LF Portraiture Workshop at VPC

[Drew B.]

I am coming on the 25th. I'll bring my 4x5 w/P holder, RZ, M-645 w/P holder (if not sold yet) lots of 120 film, 4x5 ready loads, view camera mags to give away, my Voightlander Bessa RF (to swap or give away) and 5 way rd reflector panel (I've never used) etc, etc.
My daughter in law and son might come along as she is now an apug member. (I guess he'll be there to protect her!)

 

[manjo]

# winger <--No LF camera
# JamesG <--Will bring lights
# manjo <--Will bring male model

oops... I will be bringing myself.

 

[JustK]

I'll be there too! Please add me to your list, total LF newbie!
Krystyna

 

[gr82bart]

I can talk some lighting too, but my lighting style is more glamourish and fashiony (very elaborate setups), if anyone is interested.

Regards, Art.

 

[manjo]

Modified list...

I took the liberty to modify the list and add 2 more names to it .


# Suzanne Revy
# bobfowler <--Will be bringing lights, LF cameras, and swap stuff
# Bill Hahn <--Will bring film (4 boxes of Type 53)
# Peter Schrager <--Can teach
# Drew B.
# Phong <--Will bring lights
# papagene <--Will bring lights, LF cameras, props and swap stuff
# Whiteymorange <--Will bring cameras, and swap stuff
# gr82bart <--Will bring lights, but no LF camera
# Ted Harris <--Will bring lights and LF cameras
# dans
# Robert Budding <--No LF camera
# Diaga67 <--No LF camera
# PhotoPete
# Jim McD
# winger <--No LF camera
# JamesG <--Will bring lights
# manjo <-- Will pose for photos, no nudes pls you dont wnat to see that!
# Krystyna
# Singh <-- Will bring camera, Speed graphix

 

[Bill Hahn]

Re: Breaking up into groups in the afternoon

I offered to help people who haven't shot large format, and one person has already contacted me (see my posting above - with 'offer' in the subject). I'll be glad to take take one more LF newbie under my wing. A group of three should be nice: we can rotate thru the three roles of photographer, assistant and subject. With the polaroid film I'm bringing, newbies will get lots of instant feedback....

 

[SuzanneR]

I just reread through this, and realized that there is a discrepancy in the start time. Gene mentioned awhile ago that we should plan to start at 10 am. He would be there around 9:00 am to open up, get set up, etc.

So let's plan for our big demo to start at 10 am. If you are there by nine, and able to set yourself up... you'll have time for breakfast at Gus and Paul's. After the big demo, we can break for lunch, then get into groups of three for the afternoon of photographing!

The big question... should we attempt to organize the groups of three ahead of time? Thoughts, please!

 

[manjo]

Bill Hanh,

I have a LF camera Toyo 4x5 but dont have a lens for it yet, if I get one by the 25th I will bring it along. Other wise I shoot MF bronica. But can I join ur grp of newbies ?

 

[Bill Hahn]

Looks like Manjo completed my trio...

...but if others of you just want to hang out and watch some LF stuff, I promise we won't chase you away.... I tend to make lots of errors using the polaroid holder, so it should be amusing.

(Manjo: PM'ed you w/ information.)

 

[papagene]

I might have an Ace up my sleeve as far as LF portraiture goes - can't say because of uncertain scheduling during late March.

gene

 

[bobfowler]

Bill Hanh,

I have a LF camera Toyo 4x5 but dont have a lens for it yet, if I get one by the 25th I will bring it along. Other wise I shoot MF bronica. But can I join ur grp of newbies ?

If your Toyo uses the 158mm boards (the big ones), bring it along. In addition to my C-1 and Eastman #2, I'm bringing a Toyo D45M and I have a bunch of lenses on boards. Art is going to be using my camera, but he can't use all of the lenses at once!

 

[bobfowler]

I can talk some lighting too, but my lighting style is more glamourish and fashiony (very elaborate setups), if anyone is interested.

Regards, Art.

I'm in the same boat, but more towards the 1930's/40's Hollywood style. I've been thinking of bringing a bunch of lighting techniques books so folks can look through and give different techniques a try.

One area where I have no real training is classical posing (hands are always my weak point). In my shooting style, a lot of the "rules" of light and pose get thrown out the window (look at the work of the movie studio gallery stills of 60-70 years ago and you'll see what I mean). Hurrell I ain't, but I do know a thing or two.

If anyone who's attending is well versed in the classical posing styles, I'd love to buy you lunch and pick your brain...

 

[Bill Hahn]

Bob's comment regarding posing reminded me of a comment I found in Fay Wray's Memoirs "On the other Hand", about posing for the photographer William Mortensen (much discussed elsewhere on APUG). He told her she had "ugly elbows" and her response as an old woman writing decades later was basically "how the hell do you pose after that?".

Please, people, if you want to tell me my worst feature, please refrain if you want anything like a naturalistic pose...LOL...otherwise you'll only get the top of my head as I try to bury my weak chin into my collarbone...

 

[bobfowler]

<snip>Please, people, if you want to tell me my worst feature, please refrain if you want anything like a naturalistic pose...LOL...otherwise you'll only get the top of my head as I try to bury my weak chin into my collarbone...

I'd probably try to hide behind my expanding waistline...

Wait a minute.... That sounded like I'd have my head up my ass... Give me some time, I'll find a way to hide...

 

[manjo]

bob, we have exchanged emails a couple of weeks back, this was regarding your website that illustrated how to use 135mm back for a bronica. Now we will be able to meet in person. I like your website.

My board takes a copal #1 (42mm) lens. I mentioned to bill in a PM that I am looking at some lenses (on ebay) with no movements, when I get better with the LF camera I can invest in better lenses with movements. Or I might have all this bassacwards and expose my total ignorance at LF photography.

I have a camera but dont know how to use it... that is a funny place to be isint it !

 

[Bill Hahn]

Manjo,

I PM'ed you before returning to the thread, but we need not only the size of the hole in the middle of the lens board (copal 1 you said), but the dimensions of the lens board itself. Bob is offering you the chance to try various lenses if only the lensboard is the right size....

-Bill

 

[manjo]

Bill/Bob,

I have a 158mm board that takes a copal #1 (42mm). The camera is a Toyo 4x5. Is this info good ? and guys thanks a ton for all the offer to help me out.

 

[bobfowler]

Bill/Bob,

I have a 158mm board that takes a copal #1 (42mm). The camera is a Toyo 4x5. Is this info good ? and guys thanks a ton for all the offer to help me out.

All of my 4X5 lenses are on the 158mm boards, you'll be OK.

 

[SuzanneR]

Just thought I would make a note of a few hotels in the Springfield area, if anyone is looking to spend the night.

Springfield Marriott (marriott.com)
Sheraton 413-781-1010
Hilton Garden Inn 413-886-8000
Holiday Inn 888-465-4329
Comfort Inn 413-736-5000

The first three, I think, cater to business and convention travel, so they might be expensive, but sometimes fancy hotels can have great weekend rates! I always start with the nicest hotels when I need to make a reservation!! You just never know when you can find a good deal! The last two might be the best... budget wise.

I don't think we have enough people needing a hotel room to justify a group rate.

 

[Troy]

Hey folks,

I live in Portland, Maine. Is it too late to get in on the day of fun? Where do I sign up?

 

[SuzanneR]

You're signed up!!

 

[Robert Budding]

Could we have a little reminder posted here towards the end of the thread? Date, time, location.

I plan on coming to watch.

 

[Troy]

You're signed up!!

Thanks! That was easy.

 

[SuzanneR]

Could we have a little reminder posted here towards the end of the thread? Date, time, location.

I plan on coming to watch.

Saturday, March 25th. Some folks will get there as early as 9am. I'd like to get started at 10am with a demo, which should take about an hour to ninety minutes. Then we'll break for lunch. After lunch, we will break up into groups of about 3 or 4, and burn some film!

I have loosely organized the names into groups... basically dividing us up by gear as follows:

Bill Hahn
Manjo
JustK
James G.

Papagene
Whitey
Winger

Ted Harris
PhotoPete
Robert Budding
Flauvious (sp? need to confirm)

Bob Fowler
Dans
Diaga67

Peter Schrager
Drew B
Suzanne
Art

Singh
Phong
Jim Mcd.
Troy


These are NOT set in stone by any means. I know a number of people coming, but not everyone, so it's a bit of a guessing game. PM me if you 'd like to change. Also, bear in mind that some people may not show at the last minute, so let's keep things flexible. I just thought it's be a good idea to have a general idea about the groups ahead of time. That way, hopefully, we'll spend more time making photographs!!

Then Pizza for dinner!!!!!

 

[bobfowler]

I'm planning on coming up Friday afternoon and getting a hotel room. If anyone else is going to be in the area and wants to get together for dinner and a bull session, send me a PM. I haven't made my hotel reservation yet, so I don't know exactly where I'll finally wind up (hopefully someplace with a decent bar! ).