A Short About the Challenge and Beauty of Large Format Photography

It takes a special kind of masochist to carry around the behemoth that is a large data format camera . One such person isJoseph Allen Freeman , a lensman work in the 8 x 10 format . In theshort filmThrough the Ground Glass , by Nick Bolton and Taylor Hawkins , we see Freeman speculate about the trials and romance of the years - previous process .

The short documentary has a grace to it that matches expectant format picture taking itself ( if you discount the fact that Freeman curses like a sailor ) . In it we get wind about what a painful sensation in the ass it is to lug around immense equipment , and the rewards in developing the negatives that are almost as prominent as a sheet of notebook theme . It ’s a far battle cry from the distributor point and penetrate experience of digital picture taking we are all so used to .

Large format picture taking is indeed a fading artistic creation , but still very much alive . The remarkable matter is how cheap it is to get into the humans of large format , present that you end up with something that just does n’t subsist in the digital world . you’re able to find used 4×5 setup for under $ 500 easily . Of course , you then have to find a research laboratory to develop the negatives and make prints , which is why this clobber does n’t come easy . Hopefully it will survive on in recess fancier like Freeman . Check out the result of his labor onhis web site . [ Petapixel ]