such a track...such things as vibration, stability, ease of access, and my chances of returning with intact camera, holders and lenses.

After the mile drop, the trail gets to this little creek. From here it flows through channels in the sands, not making it to the ocean. The trail continues down the coast at the base of the Gold Bluffs for a couple miles of single track...had to unpack the bike and lift is a meter or so over a couple trees across the trail and there were a few interesting areas, but eventually one gets to a dirt road, then back to single track, then pavement back to the van...25 miles or something like that.

But 5x7 can be sweet in hand and on the wall. This particular image is getting matted and framed over the next couple days for a local show. The image has relatively large areas of different texture and tonality that are worked together to keep the eye interested without the need for finer detail. I provide a relatively large area for the eye to fall into and rest within the image (the pool beneath the fall). I even give the viewer a nice moss covered rock to sit on an watch the creek. If I made the image any bigger, they would probably just fall into the creek (not a bad thing...).

I also make pt/pd prints from 120 negatives -- they teach one about the importance of form over detail. So when I do happen to have the 8x10 or 11x14 along with me, I am reminded that the forms the light creates carry as much weight in the composition as does objects and the incredible detail that an 11x14 can bring to the image.

Also at the show, I'll put out cheap dollar store magnifying glasses for people who want to see detail in the 5x7s or smaller prints...LOL!

Images -- the bike w/ 5x7 (in process of reloading after lifting the bike over some trees), and a view from the trail not far from there.

[Vaughn]

On that bike ride, this is part of what is know as the Ossagon Rocks. This is looking south, light low fog, with just a touch of sun coming through. One of my favorite qualities of light when I get out from under the redwoods.

For something so simple as a big rock, this was very difficult to compose. Determining the visual center of the mass and how to place it within the image, how the negative space around the rock works and how to present the rock -- as a stable point, or a with a sense of movement, or potential movement. I felt the need to include a bit of the ocean and waves. I had brought a total of 5 sheets of film for the day, I had already used one for the creek, and it was early in the trip.

Ossagon Rocks, 2020
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Platinum/palladium print

5x7 TMax400, 180mm Fuji W, f/32 @ 1/15th, PyrocatHD developer

PS -- the blacks in the below reproduction are a little dark and the contrast should be a little lower.

[Tin Can]

I might call you an electric horseman

I like your tiny 5X7 prints especially the tiny falls

and your stories

[CreationBear]

I also make pt/pd prints from 120 negatives -- they teach one about the importance of form over detail. So when I do happen to have the 8x10 or 11x14 along with me, I am reminded that the forms the light creates carry as much weight in the composition as does objects and the incredible detail that an 11x14 can bring to the image.


Thanks for the detailed elaboration--I'm just starting to appreciate how blokes like, say, John Blakemore, move our eyes through a scene...the idea of finding rest stops for our astral projections is very appealing!

[Corran]

Printed a couple days ago (pt/pd) -- from a bike ride with the 5x7 back in late July.

Ossagon Creek, 2020
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA

5x7 TMax400, 180mm FujiW, f/32 @ 4 seconds, PyroCatHD developer
Print: Platinum/palladium on Premium Rag paper, warm Potassium oxalate developer

Thank you Vaughn for posting. I need to get the 5x7 back out there and practice. I've been struggling with the 5x7 and the size of the negative/print (and just generally in a "photographer's block") so seeing this is inspiring me to get back out to the creek while it's still warm.

[Vaughn]

I am impatiently waiting for the leaves to drop and open up the understory!

This 5x7 was from a backpack trip over the 4th of July. A grove of redwoods taken from Redwood Creek. These redwoods go up about 150 feet and higher before their first branches. Total height is in the 300 to 350 foot range. I might try another backpack up there late Sept or early October. Creek runs too high once the rains start.

[CreationBear]

These redwoods go up about 150 feet and higher before their first branches. Total height is in the 300 to 350 foot range.

Now do Hyperion.:)

That's an amazing biome--I don't live far from the biggest trees in the East (the tulip poplars in Joyce Kilmer and one or two hemlocks in GSMNP that have so far escaped wooly adelgid infestation--but they're topping out pretty much where your redwoods start to crown.

[Vaughn]

I have not been to Hyperion. A fellow offered me the coordinates and there is probably quite the social trail leading to it now. It's where I go backpacking along Redwood Creek -- but I have no desire to go see it. This grove and another two cathedral-like groves I photograph in along here contain many, if not most, of the tallest 20 trees in the world. There is even a Dougwood -- a Douglas fir and a redwood that have grown side-by-side for centuries, becoming one tree.

My last trip over 4th of July, I thought I heard some large fireworks go off down the valley, thinking that the folks I past a mile or so down the creek were celebrating. Instead, on the hike out I found a newly fallen redwood where I had stopped for lunch on the way in. It fell across the creek (about 60 to 80 feet across here) and was damning up the creek a bit. It is kinda of neat to walk on top a fallen redwood longer that a football pitch/field.

Enough pre-caffeine rambling.

[CreationBear]

Instead, on the hike out I found a newly fallen redwood where I had stopped for lunch on the way in.

Ha, apparently there are "widow-makers," and widow-makers ....hopefully none of the Final Destination movies is in your Netflix queue.:)

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Grand Canyon South, Lipon Point 2018 July Monsoon. This fee like polishing a turd. It just seems off. But after six months of no photography work, I need a hard one to work one to refresh my skills. This is more than a snap shot and less than a portfolio imho. Getting back to the Canyon this weekend. Was there two weeks ago and got pummeled with a storm. Good thing my camera was anchored down or it would have flew away.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50328693306_c426be020e_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFnH6u)

[Gary Beasley]

I would try to print darker so the natural vignetting can do its thing and work on the color balance, those clouds look too red but dont know if that would make everything else look off if corrected.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Yeah, they do have a red tint to them. I can get rid of it with some work. In fact, I played with that the other night. You remove the tint from everything and then use a gradient filter to mask off the areas you don't want messed with and then paint out the other areas you want left alone. Thanks for the observation!

[SergeyT]

In the Land of Red clouds often have a Red tint to them too.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

True on that!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Grand Canyon South Rim at Sunset. Tmax100 4x5, 75mm Nikkor@f/32. Shot July 2018.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50332696957_04ba906621_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFJeeX)

[AndrewBurns]

Hauled myself out of bed at 4am yesterday, drove 1.5 hours north and then hiked about 30 minutes to this spot (hiking at maximum speed because I could tell that the best light was already passing, normally takes more like an hour). Unfortunately I missed the lovely pre-sunrise glow but I like the shot anyway, I thought you'd be able to see more of the birds flying around the rocks but the waves in the background are too chaotic for them to stand out.

Shot on Portra 400 with my Chamonix 4x5 and a Fuji 135mm lens.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50331912793_38b23905d1_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFEd8T)

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Hauled myself out of bed at 4am yesterday, drove 1.5 hours north and then hiked about 30 minutes to this spot (hiking at maximum speed because I could tell that the best light was already passing, normally takes more like an hour). Unfortunately I missed the lovely pre-sunrise glow but I like the shot anyway, I thought you'd be able to see more of the birds flying around the rocks but the waves in the background are too chaotic for them to stand out.

Shot on Portra 400 with my Chamonix 4x5 and a Fuji 135mm lens.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50331912793_38b23905d1_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFEd8T)

Peaceful

[mitch.goddard]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50335351317_086579538f_b.jpg

Bodie Island Lighthouse
Chamonix 045N-2, Symmar-S 135/5.6, Portra 400

[6x6TLL]

Love the tones and lines that draw the aye back and forth, Steve. Well done!

[J Maxwell]

Grand Canyon South, Lipon Point 2018 July Monsoon. This fee like polishing a turd. It just seems off. But after six months of no photography work, I need a hard one to work one to refresh my skills. This is more than a snap shot and less than a portfolio imho. Getting back to the Canyon this weekend. Was there two weeks ago and got pummeled with a storm. Good thing my camera was anchored down or it would have flew away.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50328693306_c426be020e_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFnH6u)

WOW!!! Stunning - absolutely stunning!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thank you.

[Alan Klein]

Steve, Mitch, Andrew: All nice shots. All shot with Chamonix. Interesting.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Steve, Mitch, Andrew: All nice shots. All shot with Chamonix. Interesting.

Didn't think of that. Nice coincidence!

[Vallantho]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352469627_dd173312a2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4)Southampton Docks (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4) by vallantho (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

First time I’ve shot a sheet of 8x10 in about 3 years. First time I’ve been able to. Long story. Not the most interesting subject. Southampton docks. But my dad used to drive those cranes, well not those actual ones, they’ve been replaced since he retired, close enough though. He died a few years ago unfortunately so to me it’s sort of a meaningful thing to photograph.

Shot two sheets. This black and white on Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal. I shot another on some expired Provia. Still not back from the lab yet.

Lens was a 300mm Nikkor W 5.6

[Old_Dick]

Val,

You haven't missed a step. Well done and a gold star.

[Pat Kearns]

Vallantho, it is an interesting subject to me as well. I worked in the stevedoring business for 23 years before retiring 2 years ago. My office overlooked the Port of Mobile and I looked down the river at half a dozen of Panamax cranes like those. I saw millions of containers handled by those cranes. The commerce from the 4 corners of the world are handled by them. Watching those crane operators is like watching an artist at work. Sorry for the loss of your father.

I agree with Old_Dick and give it a gold star as well.
Regards,
Pat

[Vallantho]

Val,

You haven't missed a step. Well done and a gold star.

Thank you, that’s very encouraging!


Vallantho, it is an interesting subject to me as well. I worked in the stevedoring business for 23 years before retiring 2 years ago. My office overlooked the Port of Mobile and I looked down the river at half a dozen of Panamax cranes like those. I saw millions of containers handled by those cranes. The commerce from the 4 corners of the world are handled by them. Watching those crane operators is like watching an artist at work. Sorry for the loss of your father.

I agree with Old_Dick and give it a gold star as well.
Regards,
Pat

They’re incredible pieces of engineering. Late at night when everything is quiet and the wind is blowing in the right direction I can lay in bed and listen to the echoing noise of the containers being moved around. It’s pretty cool.

Thank you both for the kind words

[ericantonio]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352469627_dd173312a2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4)Southampton Docks (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4) by vallantho (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

First time I’ve shot a sheet of 8x10 in about 3 years. First time I’ve been able to. Long story. Not the most interesting subject. Southampton docks. But my dad used to drive those cranes, well not those actual ones, they’ve been replaced since he retired, close enough though. He died a few years ago unfortunately so to me it’s sort of a meaningful thing to photograph.

Shot two sheets. This black and white on Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal. I shot another on some expired Provia. Still not back from the lab yet.

Lens was a 300mm Nikkor W 5.6

Outstanding photo and deep meaning. I love the story behind the photo. It just gives it so much more "sense" and purpose I guess.

[Gabe]

Linhof Technikardan S45, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Symmar L 5.6/150, Kodak T-Max 400, Pyrocat-HD:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50361263062_fed09b3704_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJfCX1)--- (https://flic.kr/p/2jJfCX1) by atomstitcher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/atomstitcher/), on Flickr

[Michael Roberts]

Grand Canyon South, Lipon Point 2018 July Monsoon. This fee like polishing a turd. It just seems off. But after six months of no photography work, I need a hard one to work one to refresh my skills. This is more than a snap shot and less than a portfolio imho. Getting back to the Canyon this weekend. Was there two weeks ago and got pummeled with a storm. Good thing my camera was anchored down or it would have flew away.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50328693306_c426be020e_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jFnH6u)

Awesome, Steve! Can't wait to see what you consider to be a portfolio shot.

[Vallantho]

Outstanding photo and deep meaning. I love the story behind the photo. It just gives it so much more "sense" and purpose I guess.

Thank you. Glad you like it!

[Tin Can]

Love it!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352469627_dd173312a2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4)Southampton Docks (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4) by vallantho (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

First time I’ve shot a sheet of 8x10 in about 3 years. First time I’ve been able to. Long story. Not the most interesting subject. Southampton docks. But my dad used to drive those cranes, well not those actual ones, they’ve been replaced since he retired, close enough though. He died a few years ago unfortunately so to me it’s sort of a meaningful thing to photograph.

Shot two sheets. This black and white on Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal. I shot another on some expired Provia. Still not back from the lab yet.

Lens was a 300mm Nikkor W 5.6

[AndrewBurns]

2 x velvia 50 4x5 shots from Tongariro in New Zealand. When an epic location and perfect conditions collide.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50365662588_b90dd09938_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJDbLU)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366359906_36e77e7eb2_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJGL4C)

[AndrewBurns]

Just finished processing two more, both of these were on Ektar.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366880261_4e7491b2a1_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJKqKg)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366187768_beb5faaabd_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJFSTJ)

[unityofsaints]

Before all the smoke...
I needed to revisit some grand landscapes made before this season's wildfires. This one is from August 2017...

I'd been trying for several years to make a photograph I liked from Artist Point in Yellowstone. Either empty skies, overcast skies, front lighting, fogged film, you name it seemed to ruin my attempts. Finally, after getting the fogged film back from the lab, I checked the weather forecast and it looked like promising weather in the next week. I opened a new box of 11x14 Provia and loaded up. Eight hour drive, slept in the car overnight, got there early, got my spot, braved the hordes of tour buses, got my shot, and drove home. And came home with this.

1895 Rochester King 11x14, Turner Reich 15", Provia 100F, f32, 1/10, polarizing filter.
https://michaellynnroberts.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p3250530741-5.jpg

Excellent capture! Where does one get 11x14" Provia from these days and how expired is it?

[Michael Roberts]

Excellent capture! Where does one get 11x14" Provia from these days and how expired is it?

Thanks! The 11x14 Provia I have expired in 2011. I don't know if Fuji will cut special orders or not. The story I heard was this was a special order from Disney. I think Keith Canham can still get color neg film in ULF sizes from Kodak, though. Last time I looked, Portra was about $30/sheet.

[Vaughn]

2 x velvia 50 4x5 shots from Tongariro in New Zealand. When an epic location and perfect conditions collide.


Nice set of images! Makes me regret not getting over to Tongariro. I made it cross-country to the top of Mt Ngauruhoe and spent my time between there and Mount Ruapehu. I had a bum knee from bike-riding and did not want to tramp a great distance with a lot of weight, so just took day hikes. Over the New Year, 1987...Tongariro was a little quieter then.

What sort of focal length(s) were you using -- trying to get an idea of scale.

[AndrewBurns]

Nice set of images! Makes me regret not getting over to Tongariro. I made it cross-country to the top of Mt Ngauruhoe and spent my time between there and Mount Ruapehu. I had a bum knee from bike-riding and did not want to tramp a great distance with a lot of weight, so just took day hikes. Over the New Year, 1987...Tongariro was a little quieter then.

What sort of focal length(s) were you using -- trying to get an idea of scale.

Nice! I've never been up Ngauruhoe, I'll have to go sometime. All but one of those shots was at 135mm, the second one of my first post was 210mm. The tops of the peaks in the frame were a good few hundred metres of elevation above the lake.

[John Olsen]

2 x velvia 50 4x5 shots from Tongariro in New Zealand. When an epic location and perfect conditions collide.

Huge success! These scream out for maximum size prints, maybe on metal. Very good work.

[J Maxwell]

Just finished processing two more, both of these were on Ektar.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366880261_4e7491b2a1_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJKqKg)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366187768_beb5faaabd_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJFSTJ)

Fantastic work! All of them!

[AndrewBurns]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll definitely have to print them, too bad the largest I can do that at home is 13" wide but I'll probably have them done bigger externally.

[paulbarden]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

[pau3]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Wonderful picture, as usual. Congratulations.

[otto.f]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Great image! Where do we need wet plate for...🙈

[Ben Calwell]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.


Quite lovely!

[Alan9940]

Love the mood invoked by the image above. Nice work!!

[6x6TLL]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Hauntingly beautiful, Paul.

[jon.oman]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Wonderful image!

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50379962781_414e856daa_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jKUtHX)Sunrise, Alvord Desert, Oregon (https://flic.kr/p/2jKUtHX) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Corran]

Nice, I thought it was a moonrise at first. Looks very dark.

[austin granger]

Thanks, the wildfire smoke made for some strange, subdued light.

[Corran]

Sometimes I enjoy the "imperfect," expired film look. But I've rarely ever gotten anything good myself when using old expired color film stock. However, this shot on very old Portra 160 NC has some charm to it, I think.

Big Talbot Sunrise
Intrepid 4x5, Nikkor 90mm f/8

http://www.esearing.com/Bryan/AV/photosharing/bigtalbot-5569ss.jpg

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Awesome, Steve! Can't wait to see what you consider to be a portfolio shot.

Thank you. I can't wait either 😁

[Steven Ruttenberg]

2 x velvia 50 4x5 shots from Tongariro in New Zealand. When an epic location and perfect conditions collide.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50365662588_b90dd09938_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJDbLU)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50366359906_36e77e7eb2_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJGL4C)

I like these better than Extar. Extar seems a bit flat. Good overall though.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Sometimes I enjoy the "imperfect," expired film look. But I've rarely ever gotten anything good myself when using old expired color film stock. However, this shot on very old Portra 160 NC has some charm to it, I think.

Big Talbot Sunrise
Intrepid 4x5, Nikkor 90mm f/8

Looks great to me. I really like the composition.

http://www.esearing.com/Bryan/AV/photosharing/bigtalbot-5569ss.jpg

[Steven Ruttenberg]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Thisbis really cool and spooky too

[Steven Ruttenberg]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50352469627_dd173312a2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4)Southampton Docks (https://flic.kr/p/2jHtyY4) by vallantho (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

First time I’ve shot a sheet of 8x10 in about 3 years. First time I’ve been able to. Long story. Not the most interesting subject. Southampton docks. But my dad used to drive those cranes, well not those actual ones, they’ve been replaced since he retired, close enough though. He died a few years ago unfortunately so to me it’s sort of a meaningful thing to photograph.

Shot two sheets. This black and white on Fomapan 100 developed in Rodinal. I shot another on some expired Provia. Still not back from the lab yet.

Lens was a 300mm Nikkor W 5.6

This outstanding.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

First drum scan with Howtek Hiresolve 8000, Fuji Film Provia100F, RDPIII. Used pretty much the auto settings, did a curves adjustment. Could be much better I think. Now that I know how to "teach" the scanner how to scan a particular film as a hardware adjustment (gives an image with a linear gamma curve) by creating CMS files, I will go back and rescan this and compare to an image from same day on Portra160.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50380682313_177f581daf_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jKYaBF)

[Vallantho]

Sometimes I enjoy the "imperfect," expired film look. But I've rarely ever gotten anything good myself when using old expired color film stock. However, this shot on very old Portra 160 NC has some charm to it, I think.

Big Talbot Sunrise
Intrepid 4x5, Nikkor 90mm f/8

http://www.esearing.com/Bryan/AV/photosharing/bigtalbot-5569ss.jpg

I use expired film exclusively for colour work and have gotten pretty reliable and good results. For me buying expired film cheap on eBay is the only way I could hope to shoot 8x10 in colour. I just can't afford to lay out £400+ on a box of Provia. I can barely afford to shoot large format as it is. After my dad died a couple of years ago I gave up working full time to care for my mother who's in the advanced stages of dementia. I still work part time but probably not for much longer as the company I work for has announced redundancies. Please forgive the self indulgent sob story. The point is that for me shooting large format has now become about how cheaply can I do what is an otherwise pretty expensive process. Actually quite cheap. I make my own developer for black and white, either Pyrocat HD or a version of Rodinal knocked together with paracetamol and caustic soda. And I'm. always on the lookout for expired film. I just got 50 4x5 sheets of Kodak Vericolor iii off eBay. I've looked into developing colour myself but the chemicals are pretty nasty and living with someone with dementia I'd rather not have them hanging around. Just to reassure everyone that all chemicals are locked away safely where she can't get to them.

Anyway, love the photo and love the commitment to using expired stock. Its worth pursuing and can be a satisfying experience. Here's a sheet of provia I got back from the lab yesterday. Expired back in 1998. Haven't had a chance to scan it yet. But it looks glorious on my makeshift light table. I love the way a sheet of 8x10 fits nicely on an old iPad Pro.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50381091618_b826b3a53a_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jL1ghE)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2jL1ghE) by Anthony Vallis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

And thank you to everyone who commented on the black and white version of this image

[Vallantho]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50373474457_0e1daf853b_h.jpg

Shot on FP4 using a Voigtlander Petzval, approx. 1/2 second: cap off, cap on method.

Beautiful

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I use expired film exclusively for colour work and have gotten pretty reliable and good results. For me buying expired film cheap on eBay is the only way I could hope to shoot 8x10 in colour. I just can't afford to lay out £400+ on a box of Provia. I can barely afford to shoot large format as it is. After my dad died a couple of years ago I gave up working full time to care for my mother who's in the advanced stages of dementia. I still work part time but probably not for much longer as the company I work for has announced redundancies. Please forgive the self indulgent sob story. The point is that for me shooting large format has now become about how cheaply can I do what is an otherwise pretty expensive process. Actually quite cheap. I make my own developer for black and white, either Pyrocat HD or a version of Rodinal knocked together with paracetamol and caustic soda. And I'm. always on the lookout for expired film. I just got 50 4x5 sheets of Kodak Vericolor iii off eBay. I've looked into developing colour myself but the chemicals are pretty nasty and living with someone with dementia I'd rather not have them hanging around. Just to reassure everyone that all chemicals are locked away safely where she can't get to them.

Anyway, love the photo and love the commitment to using expired stock. Its worth pursuing and can be a satisfying experience. Here's a sheet of provia I got back from the lab yesterday. Expired back in 1998. Haven't had a chance to scan it yet. But it looks glorious on my makeshift light table. I love the way a sheet of 8x10 fits nicely on an old iPad Pro.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50381091618_b826b3a53a_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jL1ghE)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2jL1ghE) by Anthony Vallis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190234640@N02/), on Flickr

And thank you to everyone who commented on the black and white version of this image

You're a champ for taking care of your family! It will all work out.

Color version is awesome as well.

[Gary Beasley]

First drum scan with Howtek Hiresolve 8000, Fuji Film Provia100F, RDPIII. Used pretty much the auto settings, did a curves adjustment. Could be much better I think. Now that I know how to "teach" the scanner how to scan a particular film as a hardware adjustment (gives an image with a linear gamma curve) by creating CMS files, I will go back and rescan this and compare to an image from same day on Portra160.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50380682313_177f581daf_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jKYaBF)

Spectacular color! Those clouds look positively menacing in this shot.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thank you!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Here are 4 different versions. Main difference from previous ones is that this version was scanned using a custom CMS file. Tells the scanner how to scan the film vs software manipulation after scan. Lots of possibilities with this. First two are moodier while the second two are closer to the slide viewed on light table.

Not sharpened
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50392716656_4d51ac8017_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jM2R1m)

Sharpened
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50392887262_14b8c87dcf_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jM3HHQ)

Not Sharpened
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50392024118_49c76aebfb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jLYi93)

Sharpened
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50392887582_33f6f49a3e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jM3HPm)

[ljb0904]

I quite like this!


Linhof Technikardan S45, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Symmar L 5.6/150, Kodak T-Max 400, Pyrocat-HD:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50361263062_fed09b3704_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJfCX1)--- (https://flic.kr/p/2jJfCX1) by atomstitcher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/atomstitcher/), on Flickr

[Gabe]

I quite like this!

Thank you.

[Corran]

High Shoals Falls on Raccoon Creek - Dallas, GA
Shen-Hao HZX45IIA, Schneider 72mm XL, T-Max 100, Pyrocat 1:1:100

http://www.esearing.com/Bryan/AV/photosharing/dallas-5607ss.jpg

Just a little city park and watering hole in a tiny town I found a couple weeks ago. Could only make a couple photos whilst dodging a whole lot of folks coming out after church on a Sunday morning to hang out, as is common down here at these little local unknowns. Perhaps worth a second visit if we have a real gully-washer week, in the spring.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

High Shoals Falls on Raccoon Creek - Dallas, GA
Shen-Hao HZX45IIA, Schneider 72mm XL, T-Max 100, Pyrocat 1:1:100

http://www.esearing.com/Bryan/AV/photosharing/dallas-5607ss.jpg

Just a little city park and watering hole in a tiny town I found a couple weeks ago. Could only make a couple photos whilst dodging a whole lot of folks coming out after church on a Sunday morning to hang out, as is common down here at these little local unknowns. Perhaps worth a second visit if we have a real gully-washer week, in the spring.

Well done. Haven't heard gully washer in decades.

[Corran]

Thanks Steven. Of course down here it's pronounced "wersher" ;).

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Lol. I do remember hearing that!

[Vaughn]

High Shoals Falls on Raccoon Creek - Dallas, GA
Shen-Hao HZX45IIA, Schneider 72mm XL, T-Max 100, Pyrocat 1:1:100

Just a little city park and watering hole in a tiny town I found a couple weeks ago. Could only make a couple photos whilst dodging a whole lot of folks coming out after church on a Sunday morning to hang out, as is common down here at these little local unknowns. Perhaps worth a second visit if we have a real gully-washer week, in the spring.

I use to take my boys to a similar local park in town. I see you managed to photograph one of the feral picnic tables that I have heard so much about. Photographing them is rather easy as they just tend to hunker down and stay put if they sense anyone around.

Might be nice in the winter after all those messy leaves drop, too!

[jmdavis]

Thanks Steven. Of course down here it's pronounced "wersher" ;).

In SE TN (Cleveland to be specific), it is pronounced war/sher or at least it used to be.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Same image as before. Portra160 scanned with Howtek, 4000dpi, aperture 6, Wide Gamut Uncorrected Trany CMS for prescan. No manipulation after that except in PS. Converted with Colorneg. For some reason the scanned file does not play well with manual conversion like they do from the Epson. Need to learn how to create a CMS file from scratch to create one that will properly scan the neg for conversion with Colorneg or manually.

Portra160, 75mmNikkor f/32, Chamonix 45HS-1

Ignore the crispy factor applied by flicker. They refuse to say what is going on. It is certainly not crispy prior to upload.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50400040666_80813f1dd1_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jMFobo)

[Alan Klein]

Steve, this last Grand Canyon in Portra seems best to me. The contrast seems more normal. It could be because it's portra vs. Provia for the previous four. But it seems more natural. Also, the lighting on the far canyon walls seems better than the previous four. What did you mean by "crispy"?

[Gary Beasley]

The colors on this last one looks to me more normal “as the eye would see it” as far as color balance and saturation. Definitely dont like the odd color hues in the clouds on the previous images.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

The last one still retains some blue highlights which provia seems to add. I always get a blue tint using Provia and other slide films that I need to remove during post. It is present on the actual slide. I have heard usi g a warming filter like 81B would work, but have not tried that.

The latest scene is shot at a different ti.e during the storm nence the different lighting. One thing to remember is that the Canyon can change color, etc in seconds. Especially during a storm. The Canyon so far has been a very hard subject to get right.

Flicker and other sights seem to sharpen images for the web and even monkey with saturation. I have talked to them but they are clueless or not saying. To me after upload when comparing to original, it is obvious the uploaded one has been changed and over sharpened (crispy)

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Rescan using HowtekHiResolve8000 of Toroweep Grand Canyon at Sunrise last year. Portrait160 scanned as Extachrome100 converted with Colorneg and processed with PS. Same image but independent processing. V850 was cropped. The Howtek is uncropped. V850 was also converted with Colorneg and processed in PS.

Howtek Scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50410471402_45837451e1_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jNAQSE)

Epson V850 scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49098653232_a068bc2bb2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hNFr31)

[Merg Ross]

208256

Mono Lake, CA

4x5 FP4+/270mm G-Claron

[Tin Can]

Steven

On my iPad 5 mini I prefer the crop

Merg

Hard to see on same screen

I thank anybody who actually posts images!

[Tin Can]

Merg, now on a 24" monitor it looks great!

on the 5" screen I thought is was 2 panoramic prints




208256

Mono Lake, CA

4x5 FP4+/270mm G-Claron

[Tin Can]

Steven, the Howtec does look better on my monitor

Thanks for sharing


Rescan using HowtekHiResolve8000 of Toroweep Grand Canyon at Sunrise last year. Portrait160 scanned as Extachrome100 converted with Colorneg and processed with PS. Same image but independent processing. V850 was cropped. The Howtek is uncropped. V850 was also converted with Colorneg and processed in PS.

Howtek Scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50410471402_45837451e1_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jNAQSE)

Epson V850 scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49098653232_a068bc2bb2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hNFr31)

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thank you!

[Nick Swisher Photography]

/Users/nickswisher/Desktop/Starting Over Scans/the correct lighting-17.jpg

I'm 19 and just starting on my Large Format Journey. I took this in Capitol Reef Weeks ago. Here's the video for it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlOTj8fF1KU&t

My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVLpMkBQPaO9MDwgjRkR0g

Instagram: swishersphotography

[Kiwi7475]

/Users/nickswisher/Desktop/Starting Over Scans/the correct lighting-17.jpg

I'm 19 and just starting on my Large Format Journey. I took this in Capitol Reef Weeks ago. Here's the video for it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlOTj8fF1KU&t

My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVLpMkBQPaO9MDwgjRkR0g

Instagram: swishersphotography

Very enjoyable video and great shots. Also, I didn’t think it was possible to say ‘reflected light’ in a video more often than Ben, but I guess I was wrong :-)

In my experience the biggest challenge is to find your own way to compose and produce shots that separate yourself from others, creating your own signature. I’m still working on that!

Keep going!

[biedron]

That’s a great start. So glad to see young photographers enjoying large format film.

Looking forward to seeing more.

Bob

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Sunrise starting, Toroweep Grand Canyon North September 2019. 4x5 Portra160, 75mm Nikkor @f/32. Scanned on Howtek HiRes8000.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50415306081_f973f821f7_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jP2C4c)

[Alan Klein]

Rescan using HowtekHiResolve8000 of Toroweep Grand Canyon at Sunrise last year. Portrait160 scanned as Extachrome100 converted with Colorneg and processed with PS. Same image but independent processing. V850 was cropped. The Howtek is uncropped. V850 was also converted with Colorneg and processed in PS.

Howtek Scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50410471402_45837451e1_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jNAQSE)

Epson V850 scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49098653232_a068bc2bb2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hNFr31)

Nice scans and shot. They're pretty close at least in Flickr. It's hard to tell resolution quality and sharpness differences since both are reduced. The sun is blooming in V850. Wonder what causes that? The reds are deeper with the Howtek. There's a magenta cast in the shade with the V850. That could be adjusted out in post. For the web, probably both are acceptable. I wonder how prints compare?

[Alan Klein]

Steve: PS. The V850 cropped the picture especially at the top. There's big vignetting with the Howtek at the top. Is that because of no center filter or caused by the scanner? The blue gradient in the sky of the V850 look better, although the gradient might be caused by the magenta cast. I'd like to see the V850 again with the blue cast taken out. It's suppressing the reds in the rocks on the left as well now that I look closer. The whole picture has that blue cast.

[Michael Roberts]

208256

Mono Lake, CA

4x5 FP4+/270mm G-Claron

Awesome!!!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

[QUOTE=Alan Klein;1570641]Steve: PS. The V850 cropped the picture especially at the top. There's big vignetting with the Howtek at the top. Is that because of no center filter or caused by the scanner? The blue gradient in the sky of the V850 look better, although the gradient might be caused by the magenta cast. I'd like to see the V850 again with the blue cast taken out. It's suppressing the reds in the rocks on the left as well now that I look closer. The whole picture has that blue cast.[/QUOTE
I cropped the one from V850. Thing netting is from no center filter. The Epson scan I cannot go back and redo without rescanning as the file went missing. These are done about a year apart and without referencing the V850.

The blue cast/haze is from the scene itself and so how much or little one keeps depends on intent. One thing I have noticed over the years is that we see a scene it looks one way. When you take the picture, it reveals stuff you couldn't see and that has to be dealt with.

Both scans are positive and inverted in PS. My inversion of V850 was different for sure as was the processing.

Yes there are differences as you have pointed out. I personally prefer the Howtek, not from being done on Howtek, I like the colors, etc better.

[paulbarden]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50417852167_a659b3e843_h.jpg

I prefer this vertical version over the previous one.
Photograph made using the Voigtlander Petzval lens on my old B&J Watson 5x7 camera. Exposure was done manually - approx 1/2 second exposure on expired FP4, processed in PMK Pyro.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50417852167_a659b3e843_h.jpg

I prefer this vertical version over the previous one.
Photograph made using the Voigtlander Petzval lens on my old B&J Watson 5x7 camera. Exposure was done manually - approx 1/2 second exposure on expired FP4, processed in PMK Pyro.

Well done.

[Merg Ross]

Awesome!!!

208305

Thank you Michael, and Randy earlier.

This was made after an aborted morning effort to photograph in the Alabama Hills outside of Lone Pine. Lightning was striking too close for comfort, so I headed north on 395 and was rewarded with this clearing storm over Mono Lake. With my back to the Sierra Nevada Range, I waited for the setting sun to leave the foreground in shadow. Randy, this makes a very nice 16x20 print.

[Gabe]

Linhof Technikardan S45, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Symmar L 5.6/150, Heliopan CPL, Lee Orange 21, Delta 100, Ilfotec DD-X

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50423378202_4c3d715f4b_h.jpg

[paulbarden]

Well done.

Thank you Steven.

[Ulophot]

Gabe, that's a fine landscape!

[Gabe]

Gabe, that's a fine landscape!

Thank you. I remember feeling somewhat ambivalent about the shot when taking it, but am quite pleased how it turned out.

[ericantonio]

Linhof Technikardan S45, Schneider-Kreuznach Apo-Symmar L 5.6/150, Heliopan CPL, Lee Orange 21, Delta 100, Ilfotec DD-X

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50423378202_4c3d715f4b_h.jpg

It's like I'm in the photo and enjoying the view!

[Mark Sampson]

Gabe, well done. Tell us where that is, please? Living in Arizona makes me nostalgic for country where there is rain and greenery.

[Gabe]

It's like I'm in the photo and enjoying the view!

I hope you don't get vertigo :)

[Gabe]

Gabe, well done. Tell us where that is, please? Living in Arizona makes me nostalgic for country where there is rain and greenery.

Thank you. It is in the county of Cheshire in England. This shot was taken from a large hill called Tegg's Nose (a site of an old millstone grit quarry), looking over Macclesfield Forest and towards Shutlingsloe (the peak in the distance).

[Pat Kearns]

208305

This was made after an aborted morning effort to photograph in the Alabama Hills outside of Lone Pine. Lightning was striking too close for comfort, so I headed north on 395 and was rewarded with this clearing storm over Mono Lake. With my back to the Sierra Nevada Range, I waited for the setting sun to leave the foreground in shadow. Randy, this makes a very nice 16x20 print.

Merg,
Beautiful photograph of Mono Lake and your narative adds more to the image. About 6 years ago my wife and I were heading south on 395 from Reno to Lee Vining. We were about 80 miles north of Lee Vining and a storm was clearing ahead of us but the sun was setting and we didn't get there until after dark. Alas, the next morning we were greeted with clear blue skies.

Thanks showing me what we missed.

Best regards,
Pat

[Andrew O'Neill]

208256

Mono Lake, CA

4x5 FP4+/270mm G-Claron

One of the most interesting images I've seen of Mono Lake. I love how the dark rock in the water looks like reflected clouds from the sky.

[gnuyork]

Rescan using HowtekHiResolve8000 of Toroweep Grand Canyon at Sunrise last year. Portrait160 scanned as Extachrome100 converted with Colorneg and processed with PS. Same image but independent processing. V850 was cropped. The Howtek is uncropped. V850 was also converted with Colorneg and processed in PS.

Howtek Scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50410471402_45837451e1_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jNAQSE)

Epson V850 scan
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49098653232_a068bc2bb2_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hNFr31)

The Howtek scan looks far superior on my monitor (Spectraview). Not only the color, but there is more detail. A lot more. I have the 850, but you are making me want a drum scanner.

[Merg Ross]

Re Mono Lake photograph at top of page. Thank you, Pat and Andrew.

[George E. Sheils]

Amazingly detailed image, Gabe!

[Gabe]

Amazingly detailed image, Gabe!

Thank you. The original digitised version is ~ 91 megapixels, which would be a little absurd to upload. The one I posted above is only 2 megapixels, so unfortunately really doesn't do it any justice. Here is the link to the 20 megapixel resized version I uploaded to Flickr:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50423378202_657f32402e_o.jpg

The original contains significantly more detail still, however.

[David Schaller]

This is one from a hike yesterday with the 4x5. Fujinon 125mm, FP4 yellow green filter. Pyrocat HD.

https://i.imgur.com/ISyyjOp.jpg

[Steven Ruttenberg]

This is one from a hike yesterday with the 4x5. Fujinon 125mm, FP4 yellow green filter. Pyrocat HD.

https://i.imgur.com/ISyyjOp.jpg

Like this one. Nice scene and tones.

[David Schaller]

Thanks Steven. I was happy that the wind did not have too much effect, after a long exposure

[Ulophot]

This is an image containing other compositions within it. It might be fun to play with a pair of cropping L's and see what you find.

[lassethomas]

https://scatteredlightblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/sheet0243.jpg

Bullerfallet
Northern Sweden

Chamonix 45H-1, G-Claron 9/240, Fomapan400 9x12

[CreationBear]

Bullerfallet


That's a wonderful photo--waterfalls don't usually hold much in the way of intrinsic interest for me, but just the light on the trees in the upper frame is special.

[6x6TLL]

Looks almost as if you were in the middle of the river to get the shot, Lasse. Very well done!

[Ulophot]

Lassethomas, as has happened several times before with your photographs, the image is so large that I am unable to reduce the page sufficiently to see the entirety on my monitor. I can see about 3/4 of the height by maximally reducing the page size. Perhaps you would consider this in the future. Your work deserves to be seen by all of us.

[Old_Dick]

Lassethomas, gold stars.

[Old_Dick]

David, gold stars.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thanks Steven. I was happy that the wind did not have too much effect, after a long exposure

Wind is the Bain of my existence

[Steven Ruttenberg]

https://scatteredlightblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/sheet0243.jpg

Bullerfallet
Northern Sweden

Chamonix 45H-1, G-Claron 9/240, Fomapan400 9x12

Well done!

[Nigel Smith]

the image is so large that I am unable to reduce the page sufficiently to see the entirety on my monitor. I can see about 3/4 of the height by maximally reducing the page size.

If using Windows (no idea what a Mac does), try right clicking and pick "View Image" from the context menu.

[lassethomas]

Looks almost as if you were in the middle of the river to get the shot, Lasse. Very well done!

Thanks!

And well, yes, sort of...

208429

[lassethomas]

Lassethomas, as has happened several times before with your photographs, the image is so large that I am unable to reduce the page sufficiently to see the entirety on my monitor. I can see about 3/4 of the height by maximally reducing the page size. Perhaps you would consider this in the future. Your work deserves to be seen by all of us.

First a big thanks for all the nice comments. Much appreciated!!!

And then Phillip, yes you are right. I tend to make them too big. But its mentally hard to reduce them in size too much. It goes against all the reasons we use large format , but then publishing on the web do... I know I know...
It's usually the portrait oriented that is the problem since the image is scaled to the width of the page.
I'll make a note till next time

Thanks

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Strange, I can see full image on my 12.9 I ipad.

[Gabe]

lassethomas that waterfall image is great.

[lassethomas]

lassethomas that waterfall image is great.

Thanks Gabe. Much appreciated

[ALVANDI Camera]

Iran, Karaj, Panoral 45 camera, Schneider Super Angulon 90/5.6, Ilford FP4 plus, 4x5in sheet film

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50445709051_bae5c7d135_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jRHrNk)

[Gabe]

Felt like something autumnal.

Linhof Technikardan S45, Nikkor-M 9/300, Fuji Velvia 50:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50517958306_f8c4437b5d_h.jpg

[Ben Calwell]

Felt like something autumnal.

Linhof Technikardan S45, Nikkor-M 9/300, Fuji Velvia 50:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50517958306_f8c4437b5d_h.jpg


Beautiful -- nicely done!

[Gabe]

Beautiful -- nicely done!

Thank you Ben.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Iran, Karaj, Panoral 45 camera, Schneider Super Angulon 90/5.6, Ilford FP4 plus, 4x5in sheet film

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50445709051_bae5c7d135_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jRHrNk)

Very nice!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Felt like something autumnal.

Linhof Technikardan S45, Nikkor-M 9/300, Fuji Velvia 50:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50517958306_f8c4437b5d_h.jpg

I like fall leaves. Good job.

[Gabe]

I like fall leaves. Good job.

Thanks Steven, me too. I've been keeping an eye on the turning, trying to gauge an optimal time to visit one or two choice locations. Such a date is fast approaching, but the weather has not been cooperative lately.

[Gabe]

Wyming Brook in the Peak District.

Linhof Technikardan S45, Rodenstock Grandagon-N 4.5/90, Heliopan CPL, Fuji Provia 100F (converted to B&W)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50530001296_01a6aa5718_h.jpg

[Joe O'Hara]

Very nice, Gabe. Impressive that you could hold that dynamic range with Provia. The light must have cooperated with you!

[Gabe]

Very nice, Gabe. Impressive that you could hold that dynamic range with Provia. The light must have cooperated with you!

Thank you. Yes there was dappled sunlight falling on the scene and I had to wait for an overcast moment to make the exposure. My main concern was the dark water and shadowed rocks in the in the foreground, but I managed to just tease out some detail there.

[ericantonio]

Wyming Brook in the Peak District.

Linhof Technikardan S45, Rodenstock Grandagon-N 4.5/90, Heliopan CPL, Fuji Provia 100F (converted to B&W)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50530001296_01a6aa5718_h.jpg

Whoa! Outstanding!! Converted from color. That's amazing. I can barely get a good scan and good image with B&W negs and here you are upsetting everyone!

[Peter De Smidt]

Wyming Brook in the Peak District.



Terrific!

[Gabe]

Whoa! Outstanding!! Converted from color. That's amazing. I can barely get a good scan and good image with B&W negs and here you are upsetting everyone!

Many thanks for the kind words. The original just wasn't quite working for me once I got it on the lightbox, but happily I found the monochrome version to have better balance.


Terrific!

Thank you!

[Alan Klein]

Nice shot Gabe. I've shot BW and color and often find that I get better tones converting from color. Lightroom allows lightening and darkening individual colors to change their tones. So you can be very creative converting from color with loads of flexibility.

[Alan Klein]

PS which editing program did you use?

[John Layton]

Gabe...as has often been the case lately, I awoke several minutes ago - shortly after 1:00am...feeling restless with my brain going a mile a minute. Looking at your photo is exactly what my crazy brain needed - thank you!

To be more helpful...its amazing how your image - with all of its layers and complexities...works so very well! Whenever I am lucky enough to find myself at a place like this, I will often try to hone down on what I consider to be "essential" details...but sometimes at the expense of missing something more holistic - kind of like being at a great orchestral concert and only hearing the violins. It is images such as yours that often inspire me to try to do better - to see such wonderful interconnectedness...not as chaos but as harmony. At any rate...thanks for the music!

[Gabe]

Gabe...as has often been the case lately, I awoke several minutes ago - shortly after 1:00am...feeling restless with my brain going a mile a minute. Looking at your photo is exactly what my crazy brain needed - thank you!

To be more helpful...its amazing how your image - with all of its layers and complexities...works so very well! Whenever I am lucky enough to find myself at a place like this, I will often try to hone down on what I consider to be "essential" details...but sometimes at the expense of missing something more holistic - kind of like being at a great orchestral concert and only hearing the violins. It is images such as yours that often inspire me to try to do better - to see such wonderful interconnectedness...not as chaos but as harmony. At any rate...thanks for the music!

I don't know what to say. You are too kind, thank you.

Yes sometimes it can be a real challenge to distill a harmonious, meaningful composition from the typical chaos of woodland scenes, but for me that is part of the appeal. Glad you enjoyed it.


Nice shot Gabe. I've shot BW and color and often find that I get better tones converting from color. Lightroom allows lightening and darkening individual colors to change their tones. So you can be very creative converting from color with loads of flexibility.

PS which editing program did you use?

Thank you. I use Lightroom for image cataloguing & occasional simple edits (or for stitching panoramas in RAW), and Photoshop for the main editing tasks. Once I had finished processing the colour original (to the point where it was as close to the appearence of the slide on the lightbox as I could manage) I converted it to B&W using Silver Efex Pro.

[Corran]

Fall Timewarp I - Confluence of Canada and Wildhog Creeks

I found a bunch of chromes I shot and never developed recently, with no idea what they were from. Turns out they were from some hiking I did two whole years ago and misplaced the little storage bag Kodak made for their Readyloads in my office.

Chamonix 45n1 and Schneider 58mm XL, I think, on Ektachrome VS:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HeTCaGS5M5k/X5apdPLwgcI/AAAAAAAANFM/dJHozK2FuLYwbDFBxKSllYRNNGqFrw1JACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/canada-5752s.jpg

[DaveF]

A new one from me, one of my faves on 10x8. Added to new 'favourite trees' page on website. May well try an alt-pro contact-print of this shortly too.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50529146862_31084ed92b_h.jpg

High Park, Blenheim Estate, Oxfordshire
17th October 2020, 1:15pm

Chamonix 810V, Nikkor-SW 150mm f/8
Ilford FP4+ 10x8 (EI 64)
2½” f/45
Stearman SP810, Pyrocat HD 2:2:100 (22ºC N-dev, 8’55”, 5' prewash) / Acetic Acid Stop 1' / TF4 Fix 4' / Hypoclear 1' / Final washes 10' / Ilfotol rinse
Epson V850, Silverfast

[h2oman]

A lot of very nice work at your web page, Dave.

[DaveF]

A lot of very nice work at your web page, Dave.
That's very kind!

[Corran]

This photograph evokes a lot of nostalgia for me, from my youth tromping around the forest behind my parents' first house. In the late fall I would go very far into the woods, sloshing through the leaves piled high and no official trails anywhere. Good thing I was a natural at navigating the woods and remembered landmarks well. While fall colors often are shown as vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges, to me the late fall color of yellowish-brown evokes those feelings most of all, after the leaves have fallen and their dry shapes are highlighted in the late afternoon light.

Chamonix 45n1, Nikkor 90mm f/8, Ektachrome VS:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5-UygtFaq4/X5dnxoblfsI/AAAAAAAANFo/p3PuCHT4R7cVjtRwsAY8XUlCFACKzbBAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/canada-5755s.jpg

[JeRuFo]

Yes, you can hear it underfoot. Love the clarity of these chromes.

[Courtlux]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50532475933_855ac0d04a_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jZo9z4)Handheld 4X5 Linhof Press Barnim (https://flic.kr/p/2jZo9z4) by CourtLux (https://www.flickr.com/photos/82327768@N06/), auf Flickr

Handheld Press Technika Foma100 Press Xenar 127 mm Brandenburg

[ljb0904]

Canham DLC45, Ilford FP4+, DDx, 40minute stand with one rotation at 20minutes
Affinity photo masking and contrast adjustments

Ugh, this site ruins my images :( The image is sharp.

https://laurentbaig.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/bw0008-1.jpg

[AndrewBurns]

Three sheets of Ektar from the weekend. Overcast drizzly day but I think it really brought out the colours of the trees and didn't hurt the waterfalls at all.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50558184277_f309b52041_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2DULn)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557169288_f385ea994e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2yH3y)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557752881_c4a20d56fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2BGwv)

[Ben Calwell]

Three sheets of Ektar from the weekend. Overcast drizzly day but I think it really brought out the colours of the trees and didn't hurt the waterfalls at all.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50558184277_f309b52041_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2DULn)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557169288_f385ea994e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2yH3y)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557752881_c4a20d56fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k2BGwv)

Those are nice. I like photographing on overcast days.

[Tin Can]

Really nice

I think wet Fall Color is best

[Old_Dick]

Coming from the Monadnock region in NH, +1 TC.

[Alan Klein]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50570908936_ef088fd6e2_h.jpg (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50570908936_ef088fd6e2_h.jpg
Lake Topanemus by Alan Klein, on Flickr)Lake Topanemus (https://flic.kr/p/2k3M8n3) by Alan Klein (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/), on Flickr

Chamonix 45H-1, Fujinon 75mm no center filter, F/22 1/4 sec. , Velvia 50, Epson V850, Epsonscan, Lightroom.

[John Olsen]

Alan: Beautiful color.

Can't match the color, but we have unrivaled gloom down in the late October woods. The afternoon cloud cover was so thick I thought at first I had left the lens cap on. 150mm lens, yellow #8 filter, TriX at f22, 60s. Scanned from Ilford print.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50571357261_d321df6de8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k3PqCM)HokeyKDD III Flkr (https://flic.kr/p/2k3PqCM) by John Olsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153201054@N08/), on Flickr

[Alan Klein]

Nice shot John. I just bought some more Tmax 400. I was going to try the TriX, but decided on the tmax400. That's Velvia 50 color which I love, but I had to get it from Japan direct in 4x5. It's not sold in 4x5 in the USA. And it's very expensive. Too expensive for a new LF starter like me. I've wasted a lot of shots. So, I'm going to try Ektachrome and Provia 100 which I just ordered.

[tgtaylor]

Mount Conness From Tioga Lake - Yosemite National Park.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572044217_5534ae0a62_z.jpg

Toyo 45AX with 300mm Nikkor-M.

[Gabe]

So, I'm going to try Ektachrome and Provia 100 which I just ordered.

I've just received a box of the new E100 myself. Haven't had a chance to shoot any yet, but it will be interesting to see how it compares to 100F.

[DaveF]

Cannot recall whether I've posted this before or not: sorry! Nevertheless, I've reprocessed it today anyway. 👍

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50191933641_c1a25ea66e_h.jpg

Avebury, Wiltshire
31st July 2020, 6:10am

Chamonix 810V, Rodenstock Apo-Sironar S 240mm f/5.6
Kodak Portra 160 10x8 (@160)
½” f/45, front swing, 12mm front rise
Lee 0.6 Hard GND

Stearman SP810 (Bellini C41 chemistry in 40ºC waterbath, with 1min 40ºC prewash)

Epson V850 and Epson Scan 2, manual inversion in Photoshop

[Exploring Large Format]

Cannot recall whether I've posted this before or not: sorry! Nevertheless, I've reprocessed it today anyway. [emoji106]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50191933641_c1a25ea66e_h.jpg

Avebury, Wiltshire
31st July 2020, 6:10am

Chamonix 810V, Rodenstock Apo-Sironar S 240mm f/5.6
Kodak Portra 160 10x8 (@160)
½” f/45, front swing, 12mm front rise
Lee 0.6 Hard GND

Stearman SP810 (Bellini C41 chemistry in 40ºC waterbath, with 1min 40ºC prewash)

Epson V850 and Epson Scan 2, manual inversion in PhotoshopI am digging this!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Lund]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50576592903_c858cdd0bf_b.jpg

First outing with a Nikkor sw 90/4.5

Hisingsparken, Slättadamm (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Tachihara Feil Stand
Ilford HP5plus (@400)

[Tin Can]

Love still water!

Welcome Lund

[DaveF]

Thanks. Specific subject is West Kennet Long Barrow, with Silbury Hill (largest prehistoric manmade earthwork in Europe) in distance.


I am digging this!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Alan Klein]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50576592903_c858cdd0bf_b.jpg

First outing with a Nikkor sw 90/4.5

Hisingsparken, Slättadamm (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Tachihara Feil Stand
Ilford HP5plus (@400)

Are you using a center filter? Have you cropped any? Nice shot.

[John Olsen]

A view from the Whidbey Island bluff toward Seattle. This is late in the day with still winds - I had to wait a couple of weeks for that. 150mm lens in old Calumet field view camera, TriX film with red #25 filter. I printed a bunch of these in greeting card size today to commemorate the election finally getting over the hump.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50570612633_b218f613b2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k3KBhn)VistaBluffTree Flkr (https://flic.kr/p/2k3KBhn) by John Olsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153201054@N08/), on Flickr

[Lund]

Are you using a center filter? Have you cropped any? Nice shot.

No center filter but there is a slight crop of a few mm all round. Being my first wide angle large format lens I somewhat surprised that I have not noticed much of the vignette of the lens yet.

[DaveF]

Very nice. In my experience these wide Nikkors cope very well without centre-filters (even with slide film so long as you are not going wild with movements).
In any case, and for B&W especially, I might even add a vignette back in. For this image I might do so to create a little more contrast in the lower half of the image?


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50576592903_c858cdd0bf_b.jpg

First outing with a Nikkor sw 90/4.5

Hisingsparken, Slättadamm (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Tachihara Feil Stand
Ilford HP5plus (@400)

[DaveF]

Another one from me, from back in August. One of my faves of the year, thematizing 'stillness'. A large print of this is in the offing.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50567775722_9fa0939172_h.jpg

Dusk at St Ninian's

Isle of Bute, Scotland
14th August 2020, 8:20pm

Chamonix 810V, Nikkor-M 450mm f/9
Fujichrome Velvia 50 10x8
3½” f/45
Lee 0.9 Hard Grad
Stearman SP810, Bellini E6 (FD 7’40”)
Epson V850, Silverfast

[Vaughn]

Nice light, Dave -- also looked up the word 'offing'...not a word we use often over on this side of the pond (or the offing, I suppose). Thanks!

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50549038488_b5881ae3bc_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1R33m)Ashton Pond Norma Handy HRU Mic-X 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2k1R33m) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50547233136_f496b269a7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1FMnA)Ashton Pond Norma Handy HRU Mic-X (https://flic.kr/p/2k1FMnA) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Ashton Pond Columbus Ohio Sinar Norma Handy 4x5 Fuji HR-U XRay 65mm F8 at F22 Schneider CF + Sinar Norma Dark Yellow 103mm Glass Disk 1 sec at F22 Legacy Mic-X replenished stock in tray 18 mins at 62F Arista #2 RC 4x 8x10 Multigrade dev

[faraz]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50583102036_76ac52ff42_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k4RBWU)A Wheatfield, some clouds and a moon (https://flic.kr/p/2k4RBWU) by Faraz Ravi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/92466893@N06/), on Flickr

Not entirely happy with this one, the composition is what I wanted, the diagonal line of cloud matching the tree line is very satisfying. But in the rush to capture the setting moon it seems I missed focus by a wee bit. Also a red rather than orange filter may have been better, I've burned in the sky and the foreground for tone, it was too flat, but maybe I could bring out the lines in the wheatfield a bit more.

Ebony 45su
Fujinon-W 125mm/5.6
Kodak TMax100 developed in Rodinal

[Gabe]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50549038488_b5881ae3bc_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1R33m)Ashton Pond Norma Handy HRU Mic-X 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2k1R33m) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Very nice.

[Gary Beasley]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50583102036_76ac52ff42_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k4RBWU)A Wheatfield, some clouds and a moon (https://flic.kr/p/2k4RBWU) by Faraz Ravi (https://www.flickr.com/photos/92466893@N06/), on Flickr

Not entirely happy with this one, the composition is what I wanted, the diagonal line of cloud matching the tree line is very satisfying. But in the rush to capture the setting moon it seems I missed focus by a wee bit. Also a red rather than orange filter may have been better, I've burned in the sky and the foreground for tone, it was too flat, but maybe I could bring out the lines in the wheatfield a bit more.

Ebony 45su
Fujinon-W 125mm/5.6
Kodak TMax100 developed in Rodinal

Since I have a similar camera this made me think a bit on setup. I would think having scribe marks on the bed for infinity positions for each lens without movements would make setup faster and more precise, especially for those quick get it before it gets away type shots.
Could be made with a stickon strip so as to keep from marring the expensive wood on the camera.

[faraz]

Since I have a similar camera this made me think a bit on setup. I would think having scribe marks on the bed for infinity positions for each lens without movements would make setup faster and more precise, especially for those quick get it before it gets away type shots.
Could be made with a stickon strip so as to keep from marring the expensive wood on the camera.

I like the idea Gary, residue-free stick-on to preserve that lovely wood finish

[Daniel Unkefer]

Very nice.

Thanks Gabe! :)

[Martin Aislabie]

Since I have a similar camera this made me think a bit on setup. I would think having scribe marks on the bed for infinity positions for each lens without movements would make setup faster and more precise, especially for those quick get it before it gets away type shots.
Could be made with a stickon strip so as to keep from marring the expensive wood on the camera.

I use pencil marks on my Ebony - yes you can see them but they don't stand out and of course you can rub them off if you feel the need.

Martin

[faraz]

I use pencil marks on my Ebony - yes you can see them but they don't stand out and of course you can rub them off if you feel the need.

Martin

I bought my Ebony off a guy who had it in a box since the 90s, it's mint and was unused until recently! So too scared to mark with pencil!

[DaveF]

Thanks, though I think I'd prefer more detailed critique of my photography than of my English usage.


Nice light, Dave -- also looked up the word 'offing'...not a word we use often over on this side of the pond (or the offing, I suppose). Thanks!

[Corran]

Duckweed, Phinizy Swamp
Augusta, GA
Intrepid Mk. IV, Nikkor 90mm f/8, T-Max 100, Pyrocat


https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abpq-nRx884/X6ntsfHtnBI/AAAAAAAANGo/hZDZvVxJyNAsux8h5MiUe304PfWN8hgtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/phinizy-5794s.jpg

[Ulophot]

Well done, Bryan.

[Corran]

Thanks Philip. I'm excited to develop the color film from this area with all the green duckweed...but that'll have to be tomorrow :).

[Corran]

Portra 400 shot:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYKuG4RgCvA/X6vtAc__NVI/AAAAAAAANHo/6ChAWw7G108O9JAbhHyXlYvej_aap8qQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5865s.jpg

Next will be E-6 film, maybe.

[Tin Can]

Like!

this color way better than the B&W


Portra 400 shot:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYKuG4RgCvA/X6vtAc__NVI/AAAAAAAANHo/6ChAWw7G108O9JAbhHyXlYvej_aap8qQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5865s.jpg

Next will be E-6 film, maybe.

[Corran]

Thanks! I want to try printing both.

Here's one more. I tried leaning in to a high-contrast, but low-key image. Thoughts?

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daTaJ6AVA5I/X6wlrvF8-lI/AAAAAAAANII/SzITOdNvrDM49A8L1pN-xe1Ll7iFHSy-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5864s.jpg

[6x6TLL]

I'd say the previous one is better, or something in between if you want a more dramatic look. I think this is too dark and all the shadows lack any detail whatsoever.

[Corran]

As a fun point of discussion:

Sometimes I think we as LF photographers sometimes over-emphasize the importance of "shadow detail" to the detriment of the look and feel of an image (not saying that is the case for mine, just in general). I've been thinking lately about contrast and what really needs to be the "lowest tone with detail" (or, how one can use that data to make a more expressive image).

I just developed another sheet of color film that I will post tomorrow with more shadow detail.

[CreationBear]

The sea, the snotgreen sea, the scrotumtightening sea, as Stephen Dedalus had it.:)

Glad you threw this one open for discussion: as it stands right now, I think the shot is a horizontal 4x5 crop at the bottom of the frame. My reasoning is that crushed shadows lend themselves to graphic, abstract compositions, while their presence in "naturalistic" scenes (e.g. the middle to top of the frame here) simply frustrates our expectations of finding detail to linger on. I do think however you can find some tension between both graphic and "fractal," though: how about a horizontal 1:2.5 right across the top of the frame that picks up the green flame of the backlit foliage that's been caged by the cypress trunks in the foreground?

[John Olsen]

Corran,
Keep working in this direction. The images are very strong.
J.O.

[Corran]

Thanks for your thoughts, both of you! I will have to consider crops and shadows.

For reference, here is another negative with a full range of detail:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mMPS0BsLvc/X6251lhNDiI/AAAAAAAANIk/JGSEWph7BnEWiKJ-HyZ2ITQdeA6eOQomgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5840s.jpg

[John Olsen]

Thanks for your thoughts, both of you! I will have to consider crops and shadows.

For reference, here is another negative with a full range of detail:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mMPS0BsLvc/X6251lhNDiI/AAAAAAAANIk/JGSEWph7BnEWiKJ-HyZ2ITQdeA6eOQomgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5840s.jpg

I like this better. If you want to preserve the sense of foreboding that you had in the first version, you could darken the top inch. That would help confine the eye to the swamp. Very good stuff!

[Alan Klein]

As a fun point of discussion:

Sometimes I think we as LF photographers sometimes over-emphasize the importance of "shadow detail" to the detriment of the look and feel of an image (not saying that is the case for mine, just in general). I've been thinking lately about contrast and what really needs to be the "lowest tone with detail" (or, how one can use that data to make a more expressive image).

I just developed another sheet of color film that I will post tomorrow with more shadow detail.

Shadow detail is overrated.

[Alan Klein]

Thanks for your thoughts, both of you! I will have to consider crops and shadows.

For reference, here is another negative with a full range of detail:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mMPS0BsLvc/X6251lhNDiI/AAAAAAAANIk/JGSEWph7BnEWiKJ-HyZ2ITQdeA6eOQomgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5840s.jpg

I think the problem is you have too many stops between the duckweed and the trees. It's like when you shoot a landscape where the sky is burning out vs. a darker ground. Of course, you can add a grad ND filter. But that filter won't work in your shot so you got an almost burned out duck weed "sky" against a darker tree "ground". I don't know pulling and pushing, but maybe one of those methods might help.

[Corran]

Good thought John.

Alan, I'm not seeing anything burned out and the eyedropper shows values of around 200 for the duckweed. Might simply be your monitor. I actually shot this additionally on E-6 to see it with higher contrast as it was only about 4 stops difference.

[Tin Can]

Prefer this version as is


Thanks for your thoughts, both of you! I will have to consider crops and shadows.

For reference, here is another negative with a full range of detail:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mMPS0BsLvc/X6251lhNDiI/AAAAAAAANIk/JGSEWph7BnEWiKJ-HyZ2ITQdeA6eOQomgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/phinizy-5840s.jpg

[Alan Klein]

I put a gradient on it to reduce the highlight at the top. Not that good but I tried.

[Alan Klein]

also increases the saturation especially the duck weed green to eliminate that burn out look.

[Vaughn]

Alan -- do you notice how your version created a far more 2D image than the original? Pretty amazing -- darkening the upper portion brings the far trunks visually forward, so everything seems to be on or close to the same plane.

The original high contrast version is high-impact. Not something I want on my walls -- but perhaps small as a 5x7, where the detail-less areas are kept small. (or a larger print kept in the distance) where the blacknesses create a pattern that over-rides the lack of detail.

This is very different than the use of blacks by Brett Weston (and Donald Ross), where the mystery of the blacks carry much weight. This is more back-lit stumps and trunks making a great pattern. The bright colors in the foreground removes a lot of the mystery...not that this was what you were after.

[Corran]

Great observation Vaughn! There was something that wasn't sitting right with me, and you've hit the nail on the head! The feel of receding is something I do try to get when photographing with a wide-angle - and a lighter background makes visual sense. I'll definitely have to think about that more.

[Jerry Bodine]

Corran, I don't do color work anymore, but regarding b&w I do recall AA suggesting the use of a #47 (C5) deep blue filter to enhance the 3D effect of distant bluish haze. But the rather large filter factor may tend to create some reciprocity issue.

[Alan Klein]

I used a screen copy to work with the photo. So the small number of pixels may have caused the effects mentioned.

[keeds]

209556

Raydon Great Wood

Richard Ritter 7x17
355mm G-Claron

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Howtek scan of one of my first 4x5 images. Toyo 4x5 and 75mm lens. Many things technically whacked, but still not a bad image.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50611199118_1d4c5a9764_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k7kCem)

[Vaughn]

I used a screen copy to work with the photo. So the small number of pixels may have caused the effects mentioned.

No -- it is solely due to your darkening of far distances with your application of a gradient (for burning). It is something we had to train our students not to do -- they so much want to darken those far mountains and sky, but they just end up removing any sense of atmospheric distance...or they will darken the trees and mountains behind a lake -- making the reflection lighter than what is being reflected (that rarely happens in the 'wild'). One can mess with the relative tonalities all one wants, of course...as long as one is aware how the changes will affect the way the viewer will interpret the scene.

[Jim Becia]

Image made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Fuji 300 lens on Provia film.

[Alan9940]

Image made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Fuji 300 lens on Provia film.

Stunningly beautiful! And, absolutely spot-on exposure.

[ericantonio]

Image made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Fuji 300 lens on Provia film.

Sweeeping!

[Old_Dick]

Jim,

All the above. +1

[hiend61]

Beautifull!!!. Well done Jim

[Tin Can]

As above, so below

[John Olsen]

Segovia in the afternoon. An old Vericolor III Type S negative printed last week on Ilford MG paper.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50595033837_b38cd0f956_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k5ULRB)Segovia Flkr (https://flic.kr/p/2k5ULRB) by John Olsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153201054@N08/), on Flickr

[Jim Becia]

Here's another image from Death Valley made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 on Velvia 50 film.

[Alan9940]

Jim, you certainly handle transparency film well!

[ericantonio]

Here's another image from Death Valley made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 on Velvia 50 film.

Very lovely!

Man, I thought I knew my way around Death Valley. Well, I guess only on the road, never really hiked there. But I've cycled there many many times.

[h2oman]

Here's another image from Death Valley made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 on Velvia 50 film.

Fabulous!

[h2oman]

Jim, for some reason I am having trouble getting the images to show on your web page. I'm using Linux/Ubuntu, tried on my wife's Mac with the same results.

[grat]

Jim, for some reason I am having trouble getting the images to show on your web page. I'm using Linux/Ubuntu, tried on my wife's Mac with the same results.

Which browser? I'm on Linux (KDE desktop under Manjaro) with Chromium browser, and they show up fine. Just checked firefox as well.

You might want to see if you have an update pending for any "ca-certificate" packages.

[h2oman]

I don't know how to do that. Oh well. :(

[grat]

I don't know how to do that. Oh well. :(

Do a regular package update if you haven't recently. I tend to forget not everyone running linux knows linux. :)

[Jim Becia]

Jim, for some reason I am having trouble getting the images to show on your web page. I'm using Linux/Ubuntu, tried on my wife's Mac with the same results.

It might be because I’m in the middle of trying to revamp my site with a new update. It’s taking longer than I expected due to traveling this fall. Jim

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Here's another image from Death Valley made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 on Velvia 50 film.

I like this one.

[hiend61]

I like this one very much.

[Jim Noel]

Image made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Fuji 300 lens on Provia film.

This was taken in my favorite rea of DV. If I remember correctly, it is about Hwy Marker 104.5.

[Jim Becia]

Another from Death Valley made with my Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 lens on Velvia 50 film.

[ericantonio]

Another from Death Valley made with my Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 lens on Velvia 50 film.

Oh la la! I love Death Valley. I need to go back soon

[ShugPug]

That's beautiful - is that Gowers Gulch area? Time to get back there now it's not too stupid hot!!

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Another from Death Valley made with my Ebony 8x10 using a Nikkor 450 lens on Velvia 50 film.

Excellent image!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Grand Canyon North Storm. 4x5 shot with Portra160, Nikkor 75mm f4.5@f/32. Scanned on Howtek.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50650658977_d37ca18799_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kaPSgK)

[Steven Ruttenberg]

As above, so below

Great movie! Makes you feel clostraphobic

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Image made with an Ebony 8x10 using a Fuji 300 lens on Provia film.

Peaceful Image, I like.

[Alan Klein]

Great shot Steve. The scan looks pretty good. One thing. There's a vertical dark band on the right side just to the left of a lighter band along the edge. I also see vignetting too on both sides. Were you using a center filter?

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thanks!

That band is rain clouds. You get the these vertical winds out of the canyon that can cause vertical separation of clouds and rains. I have a black and white of the canyon with a storm that shows the same thing, but more pronuounced.

I did not use a center spot filer. Still want to get one though. How is yours working out for you?

I don't see the vignetting you are talking about. There are some parts in the bottom right and left that are at 0 simply because they were underexposed for this scene. There is literally no detail in them.

One thing about the canyon is it is really difficult to shoot. It has a mind of its own and most of the time dictates the image you will get vs you getting the image you want.

Thanks for the observations. I will look at what you perceive is vignetting and see what it is and if I can fix it if it needs fix.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Grand Canyon from Lipon PT. Tmax100, red 25A, 75mm Nikkor f4.5@f/32. Rescanned using Howtek
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654679553_67bab4ed69_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kbbts2)

Epson V850 Scan. Some of the differences are in post-processing 2 years later.
https://www.steveruttenbergphotography.com/img/s/v-10/p3448936238-6.jpg (https://www.steveruttenbergphotography.com/p353367378/ecd92972e)

There are a couple of areas I am may crop out when I go to print that I am not happy with.

[Gary Beasley]

I like the tonality of the Howtek scan. I guess the epson cant be trained to do that?

[Alan Klein]

I like the BW. Howtek is definitely better than the V850. The V850 is granier and grittier. The tones look better on the Howtek.

[djdister]

The greater sharpness in the Howtek scan makes a HUGE difference in tonal and object separation. That is the main barrier to getting a great scan from the Epson - sharpness.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

That is true about training the Epson. If you make adjustments with the Aztec software you can store those adjustments as a calibration file and then do final scan using that calibration file. End result is a linear gamma curve as out out for image. This makes adjustments in PS much better as you’re not starting with a baked in formula so to speak.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Let me run the Epson file thru Nik define. It is for removing noise from digital images but works well with scans. I ran the Howtek thru define so that may account for some of the differences.

[ShugPug]

From a recent trip to Tucson and Saguaro National Park - beautiful area, and white pleased with this image of the some of the range of cacti that are there.

FP4+ at 200 in Stearman Press Ultra for Large Format; Intrepid Mk IV with a Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 90mm and a yellow filter. ⅛ second at f32.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50658846092_8ba36cc921_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kbxQ1U)20201122-Saguaro_NP-IntrepidIV_FP4_SPULF (2 of 2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kbxQ1U) by Alex Morrison (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_morrison/), on Flickr

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[Corran]

Chattahoochee Runoff
Wisner 12x20, Schneider 360mm f/5.6 Symmar, HP5+ dev'd in HC-110 dil. H:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfidiI9q8Xk/X8RzYlestJI/AAAAAAAANLs/lAvrpnTftfcWECvldB3N-KTJvQnKwC-UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/1220-5878s.jpg

[Steven Ruttenberg]

From a recent trip to Tucson and Saguaro National Park - beautiful area, and white pleased with this image of the some of the range of cacti that are there.

FP4+ at 200 in Stearman Press Ultra for Large Format; Intrepid Mk IV with a Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 90mm and a yellow filter. ⅛ second at f32.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50658846092_8ba36cc921_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kbxQ1U)20201122-Saguaro_NP-IntrepidIV_FP4_SPULF (2 of 2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kbxQ1U) by Alex Morrison (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_morrison/), on Flickr

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Nice!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Chattahoochee Runoff
Wisner 12x20, Schneider 360mm f/5.6 Symmar, HP5+ dev'd in HC-110 dil. H:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfidiI9q8Xk/X8RzYlestJI/AAAAAAAANLs/lAvrpnTftfcWECvldB3N-KTJvQnKwC-UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/1220-5878s.jpg


I like this one. The water has a dreamy look to it. Well done.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Dead Tree and storm, Grand Canyon North, Valhalla Lookout.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50684240441_f4ac35416c_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kdMYSv)