What amazing work this guy does. I read somewhere that he uses KODAK T-MAX - can anyone confirm that? I really struggle with that film but he produces superb images with it. What format does he use? His site is intriguely vague giving away little about him or his techniques.
His image quality is not based on film choice. He is using filtering and really good printing techniques to get those images. The sky being dark means he is blocking blue light. Do that with a deep yellow filter (you should always use at least a light yellow filter as even panchromatic B+W film is inherently more sensitive to blue light.)
According to an interview with him in Black and White Photography (or was it Professional Photographer, can't remember), he shoots with a Pentax 67 but prints digitally. The characteristic look is said to be created in camera, athough he was unwilling to elaborate further.
Actually, Brandt is not shy about how much Photoshopping he does. If you read the B&W and Lenswork interviews, he explains his technique quite clearly. 120 film using a Pentax 67 system, and then scan the negs and then digital darkroom.