LF Portraiture Workshop at VPC

[SuzanneR]

I think the best way to proceed is to start a thread for each planned wokshop. As we've discussed in the Future NE events thread, it seems there is interest in meeting at the Valley Photo Center in Springfield, MA to make LF portraits. I, for one, would benefit from a day of shooting/posing with fellow APUGger's with more experience in large format. I don't mind getting in front of the camera, if it'll help my skills behind the camera, and I hope others will be willing to pose, too!

First things first... we need to agree to a date. I can do this either the last weekend in February, 25th or 26th, OR March 25th or 26th.

Let's figure out if these dates work for anyone, and then we will figure out what gear people can bring.

Thank you!!

 

[bobfowler]

I would also be interested in this workshop. I can bring 4X5, 5X7, and 8X10 cameras (with gobs of holders), plus a bunch of studio lighting if necessary (strobes). I have Polaroid capability for the 4X5 and, with any luck on ebay, will have it for 8X10 in a few weeks.

As for which dates are better, I have top check my schedule at work in the next couple of days and make sure it won't conflict with a potential TDY assignment to Hawaii that's coming up.

What's available for accommodations in the area?

 

[Bill Hahn]

I'll bring my 4x5 view camera, a Polaroid adaptor, I'll probably
buy some polaroid film (I use type 53 - I hope that's right, I have none to hand - simple b&w positive at 800 iso), a reflector and stand. I'm thinking
4 boxes of 20 sheets, an investment of about $200...will make them available for general use. Also will look at bringing that studio tripod on wheels, that perhaps will help with focusing.

I'll let other people bring lights. As far as I'm concerned, shooting
large format with strobe lights is a mysterious and dark art practised only
by a few wizards....

I'm quite willing to sit for portraits, though I won't be surprised if I'm not asked.

Saturdays are always better for me than Sundays.

 

[Bill Hahn]

Gee, I wondered where those smileys were going :-(

 

[Peter Schrager]

March 25

Gee; if we make it March 25 we can celebrate my birthday at the same time....
Peter

 

[Drew B.]

I have you beat by several weeks....being probably the oldest...except for Gene

 

[Phong]

FWIW, between Feb 24/25 and Mar 25/26, I much prefer Mar 25/26, and saturdays tend to work better for me than sundays.

I can bring lights, a (medium) softbox, umbrella, stands, flash meter, 4x5 Polaroid holder and film.

Bill, your tripod on wheels sounds most intriguing to me; does it have a geared center column ?

Cheers,

- Phong

 

[papagene]

March 25th is fine with me. I'll probably be doing double duty as I think that is one of the drop off dates for the WNELFP LF work.
I can bring my 4x5 & 5x7, two tripods and two White Lightning WL10000 & umbrellas.
Usually you have to hog-tie me, drug me, duct-tape me and nail me to a chair to get me to pose in front of a camera. But I think I can manage to be a good sport and cooperate just this once!

gene

 

[Whiteymorange]

March 25 sounds good to me. Help me fight off the blues at the end of my spring break. Lots of cameras, lights and stuff available but... let me ask this as delicately as possible. Is this a blind leading the blind workshop where we all share what we know or is somebody out there really good at this and willing to enlighten those of us fighting the demons of ignorance?

I think every one of us has to sit for at least one portrait. We'll choose straws. Loser gets to photograph me. We can also send out groups to some of the more interesting spots in Springfield. Decay and Rebirth in the Small American City.

I'll start a new thread on another workshop at Belmont Hill. Maybe late this month or next?

 

[SuzanneR]

Looks like we are leaning toward the March date so far. I'll give it a few more days, and I'd like Gene to weigh in to be sure we don't have any conflicts with the Valley Photo Center.

Whitey, you bring up a point I was a little worried about. I think the day will prove to be most productive if we start with a few demonstrations. Maybe a lighting demonstration, a once over with a large format camera, and then maybe shoot a couple of portraits. After lunch, I think we should break up into smaller groups, and just start shooting. I'm hoping to get a couple sheets of film exposed to bring home to soup, myself. I think there's enough knowledge here, that we are not quite the blind leading the blind, but I think we should be organized and have a plan for the day.

Nothing is set in stone, so if anyone has any other thoughts for how to best organize the day, or ideas for demonstrations, then let me know. As for costs... I think we should reimburse those who bring the polaroid film. In other words, if you shoot, say three 'roids, then plan to pay the cost of the film to whoever brought it.

Or would we rather bring in an instructor, and have one person lead it? (Which would probably mean some kind of fee).

I see these get togethers as an extension of APUG threads. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can from everyone here, and I think getting together for some real hands on shooting would be great opportunity, not to mention a whole lot of fun.

Oh and Peter, if we meet on March 25th, I'll bring the cake

 

[Bill Hahn]

About that tripod...

...Phong's question made me go down to my basement and retrieve it to look at it. I think it will require a great deal of work to be usable - in particular, the wheels are somewhat locked (there is a locking mechanism, and even when it is freed, the wheels still have problems turning). So unless I manage to fix it don't expect to see it at the workshop. (Like I said, it was one of a 1000 items I bought in a job lot.)

It doesn't have a geared center column. It has a "safety hook", and a knob with a red caution label which points out that turning the knob without the safety hook attached will cause the center column to rise suddenly. If you don't know what you're doing (release hook, turn knob while bent over the tripod) you can deliver a short vicious uppercut to your jaw....

 

[Bill Hahn]

Some more thoughts....

I will be glad to help people who haven't used a view camera before, or
polaroid sheet film. I hope to learn about lighting and posing techniques.

As for reimbursing me for any polaroid film, well, if you want to fine, but it isn't necessary.

And were we arguing about who is oldest? I want to stake my claim....

 

[Peter Schrager]

Film etc.

Bill -there is no reason for you to shoulder all of the cost for the film. I'm willing to bring extra loaded film holders for those who want to use a LF camera and film. They can go home and develop the film and mail me back the holder(s)
Peter

 

[Drew B.]

I've penciled in the 25th. I can and will bring my 4x5 w/polaroid holder...but have no P film. I'l also bring my 645 with the polaroid holder for that and I do have film which anyone can use with this camera. I'l also bring some 4x5 T-max ready-loads for those who haven't used them. (I'll never load sheet film again!) I think we can schedule a basic 4x5 class from 9 to 10:30 or so, coffee break, then at 11, go over portrait lighting till 12:30, then lunch. At 1330, go into groups for taking portraits.

I generally don't like being in front of a camera...but will pose as long as there is a chair to sit on and a magazine to read!

 

[Drew B.]

I may have to retract my last message...as there might be something scheduled for that date...so might not make it that day.

 

[bobfowler]

The 25th sounds good to me. In addition to 4X5, 5X7, and 8X10 cameras + assorted lenses, I can offer this lighting gear:

2 White Lightning 10,000 cans
3 White Lightning 5000 cans
Softbox + umbrellas + grids+ reflectors
minor assortment of muslin backgrounds (forget how many)
at least one small (6X7 foot) canvas old master (good for head & shoulder)
folding posing bench, stands, clamps, and other assorted gaffer crapola
This stuff pretty much stays in my van for location jobs, so it's not a big deal.

If needed, I can also load up the truck with this Photogenic gear:

5 S-200 packs
2 16" heads w/barns + socks
1 backlight head
1 small head in small softbox
1 fresnel spot head

Of course, I have plenty of stands for all that junk as well. As for tripods, I keep a Bogen 3036 w/3047 head and a 3021 w/Linhof ballhead in the truck. I can also toss in a couple others if need be.

 

[Drew B.]

Hey Bob...are you selling any of that stuff??

 

[papagene]

With all those "BIG" windows, the gallery will be a great place for available light portraits, but lights can also be used. Downstairs in the library section with the large spiral staircase is another good location. The room next to the library has possibilites also.
But I am going to try very hard to get the Vault (safety deposit box room) opened for this event. But no promises, for I have asked a few times to have access to that room with no success. Property management closed it because we had some unidentified personnel (building maintenance and/or cleaning crew) go in there and take the brass locking mechanisms form the safety deposit box doors and leave a mess of keys, screws and other crap on the floor.
It was easier for management to just lock the room than deal with the suspects, their own employees. I will try again tho to gain access for you all.

gene

 

[Peter Schrager]

Vault

Gene-that would be just peachy if we could get in the vault. I know that I could make some good images in there as well. Get it done....
Best, Peter

 

[Drew B.]

Hey whitey, if any help on any upcoming workshop at your school is needed....just let us know...

 

[Nicole]

Suzanne, wish I could come too

 

[Drew B.]

I don't know how my message got up here....but Art, if I am able to attend, you can use mine... since I'm not into portraiture, I'll be the poser!

 

[bobfowler]

Hey Bob...are you selling any of that stuff??

Not at the moment... I kinda make my living with it!

 

[gr82bart]

I'm OK with March 25 so far, but I don't have a 4x5 yet. If someone could lend me a 4x5, I would greatly appreciate it. I will bring all my lights and accessories.

Regards, Art.

 

[bobfowler]

I'm OK with March 25 so far, but I don't have a 4x5 yet. If someone could lend me a 4x5, I would greatly appreciate it. I will bring all my lights and accessories.

Regards, Art.

You can use my Toyo D45M. I plenty of real nice lenses for it. I plan on bringing a boatload of holders and a changing tent.