large the camera the more thoughtful and creative the images ?

jeffreyg · Jan 13, 2016

I'm in the format doesn't matter camp. I use 35, 2 1/4 and 4x5 depending on the subject and/or situation. I didn't notice a mention of pinhole which I find to be a fun and changeling ... no lens and no settings just read the light, compose and uncover and cover the pinhole after the appropriate exposure time. Most of those images I print with pt/pd.
So my bottom line comment is "whatever floats your boat". It's the impact on the viewer that (even if it's yourself ) that counts.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Sirius Glass · Jan 13, 2016

Ansel Adams used Hasselblads when he became unable to traipse around the Sierras with a 8"x10" camera and tripod.

jimgalli · Jan 13, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
Ansel Adams used Hasselblads when he became unable to traipse around the Sierras with a 8"x10" camera and tripod.

Uh huh. Any memorable images from that? Any Icons from the Hassy?

OK, ducking . . .

jeffreyg · Jan 13, 2016

Ansel Adams used 2 1/4 as well as 35mm to photograph people he knew. He used the Hasselblad for portraits from the early 1960's on.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com

Sirius Glass · Jan 13, 2016

jimgalli said:
Uh huh. Any memorable images from that? Any Icons from the Hassy?

OK, ducking . . .

Yes, you can do your own research on this because use raised the question. Consider it an exercise given to a student for homework. Report back in a week. oliceman:

Ai Print · Jan 13, 2016

jimgalli said:
Uh huh. Any memorable images from that? Any Icons from the Hassy?

OK, ducking . . .

Obviously I take it you are joking...

MattKing · Jan 13, 2016

That's definitely not shot with a Hasselblad!

Actually, it was shot on glass plate in 1927.

Peltigera · Jan 13, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I found shooting medium format improved 35mm. Then I found shooting large format improved medium format and 35mm. Now I should start up very large format or ultra large format.

I found that using a waist-level finder made the biggest difference to the quality of my work even though I no longer use one.

www.johns-old-cameras.blogspot.co.uk

markbarendt · Jan 13, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I shoot several different formats of film. I find that the creativity is not a function of camera size, lenses or features, rather it is a function of the available subjects and my creative feelings at that time.

I find that too. I find formal event photography amazing and wonderful: weddings, Bar Mitzvah's, Crowded beaches, conventions... all of these are "turkey shoots" for really fun stuff.

Sirius Glass said:
I found shooting medium format improved 35mm. Then I found shooting large format improved medium format and 35mm. Now I should start up very large format or ultra large format.

I think one of the biggest reasons that large format work taught me so much is that the pieces of the cameras are large enough to be seen and considered as individual parts.

Ai Print · Jan 13, 2016

MattKing said:
That's definitely not shot with a Hasselblad!

Actually, it was shot on glass plate in 1927.

You are thinking of "Monolith, the Face of Half Dome".

"Dead Link Removed" was shot in 1960 with a Hasselblad 500C and 250mm 5.6 Sonnar C lens.

There was an amazing 60 piece show of a private collection of his work for the entire Summer in my town, I learned a lot about his work last year.

MattKing · Jan 13, 2016

You are right.

That is what I get for doing quick internet searches and not paying close enough attention to the results.

I searched on your posted image link for the shot in 1960, and ended up linked to the 1927 shot.

DREW WILEY · Jan 13, 2016

AA stopped traipsing around the Sierra when he was in his early 30's. After that, a mule carried his gear, and sometimes it was just a 2-1/4
X 3-1/4 Jewell, not 8x10 at all. I've doubled that age thing, but am stupid and stubborn enough to be my own mule. It helps not to smoke and drink heavily, like many people did back then. Steak for breakfast probably didn't help either, nor the stress of running a hectic commercial photography business, which was the actual source of his income. Those famous books and prints didn't turn a net profit until he
was over 80. It helps to be dead, if you're thinking about a fine art career.

Sirius Glass · Jan 13, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
... I've doubled that age thing, but am stupid and stubborn enough to be my own mule. ...

And now we know why you argue your points so strongly. [Just jerkin' your chain]

jimgalli · Jan 13, 2016

Ai Print said:
Obviously I take it you are joking...

Not at all. I've thumbed through the books and own most of them, and drooled and dreamed like all the rest, and I can't think of any of the iconic work that was done with the Hasselblad. Snapshots come to mind.

removed account4 · Jan 13, 2016

his hernandez moonrise was taken on the fly, sunny16 and fast
even the master sometimes didn't do thoughtful contemplative
meditative photography, and it seems like did alright

removed account4 · Jan 13, 2016

Michael R 1974 said:
Some excellent crap in this thread. Keep it coming.

I heard thing ger the camera you have
the more people think you are a real photographer.
I also heard if you wear a hat and it says " scoop "
or "press" on a piece of paper in your har .. you have instant
credentials and can do whatever you want as long
as you have a speed graphic and a pocket full of flash bulbs.

ymmv

Vaughn · Jan 13, 2016

jimgalli said:
Not at all. I've thumbed through the books and own most of them, and drooled and dreamed like all the rest, and I can't think of any of the iconic work that was done with the Hasselblad. Snapshots come to mind.

I thought immediately of this one by Penn:

http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/IrvingPennArchives/artwork/94529

But alas, he used a Rolleiflex.

There is the work of Michael Kenna who works with a Hassey -- I think his work is iconic, tho he may not have a single iconic image...personal opinion, of course.

David Brown · Jan 14, 2016

I've been doing this (photography) for close to fifty years. Had exhibitions, a book, TV appearances. Made a little money at it. Ran a lab. But I have never owned a large format camera. I guess it was all a fraud. I should just quit and die.

jimgalli · Jan 14, 2016

David Brown said:
I've been doing this (photography) for close to fifty years. Had exhibitions, a book, TV appearances. Made a little money at it. Ran a lab. But I have never owned a large format camera. I guess it was all a fraud. I should just quit and die.

My my. In all that time were you ever overdramatic to make a point??

markbarendt · Jan 14, 2016

jimgalli said:
My my. In all that time were you ever overdramatic to make a point??

Maybe he skipped his coffee this morning.

removed account4 · Jan 14, 2016

david
its not that bad.
format, technique and speed ( or lack of them ) have nothing to do with creativity
or "being a photographer" its too bad people wrap it all up like that.

blockend · Jan 14, 2016

David Brown said:
I've been doing this (photography) for close to fifty years. Had exhibitions, a book, TV appearances. Made a little money at it. Ran a lab. But I have never owned a large format camera. I guess it was all a fraud. I should just quit and die.

You could at least have bought a Weston Master, a cripplingly heavy tripod and grown an old testament beard. That way people know you're large format curious.

Vaughn · Jan 14, 2016

Odd, reading through all the posts, I find no one claiming that use of LF is neccessary or required to be a great photographer. Nor has anyone claimed that the use any particular format is more creative than all others.

Ian Grant · Jan 14, 2016

I found LF necessary to get the shots I wanted, I initially chose 5x4 which I already used for work. Back then 7x5 wasn't available here in the UK and half plate and whole plate had been phased out and there were very few 10x8 cameras. I needed movements I did think about a MF Linhof or similar but felt that 5x4 would be better, and it has been.

I knew photographers who'd never used 35mm for work, only as students, they would use the largest practical format usually 5x4 unless they were shooting people (not portraits) and then would shoot 120. It's pretty much how I've worked since the mid 1970's although I did shoot some 35mm as well when shooting models portfolios, rock concerts etc.

Ian

Bob Carnie · Jan 14, 2016

don't forget the Tilley Hat.

blockend said:
You could at least have bought a Weston Master, a cripplingly heavy tripod and grown an old testament beard. That way people know you're large format curious.

large the camera the more thoughtful and creative the images ?

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