First 4x5 shots.. :-)

dealy663 · Sep 16, 2005

I just got my first box of 4x5 film back from the lab. I just couldn't wait to get all of the necessary things to process the film myself! In the first couple of weeks that I've had my Speed Graphic I kept coming up short on subjects when out on photo expeditions so I finally just setup whatever I could find in the kitchen and started shooting.

So here it is, I hope that I'm able to get out again this weekend, and have another go at finding something interesting to shoot. And I now have everything I need to process my own 4x5 film.

On another note, I've been trying to pick up a Polaroid 545i on ebay, but keep loosing out. If anyone knows of a source for reasonably priced 545i holders please let me know.

Thanks, Derek

MattCarey · Sep 16, 2005

Nice shot! (You may have compressed it more than necessary, though)

Check mpex.com or keh.com (KEH is an APUG sponsor--good karma there). They tend to have reasonably priced polaroid holders.

Matt

dealy663 · Sep 16, 2005

By compressing it too much do you mean when I saved it for the web, or are you referring to the range from light to dark? If you're talking about the tonal range, then I would say that it looks pretty good to me here on my color calibrated monitor. Though it is entirely possible that it isn't translating well over the web, so maybe I should lighten it up a bit more.

Thanks, for the comments!

Derek

MattCarey · Sep 16, 2005

You see that B&W rainbow behind the stainless steel bowl? To me that says that there is a lot of compression in the jpg. I could be wrong, it looks like it is about 84kBytes, which isn't that much smaller than some of the images I have made for APUG.

Matt

dealy663 · Sep 16, 2005

Oh, yes this is an image from my APUG gallery. I didn't know I could attach a larger version to a forum message. I'll keep that in mind though.

Derek

jimgalli · Sep 16, 2005

Congrats and Nice Work! LF is a bottomless pit and you just fell in. Welcome.

nworth · Sep 16, 2005

Bottomless pit

I agree. I've been descending into that pit for a couple of years now, and I'm not yet happy. But I am having fun, and I am not about to stop my descent. LF is different. You really have to think about your shot before you even set up. Then you have to be willing to realize you made a mistake, to take the time tear down the setup, move, and set up again. I'm having a hard time learning this - too used to the spontaneity of hand held cameras. The result is dull, pretty bad pictures. The Speed Graphic is more like smaller cameras than a full view camera. While it may lack the large scale movements of a view camera, it is fast to operate and fairly compact. If you attach the battery tube for the flash, you can even hand hold it rock steady - better than a 35.

dphphoto · Sep 16, 2005

Hi: I "fell in" to large format almost 30 years ago. Now on my 5th 4X5, a Wista DX which I like a lot (I also have an 8X10 NFS 'dorf). Have yet to try an Ebony. Stick with it: the only way to get good, to gain fluidity, is to practice, practice, practice. Eventually you're at the point where you're thinking about the shot and the camera seems to set itself up. Of course, by that time you're my age, and the weight of the equipment throws your back out! Just can't win at this game, can you? Dean

First 4x5 shots.. :-)

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