New View Camera Photog. Artistic Vision Needs Assessment

[Charles Mangano]

I have read Photo.net and LUSENET for months before ever asking my first questio n. There truly is a wealth of information here and I have learned a great deal. As a beginner I read all of Phillip's educational articles and found them to b e very helpful. I am wondering if there is some way to streamline the process fr om becoming interested, to efficiently acquiring enough knowledge, to purchase t he correct equipment, so one can finally practice the art of large format photog raphy.

Does anyone have, or is anyone aware, of some sort of an artistic vision priorit y inventory / needs assessment algorithm to increase the likelyhood that a new v iew camera photographer would aquire the most appropriate equipment to achieve t heir artistic vision within their budget? Such an assessment / inventory, espec ially on-line, could efficiently point many beginners like myself in the correct direction while minimizing the number of similar questions that have already be en asked and answered but may not necessarily be easily located on LUSENET.

Thanks to all whose contributions make this net so valuable, Charles

[M.]

Join a camera club and ask questions.

[josh_560]

make alist of everything you need lens light meter camera etc. then imagine the types of pictures youll be taking.then reasearch to find out what is available and what you can afford then ask the advice of people on this forum.-J

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

artistic vision priority inventory / needs assessment algorithm ????

Wha'd He say?

Charles, are you in the Benjamin Bldg at College Park, or elsewhere?

[Dean Lastoria]

I think (projecting myself on others) that view camera users are destined to use view cameras out of some innate stubbornness. I think it is a metaphysical calling -- we hear St.Ansel's call rather than a Behavioral algorithm. Dean

[Raven Garrow]

Just a minute, I have to get my dictionary.

OoooKaaay, what is your artistic vision, what is your budget?

[Trevor Crone]

Charles look at the work of photographers you admire and see what equipment they use in particular what focallength lenses they use for their particular subject matter. Of course I'm not saying copy them but even if you did, initially this wouldn't matter for sooner or latter you will evolve your own style/vision. Regards,

[David Richhart]

Charles... don't expect to buy the perfect combination of equipment for YOUR needs based on someone else's recommendation. It's not going to happen. Start with some used equipment in good condition and use it to learn what you actually need. Then you can buy, sell, and trade for the system that is best suited to your needs.

Besides... searching through the used equipment at camera stores and swap-meets, and the "horse trading" can be a lot of fun.

[james mickelson]

Hey Trib or Sean, wha'd he say? Vision needs assesment? Take your prints to the street corner and ask John Q. Publicv what they think of them. They'll tell you. Join a club. Start your own. That way you can kick out anyone who doesn't like your work. Join PSA and enter your work in their critique programs. Algorythm programs? Huh what! Sheesh! Speak anglish dude. Lumberjack

[Jacque Staskon]

Charles, please help me out. Have you been using other formats? Or are you completely new to photography? Do you want to use large format because of the fine detail, the movements on the camera or are you looking to draw a crowd? Or do you have another reason? Being photographers, we never have exactly what we need to bring our artistic vision to fruition. We could have always done more with this focal length lens or that lens. Different filter, better lupe stronger tripod, whatever. We are never happy. Thats just the nature of the game. Go to your local camera store, ask to see what they have in large format. See how much it costs,play with everything, meters, tripods, cameras, film holders everything, and buy what feels right. trust your instincts. You may buy something you don't need just because its shiny and thats ok. Then just jump in. Large format is a wonderful ride, because it keeps you humble. j