Subject preference

mooseontheloose

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Interesting question. I love landscapes but am not good at producing good images of them. That being said, I don't feel that the galleries are dominated by Ansel Adam wannabees, but I do get that feeling sometimes in the forums. I certainly haven't been here as long as many others, but I find that the image content of the galleries changes with the seasons -- sometimes a lot of amazing landscapes, or portraits, or alternative work, and sometimes just (to me) uninspiring work. But I like this place because you can get some insightful comments from everyone from rank beginners to darkroom gods, and almost everyone here puts a positive, encouraging (constructive) spin to images, which is not something that I often see elsewhere. I really get inspired by people doing things radically different to what I do, and it is one of the reasons why I like APUG so much.
 
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Hi John,

Locking focus isn't a problem at all. It's more about changing the focus of the camera as the subject matter moves - and when you have a film holder in place you can't see through the camera how it affects the picture.

But I feel like it isn't worth taking it farther. I'm OK using the 5x7 whenever I see something that is a stationary subject, like the patch of cone flowers I have in my front yard. I took pictures of them yesterday with the 5x7. And last time I made portraits with the 5x7, out of ten exposures only two were sharp, because the person in front of the lens had moved ever so slightly, resulting in her cheek bone being sharp, as opposed to her eye. That 80% waste is too much for me, so I have chosen to not use the 5x7 for that type of subject matter anymore.

You're right - it's just a light and money trap. Thanks for bearing with me.

- Thomas
 

Bill Burk

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Interesting division, I agree it has a lot to do with it but wonder if the division isn't art/engineer... but social/shy.

I've proved I'm not an engineer. But I consider myself shy. And I am an Ansel Adams loving landscape photographer. He's not taking any more pictures, neither is Henri Cartier-Bresson. They missed a few spots, and I am going back for touch-up.
 

Bill Burk

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This is where rangefinders come in handy.
 
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Any of the cameras with a coupled rangefinder will do. While the rangefinder on my Super Graphic is missing the little yellow square piece, the range dial works just fine, and I can guestimate a good focal point along with some depth of field. (Of course I can only get good DOF in the daylight)
 
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