An Introduction to Large Format photography

With Dav Thomas and Tim Parkin

Cost: £395 with hotel accommodation and food.
Based in the Peak District village of Baslow Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th September 2010 More Details and Book Online

 

 

 

There is a reason why many of the world's greatest landscape photographers use large format cameras and the likes of Joe Cornish, David Ward, Jack Dykinga, Ansel Adams, Paul Wakefield, Charles Cramer, Christopher Burkett have all found that it is only the large format camera that can allow them to fully express their creativity. It is a combination of almost limitless resolution and comprehensive control over focus and perspective that make a large format photograph so immersive. In addition to this, the 'built in post processing' of film also gives incredible colour without having to spend a long time in Photoshop. With all these advantages come a potential disadvantages though.

The focusing of a view camera can take substantial amount of time, effort and skill, especially if you want to make the most of all of that resolution. Getting the right exposure with large format is also all manual with most photographers using a spot meter to take multiple readings to work out a final exposure (taking into account bellows factor, filter factor, graduated filters and reciprocity).

The good news is that, approached in the right way, all of these things can become second nature very quickly. Our large format course will provide a reliable approach to using the large format camera so that you be confident that you will get the technicals right and leave you with more time to spend getting that perfect picture. It's not just a technical approach that we cover however, because you are taking fewer pictures, you will have more time to spend finding and composing each picture and to help you, we'll be discussing some of the key aspects of composition in landscape photography. Tim and Dav will make sure that you leave the weekend with an approach to your photography that will accelerate your progression and help you realise your potential.

Our Location

We will be based in the heart of the Peak District in the lively village of Baslow. This provides the ideal base to explore the great edges - from Froggatt to Stanage. Away from the more obvious edges there are ancient woodland and streams to explore. From the vista to intimate landscapes – the Peak District has it all.

Workshop Itinerary

In our comfortable hotel we will go over technical aspects of the large format camera, looking at its functionality and the various options available for both camera designs and accessories. Don't worry we won't get too academic on you though (unless you really want us to!), our practical sessions will be hands on, letting you try out different cameras to demonstrate focusing technique, metering etc before we get to use cameras in the field.

Of course you may already be familiar with the basics of large format photography - we will tailor your workshop based on your knowledge, you may, for example, want to discuss and improve your composition stills or look at more advanced camera use, that's fine, we're happy to take everyone's needs into account.

Getting used to making large format landscape photos is what the weekend is all about – we will spend plenty of time out in the Peak District using a camera, we will use our knowledge of the area todetermine the best place to shoot based on the infamous Peak District weather. We won't stop for the rain though (unless it's really bad) so make sure you bring suitable clothing for all weathers!

We provide you with some film to use on the workshop, our aim is for each workshop participant to get a few sheets of Velvia exposed on Saturday so we can develop them ready to critique at in the evening's meeting in the Hotel.

Our evening meeting will be informal (it's OK, our meeting room has a bar!) and will give Tim and Dav the opportunity to discuss their approach to photography and hopefully you will be able to bring a few examples of your work along for the group to discuss.