Large Format

The most exciting thing happened to me this week!  I learned how to use a Large Format Camera!  Sweetness.  For those of you who don't know what a large format is--it's one of those really big cameras on a tripod and you have to put the cloth over your head to check the lighting...yeah, it's pretty cool.  I was incredibly intimidated by the camera though.  It's so big, and so nice, and I was so afraid the pictures wouldn't turn out.  I first had to set up the picture with the right exposure and time (and the image is upside down....I had to try and not tilt my head too far...i should learn how to look at things upside down!)  and then I had to load the film and take the picture...hoping and praying it turned out the way I wanted!  Several attempts produced not so lovely prints, but I finally got the hang of it and I'm pretty pleased with some of the photos I ended up with.  Nothing really competes with a large format.  Really beautiful, clear, and sharp photographs can be produced using a large format.  I hope to work more with one in the future!

This first set of film didn't turn out so well...a little grey and a little blurry.

But then I started figuring it out..

 

And finally I started producing photographs I can be proud to call mine :)

 

 This is my lovely roommate Megan who was so kind to help me out moving my camera equipment and even posing for me in a dirty muddy cow field....the picture of the cows didn't turn out. I bumped the camera after I loaded the film, and the picture went blurry.  Bummer.

 

I think this photo turned out surprisingly well.  I was taking pictures of Abbey, and the final prints were too dark....but somehow I got this exposure correct.  I set it all up and had my roommate take the shot.  I love my dear sister.  Can't you tell?  She just makes my heart happy :)  

Hopefully I'll have more large format photos....