At this moment, I have two 35mm cameras (actually 3), a digital and film single lens reflex. These two camera bodies share the same set of auto focus lenses ranging from 14mm to 500mm focal lengths. I also have another film 35mm SLR that is a simple manual focus film camera with a small set of lenses.
My progression toward large format photography is complicated and has been measured with limited success. I did not renew my interest in photography with the goal of large format photography, this desire is born of my progression and inquisitive nature.
I have one medium format camera. This ppcamera is relatively heavy and bulky. It requires a different approach in the process of capturing scenes that I’ve chosen. The limitations have been in producing good exposures. This camera has no light meter. I use a dedicated light meter, the Sekonic L398A Light Meter. It does not utilize a battery and has the additional requirements of reading the aperture and shutter speed from a dial. It’s old school and well known, an icon in measuring light. But in using it, my photographs have been sometimes under exposed. The meter from my smartphone has helped increase the success in capturing the correct amount of light in order to produce good exposures. I’m not a fan of telephone cameras and photography. I prefer the dedicated tools of classic photography.
My medium format camera is a step in the process toward LF and my results have been measured with limited success. Although I am interested in progressing towards my goal of capturing large format negatives to provide the results in larger prints, my progression has halted.
The solution to get back on track is to practice and perfect ight metering and input into the controls of my medium format camera. I will solve my inability to progress by learning my light meter by using it more and by checking the results with my smartphone. I can do this anywhere and without additional cost. As I progress with my metering skills, I will use my medium format camera more. My sessions in photography must be dedicated to the medium format camera. Commitment to it will be done by dedication to medium format photography first then after those photographs are captured, I can use my 35mm film and digital camera bodies.
My lone manual focus camera and my three prime lens kit is basic and limited. I maintain it as a way to have a camera to play with on a day to day basis. I will continue to use it to pacify my desire to take pictures regularly with the challenges of a city environment. My MF direction is architecture and street photography.
In order to conserve my resources and to improve my progression towards large format negatives and the process of learning enlargement printing, I’ll continue my focus on learning my light metering skills by using the smartphone to check the results of my light metering with my analog light meter. I’ll also continue to use my medium format camera until I see more consistent results coming from it.
As I progress towards my goal of learning large format photography, I will educate myself in identifying the equipment and use by research. I’ll learn each aspect and work with a mentor before purchasing. Mentors are often difficult to find but the chance of meeting one is often organic to the process. My local film lab is run by talented young photographers. I mentioned my interest in LF photography and one of the employees lit up, “Yes! I have that camera!” and we began to discuss how I should map out the road to LF photography. I immediately went home and tapped out this page to keep focused.
This plan will serve as my focus and written journal entry towards the goal of obtaining and use of a large format camera.
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| Sekonic L398A Light Meter |
The solution to get back on track is to practice and perfect ight metering and input into the controls of my medium format camera. I will solve my inability to progress by learning my light meter by using it more and by checking the results with my smartphone. I can do this anywhere and without additional cost. As I progress with my metering skills, I will use my medium format camera more. My sessions in photography must be dedicated to the medium format camera. Commitment to it will be done by dedication to medium format photography first then after those photographs are captured, I can use my 35mm film and digital camera bodies.
My lone manual focus camera and my three prime lens kit is basic and limited. I maintain it as a way to have a camera to play with on a day to day basis. I will continue to use it to pacify my desire to take pictures regularly with the challenges of a city environment. My MF direction is architecture and street photography.
In order to conserve my resources and to improve my progression towards large format negatives and the process of learning enlargement printing, I’ll continue my focus on learning my light metering skills by using the smartphone to check the results of my light metering with my analog light meter. I’ll also continue to use my medium format camera until I see more consistent results coming from it.
As I progress towards my goal of learning large format photography, I will educate myself in identifying the equipment and use by research. I’ll learn each aspect and work with a mentor before purchasing. Mentors are often difficult to find but the chance of meeting one is often organic to the process. My local film lab is run by talented young photographers. I mentioned my interest in LF photography and one of the employees lit up, “Yes! I have that camera!” and we began to discuss how I should map out the road to LF photography. I immediately went home and tapped out this page to keep focused.
This plan will serve as my focus and written journal entry towards the goal of obtaining and use of a large format camera.
Common terms and abbreviations: LF ~ large format, Scheimpflug principle,
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