New to large format

[jordanka16]

Hello everyone!

I've been shooting film since I took an analog photography class in high school in 2006, I took a break of about 4 years when I moved and no longer had my own darkroom, but have recently decided to get back into it. No darkroom (yet) but I was always mostly a medium format and a little 35mm shooter, and I plan to still do that and scan and work more digitally. I've also recently decided to take up large format, for the higher quality negatives, more contemplative process, and access to shooting on plates and other alternative things. I got an excellent deal on a Crown Graphic to start with and I have some gelatin plates I coated (poorly) I plan to expose and practice more to hopefully get passable results. Along with a few kinds of film, and some Ilford direct positive paper.

I'm looking forward to reading and learning more here, and maybe moving into wet plate and possibly even larger formats in the future.

Jordan

[xkaes]

Welcome to the FORUM and the wide, wild world of large format photography. Many dip their toes in the water and decide it's not for them, while others decide to dive in!

A great book to get started is "View Camera Technique", by Stroebel. There are several versions of the book, but they are pretty much all the same.

Let us know how it goes for you.

[Tin Can]

Welcome!

[jordanka16]

I have pretty much dived in, lol. Along with the film I bought a Sekonic spot meter, like many here I'm sure I'm a big fan of Ansel Adams, I plan to practice the zone system more, which would seem to only really work with sheet film. I'm just waiting for a day with good light to get some photos that would be more interesting than just plain gray. I live in Oregon and it's pretty drab this time of year, not much sun.

I will check out that book for sure, always looking for more good books to read on the subject.

[Ulophot]

Greetings, jordanka16! You have found the right place for LF. You've got some great fun ahead!

Individuals respond to various books differently. For me, Stroebel has long been a stock reference. You are probably aware of Adams's three-book series, The Camera, The Negative, The Print. I find his writing especially engaging and the illustrations and captions enormously valuable teachers. I go back all the time when an issue comes up that I'm having trouble with. He was both scientist and artist, and the books manage to pack in an extraordinary amount from his knowledge and experience. Pay attention to his emphasis that the Zone System is means to an end, a way {to use the craft in the service of expression}, not to create the so-called perfect negative that needs nothing more than a straight contact print.

Also, there is a tremendous amount of valuable information in articles on the home page of this site.

[nolindan]

... I bought a Sekonic spot meter ... I plan to practice the zone system

Also get hold of a plain-ol'-nothing-fancy meter - use it to take one non-zone exposure as back-up.

[jordanka16]

Greetings, jordanka16! You have found the right place for LF. You've got some great fun ahead!

Individuals respond to various books differently. For me, Stroebel has long been a stock reference. You are probably aware of Adams's three-book series, The Camera, The Negative, The Print. I find his writing especially engaging and the illustrations and captions enormously valuable teachers. I go back all the time when an issue comes up that I'm having trouble with. He was both scientist and artist, and the books manage to pack in an extraordinary amount from his knowledge and experience. Pay attention to his emphasis that the Zone System is means to an end, a way {to use the craft in the service of expression}, not to create the so-called perfect negative that needs nothing more than a straight contact print.

Also, there is a tremendous amount of valuable information in articles on the home page of this site.

I have and have read those 3 books a few times, though I should probably brush up again. Sadly I'll be missing the darkroom printing part, at least for now, but I'm going to scan them and probably get a few prints that way, perhaps there's similar but different techniques for photo editing software, I'll have to play around with it and see, that's new ground as well.

Also get hold of a plain-ol'-nothing-fancy meter - use it to take one non-zone exposure as back-up.

I've been using an app on my phone for a long time actually. Years ago I would make a quick check for my street photography as a proof of sunny 16 estimate and it seemed to work pretty well. I suspect the newer phones are even better. I would like to eventually get something to use with flash, so a Sekonic L-358 has been on my radar since it would work well as a general purpose meter too.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome, Jordan!

[Jim Noel]

I have pretty much dived in, lol. Along with the film I bought a Sekonic spot meter, like many here I'm sure I'm a big fan of Ansel Adams, I plan to practice the zone system more, which would seem to only really work with sheet film. I'm just waiting for a day with good light to get some photos that would be more interesting than just plain gray. I live in Oregon and it's pretty drab this time of year, not much sun.

I will check out that book for sure, always looking for more good books to read on the subject.

While waiting for a day with "good light" you will be missing some of the most beautiful light. Photographing on cloudy days is like using a huge soft box.
Set up your new camera and get busy!

[jordanka16]

While waiting for a day with "good light" you will be missing some of the most beautiful light. Photographing on cloudy days is like using a huge soft box.
Set up your new camera and get busy!

Oh I have been! That was mostly a joke, really I'm hoping for a bright sunny day to shoot some plates with more light, I haven't had much luck with the long exposures with my home coated plates.

I brought my camera to Christmas and everyone wanted a picture, I brought all 8 of my film holders and used everyone one, only messed up 2 sheets, lol.

Here's a sample pic, I just "scanned" it with my phone as my scanner isnt here yet. I shot it with my Ektar 203mm f7.7. Some more space behind or a closer shot probably would have been better. I would love to hear some ideas or criticism, I'm far from a portrait photographer, it's something I would really like to work on.