View Camera Large Format Photography Conference

[Phong]

[Please excuse the cross-posts on the Large Format Forum and photo.net]

Just a few lines to share my experience.

I drove down to Springfield yesterday to attend the conference, and found it a quite rewarding experience. Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee were the reasons I came, as I wanted to see their work in person, and boy, wasn't I in for a treat. I am sure it's not for everyone, but Michael and Paula now have a fan in me. Jack Holowitz's session on LF portrait was excellent also. Jack is very unassuming; his work is much bigger than his words, and speaks for itself, to use a cliche.

I throughly enjoy the print sharing sessions; it is invaluable to be able to see the works in person, especially in processes I am unfamiliar with (I was curious about Platinum/Palladium specifically), and there were a _lot_ of very high quality work there.

The keynote presentations were very entertaining and interestting (Rob Gibson's on Historical (Civil War) Photography) and David Muench's on LF landscape photography), even if theirs is not my kind of photography.

I didn't spend too much of time in the vendors area, (I am on an equipment diet ), though it seems quite well attended and stocked;
I saw and even touched an Ebony camera . I escaped with only a $35
damage (for a lensboard).

Too bad I cannot make it today to hang out at the reception and perhaps meet some faces to put with names I recognize here and other LF net forums, and also meet other LFers in the area.

If you are within driving distance and can make the time, I highly recommend the experience. Kudos and thanks to Steve and View Camera Magazine, and also to the Western New England LF group (Bruce Barlow, Gene Laford, et al). From all apperances on the first day, you guys did a great job hosting the event. Hope the rest of the weekend went as well.

- Phong

 

[papagene]

Phong
You didn't introduce yourself !! (if you did, I apologize, I was probably running around trying to figure out last minute details). I was looking forward to meeting some fellow APUG'ers.
The reception at the Valley Photo Center was wonderful... I am very relieved.

gene

 

[Bill Hahn]

And some us didn't make it...

...I'm in the middle of a multi-day home repair project and am
bummed that I couldn't/can't make it.

(And why do I keep thinking Papagene is a character in the opera
"The Magic Flute"?)

Anyway, hope to visit the Valley Photo Center *sometime*....and glad to hear the conference/reception was a success...

Cheers,
Bill H.

 

[BBarlow690]

It's over! What a great time!

Thanks to Ted Harris for all his help with the reception. To Gene Laford for hanging a great show. To the Valley Photo Center for all their cooperation and hospitality on our behalf. To Paul Wainwright, Bob Hallock and Andrew Held for leading photographing field trips on behalf of WNELFP.

Special thanks to Midwest Photo Exchange, Badger Graphics, Cooke Optics, Howard Singer, Richard Ritter, Dick Phillips, Keith Canham, and Ted Harris for their sponsorship of the reception (meaning they droppped cash to fund catering).

Thanks to Steve Simmons for having it in Springfield.

Thanks to all the fine presenters for their contributions to a strong program.

Thanks to everyone who attended. It was nice to see so many fine photographers, to see old friends again, and to put faces to WNELFP email addresses.

I think it was a great success. Thanks again, everybody. And special thanks to the nice lady who told me she was surprised, after all my paper/developer tests in the darkroom, that I wasn't "some little nerd."

Bruce Barlow

 

[Monophoto]

I just got back from the conference, and I have to report that there were a couple of problems.

First, the program offered entirely too many excellent presenters talking on interesting topics. Damn, it was difficult to choose between them.

Second, I came away with a very long list of things that I have been inspired to do - both technical and creative. Unfortunately, that list is too long - when am I going to find time to do it all?

Seriously, Steve and his magazine team, and the folks at WNELFP did a fabulous job of organizing an outstanding conference. The field trip on Friday morning was great fun. They even took care of the little details like arranging for an excellent sampling of New England spring weather (a little of this, a little of that - - -)

The show was excellent - the reception last night was fabulous.

Congratulations - and thanks for a great time.

 

[Peter Schrager]

AlSO......

And let's not forget...Bruce Barlow who was the instigator for getting the conference here in the first place.
GeneLaford;AKA papgene for all his hard work at the Valley Photo Center
Monophoto for some great conversation and company
Guys who took us out on Friday morning shoot
The sponsor/contributors for the show's reception;great food and music
All the speakers and presenters
And-oh yeah good old STeve simmons who did it once again!
Later, Peter

 

[Richard T Ritter]

I to just got back from the conference many thanks to the people and vendors listed by Bruce Barlow.

Above all many thanks to Bruce for making it all happen and getting Steve Simmons to do it on the east coast.

I do have some good news to report. I talked with the people from Ilford and they stated that they would not let the ulf film disappear from the market and they want to work with us. You and the posting to this site made a difference. There will be more news in the up coming months from Ilford as to when the ulf film will be back on the market.

I have a new page up www.lg4mat.net/ulfcamera.html I will keep it update with news from Ilford as I get it.

Again many thanks to everyone who showed up you made a difference.

Richard Ritter

 

[BBarlow690]

Richard had 14,000 hits on the pictures of his prototype camera over the weekend...

ULF is alive and well, especially if Richard Ritter has gone into the camera-making business. Way to go, Richard!

Richard's video, "Camera Repair in the Field," will be available for sale by July 1, or I'll be dead trying... See Richard smash a Zone VI 4x5 by pushing over a tripod, and then repair it on the spot. Watch Richard make an emergency ground glass. That, and more.


Bruce

 

[Monophoto]

I have a Zone VI. Watching Richard smash one would be very painful. Perhaps he could destroy a Wisner?

 

[jp80874]

Richard Ritter Camera

Richard had 14,000 hits on the pictures of his prototype camera over the weekend...

ULF is alive and well, especially if Richard Ritter has gone into the camera-making business. Way to go, Richard!
Bruce

One man can't possibly respond to all those hits and what ever percent asked for information, including me. What can you or anyone else tell us about the camera that Richard hasn't put on his page?

Thanks,
John Powers

 

[BBarlow690]

Fortunately for Richard, he's just looking at the hits his web site hosting service reports. They're not actually inquiries with questions to which he need respond.

Mr. Ritter's camera has user-interchangeable backs ranging in size from 8x10 to 14x17, so one "chassis" can serve multiple formats - change bellows and back and you're in business. The chassis will be mostly aircraft aluminum to reduce weight. About 34" of bellows extension, but he told me in an email this morning that he's working on an extension rail that can give more length to those who need it. He's got a way to flip the back to vertical, too, without tipping the tripod head over. Two knobs loose, reset the rear tilt pieces, reattach the bellows to the front, reknob. More or less. It's slick.

Each camera will be custom assembled, and he plans to go into production this summer. Mr. Ritter is still working out prices, but he thought the 7x17 pictured on his web site would go for about $3,000 or so (it weighs 10 pounds). He may not have thought of it yet, but he's also got to work out prices for just the interchangeable backs, too, for when somebody wants an 11x14 back and an 8x20 back.

I should negotiate a sales commission...

To the poster who talked about smashing a Wisner instead: Nah. Life's too short to be a bad sport, I guess. Richard smashed his own personal camera for the video.

 

[Aggie]

I'll stick with Jim Chinn's cameras. They are being demo'd this weekend in Texas at the Les McLean workshop. The camera is a couple of pounds heavier, but for the camera, a lens board two film holders and an extra reducing back. It is going for around $2200 for the 11x14 version. It is also hand built and custom fitted.

 

[Dave Parker]

I will be interested in seeing both of them, times are getting exciting in the ULF arena, and I am glad for it.

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass