A Start In Large Format
I’ve made a start in large format. For a sum total of two outings (and some still life inside after one of them). That has given a total of 6 photos. I have been taking backups, so that’s actually 12 sheets. I’m not entirely convinced this is worth it, unless I think I’ve made a total error in the taking. It double the amount I feel I need to develop, and therefore the cost and effort of that. I think I might stop worrying about it and just shoot one sheet at a time, unless a second feels warranted.
I’ll run through the various steps and what I’ve found difficult in each.
Preparing
The first tricky step is loading film holders. Given the requirement of total darkness. The changing bag I’ve got is big, but not really big enough, getting close and in the way at times. I may have to look for a pop-up changing tent instead, or work out a way to do it in a suitable room.
I also feel like some better way to pack all the equipemnt, rather than my ad-hoc method of trying to remember it all. Perhaps a checklist, or a dedicated carrying method.
Making photos
The actual making of the photos seems to have been ok, quite relaxing in fact. Not sure I’ve got the organisation of kit etc. down correctly. Still feels weird to be getting out in public with a large format camera. Such an obviously odd thing to be doing. I totally forgot to take a photo of my first outing, but here’s one of the second:
The trickiest part of this is getting everything in the right order, and not messing up. Things like making sure the lens is closed before inserting film holder. And not moving the camera around when inserting it for that matter. On the whole though the methodic requirement has been enjoyable and I feel that given time a lot of it will pass into automatic, and the experience with the movements will enable previsulistion of what I want to achieve with them, rather than the current experimentation. I think I need to put together a more formal check list, which I’ve not yet, more running through things before finally removing the darkslide and making the image.
Developing
After the fact I’ve had the same fun with unloading as loading. Doubled up with the difficulty of loading the Mod54 I’m using for developing. It’s a rather tricky to load, and the last set I did ended up with marks on the sheets of film. Not sure if that’s the direction I put them in (emulsion the wrong side) or something else (I’ve included some photos of these below the good versions). I did contemplate the SP-445 as an alternative when I was looking at them, but wanted a larger tank anyway, so the Mod54 made sense as an insert. I’ll see if I do get a pop-up tent and if that solves it, or at least makes it easier.
The actual developing (once the film is in the tank) is similar to roll film. To keep it simple I’ve been stand developing in Tetenol Paranol S (Rodinol in essence). This means I get to ignore it for an hour, then stop, fix and wash. Total of about 10 minutes effort. I may try Caffinol at some point, but have lots of Paranol S left.
Results
I’ll share the best of each pair I’ve made (most of the other have some form of developing issue, mainly due to misloading). Note the two different print styles, the top ones are from the local Boots, and the lower four from Harman photo labs (I was ordering a large print so thought I’d just get them done at the same time):
I think I like the Harman labs ones sufficiently to contemplate getting more or all done from there. Given they are “light jet” the home contact print or dark room enlargement may also give the same improvement.
As mentioned, here’s examples of the result of the issues I’ve had, firstly showing the film holder into the camera (the blank top right):
and then loading the Mod54:
Future plans
When I get happier with what I’m doing I want to use some colour film. Not sure if this should be C41 or E6. Either way I would likely need to send it off for development, which will add to the cost (and the film costs already add to that). I want to be vaguely happy that I’m not going to make a total hash of it before running up those costs. Also need to research sending sheet film off for development. It feels like it will be more difficult than roll film.
I also want to try New55 at some point. I already have a Polaroid 545 holder, which can be used for it. Then the trick is to get hold of it, as there’s no current UK supplier I can see. That and the cost of course. The one element I need to think about with it is the fixing, seems to need immediate fixing. Not practical in a out-and-about setting. That said you may be able to take a photo, release the sleeve without processing and process later at home. So not quite instant, but would end up with a print and a negative fairly quickly.
Other than those, I just want to continue to use the camera and learn what to do with it. I also want to try different subjects. I quite enjoyed the still life, might develop that (as it’s at home too). I also want to try portraiture but may struggle for a subject for that though, self-portrait is one option, using the dog is another. Beyond that not sure how to approach it.