JPG Magazine: Stories: Photo Essay: Digital leaves alot on the table...

Digital leaves alot on the table...

By Michael Billert

26 September 2007

Fifty years ago photog's were hanging up their press cameras and flash bulbs for small format and strobes. Along the way most tried to avoid large format. Tried to make 35mm work,some had great success. I spent many hours in the darkroom getting the most from a small negative. Settled in and got good results from my 6x6, sold my nikons, bought really good lenses for the hassalblad. Produced great negatives and actually have some images I am proud of. Three years ago spent a good bit on a digital camera, computer, scanner and printer. Would like to go to that workshop in New England and learn about the software and inks they have developed, but thats another storey.

What I am focused on once again this year is the 4x5 format. I have lots of equipment, Studio view camera, a Wista field camera [ have had for 30+years]. and even a press camera. Lot of my important negatives have been produced with different pin-hole systems.The best so far is an oatmeal box,cut to six inches, loaded with a piece of 4x5 tri-x. Taped to keep it light tight and most important the neddle hole. This is down and dirty. If you have to kept up with the high tech, look at the pin-hole web-sites for cool cameras. Even a panorama that puts four exposures on a roll of 120 film.The pin-holes are cut with a laser

Developing is as technical as you wish, one sheet at a time can be processed in a tray or the old rubber kodak boxes can still be found on the web. They hold 10 sheets in frames.

The connection to the new world is a flat bed scanner or better yet a big file produced on a drum scanner from a service company. A large file really makes for a beautiful digital print. But if you can hold to the old school even a contact 4x5 print on a piece of 8x10 paper is as beautiful as it gets.Shoot,develope, print and publish... good luck Michael