LF Photography Workshop in Ireland, March 2005

[Michael Mutmansky]

Folks,

I would like to make an announcement about a workshop that has been organized by myself and Ron Rosenstock for March 22 through April 1, 2005.

It is set in Ireland, and is based out of the facility Ron has owned there for the last twenty years. Ron has been running photogrpahy tours and workshops in this part of Ireland for the better part of thirty years, and is an excellent guide and host for the journey. He has self-published three books, and has worked in 8x10 and more recently 4x5 for his entire photography career.

This workshop is priced in US dollars, and the cost includes most expenses you will have while over there. Because of the beneficial exchange rate, European folks have this as an opportunity that is cheaper than it has ever been before. Also, because it is priced in US dollars, the price actually represents one of the least expensive ways to see Ireland right now for Americans.

Here's a link to information on my site. There are further links from there to Ron's website for further information.

Dead Link Removed

Also, I have added a new section of images to my site taken last fall in Ireland with a 5x12 banquet camera. The link to that is:

Dead Link Removed

You can email me if you have any questions, or follow the links on my site for much more information on the workshop.


Sincerely,

Michael Mutmansky

 

[donbga]

Hi Michael,

Folks,
Also, I have added a new section of images to my site taken last fall in Ireland with a 5x12 banquet camera. The link to that is:

Nice work with the 5x12, I really like the format. I saw some of Tillman Crane's 5x12 work last year in Decatur, Alabama and he adroitly used this format with his work.

Wish I could join you on the workshop, it sounds great, good luck.

Don BRyant

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

Don,

Thanks for the comments.

The format 5x12 is being used by only a few people in the US right now, but I think it deserves more attention. Apparently, there are some examples of old banquet cameras in this format, although the vast majority were 7x17 and 12x20.

Apparently Shen Hao is offering a 5x12 camera, and Canham can make one to order (as all his big cameras are made) also.

If I remember correctly, about 18 moinths ago Tillman had an article in VC about his introduction to 5x12. He now uses a Canham, if I recall correctly. I believe his new book that is coming out is primarily 5x12 images. It's a very tempting book for me, as he is a fantastic printer and photographer, and a very nice person as well.



---Michael

 

[cperez]

Amazing work. Good comments on what you used and why.

I assume the 210mm lens is an Angulon. I can see why you like that length in 5x12. There's a gent local to me who has an old Korona 5x12 and a brace of lenses he's been trying to sell for several years. Your work sure gets me thinking. Particularly about traveling with banquet gear overseas.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Jim Moore]

Beautiful work Michael.

I really wish I could make it to the workshop. Ireland is one of the places that I MUST visit before I'm gone

Hopefully next year.

Jim

 

[mark]

I find it amazing that larger format cameras like the 7x17 are cheaper than than the two 5x12's I have seen on the market.

 

[TPPhotog]

Beautiful work Michael.

I really wish I could make it to the workshop. Ireland is one of the places that I MUST visit before I'm gone

Hopefully next year.

Jim

Jim, Once you visit you will never be the same again, Ireland is one of the most magical places on earth

 

[BradS]

Wow, what a fantastic opportunity! This would be a photo dream come true for me. I'll be in Dublin during this time too...

D@mn! so close.

Maybe next time?

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

Chris,

Thanks. I don't use a 210mm Angulon, I use a Computar. It has enough coverage to barely hit the corners of 7x17, but the corners will be pretty soft. It does, however, have lots of room for movement on a format like 5x12 or 8x10, and I highly recommend it for these formats. Care must be taken with the Computar because they are only single coated, and a bit prone to flare.


Jim,

I first went to Ireland almost 2 years ago, and I have been back there two more times in since then; it made that big of an impression on me. I highly recommend going to anyone.

Photographically it is a real challenge, because it is often windy, and the obvious beauty and magic of the place is not easily captured on film. It's a real enjoyable place to work with a LF camera because there is so much to work with and it seems the potential for something spectacular is there, right in front of you almost all the time.


Mark,

The 5x12 cameras are much more rare, and also much more portable, so they will command a higher price than a 7x17, which is the Heinz variety of banquet cameras. Not knocking 7x17 because I especially like the format, but it is the most common of the banquet sizes being used today. I would guess there are 2x as many 7x17 cameras in use than the next most common size (12x20).


---Michael

 

[Brian Bullen]

Michael,

Beautiful images. You definitely have an eye for the panoramic format. I'm curious about which film you used? I don't know of any suppliers that carry that size in stock. Did you have to cut down a larger size or order some from photowarehouse?

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

Brian,

Thanks for the comment.

I use mostly TXT and FP4 in 7x17. Once the TXT is gone, I'll probably stick to FP4, as I find it a bit better suited to my printing requirements. The 5x12 images were made with FP4 from Photo Warehouse.

One aspect of this that may not be apparent to people is the fact that 5x12 is exactly 1/4 of a 12x20 sheet of film. If you are a 12x20 shooter, you can have a box of 12x20 cut down to 5x12 by a company like Photo Warehouse.

The same holds true for 4x10 film, of course. It also works reasonably well for 5x7 film, with only a little waste. This approach opens up the list of available emulsions in these formats substantially.


---Michael

 

[Brian Bullen]

Brian,

One aspect of this that may not be apparent to people is the fact that 5x12 is exactly 1/4 of a 12x20 sheet of film. If you are a 12x20 shooter, you can have a box of 12x20 cut down to 5x12 by a company like Photo Warehouse.

---Michael

Michael, Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure if you had purchased some while in Ireland or had some European source for this size. I've often thought of building a 5.5x14 and cutting down 11x14 film. If I can't find the time though 5x12 is a great option.

I'll be checking your site to see those images in PT/PD. Good Luck.
Brian