This is a shot I took earlier in 2018 in the form of exercise, trying to better understand and learn using a large format camera. This must be the 5th try in the span of 4 years and after a lot of mistakes or meh results I would say this is the first quite fully successful attempt to capture what I had in mind. Working with large format can be very tricky and there are almost infinite possibilities for you to screw up your shot. There is no place for carelessness or rushing things. You really have to be present and aware of everything around you. Thinking before acting on every single thing that you do. All these limitations though are the exact reason why I enjoy shooting large format so much. It’s such a beautiful form of exercise for your brain. Of course there is a time and place for everything and technical cameras don’t suit every style of photography. But trying new stuff and getting out of your comfort zone can really help you progress. Whether the genre of photography you practice requires you to work fast paced or not, you can only benefit from shooting large format. And when you get it right it is so rewarding. Viewing that gorgeous slide on a light table has such a 3D effect on your eyes, feels like you are seeing your subject in front you. I can only imagine what an experience must it be for photographers like Ben Horne viewing their massive 8x10 slides on a light table! I am really looking forward to shoot more large format in 2019!
This shot was taken on a 4x5 large format camera using Fujifilm Provia 100F slide film and then drum scanned to produce a 11274x14339 file.
The final edited shot of the image left with the film borders.
Close up of the shot.