Hello from Los Angeles...

[carlosanilber]

Alright so this is me right now:


Name: Carlos Rivas
Age: 21
Born and raised in Los Angeles
35mm SLR Photographer (and recently D-SLR) since high school
College Graduate as of last week (University of California, Riverside)
Bought a 4x5 camera as a graduation gift to myself

So I'm new to large format photography. I have tons of "photographer" friends but most don't even know what large format photography is and show no interest in venturing into large format.

Any tips for beginners? I process my own black and white 35mm film, so I figure it shouldn't be too hard to do 4x5. I don't yet have a 4x5 enlarger ($!) but contact prints will do for now. I'm using a Wisner Technical Field Camera with a Rodenstock 90mm f/6.8.

And does anyone know of Large Format groups/clubs in the L.A. area?

[Eirik Berger]

Welcome, LF is addictive and it looks cool.
That increased negative area is great whatever you do with it, contact printing, enlarging or scanning for a digital workflow.

Developing 4x5" sheet film is (if possible) easier that developing 135-film. I first used a Combiplan tank. Annoyed by a few mishaps where film stuck together because I missed the slots, I started using my Jobo Expert drum 3010 on a manual roller base, when I did not bother to fire up the ATL. I really recommend Jobo Expert drums.

[BrianShaw]

Hi Carlos,

Welcome to the forum, from a fellow Angeleno. Congrats on graduating!

Brian

[dsim]

Hi and welcome to the community.

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therepy, Carlos. :) As you go along you'll have many questions...no doubt somebody here will have the answer for you! We have all levels of experience among the regulars on this forum and they all seem to be happy to help (or at least to express thier opinion! :) ) when somebody has a problem. You're starting out with a fine camera and a good lens; you'll find a 90mm a little harder to focus on a ground glass than a longer lens, but you're young and probably have good eyes, so you should get used to it quickly! Have fun!

[cdholden]

Carlos,
Plenty of folks between several different forums live and work in the L.A. area.
If you're already processing your own roll film, sheet film won't be much of a stretch until you get into exposing the larger sheets. You can probably even find a roll film holder to work with your 4x5 back. Roll film holder required for use with 120 film will depend on which back you have. For now, get some 5x7 or 8x10 trays and keep it simple with your processing and printing until you're comfortable.
Explore and enjoy.
Chris

[J Ney]

Welcome, and congrats on graduation!!

My advice would be, (1) research questions on the forum, (2) study the Ansel Adams books (Camera, Negative, Print), and (3) for processing 4x5, I personally find using 4" pyrex bread pans incredibly user-friendly if you decide to go the tray-development route.

Other than that, take your time while focusing and don't get discouraged.

What are you interested in shooting??

[Brian Ellis]

Welcome. You were very generous with that graduation gift you gave yourself. Wisner Tech Fields are great cameras.

[Charles Hohenstein]

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of great information here, along with some wonderful photos.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Your friends may see how much fun you are having and may cross over too some day.
Nothing beats hands on photography.
4x5 contact prints look quaint. I sometimes make 4x5 kallitypes. My main format is 8x10. I use BTZS tubes but mostly trays (one sheet at a time) depending on the look I want. I am sure that there are many LFers in LA that you can hook up with.

[carlosanilber]

Hello everyone! I was not expecting such a warm reception. Thank you all for the comments and tips!

So I've thus far have taken only two pictures, but alas I am out of D-76 and am waiting for some to arrive. I should have the results next week!

cr

[youngflower]

Hello. My name is linda. Nice to meet you. Wish you a good day here.

[David Karp]

Welcome and enjoy. A good place with lots of information is the LF Home Page www,largeformatphotography.info.

[Greg Gibbons]

Welcome. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. I so wish I'd done it when I got out of college, instead of waiting 30 years!

I've gone completely digital in printing though, so if you're interested in a 4x5 Chromega enlarger, let me know. I'm pretty sure we can find some mutually beneficial agreement.

[Scott Davis]

Welcome! don't stress over the cost of an enlarger, if enlargement is what you want to do- these days the big enlargers are practically being given away. Keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist for an Omega D-series or Beseler 45M of some flavor.

Other than that, the best advice I can offer is do what you need to do to get to Carnegie Hall- practice practice practice.