10x8 Street portraits

[Nas]

From a couple of days ago, nice late afternoon autumn light. 10x8 Deardorff with my 300/4.2 Plaubel Anticomar lens on some very old FP4 (the box doesn't have an expiry date). Processed in Rodinal 1+50. The camera attracted a lot of attention. These were all made within 20 minutes. Should've taken more film with me.

 

[Ian Grant]

Excellent Nas.

Ian

 

[HowLarge]

Intrigued by how you do this with such a large device? do you setup and engage with the interested folks ?
Like they take an interest and you ask for a shot? I can imagine that working .

 

[Nas]

Excellent Nas.

Ian

Thank you

 

[Nas]

Intrigued by how you do this with such a large device? do you setup and engage with the interested folks ?
Like they take an interest and you ask for a shot? I can imagine that working .

Yes, exactly. I set up in a spot where the lighting and background was to my liking in an area with a lot of passersby. With some people I had to ask them, others came up to me to ask what I was up to. The three musicians were waiting for their uber to arrive, I asked them.

 

[HowLarge]

that does sound like a pleasant way to engage with subjects the view camera being a charming tool
I know that pointing something like a Fuji 690 at people is not friendly but an Olympus trip would be
its an interesting point , now I'm thinking that with the right garb and ancient view camera , wooden tripod
you could say something like , I am a time traveller can we get a selfie for the folks back then.

 

[Nas]

that does sound like a pleasant way to engage with subjects the view camera being a charming tool
I know that pointing something like a Fuji 690 at people is not friendly but an Olympus trip would be
its an interesting point , now I'm thinking that with the right garb and ancient view camera , wooden tripod
you could say something like , I am a time traveller can we get a selfie for the folks back then.

Ha! I really enjoy this kind of photography where you collaborate with complete strangers for a short while. I’m always honest about what I’m doing which is mostly testing out lenses, film or glass plates. Personally I feel it’s important to share the picture otherwise they’ll never get to see it. I post my pictures to my photo blog and tell people to check there. It’s easier than juggling email addresses. I don’t use antisocial media.

 

[Roboticspro]

Nas,

These are really nice, genuine captures in a moment of time. I'm sure that the camera conversation helped to "break to ice" as it were. You have given me some inspiration for the holidays...

Regards,

Edd

 

[Nas]

Nas,

These are really nice, genuine captures in a moment of time. I'm sure that the camera conversation helped to "break to ice" as it were. You have given me some inspiration for the holidays...

Regards,

Edd

Thanks, Edd. This type of photography can be very rewarding. When you let someone look at the groundglass for the first time and they experience some magic, the ooh’s and ahhh’s give you a buzz. So much fun.
It can be a bit like fishing, some days you’ll be busy, other days might be quiet. It’s important to be out there. Gotta show up and see what happens.

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes, exactly. I set up in a spot where the lighting and background was to my liking in an area with a lot of passersby. With some people I had to ask them, others came up to me to ask what I was up to. The three musicians were waiting for their uber to arrive, I asked them.

My experience is if you are out in public with any LF camera people will come and talk to you, and they are always great conversations as well.

I remember in Venice. I guess 16 years ago a woman saying to her young children - look there's a real camera, it was a Yashicamat 124.

Ian

 

[Nas]

My experience is if you are out in public with any LF camera people will come and talk to you, and they are always great conversations as well.

I remember in Venice. I guess 16 years ago a woman saying to her young children - look there's a real camera, it was a Yashicamat 124.

Ian

This reminds of the time I came across a group of Leica users outside a coffee shop in London around 14 years ago. I was carrying a Mamiya C330f and one of them asked me if it was a Hasselblad.

 

[David M]

Excellent. What an admirable scheme.

 

[Reginald S.]

Great, in all aspects.

 

[Soulstar89]

From a couple of days ago, nice late afternoon autumn light. 10x8 Deardorff with my 300/4.2 Plaubel Anticomar lens on some very old FP4 (the box doesn't have an expiry date). Processed in Rodinal 1+50. The camera attracted a lot of attention. These were all made within 20 minutes. Should've taken more film with me.

Oh Nas, these are great bud!!!!! Massive respect you taking your 8x10 out and doing this challenge.

You have inspired me to try the same with my sinar 5x7.

I’m intrigued did you shoot wide open and did you use any movements?

 

[Nas]

Oh Nas, these are great bud!!!!! Massive respect you taking your 8x10 out and doing this challenge.

You have inspired me to try the same with my sinar 5x7.

I’m intrigued did you shoot wide open and did you use any movements?

Many thanks. You should do it. I didn’t use any movements. Apertures ranged from f8.3 to f11.5. Whichever was closest to the shutter speed I was using. The speeds on this shutter are in increments of 5. Wide open would’ve been too shallow with only eye lashes in focus

 

[Soulstar89]

Many thanks. You should do it. I didn’t use any movements. Apertures ranged from f8.3 to f11.5. Whichever was closest to the shutter speed I was using. The speeds on this shutter are in increments of 5. Wide open would’ve been too shallow with only eye lashes in focus

Oh I’m surprised you are able to get that much in focus at those Apetures. Nice work. You are making me crave a 300mm.

 

[Nas]

Oh I’m surprised you are able to get that much in focus at those Apetures. Nice work. You are making me crave a 300mm.

Notice I kept my distance. If I'd gone in close for head and shoulders it would've been a different story. I'm not a huge fan of the distortion you get with a 300mm on 10x8 for head and shoulders.

 

[Soulstar89]

Notice I kept my distance. If I'd gone in close for head and shoulders it would've been a different story. I'm not a huge fan of the distortion you get with a 300mm on 10x8 for head and shoulders.

I did notice you went for 3/4 length. I think I need to play more.

 

[Nas]

I did notice you went for 3/4 length. I think I need to play more.

Yup. Think Avedon in the American west. I will do some head/shoulders another time. It's nice to mix things up. Get out there and see what takes your fancy.