jonw,
Your subject matter is very interesting, you have some wonderful equipment. I wonder why you used a View Camera to photograph the "Old House series", but elect to use none of the controlls available with the View Camera to make corrections which would improve the images emensly? Not a criticism, but an observance.
Charles, I still like this angle of the Old House best- http://www.apug.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9855&cat=500&ppuser=2399
I think the chrome you commented on is too straight on. At the very least, I think it would be better at more of an angle. Still hope he hear from you as to your thoughts. Thanks. Jon
Hi Jon,
My thoughts are that with the wonderful equipment you have that perhaps you would experiment more with the VC controlls, like swings and tilts for instance. What spurred my comment was that I felt that the converging angles in the images were a bit confusing, and that you might wish to pay a little more attention to them. The examples I mention could be photographed just as well with a rangefinder, SLR or any other non specialty camera. I was hoping to encourage you to use the view camera's controls to move beyond a simple "point and shoot" kind of image.
I understand that you are just learning, and I certainly did not wish to discourage you, but encourage you to see the total content of your frame before exposing the film. I have been working with large format for more than fifty years, and I guarantee I am still right there with you in the learning processes.
As I say I did not make the original comment to indicate I thought you were doing something "wrong" but that I thought you could do more.
I have learned a lot from APUG, but you must also keep in mind that it is necessary to read between the lines when someone gives their opinion on a specific subject. Many of those who respond to the forum have never actually been under the gun so to speak in a professional situation. Their knowledge though of some value has come directly from books they have read, workshops they have attended etc. not from practical experience. I Don't mean to sound like I am preaching, but continue the good work, practice, practice, and more practice. It will be well worth the time spent in the long run.
Kind of like using a power saw, measure three times, cut once. With film look and study the scene 3 times, expose once.
Thanks Charlie. I agree it takes practice and this setting was made late in the day and I did not take the time to "look" more before I started making exposures. Your comments definitely did not discourage me or make think I was doing something "wrong". I truly appreciate your comments and those of others. I too, have learned and will continue to learn from APUG....and practice...practice....etc.
take care, Jon