On: Large-format camera movements (2020)

[Yujiro]

I worked as a photographer for years, from 35mm to 6x6 to 8x10 inches. Nothing I enjoyed more than the peace and concentration that working with a view camera gave me.

[johnny_canuck → Yujiro]

Agreed - everything slows down and it is absolutely wonderful. The world through a view camera is a beauty in itself. I never got a chance to use a 8x10 but I imagine it is even more incredible.

I still have my Toyo 45AII tucked away. Last I checked the prices for film + processing were too much to justify it mind you.

[i_am_proteus → johnny_canuck]

Depends on the film. Ilford with home processing comes out to $2.50-$3.00 a negative. Certainly not cheap, but it doesn't deter me from making a dozen or so exposures a month.

[ruined → johnny_canuck]

processing film yourself, even large format, is fairly cheap and easy, and adds another dimension of control and creativity. i really recommend it.

you will spend more on film than chemistry. i think it's worth it, given that modern digital cameras are still mostly incapable of that kind of work.

[enneff → Yujiro]

Seriously!! There’s something special about spending an afternoon taking photographs and only returning with half a dozen exposures. You really wanted to make every one count. And looking at that ground glass is like nothing else.

And then my favourite part was printing the photos by hand in the dark room. Total blissful, single-minded concentration. I don’t think I have felt more at peace than when I was printing.