Gerry Johansson (American Winter photobook)

[Samuel Dilworth]

From interviews I’m led to believe Gerry Johansson uses a Rolleiflex of some sort.

Some of the pictures in American Winter look like they might have had minor perspective correction applied to straighten verticals. For example, the one titled “Holyoke, Colorado” with a pair of tractor tyres in the foreground and a grain silo (?) in the background. Or “Limon, Colorado” of petrol and restaurant signs. (You can see these here by clicking on the book.)

Anyone know if they have been corrected and if so whether it’s done in software?

I ask because he often talks about his enjoyment of the darkroom and silver gelatin prints, but of course a book is another matter.

His choice of film and development method would also interest me if you know.

Thanks.

 

[ced]

Perusing the net I found this, shoot an email and ask him directly. I guess he will be happy to oblige...
mail@gerryjohansson.com

We too will be happy to learn what you come up with.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

I did what you suggested, ced. With some trepidation, because I’m sure artists as successful as Gerry Johansson are bombarded by silly or invasive questions.

Last night he generously replied saying that his method for correcting verticals depends on the product. When he makes darkroom prints he tilts the easel (and the lens to hold focus at a reasonable f-number) for some photographs, and for books he scans the negatives and makes the correction in Photoshop.

I wish I could find my own copy of American Winter in Europe. Anyone know a shop with stock? Mack is sold out except in America.

 

[jtk]

https://www.bjp-online.com/2019/01/american-winter-by-gerry-johansson/ lots of examples of his work. would be as easy to shoot in 4X5 and fix perspective there as to do it in a darkroom.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

Not sure he uses a tripod, though. He doesn’t here (at 4:12 in the video).

Even if he does, a 4×5 would be slower to use than a Rolleiflex. Many of his photos don’t seem to need much or any correction anyway.

But for me, lens movements would be a major attraction of large format. I did see an enormous medium-format camera with movements years ago but can’t remember the type (maybe a Mamiya or Fujifilm?). There are shift lenses for 35 mm too, but the affordable ones have bothersome levels of barrel distortion. Half defeats the purpose.