Actually using a banquet camera for what it was intended ....

scootermm · Jun 29, 2006

I have to say I have a much better appreciation for those group photographers from the early 1900s. The stress they likely felt.
I took on the task of shooting a family portrait at the family reunion I had last weekend. So what better way than too shoot it with my 7x17 banquet camera. I mean it was intended for that.
So there I was hoping like hell that one of the four negatives I forced my entire 32 person family to sit through turned out. As I ran from the camera to back in the group then repeated three more tmes. Hoping like hell I didnt mess anything up. So nervous about it. I shoot negatives ALOT. No image is truly repeatable. But I always have that voice in my head saying "you can go back if something goes wrong" this one wasnt at all repeatable and in my infinite wisdom I didnt even bother to bring a single additional camera. Just the 7x17 and the 8x10 for some single family portraits.

Apparently the photography gods were smiling on me. I think it might have been the fact I was wearing my grandfathers white shirt so he musta been smiling down from somewhere above.

Thought Id share it with all my fellow "banquet" shooters.

Dave Wooten · Jun 29, 2006

nice shot scooter, I will be attempting the same at my reunion in Aug...did you use a bulb "cord"

User Removed · Jun 29, 2006

Preety darm cool Matt! Now do you have to make a print for everyone in that picture?!

jimgalli · Jun 29, 2006

Bravo! I tried it with the 8X20 at my daughter's wedding and the god's frowned. I was way high in the Sierra's and the sky was black. About EV 8. I valiantly shot 2 sheets with the 355 G-Claron 1/2 sec f9. I never made prints. Still, they are record shots that I may come back to some time.

kjsphoto · Jun 29, 2006

Matt congrats! Very cool, especially getting yourself in the image as well!

argus · Jun 29, 2006

That's what I call a family portrait

G

removed account4 · Jun 29, 2006

hi matt

i did that last year with a 5x7 ... ( 2 reunions ! )
didn't come out as nice as this

great job!

john

BradS · Jun 29, 2006

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing....

photomc · Jun 29, 2006

OUTSTANDING Matt!!! What a great story and shot. Really like the part of you waring your grandfathers white shirt...maybe I'm strange, but that somehow makes the story a bit more interesting and gotta tell you, when you print this...label each person in the picture on the back, along with the bit about the shirt..and anything else that is so cool about these shots. This is the stuff family history's are made of and someone, somewhere down the line will love you even more for it. BTW, nice looking bunch of folks...but then it makes more sense knowing what a great guy you are. Congratulations on the good work...look forward to seeing it in person.

naturephoto1 · Jun 29, 2006

Matt,

Very nice shot. You should be pleased and proud of the results.

Rich

jovo · Jun 29, 2006

For 15 years I taught and conducted at the New England Music Camp where a 200 person or so group portrait was taken twice every summer by a local Waterville, ME photographer. The guy used a 50+ years old banquet camera (though that was over 20 years ago) and the portraits were wonderful. At least one counselor would run from one end to the other during the several second traverse of the group the camera would make (in concert clothes in the middle of a usually hot and sunny afternoon after a big noon meal). The contact prints were sharp as a tack and wonderful.

I guess one can take digigraphs and stitch them together ...but there's simply no way it's the same thing..NO WAY!

wfe · Jun 29, 2006

Great job Matt!!! and thanks for sharing it.

Regards,
Bill

John_Brewer · Jun 29, 2006

Now that is a just the best family portrait.

David Brown · Jun 29, 2006

Bravo.

I, of course, would have just used the 35mm Horizon.

Gay Larson · Jun 29, 2006

Great job Matt, and how many copies do you have to make???

colrehogan · Jun 29, 2006

Wonderful shot Matt! It will be something cherished by all. I'd love to do that with my camera too. It would make a nice Christmas gift, one for each family group in the pic.

scootermm · Jun 29, 2006

thanks all for the kind words of encouragement.... Ive never been so nervous about and it and so glad I got my part of the family reunion right. Such a relief.

Not sure yet how many copies. I know a majority of them will not want platinum/palladium prints but likely Ill make 4-5 pt/pds and then scan the print in and make some less expensive repros to send the rest.

I have to say I love the concept that this print has been made and given the archival stability it will more than likely be around long after all the pictured have died, with the little "June 2006 Family reunion" penciled in the bottom. Kinda a nice thought.

again, thanks for all the kind words everyone.

matt miller · Jun 29, 2006

Very cool Matt! Thanks for sharing

roteague · Jun 30, 2006

Hi Matt,

It is such a fantastic image, and a lot of hard work went into it. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I know it was a stressful event for you, but I don't think you give yourself enough credit - your work is excellent, and you have really mastered your equipment.

athanasius80 · Jun 30, 2006

Hey Matt,
I normally groan at seeing other people's family portraits, but now I think I need a banquet camera. Thanks for corrupting me!

DBP · Jun 30, 2006

Don't forget to make a label with the people's names for posterity, or some small child who takes up genealogy later will be driven crazy by the photo.

DougGrosjean · Jun 30, 2006

Beautiful.

I've got a Widelux that I enjoy, and would love to try something similar.

Kimberly Anderson · Jun 30, 2006

Yeah, that is very neat indeed. Summer is here, and you know what that means...family reunions! I'm excited that you tried to do it with yours, and suceeded very well.

I'm still getting a handle on the 12x20, and after 35-ish negatives, still don't feel like I have enough proficiency to do that and *not* back it up w/another camera.

Well done.

I'd order the pt/pd print if I were in your family.

roteague · Jun 30, 2006

athanasius80 said:
Hey Matt,
I normally groan at seeing other people's family portraits, but now I think I need a banquet camera. Thanks for corrupting me!

I'd buy one myself, if it was possible to get film for it.

SteveH · Jun 30, 2006

Well done Matt ! This image might be one of the most important you ever made.

Actually using a banquet camera for what it was intended ....

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